This show has been held at Malvern for some years now and is well oiled for its efficient, competent, and welcoming committee.

This year saw good dry weather for the two days of set up, but the dampening that was forecast for show day moved in overnight, as a result, all judging took place in the buildings.

The show attracted an increased entry of 1959 from the 1420 dogs through its gates.

Top entries were in Golden Retrievers with 169 dogs making 256 entries, Irish Setters with 120 dogs and 159 entries, Labrador Retrievers with 133 dogs making 164 entries, and close on their paws were the Flat Coated Retrievers at 100 dogs with entries at 141.

This year, Rob McMaster topped the bill and we were very fortunate to have an overseas judge with Meghen Reise-Bassell from Atlanta, Georgia, USA officiating in English and Welsh Springers and finishing her day with Best Veteran in Show.

We thought it would be fun and informative if we interviewed two judges with the same questions and reproduced them in our own show report.

Interview with ROB McMaster

 

Q: How did your involvement in dogs come about?

A: It was 1960, I was watching Crufts when the dalmatian won. I got one and it didn’t want to show so I got a Gordon Setter around 1973. I Added Brittany Spaniels in 1986. I had the top winning puppy in 2000, But soon after this I decided to concentrate on my Judging career.

 

Q: What three breeds do you admire and wish you had owned?

A: German Shorthaired Pointers, Hungarian Vizsla’s and Weimaraner’s.

 

Q: Who were your mentors along the way?

A: Terry Thorn was my main mentor.

 

Q: How did you come across your Kennel Name?

A: I lived in Wyredale, I wanted this name, but the Kennel Club did not grant this, so I ended up registering Wearvale.

 

Q: What do you feel is your greatest achievement to date in dogs?

A: Judging my own breed of Brittany Spaniels at Crufts,  Best In Show at National Gundog Championship Show and Best in Show, Best Puppy in Show at Gundog Society of Wales Championship Show.

 

Q: Who would you say is the greatest dog you have ever judged?

A: For me it was the English Setter, bred and owned by Penny Williams, Sh Ch Bournehouse Precious Dream.

 

Q: What breeds do you judge?

A: I award Challenge Certificates to 15 Gundog breeds and the Gundog Group.

 

Q: Apart from the country that you live in, where have you judged?

A: I have had the pleasure of officiating in Norway and Russia.

 

Q: What are your interests outside of dogs?

A: Table Tennis, My Grandson and family life.

 

Q: At a Virtual dinner table of six placements, who would you like to invite? (These can be past or present canine/non canine influencers from anywhere in the world.)

The Queen Mother, Boris Karlov, Peter Ustanof and Terry Thorn.

Interview with Meghen Riese-Bassel

 

Q: How did your involvement in dogs come about?

I am a second generation dog enthusiast.  My parents began breeding and exhibiting Welsh Springer Spaniels in the mid 1970s.  My involvement was a natural part of being part of the family.  My first time showing a dog was at the age of 4 at a match show, where I won a box of Crayons.

 

Q: What three breeds do you admire and wish you had owned?

This is perhaps the most difficult question here!  I love dogs – it is as simple as that.  The best part of judging is that I get to live vicariously through the dogs that come through my ring.  There are so many breeds that I could see living in my home and adding to the lives of my family.  If I MUST come up with a list then it would be:

A: English Springer Spaniels, Flat Coated Retrievers, Pointer

With an honourable mention going to: Bedlington Terrier, and the Dandie Dinmont Terrier

 

Q: Who were your mentors along the way?

A: My mother and my dear friend, Adrienne Bancker, were two of my most important mentors.  As a child I was exposed to hours upon hours of discussions of the Welsh Springer Spaniel and pedigrees.  Of course, along the journey of learning about other breeds there have been many breed experts who have made an impact  – too many to mention but extremely important to me.

 

Q: How did you come across your Kennel Name?

A: I inherited the kennel name of Statesman through my parents.  As the story was told to me, my parents were visiting a prolific Welsh Springer breeder in the 1970s and the breeder described their older dogs as the “elder statesman” of the kennel.  The perfect description made an impact on my parents and the Statesman kennel name was adopted.

I am now breeding independently under the Renascent kennel name.  After taking a short break from breeding after having my son, I chose the name because it means “becoming active or vigorous again.”

 

Q: What do you feel is your greatest achievement to date in dogs?

A: One of my greatest achievements is owner/handling “Jason” MBIS GCH Welford’s Jesmond Waterfall to Best of Breed at Crufts.  With that win he became the first WSS born outside of the UK to win Best of Breed at Crufts.

 

Q: Who would you say is the greatest dog you have ever judged?

A: While I have judged a number of truly exceptional dogs, I believe this honour would belong to the Lagotto Romangolo, “Orca” (Multi-CH Kan Trace Very Cheeky Chic).  I was one of the first to award her a Group First in the USA and take much pride in that.  She is a stunning example of the breed with type – soundness – and temperament.  From across a building there is no denying what breed she is, both standing and moving.

 

Q: What breeds do you judge?

A: I judge all breeds in the Sporting (Gundog) Group as well as a handful of Hound and Terrier breeds.

 

Q: Apart from the country you live in, where have you judged?

A: Australia, New Zealand, Sweden, and the UK

 

Q: What are your interests outside of dogs?

A: I love to travel and see the world.  Additionally, I enjoy thoroughbred racing (on the flat).  I find so many similarities between the business of breeding horses and that of breeding dogs.  I try to attend the Kentucky Derby and Breeders Cup yearly and have also attended the Royal Ascot.

 

Q: At a Virtual dinner table of six placements, who would you like to invite? These can be past or present canine influencers from anywhere in the world.

A: Anne Rogers Clark.  I would love to sit and listen to hear about every breed she loved.  She was a true dog person and someone who I always had the utmost respect for.

Nigel Worth (Sarabande).  When we get time to visit, we talk for hours about dogs.  We are kindred spirits and he and Anne share many of my ideas of sharing genes and breeding.

Noel and Dodo Hunton Morgans (Dalati).  I can only imagine the knowledge they had of the Welsh Springer Spaniel in the 60’s – 80’s.  They are icons within the breed.

Doug Johnson/Jamie Hubbard (Clussexx).  This pair has been exceptionally successful in many breeds with an emphasis on spaniels.  I especially enjoy discussing dogs with them while we are on the same judging panels.  No matter if we agree on our winners, we generally have wonderful discussions about our breed priorities.  These two are true dog people.

Michael Faulkner. I have long admired his knowledge of sporting breeds (especially Field Spaniels and Golden Retrievers).  His godmother was Peggy Grayson and he will frequently quote her in breed discussions.  It is wonderful how knowledge trickles down through the generations.

 

Behind The Scenes

Gundog Society of Wales would like to ‘Thank’ both Rob and Meghen for contributing to our Blog.

A link to all the individual Class placings within the breeds scheduled.

Appeared in Our Dogs – October 20, 2023 Pages 12 & 13.