Judge’s Critique

I would like to start by thanking the society and the committee for this opportunity, their hospitality and the fabulous lunch. This was certainly a day of surprises which leads me to conclude, that we, the custodians of the breed must work harder. It simply will not do for judges to say lovely, lovely, lovely, constructive criticism is what is required for the benefit of the breed and exhibitors should take it as it is intended and not as an insult. We can all benefit from improvement and if we as a breed are to be taken seriously by our peer’s improvement is required. First we must remember that this is the largest of the retriever family and should be capable of a day’s work. It should have the substance, construction and size to carry a bird while both swimming and negotiating difficult terrain. We need to pay close attention to mouths, hind movement and tail carriage as well as overall substance. When I say substance I do not mean size, I mean strength. I would note at this point that the bitches are overall of far superior quality than the males at this time.

VD 1 Elarrina Untouchable. Black dog of substance that in spite of his age oozes quality. He has the best of heads with a dark eye and well set neat ears. Good shoulder placement with excellent return of upper arm and matching angles front and rear, well made croup which accounts for his well set on tail that was correctly carried on the move. Perhaps, not the powerhouse of his formative years but he drives off showing great balance and ground covering movement. He was presented in good coat, a mass of small tight curls. He has the most wonderful temperament and was very well handled. RCC and Best Veteran.

MPD 1 Firecurl some like it hot at Tarockwood. Very Immature 6 month old Liver male. Nice head with dark eye and good bite. His coat is currently a bite sparse. He stand on good feet with straight well boned front legs, good shoulder placement and good top line. He was very excited on the move. Would like to see a bit more substance overall but he is young and time will tell.

PD 1 Foxriever Picture Perfect for Blanshard. Liver Dog of 9 months. Good Head with dark eye and good ear set. He stands on good feet with straight front legs a good shoulder and return of upper arm. Developing nicely in his muscularity and was nicely together for a pup of his age. 2 Foxriever Star Tribute to Stormacre Litter brother to 1 and Much the same applies, however he is a much rangier chap and was looser all over, he was clearly out to enjoy himself and his movement was erratic. Time will cure his foolery.

YD 1 Karnawalowy Toast z Basisfory. Black Male of 20 Months. He has a pleasing head and a very good coat. He has a good length of neck and a nice shoulder placement good length to his ribcage and a strong topline. He lacks some substance and his movement was extremely erratic. 2 Karnawalowy Drink Z Basisfory. Liver dog and Litter Bother to 1. He was a little heavy and a reluctant participant. His movement was certainly better and he is a more substantial dog. He has a pleasing head and clean clear eye, nice shoulder placement and a good topline. Tight well-padded feet and straight front legs. He was sympathetically handled and I would advise patients.

PGD 1 Talismanic Bag of Tricks. Black male of 23 months. He has a very good head and dark eye, neat ears well set on to his strong skull. He has a well-muscled neck of good length which flows to a well-placed shoulder with a good return of upper arm. Strong firm topline and well-muscled loin and quarters. His feet are catlike and his front legs gun barrel straight. One of the few that moved with purpose driving from the rear. My only criticism would be, he is a little steep in croup and can exhibit a high tail carriage. However he was presented in excellent coat and professionally handled. His Crowning CC and BOB I was pleased to see he went Group 4. 2 Hunters Pride Jurajska At Tarockwood (imp Pol) Black male of 22 months. A more substantial dog than the winner. He has a nice head although I would prefer a darker eye. Good length of neck, Good Feet and straight front legs. His topline is strong and his hind well-muscled. He drops away at the croup and carries his tail a little high He had a very good coat and moved ok.

LD 1 Curlabull New York Jet. 51/2 year old Black Male who I have watched for some time. Not a tall dog but he exhibits great strength and the correct substance. He has a good head and dark eye with neat well set ears. He has a good length of neck and shoulder placement good length to upper arm and nice strong top line. He has a tendency to move a little close behind but moves with purpose. He was well muscled and shown in a good coat. 2 Pepperiever Pheasents Eye over Blanshard

Strongly Built male with a good head and dark eye. Not so well made overall as 1 and not so positive on the move, but he has a good length and strength to his neck with good shoulder placement and stands on good feet. 3 Kendrelli Black Winged Kiteover Ghilgrange.

OD 1 Elkysar Black Arrow over Stormacre. 21/2 year old strongly built Black Male. Lot to like about this dog, he is a real picture stood. He has a very good head with a dark eye and masculine all dog look about him. He has a good length and strength of neck, good shoulder placement but is short in upper arm. He has a well sprung ribcage with plenty of heart room and good strength to his loins. Best of feet, a coat of good curls and good tail set. He is not as strong in rear as I would like and moves with a high stepping front action. Good Citizen Repeat of VB 1 Kelsmere Kelsey of Tengore. Bravo; 10 years young black bitch with a super coat, feminine expression and dark eye. She is a well- made bitch who has passed her prime but moved well enough in spite of her age.

MPB 1 Jeweller’s Pride Jurajska Gwiazdz. Just 6 month old black baby. Very raw and very loose but she has the beginnings of a good coat. Feminine head with dark eye and sweet expression. Good length of neck into nice shoulder placement and good length to upper arm, nice cat like feet, straight front legs. Good overall length and nice spring to her rib. She certainly generated plenty of hind drive but her youth prevented her from keeping it under control. I will watch her progress with interest. PB 1 Tyneside’s My Heart Will Go On To Stormacre (IMP USA) 10 Month Old Puppy bitch that impressed me. She has a very feminine head with dark eye and neat well set on ears. Nice length to her neck and a good shoulder placement and return to upper arm. Good length to her ribcage and short strong loins. Developing nicely behind with a good tail set and carriage. When she settled she moved with purpose, driving off strongly, maintaining her shape and top line as she went and showing moments of good extension. RCC and BP.

JB 1 Kahawei Teal. This was like looking over the fence at home. Black Bitch of 17 months. Super in profile when stood; She has all the tools to be a real star. Her head is so feminine with a dark eye and neat well set ears. She flows seamlessly from the base of her skull into an elegant well-muscled neck and on to a good shoulder and upper arm. Good length and spring of rib and short strong loins. Very Well muscled hind quarters which generate lots of drive, good tail set. Her erratic and stubborn behavior while moving spoiled her chances at top honors. Get a grip!

YB 1 Repeat of Junior.

PGB 1 Curlabull Northern Dancer. A nice neat workman like bitch that seemed a little unsettled. Feminine head and dark eye, nice neat ears. Very good length to neck and nice shoulder into strong topline, and sound hind assembly. Not as confident on the move today as I have seen her previously.

LB 1 Kelsmere Kasscade at Saxonholme. 4 year old Black bitch. Another with a very feminine head and dark eye. She is very well made overall with good feet straight front legs and good overall assembly. She has a fabulous length to height ratio with a good length of ribcage and loin. Good hind strength and a well set on tail carried correctly. Her coat was ok, I would like to see her use her gifts to greater effect on the move.

OB 1 Sh Ch Kelsmere Kass at Tengore. One I have admired for some time, she can be a reluctant competitor at times, but moved with grace and style today. She is a little close behind but otherwise very well made throughout. Very feminine head with dark eye and melting expression, she has that aloof arrogance we expect from a curly. I loved her feet and front assemblies, her shoulder and forearm are excellent and her ribcage and loins well developed and powerful. BCC and BOS. 2nd Ir Ch Caballus Keep left to Malanis (Imp) 4 year old Black Bitch. Clearly this lady is not in love with making an exhibition of herself. She has a nice head with a dark eye and good length of neck. Her front assemblies are good and she has a good strong rear with a correct tail set. She was in excellent coat. She was despite her handlers best efforts reluctant on the move dropping her top line and showing little drive or enthusiasm for the job at hand. A real shame.

Jerry Stephens (Brightmeadow)