SHOW ONE 4 MAY 2025 CRITIQUE

The Gordon Setter Club of Scotland Championship Show 

Date : Sunday 4th May 2025

Judge : Ben Bennett.

First of all I would like to thank the Officers and Committee for the invite to judge at such a prestigious and well run show.

Breed Club Shows are always a special event and i feel should be considered as a pinnacle of anyone’s judging career alongside Crufts.

The atmosphere at the show was friendly and relaxed, the setting was second to none and I had a very enjoyable days judging.

Well done to everyone concerned in the running of the show, and many thanks to the exhibitors for providing me with such a lovely entry to go over.

Baby Puppy Dog – 0

Minor Puppy Dog – 0

Puppy Dog – 4 (0 abs)

Lovely class to start the day and with varying levels of maturity.

1/ Phillips & Watkins’ – CASINO BLACK LOFTY AT GLENMAURANGI (IMP POL) – What a class winner to start my judging. 

Excelling in type with nice head and expression, he is very mature for his age he already has the typical Gordon outline not often found at this age. Well put together and with good depth of chest he moved true and with confidence.

I have no doubt he will go on to be a big winner if he continues to build on what he already has.

BPD & BPIS

2/ Sinclair's – LAURELHACH BUGATTI AT SIOCHAIL – Another nice quality Puppy who has much going for him. Nice in type and maturing well he pushed my winner today, just not quite so settled on the move.

3/ Hogg's – GAILIECH WIRNPA 

Junior Dog – 3 (1 abs)

Just the two in this class but both quality youngsters who I am sure will swap places often.

1/ Cuthbertson's – LAINNIREACH STAR GAZER – Very impressed with this boy. Nice in type with a lovely outline and so nice to go over.

Correct in bone and with good angulation he is hard to fault in any department. On the move he is sound, true and positive. A delight to judge, and with a little more maturity will soon be pushing the best. 

2/ Sandiford's – HERNWOOD ROCKET MAN – Having been so impressed with my class winner it has to be said that this boy was not far behind. Again, very nice to go over and did nothing wrong. Close decision but not quite so settled on the move today, his day will come I’m sure.

Yearling Dog – 2 (0 abs)

1/ Cuthbertson's – LAINNIREACH STAR GAZER

2/ Miller's – CAFOTALIENA HEART OF A HERO – Maturing well and again nice in type. Good conformation with correct bone he was unlucky today to come up against such a strong class winner as he could not quite match him on the move.

 Novice Dog – 1 (0 abs

)1/ White’s – TIGHNABO BARRAIGH – Unfortunately standing alone but a worthwhile winner.Nice in outline and with good angulation throughout he moved well. Nice and straight front he was confident and positive.

Best Special Beginner.

 Undergrad. Dog – 3 (1 abs)

1/ Cuthbertson’s – LAINNIREACH STAR GAZER 

2/ Miller’s – CAFOTALIENA HEART OF A HERO

Grad. Dog – 2 (1 abs)

1/ Miller’s – CAFOTALIENA HEART OF A HERO 

Post Grad. Dog

1/ White’s – TIGHNABO BARRAIGH

Mid Limit Dog – 1 (0 abs)

1/ Poynter’s – HERNWOOD COOPER KING – Another standing alone but would have been a worthy class winner. Nice type with typical head, he is now fully mature and shown in full coat and presents a lovely picture. 

Good conformation throughout he showed well and came into the frame when considering the top honours.

 Limit Dog – 6 (0 abs)

1/ Collins-Pitman & Cox’s – AMSCOT AIR APPARENT – Only just three yet already showing the qualities required to take him to the top.

Excelling in type he has a lovely head and eye and presents a typical outline. Well put together in all departments he has good bone,  is strong in topline both standing and on the move and covers the ground effortlessly. This boy really is a pleasure to judge. Will watch his career closely as he has a lot to offer. 

RCC.

2/ Nagaty’s – MARLBECK MALDINI – Second in a strong class and another of nice quality. He did nothing wrong today, was nice to go over and pushed my winner hard. Just not quite so fluent on the move today.

3/ Hogg’s – GAILIECH NGALYOD

Open Dog – 5 (1 abs)

1/ Mitchell’s – SH CH CAFOTALIENA THIEF OF HEARTS BY BROBRUICK JW – This boy is now fully mature and in his prime, his performance today reflected this. Lovely type and with a typical Gordon outline he is hard to fault. Lovely angulation in front and rear, correct bone, strong topline and very sound on the move.

Shown in top condition he was my pick of the males today as he presented the most complete picture of type, maturity and movement. Very nice boy.

BD, DCC & RBIS 

2/ Bell, Millar, & Bell’s – BALNAKEIL BEINN CORRADAIL OF BLAIRBELLES – Loved this boy who really excels in type, super head and eye (one of the best here today in my opinion), he has lots to offer in all departments. Lovely to go over he pushed my winner all the way but was not quite so fluent on the move. Considered strongly for one of the top honours.

3/ Millar, Millar, Millar & Scobie’s – YENNADON CALVAY JW ShCEx OSW

 Champion Dog – 0

 Veteran Dog – 2 (0 abs)

Only two in this class today but very hard to separate, both being

quality dogs.

1/ Harker’s – SH CH HERNWOOD ACHILLES AT ETTRICK JW – Very nice quality boy with lots to offer.

Lovely in type and overall balance it is easy to see why he has been a big winner. Well put together throughout he has correct front angulation, stifle and bone which came through on his positive, true movement.

First time I have had the opportunity to judge this boy, would have been nice to have judged him in his prime, even today he came into consideration for one of the top awards. BVD

2/ Sandiford & Lewis’s – SH CH HERNWOOD NEPTUNE SEA – Another nice quality boy who was unlucky to come up against such a strong class winner.

Again he had lots to offer in both type and construction. Shown in lovely condition he did absolutely nothing wrong, just not quite so fluent on the move.

Sp. Vintage Dog - 1 (0 abs)

1/ Miller’s – RHUM NIGHT LEGEND ShCM V – Just approaching eleven years of age and a credit to the breed.

Absolutely loved his head and overall type, he was a pleasure to go over. Standing alone but would have been a worthy winner in any Vintage class.

Typical in outline I would have liked to have seen him in his younger years. 

Field Trial Dog – 0

 Sp. Beginners Dog 1 – (0 abs)

1/ White’s – TIGHNABO BARRAIGH 

Baby Puppy Bitch – 0

Minor Puppy Bitch – 0

 Puppy Bitch – 3 (0 abs)

1/ Collins-Pitman’s – AMSCOT SHE’S NO ANGEL – Angel she may not be, but a very nice Puppy she is!

Very feminine with lovely head and eye she has much to offer. Well put together and with good bone she is mature for her age and has qualities that will take her far in the show ring. Lovely to go over she has plenty of drive on the move. In the challenge for BPIS she was not quite so true on the move. Will watch her with interest.

2/ Bell, Millar & Bell’s – LAURELHACH MERCEDES AT BLAIRBELLES – Very close up to my winner this girl was feminine and is well constructed. Very nice in type she did absolutely nothing wrong today and should develop into a quality bitch. Just slightly lacking in maturity today, this could easily change soon.

3/ Yates’ – GAILIECH DAMONA

 Junior Bitch – 8 (3 abs)

Very nice class headed by two quality girls.

1/ O’Kelly & Hancock’s – CARADILIS LON DUBH – Very strong winner in a nice class. Very feminine girl with much to like, correct in head and eye with good reach of neck and conformation throughout.

Moved very true and did everything right today to come out on top.

2/ Marsh’s – KILNRAE BACK TO THE FUTURE – Close up to my winner today and another girl of nice quality, has much to like both in  type and construction but not quite so settled on the move today as my winner. Very close decision though and this could easily change on another day.

3/ Cuthbertson’s – LAINNIREACH SHOOTING STAR

 Yearling Bitch – 3 (1 abs)

1/ Phillips & Watkins – FLAXHEATH COVER GIRL AT GLENMAURANGI JW – This girl is a lovely example of the breed and scores highly in all departments. Excellent type and overall balance, well put together with straight front and correct in quarters resulting in sound positive movement.

Shown in top condition she was a picture today. Very promising future indeed.

2/ O’Kelly & Hancock’s – CARADILIS EALA DUBH – Didn’t put a foot wrong today and had many positives to carry forward, with a little more maturity she will improve more, unlucky to meet one of such quality and maturity today.

 Novice Bitch – 4 (0 abs)

1/ Burke’s – PIPRUDA JUBILEE – Another girl I liked very much.

Lovely Gordon in outline she is well angulated front and rear and is very fluent on the move. Good bone and correct spring of rib she is maturing well and should develop into a quality girl.

2/ O’Kelly & Hancock’s – CARADILIS LON DUBH

3/ Bell, Millar & Bell’s – LAURELHACH MERCEDES AT BLAIRBELLES 

 Undergrad. Bitch – 4 (1 abs)

1/ Frew’s – GAILIECH BYBECK KATIE OF DUNFIONN – This girl is of lovely type (I have a 10 in my notes for head) and has lots to offer. Well constructed with good shoulder placement,, correct stifle and with good spring of rib she moves effortlessly around the ring.

Not quite three yet she still needs a little more maturity to complete the picture.

2/ Pearce’s – ARDNADAM HAZELNUT – Only 4th in my previous class she performed much better in this one.

Nice in type, sound and

Positive on the move she was deserving of her place here.

 3/ McFarlane’s – ARDNADAM WILLOW COPPICE AT MACDUI

Grad. Bitch – 6 (0 abs)

1/ Green’s – BALNAKEIL CREAG RAINICH JW – This girl is so nice to watch on the move.

Correct angulation front and rear, short from hock to heel and with lovely balance it all comes together to give a stylish, positive movement with drive. Couple this with an excellent type (have 10 in my notes) and you have a quality girl.

Winner of a strong class and will watch how she develops.

2/ GRAY’S – KATTANDALE BLAC HAWKE’S BAY AT BIRNIEHILL (AI) – Lots to offer from this girl and pushed my winner all the way. Very feminine girl and with many of the attributes of my winner, she just couldn’t quite match her today on the move.

3/ Garbett’s – LANGSTRUMPF HOCHSOMMER

Post Grad. Bitch – 2 (2 abs)

 Mid Limit Bitch – 7 (4 abs)

Very strong class headed by two quality bitches.

1/ Cuthbertson’s – LAINNIREACH A STAR IS BORN JW – A STAR IS BORN indeed!!

Absolutely loved this girl.

Everything to like about her, type, construction, movement, she has it all. So well put together she is a pleasure to go over and a joy to watch on the move where she is so true and precise carrying a strong topline.

If there was a class for the dog the judge would like to take home, this would have been mine.

Strong contender for one of the top honours today but still requires just that little more maturity to complete the picture. Still only two, she has time to spare and it won’t be long.

2/ O’Kelly & Hancock’s – CARADILIS SPARKS WILL FLY JW – Have liked this girl before and today was no exception. Full of quality and pushed my winner all the way, such a nice girl to go over with everything you are looking for in abundance she performed well and was unlucky to meet my winner on such good form today. Her day will come.

3/ Thomas’ – CHARTAN MAPLE MAYHEM 

Limit Bitch – 2 (0 abs)

1/ Boxall’s – LAURELHACH RENAISSANCE JW – Very feminine girl carrying a lovely outline standing and on the move.

Well put together front and rear, straight in front and true on the move has quality throughout and is lovely to go over.

2/ Yates’ – GAILIECH IRIS GODDESS – Only the two in this class but this girl was very close up to my winner. Again well put together and of a quality type she was not quite so settled on the move as my winner.

 Open Bitch – 5 (1 abs)

Lovely class to judge and really splitting hairs separating them.

If you were down the line you weren’t far away.

/ Upton-Lovett & Upton’s – ROYDACK PORTRAIT OF A LADY – This lady really excelled in type and I loved her head, so feminine and with a soft expression. Made well in all departments she was very true and positive on the move. It was this that ultimately clinched her first place 

2/ Boxall’s – LAURELHACH OVATION – As I have said, Very close up to my winner and is excellent in type and overall balance. Hard to fault going over her she could easily change places another day.

3/ Horn’s – ORDETT LOVE ME DO AT KEASWOOD 

 Champion Bitch – 1 (0 abs)

1/ Sandiford & Lewis’s – SH CH HERNWOOD GINN FIZZ JW – Standing alone in this class but what a quality bitch she is.

Really stood out today, excellent type, correctly put together in all departments, short from hock to heel resulting in sound,  positive and true movement with drive, she really was on top form today.

Add to this the fact that she was handled so well and was shown in superb condition she really couldn’t be denied.

BB, BCC & BIS

Veteran Bitch – 4 (0 abs)

1/ Phillips & Watkins – FLAXHEATH TOP MODEL AT GLENMAURANGI – A top winner and easy to see why.

Have liked her before and still do. So unfortunate to have come up against my overall winner on such good form today,  she really is full of quality and type. So well made and presents a typical Gordon outline, now in her Veteran years she is still capable of competing at the very top. 

RCC & BVIS

2/ Millar’s – BALNAKEIL CARN NA CRICHE – This girl is nice to go over and would be a strong winner in any veteran class, had it not been for the high quality of this one.

Very nice in type with a lovely head, she has good conformation and is very true on the move where she was very sound.

3/ Yates’s – DUNFIONN SANDA FOR GAILIECH JW

Sp. Vintage Bitch – 5 (1 abs)

The Veteran classes are always one of my most enjoyable to judge, and this class is why.

1/ Smith’s – CLACORICK SCOTTISH LILT – Very feminine bitch who really excelled on the move for her age. Correct angulation front and rear and with a strong topline throughout.

She presented a lovely overall picture and was a joy to go over.

2/ Nagaty’s – CH FORESTER’S XCLUSIVE EDITION OF DARKMOOR AT MARLBECK (IMP DEU) – Close up to my winner and displaying many of her attributes. Larger in build than my winner she pushed her very hard but wasn’t quite as positive on the move. 

3/ Thomas’ – CHARTAN TREACLE TART JW

 Field Trial Bitch – 3 (1 abs)

Very enjoyable class to judge.

1/ Thomas’ – CHARTAN MAPLE MAYHEM – This girl was third in a strong Mid Limit class and got her rewards here. Very feminine girl shown in good condition. Well constructed, of nice type and very sound on the move. Nice overall quality.

2/ Thomas’ – CHARTAN TREACLE TART JW – Now ten and a half years old she was also third in a nice Special Vintage class.

She put up a good showing today and was clearly enjoying her day, she didn’t quite have what it takes today though to beat her daughter.

Sp. Beginners Bitch – 2 (2 abs)

I always admire the bravery of anyone who competes in any Brace or Team class with Gordon’s, I take my hat off to you all.

Only one from each class today but I was very impressed with both of them and will cover them both with these comments as the same applies.

Both were well off for type and complemented each other in each respective class. They  stood very well when asked and moved well,  and together around the ring being both true and together.

Both very worthy Winners.

Brace – 2 (1 abs)

1/ Cuthbertson’s Brace - 

Team – 2 (1 abs)

Miller’s Team - 

Progeny – 1 (1 abs)

 JUDGE: D A BENNETT. (BEN)