Birmingham National 2008

Judge : Gillian Goad

SMOOTH HAIRED

I enjoyed judging the Smooths, I love them. I'm pleased to say there was not one bad temperament, a couple of learners but that was among babies. A number of dogs when stacked looked too deep in front which makes them appear front heavy. I found some suspect bites and, last but not least, one of two dogs could have been bathed before the show.

PD. (1). 1. Bethel's. Hampdach Pyrrus. 9 months old red. Alone but a worthy winner. Beautiful masculine head. Well made front. Level topline. Nicely angulated rear. Moved out with drive and extension. BP.

JD. (5). 1. McNaughton's, Cedavoch Honour Bound. 13 months old b/t. Lovely head and expression. Oval chest, well laid shoulders. Long, low and level. On the move well extended and true. RCC. 2. Rawson's, Rosenket Captain Kirk. Another quality, masculine hound. Larger than winner. Well made front, ribbing carried well back. Well muscled quarters. Moved out well but in profile not quite the hind extension of winner. 3. Davies's, Undeg Humming Top.

PGD. (5). 1. Cooper and Kerry's, Sontag Sir Cumference of Kireton. B/t of substance. Loved his masculine head and expression. Sound front, ribbing carried well back. Nice beefy quarters. Moved out with extension. Slightly narrow going away. 2. Starkey's, Carpaccio Top of the Class at Hamoura. Another b/t of similar size, shape and condition. Moved well but close behind going away. Presentation was spoilt by overlong nails. 3. Higgin's, Matzell Midnight Harbour for Leveliss.

LD. (7). 1. Dalgety's, Thundergay Archduke. 2 and a half years old masculine b/t of nice size coming into his own. Nothing exaggerated. Nice head, well laid shoulders. Good ribbing, topline and underline. Correctly turned stifle, neat hocks. So well muscled he looks as of he could do the work he was made for. Really liked him. CC. 2. Punter's, Welcumen Kiss me Quick. In a slightly smaller cast to winner. Neat b/t. Nice head, good forehand and well muscled rear. Moved out well. Tended to drop topline when stacked. 3. Tite and Eales', Lauralee the X Factor.

OD. (3). 1. Coxon, Henningsen and Allen's, Ch/Am Ch. Jagie's I love the Night Life. A very elegant red. Not overdone in any way. Good length of ribbing. Looks beautiful in profile. On the move could do with more drive. 2. Oxley's, Lauralee the Real Thing at Owlery. A quality dog. Well constructed and kept topline. On the move a bit loose coming and going. Both he and third would benefit from losing a bit of weight. 3. Tite and Eale's, Lauralee Role of Honour via Rijobeau.

PB. (9). Puppies of shich difference in size and maturity made for a hard class to judge. 2. Rawson's, Churchoak Some Like it Hot at Rosenket. Heavy boned 9 months old choc. Good head. Well constructed forehand. Nice hammy quarters. Moved with drier keeping topline. 2. Macdonald's, Hampdach Classic Gold. Mature red. Nice head, good pigmentation. Well laid shoulder. Oval chest, reasonable ribbing. Not the hind angulation of winner but mover well. 3. Nevitt's, Churchoak Nun's Naughtier at Swynol.

JB. (6). 1. Rawson's, Rosenket Krystal Singer. Mature 13 months old. She stood out in this class. Nice head. Good reach of neck, correctly placed shoulders. Well muscled. Good topline kept when moving which she did with drive and extension on beautiful feet. 2. Norton's, Matzell Marlies. B/t. Not as mature as winner. Good head and eye. correct shoulder placement. Nice feet. Moved out well. Lovely condition. 3. Hinwood's, Longwell Triple Truffle.

PGB . (5). 1. Dalgety's, Thundergay Magdalena. B/t of nice size. Feminine head and expression. Correctly constructed, well muscled. She moved truly and with drier. 2. McNaughton's, Cedavoch Sincerity. A shade smaller and lower to ground. Nice head, good forehand. Well angulated hindquarters. Moved well but viewed in profile, not the dive of winner. 3. Bethel's, Hampdcach Gemstone.

LB. (8). 1. Ellis's, Tealby Taken as Read. Feminine. Good head, nice dark eye. Well laid shoulders and correct front, ribbing well back. Well muscled quarters which she used to advantage on the move. Nice tight feet. RCC. In the challenge not quite the aplomb of CC winner. 2. Hunt's, Carpaccio Precious Pearl. Nice head and eye. Good front, ribbing of good length. Kept topline. Moved well in profile but going away did not have the true movement of winner. 3. Turner's, Marictur Uptown Madam.

OB. (2). 1. Norton's, Ch. Matzell Maid of Honour. Lovely red bitch who commanded the ring. She is of correct size. Nice head and eye. Well laid shoulders. Good prosternum. Nice underline and topline. Well muscled hindquarters which she used to good effect moving with drive and extension. CC and BOB. Pleased to hear she was third in Hound Group. 2. Melbourne's, Lauralee Take That to Melriding. Larger b/t. Feminine head. Good forechest and well muscled. Looks good stacked but not the true movement or drive of winner.

Gillian Goad