GORDON SETTER CHAMPIONSHIP SHOW TWO

Judge – Mr David Howarth

4th May 2025

It is an honour to judge a breed club show but to do so in its homeland made it that bit more special. The committee are to be commended on their skill in running two shows simultaneously. Everything went smoothly indeed. My stewards did a first class job, many thanks to them. I was pleased with the overall quality of the entry. Excessive coats and over exaggerated rear angulation seem to have disappeared. I was a little disturbed to see so many with poor markings especially black shading creeping into the tan. It is an important feature of the breed and should be treasured. Having said that the light, almost yellowy tan was non-existent. Most exhibits were well boned and presented in good condition. I was very pleased with my top winners but felt that the girls had a little bit more strength in depth today. This was proven in my top awards. Temperaments were first class. 

Bitches

Puppy (3)

All three here were ten months old and should go on to do well. 

1 Collins Pitman’s Amscot She’s no Angel

The more developed of the three here. Took a moment or two to settle but when she did, moved well showing reach and drive. Lovely head with good reach of neck and well laid shoulders. Well grown with good bone but still retaining her femininity. Strong quarters with plenty of width to her thighs. As expected at this age, she needs to develop in body. 

2 Millar and Bell’s Laurelhach Mercedes at Blairbelles

Another with plenty to commend her. Feminine head with enough shape which will get even better as it breaks. Clean neck of good length leads to a well boned front of good width. Good top line with correct tail set. She moved well in profile. 

3 Yates’ Gaileich Damona

Junior (8,1abs)

1 Marsh’s Kilnrae Back to the Future

Just 12 months, pretty youngster that appealed for her correct balance and style. Clean neck of good length leads into well laid shoulders. She has good length and depth to her ribs and is short coupled giving a strong top line. She moved well enough to take this class. One who should go on to do well. 

2 Laurelhach Mercedes at Blairbelles

3 Cuthbertson’s Lainnireach Shooting Star

Yearling (3,1)

1 Phillips and Watkins’ Flaxheath Cover Girl at Glenmaurangi

One that I have seen and liked from the ringside. At 20 months, she is well grown and mature and does not disappoint. Balanced head of good shape and dark eyes. Cleanly marked. Her shoulders are well constructed with good length of upper arm and correct angulation. This is balanced by good rear angulation with well let down hocks. She was in good body and coat. 

2 O’Kelly and Hancock’s Caradilis Lon Dubh

Reserve in Junior and a lot more settled here. Typical head with good length of muzzle and correct stop. She has a good length of ribs and is firm over her couplings. She has good depth of chest for her age and moved steadily here. 

Novice (3)

1 Laurelhach Mercedes at Blairbelles

2 Pearce’s Ardnadam Hazelnut

Pleasing in head with good ear placement and correct length of muzzle. She has good layback of shoulder and enough depth to her body. She was presented in good coat. A little inconsistent on the move here. Would prefer a darker eye colour. 

3 Caradilis Lon Dubh

Undergraduate (4,2)

1 Burke’s Pipruda Jubilee

Just 2 and plenty going for her. She has a pleasing head with well-shaped eyes. Correct front with good width and straight fore legs. She has good depth to her ribs and is firm over the loins. Her quarters are well muscled and this enabled her to move well, moved at the correct pace and holding her top line well. 

2 Ardnadam Hazelnut

Graduate (7)

1 Green’s Balnakeil Creag Rainich

Presented the more balanced picture in this good class. Strong but balanced in head with square muzzle and well defined stop. Neck was of good length and clean in profile leading to well laid shoulders. She has good rear angulation and hocks are well let down. She moved freely here and again in the challenge. 

2 McFarlane’s Ardnadam Willow Coppice at Macdui

Close up to the winner but just edged out on movement today. A lovely type of Gordon who was good to go over. Feminine, well-shaped head with dark eyes. Strong neck and nicely sloping shoulders. She is well ribbed and has correct rear angulation. Shown in good body. 

3 Gray’s Kattandale Blac Hawkes Bay at Birniehill

Post Grad (3,1)

1 Cuthbertson’s Lainnireach Made In Heaven

The first exhibit from this kennel who really impressed today for quality and type. Two years old and full of promise. Good head with low set ears. Super neck and layback of shoulder, well bodied and free from exaggeration. She has a correct top line and super rear construction with good width to her thighs and well-turned stifles without excess anywhere. 

2 Smith’s Myreside Niamh with Clacorick

This 2 year old girl was not for playing ball today and was reluctant to being gone over and assessed. She had a good outline standing and Lovely shape to her head with good eye colour and correct ear placement. Plenty of promise when she settles. 

Mid Limit (5,1)

1 Cuthbertson’s Lainnireach A Star is Born

Lovely two-year-old who pushed for top honours in a quality entry. So good to go over and honest and true to type. Lovely head with good markings and kind expression. Clean neck of good length flowing into well laid shoulders. Balanced in body showing good length of rib and depth. She has firm short couplings and strong quarters. Well bent stifles. In lovely coat and condition. Moved well of her short hocks. I feel sure her day will come. 

2 O’Kelly and Hancock’s Caradilis Sparks Will Fly

Larger type but still balanced through. Good head with correct length of muzzle, defined stop and well placed ears. Strong neck and nicely sloping shoulders. She has good depth to her chest and is well angulated behind. A little longer cast than my winner, she moved well in profile. 

3 Myreside Niamh with Clacorick

Limit (2)

1 Boxhall’s Laurelhach Renaissance

Elegant three year old with correct head, dark eyes and square muzzle. She has a strong neck, good width to her front and elbows are nicely tucked in. Correct in top line with good length of ribs. She has a clean outline and moved with drive. 

2 Yates’ Gaileich Iris Goddess

Plenty to like here. She has a good head with kind eye and typical expression although deeper in muzzle than some. Clean neck and good shoulder angulation. She has a firm level top line and good rear angulation. She was shown in good body. I would have preferred cleaner tan markings. 

Open (5,1)

1 Upton Lovett and Upton’s Roydack Portrait of a Lady

Won this tricky class on her positive movement showing plenty of reach and drive. Mature and well bodied, she has a decent head with a clean neck and correct front. Her elbows nicely tucked in. Good length and depth to her chest. She is short coupled and has strong quarters with plenty of width to her thighs. In lovely coat and condition with super tan markings. 

2 Horn’s Ordett Love Me Do at Keaswood

Caught my eye when she entered the ring for her over all type and quality. She looked super when stacked showing both strength and finesse. Lovely head, super neck and shoulders. Well ribbed with firm short couplings. She has good rear angulation and was presented in good coat. Close up to the winner but her movement let her down today. 

3 Boxall’s Laurelhach Ovation

Champion (1)

1 Sandiford and Lewis’ Sh Ch Hernwood Gin Fizz

Worthy Champion with plenty of quality and so much to admire. She impresses immediately with a clean, elegant outline. Super head with good eye shape and low set ears. She has straight, well boned front legs with enough width between them. Good depth to her body and firm in top line. She has plenty of rear angulation. For me, she moved better once steadied showing drive form the rear and covering the ground efficiently. 

Veteran (4)

1 Phillips and Watkins’ Sh Ch Flaxheath Top Model at Glenmaurangi

A well known nine year old who still possesses so much quality as well as showing herself to such advantage. Presented and handled to get the best out of her. She has a good head with defined stop, dark eyes and low set ears. Clean in neck with well laid shoulders. Straight, well boned front legs and good feet. Well-muscled over her loins and short couplings give her a firm, correct top line. She has good rear angulation and was well muscled. Moved well at the correct pace to make the most of her attributes. Just a matter of splitting hairs but awarded her RCC and RBIS

2 Yates’ Dunfionn Sanda for Gaileich

Another nine year old in full coat and full of breed type and quality. Balanced in outline, she is well constructed with well laid shoulders, deep ribs, good width to her body and good rear angulation. Steady and true on the move. 

3 Millar’s Balnakeil Carn Na Criche

Vintage (5,1)

1 Nagaty’s Ch Foresters Xclusive Edition of Darkmoor at Marlbeck

Looking really well for her 11 years. Super outline and good tan markings. Balanced head with kind expression and correct ear placement. Strong neck. Well bodied with well-developed quarters. 

2 Smith’s Clacorick Scottish Lilt

At 10 is testament to the longevity of the breed. It took a good one to beat her today. Super head with good reach of neck. She is still correct in top line and looking so well. Getting a little untidy in movement but still shown reach and drive. 

3 Gray’s Birniehill High Flyer

Field Trial (4)

1 Collins Pitman’s Ch Amscot Love is in the Air

This worthy Ch looked so well today and had to be on top form to compete for the CC. Loved her head proportions with good length of muzzle, dark eyes and low set ears. She has a good neck leading to well laid shoulders which enable her elbows to tuck nicely into her body. She has good width to her front giving substance without any signs of coarseness. Her ribs provide width and depth to her chest giving the desired heart room. She has strengt5h over her quarters, hocks well let down. She moved with precision, driving from behind. In great coat and body condition. In strong competition, I awarded her the CC and BOB. 

2 Thomas’ Chartan Maple Mayhem

Reserve in her earlier class and was more settled and consistent on the move here. Pleasing in head with good eye shape and alert expression. She has good bone through and is level in top line. Good rear angulation. 

3 Thomas’ Chartan Little Black Dress.

Dogs

Puppy (4)

1 Phillips and Watkins’ Casino Black Lofty at Glenmaurangi

2 Sinclair’s Laurelhach Bugatti at Siochail

Another at 10 months. Good head proportions with correct bite. Long neck and sloping shoulders. He held his top line well stacked and on the move. Good rear angulation. Moved pout true. Should develop well. 

3 Poynter and Collins Pitman’s Amscot Angels and Demons

Junior (2, 1w/d)

1 Cuthbertson’s Lainnireach Stargazer

My find of the day. Yes, only 14 months but for me screams breed type. Has all of the attributes I would look for in a young Gordon male. He has a strong but balanced head which still needs to develop fully but will never be coarse. Clean neck of good length. He is so well constructed without excess. Well angulated front and rear. His chest is deepening and his ribs are of a good length. He is correct in front and has a firm level top line. He moved really well with accuracy and easy ground covering action. I awarded him the RCC, just losing out on maturity to the Open winner. 

Yearling (2)

1 Lainnireach Stargazer

2 Miller’s Cafotaliena Heart of a Hero

3 18 months, glamourous in appearance and in full coat. Nothing to dislike here! Balanced in head with low set ears and dark eyes. Mature in body with plenty of rear angulation, he looked so well standing and was presented to get the best out of him. Just preferred the more coordinated movement of the winner here. 

Novice (1)

1 White’s Tighnabo Barraigh

Upstanding 2-year-old. Balanced in head with good stop and plenty of shape around the eyes. Well boned straight front. He covered the ring well when seen in profile. 

Undergraduate (3,1)

1 Lainnireach Stargazer

2 Cafotaliena Heart of a Hero

Graduate (2,1)

1 Cafotaliena Heart of a Hero

Post Grad (1)

1 Tighnabo Barraigh

Mid Limit (2)

Even though there was only two present, this was a tricky one to decide. Not surprised to later find out that both of these boys were carrying the same affix. I eventually decided on

1 Sandiford’s Hernwood Rocket Man

Only 18 months old and as yet, pretty raw. Everything is coming together nicely and his quality cannot be ignored. Good head proportions which will only improve as his head breaks. Clean neck of good length. Well angulated shoulders. He has a good length of rib but needs to fill out to complete the balance. He moved freely, holding his top line well and carrying his tail correctly. 

2 Poynter’s Hernwood Cooper King

At 4, is obviously more forward than the winner. He is balanced through with good conformation. He has a correct top line and strength over his quarters. Just felt that the younger boy had a bit more quality over all on the day. 

Limit (6)

1 Collins Pitman and Cox’s Amscot Air Apparent

This 3 year old is so well balanced and good to go over being fit and in good body and coat. Not fully mature, he has a good head with plenty of shape, clean neck of good length and well angulated shoulders. He has a good length to his ribs and is firm over the loins. Good turn of stifle and hocks are well let down. He moved well, especially in profile. 

2 Hogg’s Gaileich Ngalyod

Another good one with many similar attributes to the winner. I particularly liked his front assembly and top line. Well angulated behind. He was just edged out on movement on the day. 

3 Miller’s Liric Just The Ticket

Open (3) A good class with three very likeable types. 

1 Mitchell’s Sh Ch Cafotaliena Thief of Hearts by Brobruick

My CC winner today. I placed him highly previously and felt that he would only improve with time. He has done just that and now looks like the finished article. Still only three years old, he has a masculine head which is not coarse and has a well defined stop and square muzzle. Heh as dark eyes and low set ears giving that desired Gordon expression. Strong neck og decent length leads to strong well laid shoulders. He is so good to go over. His ribs are well developed and provide depth as well as width. He is firm over his quarters and moved so freely. In good coat and condition. A deserved CC winner. 

2 Bell, Millar, Bell Balnakeil Beinn Corradail of Blairbelles

This 6 year old is heavier through but still well balanced and has plenty to commend him. Balanced head with well-shaped eyes. Strong neck of good length, he is correct in front, has a firm top line and correct set on of tail. He has plenty of rear angulation; I would not want any more. He moved well enough but not as freely as the winner. 

3 Millar’s Yennadon Calvay

Veteran (1)

1 Harker’s Sh Ch Hernwood Achilles at Ettrick

Hard to believe this boy is now a veteran. I remember being impressed with him from the ringside as a raw youngster at his first show. Not surprised that he went on to gain his title and still looking as well as ever. Yes, his muzzle is greying slightly but this does not detract from his overall fitness and well being. He has a strong but balanced head, arched neck of good length and well boned legs. He is well ribbed and firm in top line. He moved out well covering the ring with ease. 

Vintage (1)

1 Miller’s Rhum Night Legend

Almost 11 years and looking so well. In super coat and condition. Pleasing head with decent stop and good bite. Strong. neck, clean for his age. Well laid shoulders. He has a good bend of stifle and was fit and well-muscled. A credit to his owners. 

Special Beginners (1)

1 Tighnabo Barraigh

Brace (2)

1 Cuthbertson’s

Both placed highly in their classes and looking so well together. Real quality and a crdit to their owners. 

2 Smith’s

Well matched and going well together. Pushed the winners all of the way. 

Team (2,1)

1 Miller’s trio looking well together showing enough substance and typically Gordon in attitude. Fully cooperative with their handler. 

David Howarth

Judge