Ulster Cocker Spaniel Club

THE ULSTER COCKER SPANIEL CLUB BREED OPEN SHOW

Sunday 8th June 2025

Judge: Mr David Bowen

I would like to thank the committee of the Ulster Cocker Spaniel Club for the honour of inviting me to judge their June Open Show, held in conjunction with Lisburn & District Canine Society. My thanks also for their warm hospitality, and to all the exhibitors for giving me the opportunity to go over so many lovely dogs, and for accepting my placings so graciously. The show was held in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere, which made for a most enjoyable day. My thanks also to my steward, Fran Devenney, for keeping the proceedings moving in an orderly manner.

Results & Critiques

Veteran Dog or Bitch (1,0)

1st Lavery, Minvery’s Lottalotta Lolly – 7 year old female of good breed type. Well worked head with good ear placement and tight dark eyes. Good reach of neck into correct shoulders with good upper arm angulation. Stands on good feet with straight columns. Short and cobby with good ribs, strong hindquarters and short hocks. Maintains a level topline on the move with good reach and drive. Best Veteran.

Special Field Trial Dog or Bitch (0,0)

Baby Puppy Dog (0,0)

Minor Puppy Dog (1,0)

1st Bailie, Thornbrook Fringe of Gold – 8 month Blue Roan & Tan male, very good type, presented in excellent condition. Attractive head with correctly positioned ears. Moderate neck into well-laid shoulders and good upper arm. Firm back, good ribs and loin, excellent hindquarters with good turn of stifle and neat hocks. Moves well, holding topline with reach and drive.

Puppy Dog (4,1)

1st Brennan, Charbonnel Chaperone At Kerrijoy – 10 month Black male who caught my eye immediately. Presented in tip-top condition with beautiful head and expression, dark tight-rimmed eyes. Strong straight legs with firm feet, correct proportions, firm back and ribs with a strong loin. Good shoulders and upper arm, excellent hindquarters with good stifle and short hocks. When settled, moves with reach and drive through a firm back. Best Dog, Best Puppy, and Best in Show, winning over his super sister today on overall presentation.

2nd Bailie, Thornbrook Brigadoon – 10 month Blue Roan male of excellent type. Pleasing head with well-placed ears and dark eyes. Very good front angulation, short and cobby with good ribs and loin. Stands well on good feet, sound both ways with good hindquarters. Moves with a level topline, reach and drive.

Junior Dog (1,0)

1st Brennan, Kerrijoy King of The Celts – 10 month Black male, another quality one from this kennel. Lovely head and expression, correct ear carriage. Correct shoulders on moderate neck, well-angled upper arm. Firm topline with good ribs and loin. Stands on straight legs with good feet, strong hindquarters. Moves with reach and drive, though tail carriage could be better.

Special Yearling Dog (1,1)

Graduate Dog (0,0)

Limit Dog (1,1)

Open Dog (2,1)

1st Bailie, Thornbrook Stage Whisperer CW23 CEN PW – 4 year old Blue Roan male in good order. Pleasing head and expression, dark tight eyes, good neck into well-placed shoulders and correct upper arm. Short, cobby, good ribs and loin, strong hindquarters. Moves with firm topline, very pleasing picture. Unlucky to meet my Best Dog in such form.

Baby Puppy Bitch (0,0)

Minor Puppy Bitch (1,0)

1st Bailie, Thornbrook Nightingale – 9 month Blue Roan female of good type. Nice head, dark eyes, correct ear placement. Moderate neck into slightly forward shoulders, good length of upper arm but angulation could be better. Good legs, feet, topline, ribs and loin. Strong hindquarters. Moves soundly, retains topline though fore reach could improve. Well presented.

Puppy Bitch (3,1)

1st Skillen, Skillanna Take A Chance On Me – 10 month Orange Roan female who caught my eye instantly. Beautiful head and expression with tight-rimmed eyes. Excellent neck into fine shoulders, correct upper arm, superb front assembly. Excellent bone, substance, feet, short back and good ribs. Square, cobby outline. Excellent hindquarters. Moves with good topline, reach and drive. Best Puppy Bitch & Reserve Best Bitch.

2nd Bailie, Thornbrook Calamity Jane – 10 month Blue Roan & Tan, very good type. Lovely head, correct neck, slightly forward shoulders, good length upper arm though angulation could be better. Straight legs, firm back, ribs and loin. Strong hindquarters, neat hocks. Sound mover, level topline.

Junior Bitch (1,0)

1st Catterson, Corlave Nola – 12 month Blue Roan female, well presented. Nice head, expression, good ears. Correct neck and shoulders, well-angled upper arm, good legs and feet. Straight back though could be firmer, good ribs and loin, good hindquarters. Moves soundly though topline could be firmer.

Special Yearling Bitch (1,0)

1st Bailie, Thornbrook Tequila Rose – 19 month Orange Roan in good order. Pleasing head and expression, dark eye. Moderate neck into well-placed shoulders, long upper arm but could be better angled. Good legs, pasterns, feet. Firm back, good ribs, wide loin, correct tailset. Broad hindquarters. Moves soundly with efficient gait.

Graduate Bitch (4,0)

1st McCullagh & Coulter-McCullagh, Tobershan Felicite Total – 21 month Orange & White who impressed greatly. Lovely head, expression, tight eyes, correct ears. Good neck into correct shoulders, well-angled upper arm. Strong topline, good ribs, loin, excellent legs, feet, hindquarters, stifle and hocks. Moves with topline, reach and drive. Seriously considered for top honours.

2nd Bailie, Thornbrook Princess In Pink – 2½ year old Orange & White, very good condition. Pleasing head and expression, dark eyes. Moderate neck, good shoulders, long upper arm but angulation could be better. Good forechest, topline, ribs and loin. Very good hindquarters. Moves soundly though topline and fore reach could be better.

Limit Bitch (4,3)

1st McCullagh & Coulter-McCullagh, Tobershan Deja Vous CJW23 JUN CH – 3 year old Blue Roan female, lots to like. Lovely head and expression, dark eyes, very good ear carriage. Correct neck and shoulders, well-angled upper arm. Excellent legs and feet, square and cobby with good ribs. Strong hindquarters. Moves well with reach and drive though can rise over the loin. Lovely female, considered for honours.

Open Bitch (6,2)

1st Brennan, IR SH CH Sparklette Shines At Charbonnel JUN CH, INT JNR CH, JW – 2 year old Black female admired from ringside. Did not disappoint. Beautiful head and expression, dark eyes, excellent ears. Correct neck, shoulders and upper arm. Superb bone, feet and pasterns. Firm topline, big ribs, wide loin. Excellent hindquarters. Moves with reach and drive, holding everything together. Best Bitch, only outshone by her younger brother who stole my heart on the day.

2nd McCullagh & Coulter-McCullagh, SH CH Tobershan C’est La Vie – 4 year old Golden female of excellent type. Lovely head, melting expression, dark eyes, good ears. Correct neck, shoulders, upper arm. Very good legs, feet, topline, ribs, loin and tailset. Excellent hindquarters. Moves soundly with reach and drive. Unlucky to meet the winner in such form.