Plymouth & District Kennel Association

I would like to thank Plymouth & District Kennel Association for their kind invitation to judge at their Premier show. I received a very warm welcome and the show was efficiently run, with good organisation and timing throughout. Thank you also to my steward, Tracey Hill, for her assistance in the ring, which was very much appreciated and helped the morning run smoothly. I am grateful to all exhibitors for their entries and for the sporting manner in which they accepted my decisions. It was a pleasure to go over your dogs.

Spaniel (Cocker):

G (1,1) 1 SALMON’S, CRIMICAR BLU DIAMOND JW, 2-year-old BLUE ROAN B, stood alone in the class but a very pleasing bitch of good overall quality. She has a really nice head and skull with correct proportions, a good muzzle and a sound mouth. Forequarters well constructed with straight legs, and a compact body with good balance. Hindquarters strong and well developed, with a well set tail carried correctly. On the move she was true with good drive, covering the ground well and maintaining her outline. A lovely size and overall picture, and one I liked very much on the day. RBOB. L (2,1) 1 MCCABE-BELL’S, GRANDTULLY BIDDY FORD, 23-month-old LIVER (CHOCOLATE) B, a lovely bitch of very good general appearance, presenting a balanced and typical outline with correct breed characteristics. She has a really pleasing head and skull with correct proportions and a good mouth. Forequarters well constructed, and although she gave the impression of being slightly longer in leg, this was more apparent due to less coat furnishing rather than construction. Body compact with a firm, level topline which she maintained well. On the move she was true with good drive, covering the ground well and showing a typical, merry action. Coat of good texture, though would benefit from more feathering. A good size and overall picture, and on the day just had the edge for Best of Breed on her superior topline and movement in a very close decision. BOB. 2 SMALL’S, ALBERTEAN MINERVA JW, 2-year-old BLUE ROAN B, another very pleasing exhibit of good type and characteristics. She has a nice head and skull with correct proportions and a sound mouth. Slightly shorter in leg than the winner but still within acceptable limits, giving a balanced outline. Coat a real strength, being well presented with good feathering. Movement was true and steady, however did not quite have the same drive or ground covering action as the winner, which ultimately cost her in this very close class. A quality bitch and not far behind. O (1,0) 1 GREEN & BRAIN’S, CACHEL POP THE QUESTION TO MELONERAS JW, 7-year-old BLUE ROAN B, stood alone in the class. A bitch of lovely general appearance with much to like. She has a pleasing head and skull, though I would prefer a more distinct stop as called for in the standard. Body well balanced with good overall proportions, however topline did tend to dip at times. Hindquarters were a strength, being well developed and muscular. Coat of excellent quality, well presented with good feathering, and of a lovely size. On the move she was not at her best today, dropping at the shoulder which affected her overall action. A real shame, as she is a quality exhibit, but movement on the day prevented her from challenging further.

Spaniel (English Springer):

G (2,1) 1 HILL’S, PEASBLOSSOM EMOTIONS WITH TEIGNVALLEY, 15-month-old BLACK & WHITE B, a very pleasing exhibit of good general appearance, presenting a balanced and racy outline. She has a nicely proportioned head and skull with lovely eyes giving a kind expression, and a good mouth. Forequarters well constructed, with a strong, compact body and well-developed hindquarters showing good bend of stifle and hock. On the move she could be slightly unsettled at times, likely due to the surface, however when settled she showed a free, easy action with good drive. Coat of good quality and well presented. A quality youngster. RBOB. 2 STEVENS’, BUMBLECORN QUEST, 8-month-old BLACK & WHITE D, a very promising puppy of good type with a pleasing overall outline. Head and muzzle slightly shorter than the winner but still in proportion. Forequarters and body well constructed, giving a balanced appearance for his age. Rear movement was not at its best today, at times appearing weak through the hind action, however he is still developing and should strengthen with maturity. BPIB. L (1,0) 1 HILL’S, TEIGNVALLEY RAGS TO RICHES JW, 2-year-old BLACK & WHITE B, stood alone in the class but a very feminine bitch of pleasing general appearance, showing a balanced and racy outline. She has a really good head and skull with correct proportions, and good eyes giving a kind expression. Forequarters and hindquarters slightly finer, but still in keeping with the overall balance and type. Body strong and well put together. On the move she excelled, showing a free, easy action with excellent drive, covering the ground well. Coat of good quality and presentation. A lovely bitch who appealed very much on the day. O (1,1) 1 HILL’S, TEIGNVALLEY NEW BEGINNINGS JW SHCEX OSW, 2-year-old BLACK & WHITE D, stood alone but a dog of outstanding quality and one I admired greatly. He presents a superb general appearance, being well balanced, strong and full of breed type. Excellent head and skull with correct proportions, complemented by lovely eyes giving a kind, intelligent expression, and a good mouth. Forequarters and hindquarters are well developed and powerful, without any coarseness, clearly masculine throughout. Body strong and well put together. On the move he was exceptional, showing true, free-flowing action with excellent drive, covering the ground effortlessly. Coat of good quality and presentation. BOB.

Spaniel (Welsh Springer):

P (2,0) 1 MORGAN’S, RUBYDOWN SUMMER MAGIC, 10-month-old B, of pleasing general appearance and showing good breed type for her age. She has a nice head and skull with a correct mouth. Forequarters adequate, just a little wide in front at present. Body of good proportions, remaining compact as required. Hindquarters sound, and she moved reasonably well, showing some drive. Very much a puppy, but with enough quality. BPIB. 2 ATTWOOD’S, ROXDALE WISPA BY KYLOWEN, 11-month-old B, presenting a less typical overall outline. Head and skull lacked the desired strength and balance, appearing somewhat fine, and mouth not as correct as first. Forequarters also a little wide, and body longer than ideal, which detracts from the compact proportions required. Movement lacked some drive and overall coordination. Coat of good quality, however, but overall did not match the winner. PG (1,0) 1 ATTWOOD’S, ROXDALE WISPA BY KYLOWEN. OD (2,0) 1 ATTWOOD’S, IR SH CH KYLOWEN DRYM ShCM ShCEx IR VET CH VW, 11-year-old D, a veteran dog of good general appearance, still showing plenty of breed type. He has a good head and skull with correct ear placement. Mouth acceptable for age. Forequarters sound, but rear hind action tending to turn out slightly. Movement steady, though understandably not as strong in drive as younger exhibits. Coat a real highlight, of excellent quality and presentation, particularly for his age. RBOB. 2 MERCER & MERCER’S, AMBLELIGHT OLEANDER, 22-month-old D, presenting a less typical picture. Head and skull not quite of the desired shape, affecting ear set. Forequarters adequate, but hindquarters lacking sufficient angulation, which limited drive. Movement moderate and lacking the smooth, powerful action required. Coat of good quality with pleasing feathering, but overall not matching the type and balance of the winner. OB (4,0) 1 REYNOLDS & McILWAIN’S, BENOVEOR CAN’T BUY ME LOVE, 8 year old B, a very pleasing bitch of good general appearance, presenting a balanced and typical outline. She has a nice head and skull with correct proportions, sound forequarters, a good body and well made hindquarters. Feet good and compact, and tail very lively in action, adding to the overall picture. On the move she excelled, showing smooth, powerful, ground covering action with strong drive from the rear, exactly as called for in the breed standard. Coat of good quality and presentation. BOB. 2 BLACKFORD’S, AMBLELIGHT ADHARA JW, 4 year old B, another quality bitch with a lovely head and skull and good ears. Forequarters and hindquarters well constructed, giving a balanced overall appearance. Feet a little spreading. Movement was good, showing a smooth and steady action, however she did not quite match the strength of drive and ground coverage of the winner.

Jak Titchener (DRIFTTZU)