Gundog Group
Crufts 2019
Thursday 7th March 2019
Over my years of judging I have always had to the forefront of my thoughts ”is this dog capable of doing the work he was designed for and did he have the construction under that coat to carry out the job he was bred for.” Those thoughts were paramount today, not losing the fact that this is a beauty show.
All thirty two exhibits were pleasing examples of their breed type. Crossing the ring one by one as they entered gave me a good idea of their merits and essence. The large “Clock” in the corner of the ring, a new addition this year, was rather intimidating. I judge at a fairly brisk pace, but had to up my game to fit in with the fifty minute time schedule allocated to the Gundog Group, on this, the top judging appointment that I could ever aspire to.
The quality of the exhibits was excellent, I cut to 9, and could easily have added more to that number. Excluding my final four they were in numerical order, Edminson’s Hungarian Wirehaired Vizsla bitch, Kisdons Custom Made; Tattersall’s Irish Red & White Setter bitch, Sh Ch Alanea Summer Cottage; Harrison’s Pointer bitch, Millpoint Hopes N’Dreams JW ShCM; Macleod & Hussesy’s Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever dog, Camusmor Stargazer JW, taking his title today; & Amos-Jones Cocker Spaniel dog, Sh Ch Veratey Vincenzo At Cassom JW.
Group 1 was Carruthers Irish Water Spaniel, Sh Ch Gloi Donn All Or Nothing At Stangate.
3 ½ year old male, superbly presented in magnificent coat and great outline. Underneath had all the correct angles to enable him to move out so sound and true on excellent legs and feet. He had great ribs with plenty of heart room, topped by a head of quality with a really decent sized nose for scenting, held his shape on the move superbly, had great ring presence.
Group 2 was Pinkerton’s German Wirehaired Pointer Sh Ch/Dutch Ch Esmee Dragon From Rhona’s Home At Bareve WW18(Imp NLD), 4 ½ year old bitch, stunning outline, very soundly constructed, in excellent jacket, such a sound mover, fitted the standard “smooth covering plenty of ground with each stride, driving hind action”, kept her outline superbly on the move, a great head piece to top it all off.
Group 3 was the Golden Retriever that I had to referee for Best of Breed earlier that evening. Monteverde’s IT Ch/INT Ch Primavera In Anticipo Della Val D’Avento (ATC AS01256ITA) a bitch of 4 years that filled my eye, from her gentle feminine head, very well constructed body, not exaggerated in any way, so sound on the move and in superb coat. My idea of a good Golden.
Group 4 was Eggington’s Spanish Water Dog, Valentisimo’s Yogi, a two year old male, the breed has always appealed to me for their rustic charm, he had excellent construction under that very correct coat, he move out very soundly on good legs and feet and like all good show dogs just gave that extra something that says “Look at Me”.
Carole A Coode – Judge
