First I would like to thank the GSPA for inviting me to judge this show and all the exhibitors for the excellent entry.

I really enjoyed my day going over some lovely GSPs and thought the atmosphere excellent and my decisions to be received in a sporting manner.

Although I thought my dog and bitch line ups to be full of quality and the type that I am looking for, there are a few aspects of the breed that concern me.

I found quite a variety of heads and I urge breeders to consider this with future litters.  There were some with short muzzles and others with over-long narrow muzzles.  The GSP was “designed” to use its nose when hunting and therefore requires good wide nostrils and muzzle to match.

Movement was very mixed, with some “flapping” their front feet, while others had very stilted rear movement.  The breed standard calls for a smooth, lithe gait, effortlessly covering plenty of ground with the hind legs giving forceful propulsion.

Having said this, there were some classes that were full of quality and I was spoilt for choice.  The strength in all the puppy classes was most gratifying and bodes well for the future.

 

Minor Puppy Dog: (5 entries, 0 absent)

Nice class!

1^st   Hinchliffe’s Gloster Grebe – Just 6 months old, but what a little cracker!  Superb construction with a good head and neck flowing into good shoulders and a lovely topline.  Good straight front and beautifully angulated rear.

Being so young, he was a little unsettled on the move, but once he settled down he demonstrated good reach and drive. (Best Puppy Dog)

 

2^nd   Howe’s Puddledub Pretender from Gitsaro – Another very promising baby, slightly shorter cast than the winner, but again good balance and moved out true fore and aft once settled.

3^rd    Cooper’s Gameglow Top Gun

 

Puppy Dog: (7,1)

1^st   Hinchliffe’s Gloster Grebe

2^nd   Coghlan’s Soellis Smug Doug – It will be interesting to see how this boy develops.  He has a lot going for him, but lacked the overall balance of the winner today.  He has a good head and neck with a straight front and a good coat.

3^rd    Staley’s Jomeel Midnight Rambler

 

/…

Junior Dog: (4,1)

1^st  Thurm’s Bryburn Bacchus – Very well proportioned dog, with a good head and pleasing expression.  A good set of shoulders and straight front with gently sloping pasterns.  A good topline with correct tailset.

2^nd  Watling’s Drysika Dasher – Longer cast than the winner with a good coat, but not the same overall balance.

3^rd   Woolley’s Fayemm Get Ready for Dunsa

 

Yearling Dog (4,0)

1^st    Jackman’s Navigareamor Hardtoport – Well up to size, but well constructed.  Straight fore and aft with good shoulders and bend of stifle.  Well defined head with a pleasing expression and a good coat.  Moved well.

2^nd   Hopkin’s Seasham Don’t Stop Me Now – Slightly smaller and shorter coupled than the winner, but a lot to like.  A good coat and topline with good angulation and a good head.

3^rd    Delaney’s Redmires Ticket to the Stars JW

 

Postgraduate Dog (3,0)

1^st    Milligan’s Redmires Storm the Stars at Chevinlade – Not the biggest of dogs, but well put together, showing good balance.  A good topline, which was evident in good movement, correct shoulders and rear angulation.

2^nd     Harper’s Tywivale Top Drawer – Upstanding black and white dog which shows some promise, not the movement of the winner.  Not handled to his potential.

3^rd      Roger’s Disglairhill Red Kite

 

Limit Dog (12,0)

A very nice class!

1^st      Wilkinson’s Zarozinia Beinn An Oir ShCM –  Lovely solid liver dog with a good head and neck leading into good shoulders and smooth topline.  Straight front with gently sloping pasterns and correct rear angulation with strong hocks completing the picture.  Moved out well demonstrating drive.  Was delighted to award him the RCC.

2^nd     Staley’s Keigame Chilli Bean at Jomeel – Another lovely boy, slightly shorter coupled but a real picture with a good front and rear angulation.  Nice head and neck assembly.  It was a close run decision between these two dogs and I was splitting hairs.

3^rd     Roden’s Keigame Nasrullah

 

 

 

/…

 

Open Dog (12,3)

Another cracking class, with the first 5 capable of changing places on another day.

1^st      Brown & Burns’ Sh Ch Magregor Three’s a Crowd at Pothouse JW ShCM – This l/w dog was really on good form today.  He impressed me on my first inspection and did not disappoint.  He had beautiful balance with a good head and expression.  His head carriage and arrogance demanded “look at me” with his good shoulders, straight front and good rear angulation.  His movement was effortless and I was delighted to award him the DCC.

2^nd      Flaherty & Reddyhough’s Sh Ch Isara Kurzhaar Weiser JW ShCM – A flashy l/w dog I have admired in the past and he has matured nicely.  A worthy champion.  He has good shoulders, rear angulation and held his topline on the move.  Preferred the movement and the panache of the winner today.

3^rd      Cooke & Hammond’s Seasham Jumpin’ Jack Flash

 

Veteran Dog (3,0)

1^st      Smillie-Gray’s Sh Ch Oakberrow Wotzinaname ShCM –  8½ years old l/w chap.  Moved out really well demonstrating plenty of drive.  Good shoulders and well bent stifles.

2^nd     Read’s Wilholme Edwardian Dream – Just slightly younger, but a well built solid liver boy with good balance.  Preferred movement of the winner today.

3^rd      Potter’s Ivoravon Storm ina T’Cup

 

Special Veteran Dog (4,2)

These dogs showed the youngsters how to move!

1^st      Carling, Whiting & Bates’  Sh Ch Valache Brooklyn Dodger ShCM – A flashy l/w boy who is now over 10 years old, but still moves out true with plenty of drive.  Good shape with a good coat and nice front.

2^nd      Parrs Tikkaruger Apple and Pears –Over 11 years old, but full of life and moving out quite beautifully.  Again well constructed, he pushed the winner hard.

 

Field Trial Dog (1,0)

1^st       Dymond’s Int SH Ch/Nl/Lux/Bel ShCh Friarsbelle Marshmellow – L/W dog with good angulation and shoulders.  Moved out with drive.

 

Good Citizen Dog Scheme Dog (3,1)

1^st           Staley’s Keigame Chilli Bean at Jomeel

2^nd          Rusk’s Marran’s Spring Mist over Booton – Flashy l/w dog with good overall shape, lacked the movement of the winner.

/…

Minor Puppy Bitch (5,0)

1^st       Hustler’s Aytee Katerina – Lovely 8 months old l/w puppy with a good coat and correct tailset.  Straight fore and aft, she moved out well.

2^nd      Robson & Allerton’s Sigourney Safara –  7 month old l/w baby, slightly larger and longer cast than the winner. Good shoulders, good movement.

3^rd       Marsh’s Kentixen Make a Memory for Kilnrae

 

Puppy Bitch (10,1)

1^st        Ellis’ Soellis Fannie Annie – 10 months old l/w.  I couldn’t take my eyes off this little cracker.  A lovely puppy in good condition, so beautifully balanced.  Her good head and neck just flowed into a lovely topline.  Straight front and rear, she moved out really well with good drive.  I was delighted to award her the RBCC and Best Puppy in Show.

2^nd     Malin’s Keigame Murphlette at Benrae – 10 months old l/w. Another delicious puppy who was slightly larger and heavier than the winner.  Well balanced with good construction.  She missed out to the winner on movement, but this may settle as she matures.

3^rd     Heath’s Winterwell Miss Marple at Pinseeker

 

Junior Bitch (10,2)

1^st      Rose & Gaffney’s Kavacanne Vixen – A very nice l/w bitch with good head, shoulders and rear angulation.  A nice straight front and good coat.  She moved out well.

2nd    Pudney’s Pitwit Winter Glow – Another lovely bitch with the same attributes as the winner, but lost out on movement today.

3^rd     Beverley’s Bryburn Artemis of Vinita

 

Yearing Bitch (5,2)

1^st     Beverley’s Bryburn Artemis of Vinita – Very nice bitch of correct size with a nice head, good balance, excellent shoulders and good topline.

2^nd      Milligan’s Isara Kurzhaar All Spice – l/w, slightly finer than winner with a good head, nice shape and good coat.

3^rd      Stopforth’s Smilek Running Up Snowden

 

Postgraduate Bitch (7,2)

1^st       Haran & Waddell’s Magregor Shneeball – A well proportioned l/w bitch with a good head and neck, good front and excellent rear angulation.  Very good topline that was held on the move.

2^nd      Hopkin’s Seasham Dancing Queen – Slightly shorter than the winner, but well proportioned.  Has a good coat, good front and rear angulation.  She moved out well.

3^rd       Sielski’s Orchidstar Xtra O’live JW

Limit Bitch (6,2)c

1^st     Peebles’ Keigame Hopscotch – Another well constructed bitch from a kennel I have long admired. S/L with well laid shoulders, a good straight front and well angulated rear.  She moved out well and with drive.

2^nd   Hinchliffe’s Goosepoint Eiderdown – A slightly larger bitch with a good head and coat.  I preferred the overall balance of the winner today.

3^rd   Schoneville’s Balvenie Bella JW

 

Open Bitch (10,1)

A lovely class!

1^st    Drew’s Sh Ch Cushatlaw Illustrious JW – Absolutely lovely l/w bitch shown in good condition (was amazed to be told later she’d had a litter 11 weeks ago).  She was everything I was looking for.  Lovely balance and a good coat.  Nice feminine head and expression with good shoulders and nice, straight front.  She had a good topline leading down to a well set on tail, with good rear angulation.  She moved effortlessly around the ring with plenty of drive.  Fully deserved the Bitch CC and Best in Show.

2^nd   Thurm’s Sh Ch Valger Odette – Another lovely l/w well balanced bitch with a lot to admire.  Good shoulders and well angulated rear. Straight in front with a good tailset and coat.  Just not moving so well as the winner today.

3^rd   Tierney’s Sh Ch Keigame Hustle JW ShCM

 

Veteran Bitch (4,0)

1^st   Hopkin’s Seasham Dressed for Success – 7 year old l/w girl in lovely condition with great balance.  Moved out well, showing good drive both fore and aft.  Fully deserved to be awarded Best Veteran in Show.

2^nd   Peebles’ Keigame Leading Lady JW ShCM – Now 9 years old, another old favourite of mine.  She is still a nicely constructed bitch shown in good condition.

3^rd    Trow’s Keigame Bossanova around Winterwell

 

Special Veteran Bitch (3,1)

1^st     Whitehouse’s Kazanpaul Crème Brulee AWG – 10½ years old l/w bitch.  Short coupled with a good coat, neck and front.  She moved out well, belying her years.

2^nd     Brown & Burn’s Pothouse Miss Lavender – Almost 12 years old, but still moving and looking well.  Preferred overall balance of winner today.

 

 

/…

 

 

 

Field Trial Bitch (5,0)

A class filled with quality bitches

1^st       Elrington’s Barleyarch Beetle at Tequesta JW – This bitch moved like a dream and really pushed hard in the challenge.  She has a nice head with a good straight front, gently sloping pasterns and good shoulder placement.  Correct bend of stifle and upright hocks completed the picture.  Delighted to award her Best Field Trial in Show.

2^nd    Izard’s Goosepoint Chincapin JW – Another well constructed bitch, shown in lovely, hard condition.  Again, good front and rear angulation.  She had an excellent coat.  Moved well, but preferred more precise movement of winner.

3^rd         Nixon’s Quintana Hollie Berry

 

Good Citizen Dog Scheme Bitch (3,0)

1^st         Beverley’s Bryburn Artemis of Vinita

2^nd       Whitehouse’s Kazanpaul Crème de la Crème – l/w bitch who is well balanced in profile with good shoulders and good rear angulation.

3^rd         Coe & Pitman’s Int Sh Ch/Lux/Nl/Dt/Ch Pitwit Leona

 

 

 

 

Judge:  Bill Ashcroft