Ilfracombe and District Canine Society Open Show
February 16 2019
Irish Setter
First of all many thanks to the committee for this invitation to judge this breed. Numerically a fairly strong entry and I thank exhibitors for their entries. Some nice dogs to go over but I found movement, particularly in the younger dogs to be disappointing. Also I wish handlers would not overstretch their charges creating a totally exaggerated rear angulation. Enough of the negatives – my winners and placed dogs very nice indeed.
Junior (7 0 absent)
1 Pym, Milligan-Bott and Bott Thendara Marshmello Just beat off the challenge from the second placed bitch. A 11 month old boy with plenty of substance Quality boy with a soft expression. Good powerful reach of neck set on well laid back shoulders. Very adequate depth of body and spring of rib Correct gradual slope to top line, Rear angulation very good but not over done. Overall shape good and moved well. Best Puppy in Breed
2 Rutherford Majestyka Indian Summer at Clonageera 9 ½ month old girl showing plenty of promise for the future. Another who moved well. Overall conformation ideal. Layback of shoulders correct as was upper arm. Rear angulation satisfactory. Super top line. Feminine head.
3 Hadfield Covarney Paco Rabanne
Graduate (6 1 absent)
1 MacDonald Redclyst Maximus 21 month old boy. Super lay back of shoulders and this won him the class. Rear angles good and shown properly in this respect. Adequate depth to body and straight front. Just the right amount of slope to top line Masculine head and good reach of neck . Moved very well. Beaten by a good one for top honours but well deserved Reserve Best of Breed
2 Pike Redclyst Boris. A nicely balanced dog. Litter brother to winner and lost out on the front construction of winner. Good top line, nice neck and masculine head. Overall construction sound and moved well
3 Pettifer Heathclare Liberty at Crosswest
Post Graduate (2 0 absent)
1 Condron Gwendariff D’Ya Fancy a Fling with Covarney This boy proved something of a handful for his handler. Basic conformation sound. Somewhat short in body but good sloping top line, good depth of body and spring of rib. Medium muscular neck set on well laid back shoulders. A little over angulated at rear.
2 Pettifer Heathclare Liberty at Crosswest. Would have liked to see more drive in her movement. Slighter built than most. Overall conformation sound.
Open Dog (6 1 absent)
1 Jones Hunnicote Handyman 4 year old – lovely balanced outline. Nothing overdone but conformation sound in every respect. Good shoulders with correct upper arm. Powerful neck. More than adequate depth in body. Correct bone. Moved well. I liked this one a lot and he thoroughly deserved his Best of Breed
2 Gardiner Harreds Harlie of Blaysdell Not quite as balanced as winner A little on the short side. Correct neck set on well laid back shoulders. Masculine head. Good angles. Moved well
3 Condron and Needs Covarney Macaroon
Open Bitch (3 1 absent)
1 Hadfield Marzanne China in your Hands Reasonable angles both fore and aft. Moved well. Would have preferred more slope to top line. Straight front and good depth to body.
2 Andrews Millcroft Scarlet Moon Movement lacked animation. Adequate conformation. Would have preferred better lay back of shoulders.
JOHN MILLWARD (JUDGE)