09/09/2026
Critique from our Judge: Rebecca Middleton-Collins (Jasperleigh).
South West Essex Canine Association Open Show.
Monday, 31st August 2026.
My thanks go to the Committee for inviting me to judge Flatcoated Retrievers and Labrador Retrievers at the South West Essex Canine Association Open Show. Thank you also to my fantastic Steward, Emma, who kept the ring running smoothly for me.
FLATCOATED RETRIEVERS (5/4/1)
Puppy (0/0)
Special Yearling (0/0)
Post Graduate (4/3)
1. Bratby’s RAVENSFORT STEADY AS YOU GO. Standing alone, this substantial 3.5 year old monorchid Dog was well up to size and presented in a shining black coat of correct texture and good hard condition. Whilst I wouldn’t want any more of him, he cut a handsome profile both standing and on the move. His masculine head is softly molded with an appealing expression, complimented by dark eyes and pigment, correct ear-set and bite. His clean neck flows into well-laid shoulders and on to adequate return of upper arm and moderate forechest. Forelegs are of good length and straight bone and finished with neat, well padded feet. He is deep in body and well ribbed back, with moderately tapering spring of rib and a short loin. A level topline was held standing and on the move, with his tail being correctly set on, carried well and enthusiastically used at all times. Rear angulation mirrors that at the front. A well bent stifle of good width and hard muscle to the first and second thighs, well let-down hocks and straight rear pasterns, all allowed for well driven, tidy movement in all directions. BOB
Open (1/1)
LABRADOR RETRIEVERS (7/1/6)
Puppy (1/0)
1. Seymour's GALLYBOB XANTHUS. 10 month old pale yellow Dog with a lot to like, although he would benefit from losing a little weight to better show off his very nice structure. He has a beautiful broad head, showing good breed type with a lovely, gentle yet keen expression, complimented by dark eyes and pigment, correct ear size and set, and good bite. His neck is strong, of good length and well set on. Well-laid shoulders with equal return of upper arm, provide for a moderate forechest and place his forelegs well underneath him. His legs are of the straightest bone, with excellent substance and length, finishing in neat cat-like feet. Correct length of rib, developing a good amount of barrel-like spring, lead to a short, wide loin, supporting a level topline. Slightly low tail set, but his tail is short, thick, and well wrapped. Hindquarters are developed with good muscle and balanced angulation. Good coat. He moved out well for one so young, although tending to flag his tail occasionally, however this could just be down to his being a young lad having an exciting day out. BPIB
Special Yearling (1/0)
1. Seymour's GALLYBOB XANTHUS. Repeat Puppy.
Post Graduate (2/0)
1. Harrison’s LLANSTINAN COPPER KETTLE WITH STEBEL. A 2 year old Bitch of a pleasing size and shape. She certainly demonstrated the typical kindly Labrador temperament, as she kept wanting to sit and lean against me for attention whilst I tried to go over her. As sweet as that was, it did make a hands-on examination a tad difficult, so to keep her standing still would be something for her handler to work on for future classes. That said, she was presented in a gleaming chocolate coat of correct texture and density, and she is in good hard condition which made for an attractive picture when she was standing. Such a pretty, balanced head: Broad but obviously feminine, with very pleasing length and depth to muzzle. A meltingly soft yet intelligent expression, with hazel eye colour and pigment to harmonise with her rich coat. Her clean, elegant neck flows seamlessly into well laid shoulders with equal upper arm. Well b***d, straight forelegs and lovely tight feet were placed well under her body. A moderate chest of good width and deep brisket lead to barrel-like ribs and short couplings, a wide, level topline , rear angulation to match the front and a moderate turn of stifle. Tail could be thicker, but was wrapped, correctly set and nicely carried with a happy action. I would have liked more drive, but her movement was accurate and she was at one with her handler. RBOB
2. Scutcher’s WINSLEYWOOD WICKED JW. Another 2 year old Bitch, who like 1 also didn’t want to stand still on the day! This yellow girl didn’t have the tightness of feet nor the softness of expression which appealed so much with 1 and she was rather erratic on the move, with a very high tail carriage. However, she does present a compact and balanced overall picture, with a feminine head of dark eye and pigment, correct ears and good bite. She has an excellent length of neck, good angulation fore and aft, width to her chest, barrel-like ribs, short loin, moderate stifle and is in good condition with a correct coat.
Open (4/1)
1. Newman’s CREAMWOOD SILVER HAWTHORN. A 6 year old yellow Dog of good size, presenting a very true to type balanced, masculine profile of a fit male who looked like he could manage a day’s work. His compact shape flowed beautifully from nose to tail when freestood, showing everything to be in the right place and highlighting his musculature throughout. He has a very handsome head with width to his skull and muzzle, yet a gentleness of expression. I would prefer darker pigment, but he has kind dark eyes, well set ears and a decent bite. His muscular neck blends seamlessly into well-laid shoulders with an upper arm of equal length, placing his sturdy legs and tight feet well underneath him and producing a well developed, wide forechest. Well-sprung barrel ribs, a short, strong loin and wide, level topline make for a powerful body. He has a good, thick, otter-like tail, which is correctly set and carried. His rear angulation mirrors the front and together with a moderately turned stifle, well let-down hocks and strong pasterns, he was able to accurately drive around the ring. By far the best mover of the day and so at one with his handler. BOB.
2. Scutcher’s WINSLEYWOOD WITCHCRAFT JW. A 2 year old yellow Bitch and litter sister to 2 in Post Graduate, with many of the same comments applying, although I preferred her expression, and her movement was better than that of her sister. She also has a clean, reachy neck which smoothly transitions into a shoulder blade of excellent layback and length, with equal return of upper arm. Front legs are straight and of good length, although I would prefer a touch more bone and tighter feet. She has a nice spring of rib, a short, wide loin, a level topline which she held on the move, and a good coat. She moved freely once settled, although again, she also carried her tail rather high.
3. Griffin & Moulster’s JENBERRY BOJO.
Judge: Rebecca Middleton-Collins (Jasperleigh).
