North Of England Spaniel Club

 I would like to thank the committee of this club for their kind invitation to judge Springer spaniels and best in show at this really lovely open show. It's a super venue and the catering was exceptional. Thanks also to my steward. There was a strong wind at times which did unsettle a lot of the dogs especially the younger ones. 

English Springer spaniels.

Puppy (1st, Res BOB) – Calverts Calvdale Infinity

Only two exhibits present today, litter sisters of very similar type and markings, making for an interesting comparison. This pretty-headed, feminine puppy has a lovely soft eye and sweet expression. Her body is developing well, with good depth of chest for her age and well-laid shoulders. She has a pleasing length of neck flowing into a compact frame and strong rearquarters. Once settled, she moved soundly, showing good drive from the hocks. Presented in excellent coat with plenty of feathering. A promising youngster who should continue to mature nicely.

Junior (1st, BOB, BPIB & BPIS) – Calverts Calvdale Lizzie Stark

A stunning young bitch who had the edge over her sister today through her greater maturity of body and more settled movement. She has a balanced, feminine head with lovely soft eyes and a kind expression. Good length of ear, correctly set in line with the eye, and a well-proportioned neck leading into a deep chest. Her rounded hindquarters and strong hocks enabled her to move out well, maintaining her outline at all times. In the BIS ring she was a little unsettled, but in the BPIS competition she truly came into her own, showing herself to advantage and earning the top spot. A quality youngster with a bright future ahead of her; I shall follow her progress with interest and would not be surprised to see her gain her title in due course.

Welsh Springer Spaniels 

Puppy (1st, BPIB) – Chandler's Chanangel Kiss Cam

A super puppy of good size and type. She has a pretty head with a lovely melting eye and sweet expression. Plenty of neck flowing into well-laid shoulders, with moderate stifles and good hocks. Presented in a gleaming coat and excellent condition. A little unsettled on the move at times, as puppies can be, but when settled she displayed good rear drive. Expertly handled by her young handler. A promising youngster with much to like.

Junior (1st) – Lemin's Highslade Million Reasons for Bonvis

A pleasing youngster with an attractive head and eye. Good length of neck and a balanced overall outline. Would prefer a little more bone and depth of chest to complete the picture, but she has a strong rear with well-muscled second thighs and good hocks. Maintained a level topline and stood on neat, round feet. Presented in excellent coat and condition, although she was rather unsettled today.

Limit (1st, Res BOB) – Casey's Tigerrock Amazing Grace with Willowmeana

A compact bitch who presents a pleasing outline. Feminine, balanced head with a dark eye and kind expression. Would prefer just a touch more lip, but she has a clean, well-arched neck leading into a correct front assembly. Well boned throughout, with strong thighs and hocks. Presented in great bloom and moved out well to secure this class and Reserve Best of Breed.

Open (5, 2 abs)

1st, BOB – Casey's Tigerrock Lit De Roses with Willowmeana

Older sister to the Limit winner and very similar in type, but she had the edge today in overall shape and outline. A gorgeous headpiece with a soft, dark eye and lovely expression. Well-made both front and rear, with good bone throughout. Moved freely and positively, covering the ground with ease while maintaining a firm topline. Presented in fabulous coat and condition. A quality bitch who caught my eye throughout the day and made my shortlist for Best in Show.

2nd, BVIB & BVIS – Chandler's Chanangel Yorkshire Rose

A well-balanced bitch with a pleasing outline and overall picture. Well off for bone, with a clean neck leading into a deep chest. Good width to the rear and well-muscled throughout. Presented in excellent condition and expertly handled. Not quite as positive on the move as the winner in this class, but she settled well later and performed nicely to take Veteran Best in Show.

3rd – Mole/Knox's Zaza Florence Our Loyal Welsh at Edincraw

A worthy exhibit with many pleasing qualities. Presented in good condition and shown to advantage in a competitive class. On the day, I preferred the overall balance and movement of those placed above her.

Ellen Dobson veteran stakes. 1st C Yorkshire rose, as above. 2nd Holmes WSS Glenbrows Innocence. Pretty headed girl, of good size and well boned, liked her eye and expression, good front with tight elbows, I just preferred overall size and balance of 1st but she was close up. In fab condition. 

Best in Show

A quality line-up awaited me for the final competitions and I would like to thank my fellow judges for presenting such worthy winners.

Best in Show – Bacon's Timbric Doris Day JW (Cocker Spaniel)

At first glance around the ring, I did not immediately have her pegged as my eventual winner, but once gone over she impressed with her compact, balanced construction and undeniable Cocker type. She has a lovely head and expression, coupled with a strong, workmanlike body capable of a full day's work in the field. Well-rounded quarters and a pleasing outline complete the picture. What ultimately secured the top award was her movement; she really came into her own on the go, displaying the characteristic Cocker drive, bustle and show attitude that make the breed so appealing. Presented in gleaming coat and excellent condition throughout.

Reserve Best in Show – McCullum's Ir Sh Ch Bogbairns Down The Rab at Weemaes (Irish Water Spaniel)

I have always had a soft spot for this breed, with their fun-loving, mischievous personalities, and this dog was no exception. He has a pleasing head and cheeky expression, combined with a strong, well-developed body. Particularly good through the loin and second thigh, with well-sprung barrel ribs and a deep chest. Moved out well, maintaining a balanced outline at all times. Correct coat texture and presented in excellent condition. Expertly handled.

Best Puppy in Show – Calvert's Calvdale Lizzie Stark (English Springer Spaniel)

See breed critique above.

Reserve Best Puppy in Show – Holgate's Navadin Ailsa (Field Spaniel)

Just six months old and surely another star in the making. She already displays the unmistakable Navadin stamp, being a very typy Field Spaniel with much to admire in both head and body. Moved soundly with steady, unhurried drive, maintaining a pleasing outline and correct tail carriage. Her coat is already developing well for her age. A youngster with a very bright future ahead of her and one whose progress I shall follow with interest.

Best Veteran in Show – Chandler's Chanangel Yorkshire Rose (Welsh Springer Spaniel)

See breed critique above.

Reserve Best Veteran in Show – Mowbray's Sh Ch Gainsmill Illy Luna Potter at Crumbledor (Sussex Spaniel)

An eight-year-old champion bitch of quality. I felt she was finding the warm conditions a little challenging today and therefore was not quite giving her best, which was unfortunate. Nevertheless, her virtues were abundantly clear. She possesses a substantial body with the correct low, long outline, a feminine and balanced head with a soft expression, and a well-developed rear. Presented in hard muscular condition with an excellent coat. 

Varieties: 

Minor Puppy, 1st Dronsfield Clumber Vanitonia spectre of Whitbraith. Breed by a top kennel and showing type and promise already. Well boned. Good head, neck and shoulders, moved well to clinch this class. 2nd Cocker Bacons Timbric calamity jane, daughter of BIS and similar remarks apply. Another with show attitude and confidence. Compact in body, just preferred movement of 1st but close up. 3rd Sussex Sampsons Bowswizzler Dorothea.  

Puppy. 1st Terrys Kalispell the sorceress at Shaggylands, nice type puppy, feminine head but would prefer tad more muzzle, pleasing body proportions and moved well with drive just pipping the springer pup who was unsettled in this class. 2nd C Infinity

Junior. 1st Blackburns ACS, Eye catching parti boy, who comes alive on the move showing drive from rear and happy disposition. Needs to mature in body but this will come with age. In fabulous coat and condition.Would prefer better tan markings on head. Correct size. 

Post grad, 1st Scotts cocker, Crankwoods star attraction at Anjspan. Sweet happy girl who moved with purpose, kind eye and expression, compact body, coat shining in the sun and of good texture. Open.Abs. 

Stakes: Memorial stakes. Shiptons Bel Ch Heartwood Mishules all is possible with Calico imp usa jw. B/T Field, Well-balanced throughout with a firm topline, sound construction, and free-moving action. Presented and handled well. A worthy exhibit with several excellent breed characteristics. Head little strong for my taste but certainly a fit for function field. 2nd Macgeachie Lux/Ir sh ch Malbecmogs lady of the lake at Klanhallion. Very close up to 1st. Liked her a lot. Presents a pleasing outline with correct proportions and strong overall construction. Attractive head with good expression, dark eyes, and well-set ears. Moved with the sussex roll, true fore and aft. In lovely coat and condition.

Res BOB stakes, 1st Sussex see previous class. 2nd WSS see above in breed. 3rd ESS.

Puppy stakes, 1st C lizzie Stark, ESS. 2nd C Kiss cam WSS.

Open stakes, 1st Sussex 2nd cocker. 

BEV DUMMETT Judge