Championship Show February 1st 2026
Judges' Critiques
Dogs
I would like to express my thanks to the committee of this club for inviting me
to judge at their 50th anniversary show. I felt very privileged.
Thank you too for my wonderful gift!!
The show was very well run and there was a really good atmosphere about the
place, which is always a bonus. Thank you, too, to my 2 stewards, Kirsty and
Brenda, who kept the ring flowing. I had a lovely array of dogs in all classes
and on many occasions it was a matter of splitting hairs for the top placings.
Thank you to all the exhibitors for accepting my judgements in such a
sportsmanlike manner and thank you to you all for entering.
With the agreement of my fellow judge the main awards were as follows: BIS
Hodge’s Naiken Inspiral J.W.; RBIS & BOS Metcalfe’s Baileydale Puff DaddyJ.W;
BPIS Pattison’s Dysonleigh Titan for Pattilands; BV Rawlinson & Balshaw’s SH CH
Shanorrell Black Sabbath at Halshimoor; BBPIS Braddon’s Trendlewood for All we
Know
Baby Puppy Dog
(2)
1. Braddon’s Trendlewood for All We Know: A 5 month old yellow dog who seemed
quite mature for his age. Very settled and is developing well. He has a nicely
shaped head with good eye and ear set, good angulation and thigh muscles coming
along nicely. He moved well around the ring. In my opinion, he’s one to watch.
BBP
2. Phillips’ Llanstinan Jeeves at Sheenaron: Another 5 month old black dog who
likes to know what is going on around him. He is developing well but he still
has plenty of time in which to do so. He has a good straight front and has good
ratio legs to body. He moved strongly around the ring.
Minor Puppy Dog
(6)
1. Metcalfes’ Bish Bash Bosh Baileydale: An 8 month
old yellow who was totally balanced and stood four square.
Correct bite and ear set with a strong muzzle. Good amount of bone and neat
feet. Nice length of neck, leading to well laid back shoulders,
angulation was good front and back and he moved well, covering the ground with a
good stride. In excellent coat and nice otter tail
2. McKee & Evans’ Eastdew Rewrite the Stars with Eminala: Very little to choose
between 1 and 2.
Masculine
head, nice proportions, medium sized eyes with good colour and a lovely
expression. Excellent reach of neck, which was clean and he had a nice level
topline. Nicely balanced in front and rear angulations, which gave him with good
movement
3. Edwards’ Kimbajak Master Michael
Puppy Dog
(2)
1. Pattison’s Dysonleigh Titan for Pattilands: A lovely well balanced 10 month
old dog who was well behaved and looked at home in the ring. He has a good
temperament and shows a kind expression in his well shaped and good coloured
eye. A lovely shaped head with good ear set , good length of neck set in well
laid shoulders . Angulation front and rear was correct and he had a good topline.
There was plenty of bone and legs were straight at front . Nicely short coupled
and he moved around the ring with good strides covering the ground well. He
deserved his BPIS.
2. Judd’s Harpitts Black Pepper: I quite liked this dog and at another time he
could have done well. I felt that today he was not showing his best and when on
the move his topline was dipping and he was not very happy! His angulation front
and rear was good and he has a nice shaped head.
Junior Dog
(5)
1. Mills’ Jaybec Winter Yule J.W.: At 13 months of age this yellow dog shows
maturity. He has a nice depth of chest and body and a good length of loin. He
has a typical Labrador head with a good length of neck set in well laid back
shoulders. His movement was very sound and he covered the ground well.
2. Williamson’s Sharouns Sunday Best: A rather lovely boy who still needs to
develop in body. His head was nicely shaped and he has good eye shape and colour
but I did prefer the shape of head no.1. He has plenty of bone, good angulation
and short coupled. He moved around the ring well and covered the ground soundly.
3. Bond’s Lakemeadow Gilbert’s Gift
Yearling Dog
(7,1 abs)
1. Hodge’s Naiken Island Hopping (A1) J.W.:
Well balanced chocolate with a
kind head and expression. Short coupled with good bone and neat feet, level
topline. His coat was thick and in good condition and he has a lovely otter
tail. His angulation front and rear was good which helped him when on the move.
2. Baron’s Landebec Ventura J.W:This yellow dog carries a typical masculine head
but he has a good eye shape and colour which gives him a kind expression. He has
well-laid back shoulders, well-sprung ribs leading to a level topline and
correct tailset. Unfortunately for him today, he did not move as well as 1.
3. Moody’s Trendlewood Home town Glory
Maiden Dog
(5, 1 abs)
1. Pattison’s Dysonleigh Titan for Pattilands
2. Metcalfes’s Bish Bash Bosh Baileydale
3. Harvey Major’s Linjor Tylers Choice
Novice Dog
(7)
1. Metcalfes’s Bish Bash Bosh Baileydale
2. Jeffrey’s Lembas Brooklyn at Mibridge:
An 18 month black dog who stood 4 square and was well balanced overall.
He has a typical Labrador expression, coat was in good condition and has a good
tail set. Strong rear quarters and moved well from the rear but his front
movement was a little wide.
3. Harvey Major’s Linjor Tylers Choice
Undergraduate Dog
(6, 2 abs)
1. Bond’s Lakemeadow Gilbert’s Gift: A very nice 16 month old black who had
previously come up against some very strong opposition. In this class, however,
he held his own!
He has a good depth of chest and well sprung rib, carries plenty of bone, short
coupled, good coat and tail set. Angulation is Ok particularly in the rear and
he moved well covering the floor with ease and obviously very happy!
2. Moody’s Trendlewood Hometown Glory: A nice yellow boy who is beginning to
develop well. He still need time to settle when in the ring. He has a good body
with a depth of chest. A typical Labrador expression. He moved well but he needs
to tighten up his feet.
3. Jeffrey’s Lembas Brooklyn at Mibridge
Graduate Dog
(10)
1. Wilmhurst’s Dolwen Wish Upon a Star at Mandamay: A well-formed head with good
eye giving a lovely expression. Strong in neck and well laid shoulders. Good
depth of chest and well sprung rib. Rear quarters well angulated and muscled,and
moved well.
2. Chapman’s Daisypatch Ostratto:
This yellow dog has a good head and lovely pigmentation showing a kind
expression. Good bone, strong loin leading to strong rear quarters with nice
turn of stifle and good 2 nd thigh moved well.
3. Ayres’ Musubi Who Dares Wins
Post graduate Dog
(5)
1. Mills & Rota’s Rodstar Rocks Zero Bully at Lembas: A strong yellow boy with a
good depth of chest and well sprung rib. Well balanced thoughout. He has a nice
head and kind expression. In good coat, he was very happy to be here and moved
with drive
2. Harvey Major’s State Park in Linjor J.W.: A smaller dog than 1 but still a
very nice boy with a lovely head and good eye. Has a straight topline which he
held when on the move. He moved well.
3. Bond’s Carpenny Padraig
Mid-Limit Dog
(7, 1 abs)
1. Rawlinson & Balshaw’s Shanorrell Seamus Coleman at Halshimoor J.W.: A very
nice black who is still young and has good potential. He has everything going
for him, correct depth and length, lovely shaped head giving a typical Labrador
expression. He was in good coat and his topline continued with a nice otter tail
set. His good angulation meant he was able to move freely around the ring.
2. Williamson’s Sharouns Inspector Gadget J.W.: It was a shame that these two
had to meet, I really was splitting hairs when it came to awarding the cards.
This dog has all the typical attributes of a Labrador, nice shape of head, good
temperament, looks fit to do a day’s work. His angulation front and rear was
correct and he has a well sprung rib, leading to short coupling and straight
topline. However I preferred the movement of 1.
3. Evans’ Trendlewood Long Time Comin at Pudleigh J.W
Limit Dog
(11, 3 abs)
1. Metcalfe’s Baileydale Puff Daddy J.W.:
A well balanced black dog with a
lovely masculine head. He has a good length of neck into well placed shoulders.
Deep chested and well sprung ribs leading to a short coupling and level topline
leading to well set otter tail. His rear angulation and muscle tone meant that
he was able to move with drive and cover the ring effortlessly. I was more that
happy to award him the DCC and with the agreement of my fellow judge RBIS., BOS
2. Perkins’ Carromer Teguila by Keeninspires:
a well sized yellow dog, nicely
balanced. Good shape of head with correct ear set and eye shape and colour. well
muscled but not overdone. Nice straight front legs and good turn of stifle. He
moved well,
3. Mills & Rota’s Rodstar Rocks Zero Bully at Lembas
Open Dog
(9, 5 abs)
1. Rawlinson & Balshaw’s SH.CH. Shanorrell Black Sabbath at Halshimoor: This
kennel consistently turns out good dogs and this one is no exception. This 7
year old black stands four square in perfect proportion from nose to tail. He
has a good temperament and looks fit for purpose. He has good angulation front
and rear and is well muscled throughout. He moved around the ring as though he
owned it. RDCC, BVD, BVIS
2. Mills’ SH.CH. Lembas Maui: On another day this result could easily have been
switched. This kennel has also produced some really good dogs, this being one of
them. He has a lovely deep chest and well sprung ribs, leading to level topline
and well set otter tail. He moved around the ring well. He didn’t have as much
‘ring presence’ as 1 today.
3. Metcalfe’s Rumhill Bertie Wooster by Baileydale J.W:
Special Beginners Dog
(5, 1 abs)
1. Moody’s Trendlewood Hometown Glory
2. Pickin’s Edenwood Hinch: A nice chocolate boy but still has room to develop
body wise.
He has a good shaped head with correct ear set and eye colour. Has a very kind
expression, typical of a Labrador. His movement around the ring was stilted and
he needs to tighten up his feet.
3. Way’s IncantorFabulinus
Special Working Dog
(2)
1. Coode’s Warringah’s the Bluff J.W. SGWC: A well
proportioned black dog with great bone, well muscled body. Lovely depth of chest
and well sprung rib. Level topline, leading to lovely well-set otter tail. Moved
across the ground with ease and true both front and back.
2. Scotford-Jackson’s Tugford Digby of Rumrumour: This is a typical working dog.
He has a nervy temperament but probably just because he’s not used to being in
the show ring. He has a good reach of neck but he needs more body and a thicker
tail. His movement was super, he drove around the ring.
Veteran Dog
(2)
1. Hodge’s SH.CH/IR SH.CH./LUX CH. Naiken East Meets West (AI)J.W.:
A nicely proportioned black dog, and although he is in
his 8th year there is still plenty to like. He has plenty of bone and
a great body and spring of rib. Still carries his topline well and leads to an
excellent otter tail which is constantly on the go. He moved really well.
2. White’s Serengoch’s Lincoln gyda Arghishalee (AI): A good solid dog with
ample bone and muscle. He moved soundly on nicely rounded feet. It was a shame
he came up against 1 today.
Margaret Barker (Judge)
Lynne James Special Memorial Class
I was honoured to be invited to officiate at the Ch Show by judging this
Special Stakes Class which was arranged as a memorial class, initiated by the
generosity of Teresa James and her family and friends to commemorate her mother,
Lynne James, and her long association with The Labrador Retriever Club of Wales
and her beloved Labradors. Teresa and her family were there throughout the
judging process and handed the prizes out to the award winners.
With only 2 exceptions, I had never seen any of the dogs entered and no
previous knowledge of any of the exhibits on show in this class. With an entry
of 31 Labradors, a mixed class with an age range from puppies to senior adults
it was an enjoyable challenge and one that I found very interesting.
1st Sh Ch. Shanorrell Black Sabbath at Halshimoor. Owners -
Rawlinson and Balshaw. Well up to size, black dog with scope and balance,
excelled in overall balance, well angulated. Correct double coat. He was sound
on the move, masculine without trace of coarseness. His head was balanced, broad
but not ‘overdone’ and he was handled to perfection, a joy to go over.
2nd Sh Ch. Kimbajak Miss Jazz Swinger JW. Owners – Edwards.
Exceptionally clean in outline and overall balance, displayed reach and drive on
the move as a product of her correct angulation with every limb in balance and
harmony, something not always evident in today’s Labrador. It was a very close
decision between 1st and 2nd in this class. Super bitch,
feminine head, dark eye, soft and kindly expression. Her topline was a joy to
behold.
3rd Sh Ch. Farnfield Partridge. Owners – Stafford. A quality
bitch with scope, in her best new coat with a super undercoat. Alas, she was
carrying a shade too much condition, however, her obvious class was there for
all to see.
Reserve. Sudeo Game Changer. Owners – Givan
VHC Shaymiloney Saucey Olive JW – Brambles
Thank you to all exhibitors for supporting this Special Stakes Class. It was
a privilege to judge your dogs.
Richard J Edwards (Judge)
Further critiques will appear here when received