Leeds City & District Canine Association

WELSH SPRINGER SPANIEL — BREED CRITIQUE, Leeds Championship Show 23 rd July

It was a great pleasure to judge to Welsh Springer Spaniels for the first time with CC’s at Leeds Championship Show 

The Open Bitch class, which for me was the class of the day.

When judging this breed, I was looking for the qualities a symmetrical and compact dog, not leggy, with the strength and substance to suggest endurance and hard work.

Movement was an important consideration throughout, particularly the combination of front reach and powerful rear drive required to allow the breed to do a days work . Not an easy task to find all the qualities I was looking for in one dog but delighted with my principal winners

DOGS

PUPPY DOG — 1 Entry

1st — DOUGLAS, Mrs Dorothy Kay & DOUGLAS, Mr Ian — Chanangel Hypnotised By Santallina

A nice puppy who, although not particularly outgoing today, has good proportions and plenty to like. Good breed-type head with a pleasing expression and good length of neck which was set neatly into sloping shoulders. Moved steadily and showed good promise for the future.

POST GRADUATE DOG — 2 Entries

1st — JACKSON, Mrs Lisa Jayne & RITCHIE, Mrs Thelma & JA — Slapestones Diminico

A nicely balanced dog with a steady movement. Good overall breed type. Liked his expression and length of neck which sat nicely into shoulders . A little close behind on the move today, where I would ideally like to see the strength from rear quarters but has time to strength as he matures . 

2nd — BENNION, Mrs G — Menstonia Endless Dreams

A nice dog with good qualities, head proportions correct , kind expression and big nostrils , shoulders sloping and well placed , chest deep and ribs well sprung. but not quite as clean in front on the move. Hopefully that will come as he matures . 

LIMIT DOG — 1 Entry

1st — SUTHERLAND, Mrs Jane & SUTHERLAND, Mr Craig — Jacranella Guardian (AI)

A nice boy with enough breed type and a masculine head, kind expression, ears well set , straight front . Good overall substance. I would like to see more reach in front to complement the rear construction and drive he shows 

OPEN DOG — 5 Entries, 1 Absent

1st — CHANDLER, Mrs Angela Ruth — Sh Ch Shch Chanangel Jo Sugden JW ShCEx — DCC

For me, the overall package. A lovely Welsh Springer with excellent breed type and a typical head full of character. ear set,moderately low and lying close to the cheeks

Good shoulder placement and an excellent length-to-height relationship, giving the desired compact, symmetrical outline Deep chest not too leggy . Strong movement from a well-muscled rear, showing reach and drive

The complete package for me today who combined breed type, construction, balance and movement particularly well. A very worthy Dog CC.

2nd — GRAHAM, Mrs Jane — Sh Ch Nyliram Born This Way JW — RDCC

Similar remarks apply. A super dog with excellent breed type and a lot of quality. Good overall balance and strong movement from well muscled rear quarters . I would have preferred more neck,

Nevertheless, an excellent Welsh Springer and a very worthy Reserve Dog CC.

3rd — WILLIAMS, Mrs J & WILLIAMS, Mr Thomas — Nyliram The Alibi For Trebettyn JW

A quality exhibit with good overall breed characteristics.

VETERAN DOG — 3 Entries

1st — GILLHAM, Mrs Louise & RITCHIE, Mrs Thelma — Sh Ch Slapestones Diamond Mine JW — BEST VETERAN

A lovely veteran with very nice breed type. Good length of neck, firm topline and well-laid shoulders. Strong rear construction and good overall balance.

He retains the strength and substance required of the breed and moved well for his age. A very pleasing veteran and a worthy Best Veteran. Shown in excellent condition, handled well . 

2nd — DOUGLAS, Mrs Dorothy Kay & DOUGLAS, Mr Ian — Sh Ch Chanangel Yorkshire Gold To Santallinanive

A very nice typey dog with a super head. Well balanced throughout, with good depth and well-sprung ribs and a well-muscled rear. A lovely veteran who showed the characteristic strength and compactness of the breed.

BITCHES

CLASS — PUPPY BITCH — 3 Entries, 2 Absent

1st — CHANDLER, Mrs Angela Ruth — Chanangel Kiss Cam — BEST PUPPY

A very pretty, feminine puppy with a lovely cheeky character. A naughty but nice little girl who clearly enjoyed herself. Good breed promise and a pleasing overall picture. A well-deserved Best Puppy.

POST GRADUATE BITCH — 6 Entries, 2 Absent

1st — GRAHAM, Mrs Sharon & GRAHAM, Mr John — Slapestones Catoca

A bitch I liked very much. Good breed-type head with a kind eye and good length of neck. Strong rear quarters and good overall breed character.

The long muscular neck combined with good shoulder placement and powerful hindquarters, moved well with a lovely action .

2nd ROBERTS, Mrs D — Nyliram Just Dance With Cwrtafon

A nice bitch with good qualities. Head well proportioned with a kind expression, large nostrils . Unfortunately, she was not as clean in front on the move today.

3rd — COCHRANE, Ms Sarah — Eiriandylis Confusion

CLASS 419 — LIMIT BITCH — 7 Entries, 3 Absent

1st — 1190 HOWARTH, Mrs Jane — Ferndel Starry Eyes

Lots to like about this bitch. Best on the move in the class, showing the smooth, powerful, ground-covering action

substantial ribs and a well-muscled rear, giving her plenty of strength and drive. I would have preferred more neck to complete the outline but overall, a pleasing bitch.

2nd — TEW, Mrs Pamela — Pamicks Dream With Me

A nice bitch with good qualities, particularly liked her expression , well laid shoulders but not as strong behind as my winner. I would also have preferred more reach in front to give greater balance between the forehand and hindquarters ,

3rd — RITCHIE, Mrs Thelma C & RITCHIE, Mr Andrew & RITCH — Slapestones Finsch JW

CLASS 420 — OPEN BITCH — 6 Entries, 1 Absent

Best class of the day.

This was an excellent class and I was genuinely pleased with the quality. There were several very good bitches here and, on another day, I could easily have changed the order. Today, however, my winner had the overall finish that just gave her the edge.

1st — LEWIN, Mr M G — Sh Ch Santallina Olympic Flame JW — BCC & BOB

A superb example of the breed and my star of the day.

She is full of breed type and has a beautiful, balanced outline. Excellent front construction and lovely shoulders, giving the desired compact and symmetrical picture without appearing leggy. Her head is excellent, with a lovely expression and plenty of breed type. 

Good length of neck, neatly flowing into the shoulder. She has excellent body properties, with good depth and big, well-sprung ribs, together with strong, muscular quarters.

Most importantly, she brought all of this together in her movement. She moved as one with her handler, with smooth, powerful action and excellent drive from behind, showing a quick and active action with plenty of reach and drive.

I was delighted to award her the Bitch CC and ultimately Best of Breed.

2nd — GRAHAM, Mr Tom — Sh Ch Nyliram Telling Tales JW ShCEx OSW — RBCC

A super example of the breed who thoroughly deserves all her accolades. Lovely breed type and a very nice bitch. She moved with excellent style, reach and drive, showing the powerful, ground-covering action the standard asks for.

A very close decision in an exceptionally strong class. On another day she could easily have taken the top spot, but today my winner just had the overall finish.

A very worthy Reserve Bitch CC.

3rd — PLACE, Mrs M L & HALLIDAY, Mrs AL — Sh Ch Slapestones Aykhal At Aarminias

A lovely champion bitch with plenty of quality. Another bitch who I am sure will have her day and could easily win another time. She was a pleasure to consider in such a strong Open class.

CLASS 421 — VETERAN BITCH — 5 Entries

1st — CHANDLER, Mrs Angela Ruth — Chanangel Yorkshire Rose

A super veteran who moves exceptionally well and remains a quality girl. Lovely breed character and a very pleasing overall picture. Particularly impressive to see her retain such good movement and activity as a veteran . 

2nd — KNOX, Ms Anne & MOLE, Mr William — Zaza Florence Our Loyal Welsh At Edincraw (Imp Nld)

A lovely bitch who was unfortunate to meet my winner today. Good overall breed qualities and a very pleasing veteran. Not as clean on the move .

3rd — GRAHAM, Mrs Sharon & GRAHAM, Mr John — Aindrea Harleyquinn

FINAL AWARDS

DOG CC

CHANDLER, Mrs Angela Ruth — Sh Ch Shch Chanangel Jo Sugden JW ShCEx

RESERVE DOG CC

GRAHAM, Mrs Jane — Sh Ch Nyliram Born This Way JW

BITCH CC

LEWIN, Mr M G — Sh Ch Santallina Olympic Flame JW

RESERVE BITCH CC

GRAHAM, Mr Tom — Sh Ch Nyliram Telling Tales JW ShCEx OSW

BEST OF BREED

LEWIN, Mr M G — Sh Ch Santallina Olympic Flame JW

BEST PUPPY

CHANDLER, Mrs Angela Ruth — Chanangel Kiss Cam

BEST VETERAN

GILLHAM, Mrs Louise & RITCHIE, Mrs Thelma — Sh Ch Slapestones Diamond Mine JW

Tania Gardner 

Danwish