West Of England Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Club

West of England Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Club

Championship Show 20th November 2021

Bitches

It is always a pleasure to judge the breed that has your heart. It was love at first sight for me over 50 years ago and in all those years since, no other breed has come close. Cavaliers are my ideal….I love the way they look, the way they behave, the feelings I get when I am near them and can’t imagine life without them. I love them warts and all, but todays judging was all about excellence and finding the ones that in my opinion were the closest to the Breed Standard. Perfection was not on my list as that would be like looking for proverbial needle in a haystack and knowing you weren’t going to find it. I was thinking more “Be to her virtues very kind; be to her faults a little blind”. Having said that….judging the breed in large numbers gives a great insight into how it is faring and where the strength and weaknesses lie. There were very pretty, feminine girls entered and I was able to find many who were a lovely size, well put together and displayed good breed traits. One area that concerned me and I know my co judges expressed the same unease ….was rear movement. I was faced with way too many who moved close behind, weaved, shuffled and did not show the straight, parallel movement with good drive that is desirable. I had to be a “little blind” more often than I liked. Please keep this in mind when you are breeding your next litter. It was a privilege to be invited by The West of England Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Club to judge. The club was formed in 1957….so the oldest regional club. The show brought back so many memories of the successful stalwarts of our breed connected with the West Country…..CRISDIG, HOMERBRENT, AMANTRA, OTTERMOUTH, ALANSMERE, HILARNY…to name but a few. We owe it to them to carry on their legacy to the very best of our ability. Thank you to everyone who entered and made the day special. To steward Lisa Gamble, ably assisted by David Neal….you made my day run smoothly. Judging with my co judge Sandra Ireland Moger was lovely. We have spent four decades discussing Cavaliers together and I knew that we should end up with winners that appealed to us both, and we did! Our decisions needed no lengthy discussions. We agreed on every “in show” award. 

BEST IN SHOW Ch Emberlace Tullamore

BEST OPPOSITE SEX/RESERVE BEST IN SHOW Verheyen Violet

BEST PUPPY Stavonga Shot Silk at Ricksbury NAF TAF CNAF 

BEST VETERAN Embeth Bonny Boat JW 

Veteran 7 (2) Some very spry seniors to start the day. Loved seeing how they relished being back in the ring with their new badge of honour….over 7 years

1. Rees' Embeth Bonny Boat JW. This 7 year old tricolour was charged and her enthusiasm palpable. Such a pretty girl with a sweet face and gentle expression. Just right for size, neat and tidy body shape. She motored around the ring showing off her impressive outline. A soft coat added the finishing touch and she did all that was asked, and a bit more when it came to the end. Should have a glittering career as an OAP. BEST VETERAN BITCH & BEST VETERAN IN SHOW.

2. Maclaine's Lochbuie Reddy For Anything. Fizzy little Ruby with beautiful eyes giving her the sweetest expression. Scored for size with short back and good substance. Another who gave her all. At 8 she just lacked the coat bloom of winner. Our first show girl was a Ruby and this colour doesn’t cope as well as the other three colours when out of coat. 

3 . Tarabad & Whitman's Denham Over The Moon

4. Long's Arroline Phoenix

5. Hawkins' Pendralier Melody

Minor Puppy 11(1) My favourite classes. First the old timers, then the new kids on the block. When dogs enter the class you can see at first glance the ones that catch your eye. Going over them reveals the finer points and moving them confirms your initial reactions were correct or not. Puppies can be unpredictable, so as well as being fun to show, there is always a slight nervous vibe comes from the exhibitors who are hoping they will behave. 

1. Riix' Stavonga Sea Change At Ricksbury Playful 8 month Blenheim.A lovely puppy to go over. From the nape of neck to the tail set, the bits all fit. Rich coat markings, dark eyes, black nose pigment draws attention. Shows good reach and drive on the move. Have seen her several times from outside the ring and it was good to get my hands on her. The head and expression of the black/tan who came 2nd appealed to me more but today the Blenheim held more aces.

2. Hall & Kilcoyne’s Granasil Popsicle. This black/tan girl is as nice a puppy as I’ve seen in a while. A real prospect. Her face is sweetness and light with plenty of soft curves. Eyes that were round, large and dark and added to her generous expression. A shiny, plush coat covered her neat body. Well sprung ribs and short loin. Held a level topine and moved soundly in the rear. Just playing up a bit when coming towards me. Owner and dog will go from strength to strength and I forecast will do some serious winning.

3. Spall & Clarl's Llapstam Sent From Heaven

4. Fox-Shone's Pamedna Tainted Love

5. Elkin's Elkjen Layla May

Puppy 9(2) 

1. Rix' Stavonga Shot Silk At Ricksbury Litter sister to the MP winner and both have made names for themselves in the couple of months they have been showing. Cavalier faces all hold their own appeal but some are simply more kissable than others. For me this sibling has the more appealing head piece. Gentle expression. Soft dark brown eyes. Coat condition was A1 with markings that were classic….pearly white with well spaced chestnut. Good for size and shape and a free mover. Excellent rear. Gives a polished performance but every now and then you can almost see her thinking …I’m going to have some ‘playing up’ time. Adds to her appeal. BEST PUPPY BITCH & BEST PUPPY IN SHOW. 

2. Spall & Clark's Korraines Fanfare For LLapstam. A fine looking tricolour who satisfied me on many levels. Loved her size, shapely body and expressive eyes. Naughty but very nice. Allowed me only glimpses of her true potential as she was a little unsettled with a change of handler and had to settle for 2nd. Up and coming youngster.

3. Nolan's Jernito Winter Hope

4. Hogan's Stavonga Secret Crush

5. Thomas' Verheyen Charm At Pepyswood

Junior 8(1)

1. Parsons' Anjomil Harvest Moon This Blenheim Junior Miss wouldn’t look out of place sitting in our home. Only 15 months old but had so many key points on my list of must-haves. Small, neatly made, ultra feminine, elegant, joyful. I wrote lovely face twice in my notes….shows how pretty I thought she was. Expression is totally Cavalier with symmetrical head markings. Stands happily showing her balanced outline and full of get up and go on the move. When alert and engaged she can put her tail up but I feel this is more exuberance than bad carriage. She matched my CC winner so well and it was a delight to award her the RCC. Her owner was moved to tears. Happy tears.

2. Holbrook's Vonnyisle VaVa Voom. There have been lots of splendid typey Cavaliers bred bearing this affix. This Blenheim was no exception. Has all the hallmarks. Gentle face, nicely marked silky coat, balanced body, sound driving movement and a happy show girl. A tad bigger than the winner but still beautifully balanced. Just over a year old and I’m sure more success is just around the corner. This exhibitor goes that extra mile travelling to shows from the Isle of Wight. I hope she continues. Her dogs are worth it. 

3. Lee's Kelrick Kornish Legend

4. Bloomfield's Toraylac Gracious Oaklake

5. Hazeltine's Juzandia Lamanna

Yearling 9(2)

1. Cunningham's Verheyen Violet. Exquisitely pretty little Blenheim who caught my attention. Such an angelic face with huge eyes, warm and full of expression. Good balance between skull and muzzle. Long ears, dense pigmentation. Rich coat colouring and correct texture. Her free flowing outline from neck to tail looked good as she went through the routine holding her tail level with her back line. Born on December 25th two years ago and what a wonderful Xmas gift that was. Bred in the purple with Champion parents. Here was the well made Toy spaniel with a sweet nature that I was looking for. How could I resist …she reeled me in. Winner of the CC, her 3rd and a new Champion for her owner and the breed. 

2. Chapman & Ireland's Ellemich Attraction. A stylish Ruby whose profile looked good on the go around and her strong rear with excellent drive was admirable. Full headed with large, dark, expressive eyes. Long, well set ears. Coat is soft and silky and has depth of colour but at present lacks a bit of finish and will look better when she grows fresh furnishings. Good show girl who set herself up nicely. 

3.Vella's Miletree Mardigras

4. Long's Arroline Elixir

5. Earl's Earlrae Sugar Plum Fairy

Novice 14 (1) Biggest class of the day and it was good to find so many quality bitches, many of whom won’t be long in winning their way out of Novice and move into the higher classes. 

1. Homes' Leogem Winter Melody. Nice looking Blenheim who looked right at home with my other class winners. Small, neat body shape, neck, shoulders, topline and tail set all combined to create a clean outline. Well marked coat with good distribution of chestnut on pearly white background. Showed to advantage and her face features were ultra feminine. Has more still in store and should have a rosy future ahead. 

2 Holland's Cempas Trolley Dolly At Bonniemadra. Beautifully conditioned, Canadian bred Black/Tan whose coat shone and was soft to the touch. Very feminine outlook and her expression was gentle coming from large, round dark eyes. Held a firm topline and stepped out with style. Felt her waistline needed defining and just needs to lose a couple of those lockdown pounds.

3.Fox-Shone's Pamedna Love Me Do

4. Jackson's Fortunamajor Shining Star

5. Galloway's Russmic Miss Liberty At Sailcross

Post Graduate 7 (2 ab, 2 w/d)

1 Griffith's Khatibi Es Me Gorgeous. With a face this delicious, this neat Tricolour must be hard to refuse. The expression is so appealing with gorgeous eyes, long ears, flat skull, plenty of filling below the eyes and good length of muzzle. Shown in full well marked coat. Bum high as she circled the ring which spoilt her outline. Face is definitely her fortune. 

2.Brown's Peakdowns Kaitlin. Cheery Blenheim who wagged her way through the class. An honest bitch with above average qualities. Gentle face, cosmetically pleasing markings and friendly disposition. Not the coat finish of 1, and today her mind wasn’t on the job in hand. 

3. Franks' Cathmead The Fairy Queen 

Sp Mid Limit Bl or Tri 3

1. Cunningham's Verheyen Kalinda One of half a dozen ‘Ronan’ daughters who were in the cards today. He has certainly left a worthwhile legacy here in the U.K. Glamorous 2 year old looking splendid in her Blenheim coat. Fits the Breed Standard to a T when it asks for ‘rich chestnut markings well broken up, on pearly white ground. Markings evenly divided on head, leaving room between ears for much valued lozenge’. A pretty girl with good eyes and pigment. Plenty of wag. Covered the ground soundly both coming and going. 

2. Gibson's Toraylac Delilah My, my, my Delilah😀. 2year old Blenheim displaying a super crisp outline with the best neck, shoulders and top-line. Catches the eye in her well marked chestnut and white coat and she stood happily showing. Such a sweet natured girl. Gave the winner a good run for her money and although her unconventional face markings were cute, the text book face markings of Kalinda appealed more.

3. Chapman's Kinvaar Raindrops On Roses At Daltonian

Sp Mid Limit B/T or R 5 (1) 

1.Hughes' Loranka's Secret Potion. A smart Black/Tan with a head piece that would look correct in any colour. No deep stop or high skull that so often plagues the wholecolours. Breeders have done well over the years in introducing parti blood to address this aspect. High set ears, dark mellow eyes, rich tan points. Super size and well coated. The best outline in the class. Balanced with good angles front and rear. Stylish on the move and I think this pretty girl is coming to the boil. One to watch

2. O'Grady's Culverhill Coraline. Loved the gentle expressive eyes on this fresh faced Ruby. Had the correct rich red colouring and her condition was excellent. Her coat gleamed. Longer in back than winner and had a tendency to hug the floor when moving. Such a pity. Outdoors might suit her better. 

3. Surman's Harana Joan Jett

4. Earlrae Sugar Plum Fairy

Limit 5(1)

1. Lee's Kelrick One Kiss. I do like a level topline and feel this adds a touch of elegance to the outline. Not overly keen on roached or dippy backs. This little Blenheim, like my other winners, scores in this area. Her top-line is enviable. A dainty girl with feminine face and her front and rear angles compliment each other. Carrying enough coat and fringing. Wags when stood but have seen her happier on the move and could be stronger going away. Fitted in well with my lineup of pretty bitches. At two coming to her best.     

2. Lewis' Carleeto Satine I loved the face on this Black/Tan girl. Expression was delicious with great eyes. Large, round and dark. Without the correct Cavalier eyes, the expression is lost. Presented in nice coat which was straight and silky. Her tans were bright, not wishy washy, and looked vibrant against the black coat. No problems on the move. Felt she was carrying a touch too much weight. I think that about myself, so can relate. 😀

3. Maclaine's Lochbuie Graffiti

4. Mancey's Ouzelwell Anneli At Estrid

Bred By Exh 7(2)

1. Loades' Rosirius Bluebell Gentle faced Blenheim who took my eye as she went round the ring with great poise and proud head carriage. Has a face and expression that will always turn heads as she is so delicately pretty with big eyes. One I would never tire of looking at. Text book markings add to her appeal. Could drive more from behind but everything else gets the thumbs up. 

2. Hogan's Ch Stavonga Wendy's Song. Another well made Blenheim who scored for rich chestnut markings. These are the coat markings that make Blenheims the most popular colour with the public. So attractive. Sound in both directions and her side profile was spot on with spirit level topline. An enthusiastic showgirl enjoying showing me her moves. Whilst pretty, her expression held a touch less appeal for me than winner. 

3. Rhodes' Calonlan Bombay Sapphire     

4. Reinomagi's EE Ch Dingir-Ra Trailblazer

5. Earlrae Sugar Plum Fairy

Open 8 (1) Super class of bitches who have done a fair amount of winning. Had to split hairs and make distinctions even when the differences between them were small. 

1. Chapman & Ireland's Ellemich Poeme. Three year old Blenheim who was in my final selection of six. Ideally marked and well spaced rich chestnut markings complimented the pearly white in her coat. Felt good to go over and was the best mover in the whole entry. Lovely to watch her go up and down and around. Her footfall and outline were impressive. Long feathered ears framed a kind face with dark eyes. A happy girl. Preferred the more delicate face features of my eventual CC/RCC winners but feel her day isn’t far off.

2. Long's Ch Arroline Eclipse. Full coated Tricolour who clearly enjoys the ring and happily stands wagging showing off her outline. Her show stance impresses with neck, shoulders and top-line all combining well together. Close examination reveals an appealing face with lovely eyes, plenty of filling and good balance of skull to muzzle. Steady on the move. Winner just scored for outline.

3. Waters' Ch Byermoor The Empress       

4. Hughes' Loranka's Beautiful Moments

5. Fox-Shone's Pamedna Que Sera Sera

Judge NORMA INGLIS (CRAIGOWL)