Walsall & District Kennel Association

Show – Walsall & District Kennel Association

Date – 8th Aug 2026

Judge – Lynda Nicholas (Nickarlyn)

Thank you to the committee for inviting me to judge and to my stewards Yvonne & Bruce who worked so hard on a warm day. Thanks to all exhibitors each entry was appreciated. Whilst sunny our large outside ring was perfect, we moved around to keep the dogs in the shade of the trees. All dogs coped admirably. 

Border Collie

P (1,0)

1 Webb – Thwaitkae What I Want BP

Promising 9 mnth B/W pup who did not really settle into full show mode today. Feminine and well-constructed with bone to compliment size. Nicely arched neck into OK shoulders. Good height to length proportions. Parallel low set hocks, well set tail of good length just a little proud of it today. 

J (0,0)

PG (1,0)

1Wilcox – Blackgold Age of Aquarius JW

Nicely made youngster needing time to mature into the finished article. Pleasing head and alert expression. Eye colour and pigment toning with coat. Not quite the shoulder placement of BOB but decent chest and ribbing. Moderate bend of stifle and well let down hocks. Free moving with strong driving action covering the ground well with accurate footfall. 

O (1,0) BOB / GRP 1 / V GRP 1/ Best Veteran in Show

1 Webb – Borderbrook Fire and Flame Shcex

B&W veteran male showing lovely outline - appealed for balance, shape and type. Good proportions skull to muzzle. Soft, gentle expression but all male. Mobile ears being alert to his handler – he really understood his job today. Arch to neck leading into well laid shoulders and matching return of upper arm. Nice rib reaching well back and strong loin. Spot on height to length ratio. Smooth and supple on the move covering the ground with ease, dropped into himself showing minimal foot lift. Held a level stable topline with good tail carriage. Handled to advantage.

Golden Retriever

P (4,1,)

1 Booth – Haydengold Sweet Moments for Ailelnix BP / P GRP 4

Really attractive outline and good showmanship from this cream girl. Feminine with the prettiest of heads of good proportions, kind soft eye & correct ear set. Good reach of neck, flowed into well set shoulders and matching return of upper-arm. Decent ribs and short coupled with balance throughout. Moderate bend of stifle and well let down strong hocks. Standing on good legs and tight feet. Moved with composure for age showing fluid co-ordinated reach and drive whilst maintaining topline.

2 Crick – Toseland Tilia at Goldlyn

A little younger and not as mature as winner. Good balance to head and soft expression. Decent reach of neck, well laid shoulder and return of upper arm, strong bone, chest developing, level topline. Slightly longer cast than winner and not quite as fluid on the move.

3 Cooper – Amilone Don’t Mind if I Do at Dikeadaze

J (2,0)

1 Stonebridge – Toseland Two Can Have a Party

Feminine bitch giving balanced outline of pleasing proportions. Head showing balance, dark correctly shaped eyes giving the most gentle expression. Good reach of neck flowing into well-laid shoulders with matching return of upper arm. Decent fore chest. Correct bone for size. Well-sprung ribs reaching well back, firm level topline and well-made hindquarters with good depth of second thigh. Moved freely, maintaining outline showing really accurate footfall with reach and drive. Well set / carried tail. 

2 Taylor & Tenn – Strettonhills Bees Knees

Very pretty bitch displaying a lovely silhouette. Feminine head with gentle eye and soft expression. Good reach of neck into well laid shoulder and matching upper/arm. Standing on good legs and feet. Balanced front and rear angulations with level topline held on the move with correct tailset/carriage. Just preferred the back skull and expression of winner

3 Crick – Toseland Tilla at Goldlyn

PG (8,1,1w/d)

2 very nice boys headed this class

1 Smith – Rocamoka Harbour Light BOB 

Upstanding male of good balance and. Masculine head with pleasing expression coming from lovely dark eye . Good depth of chest and spring of rib reaching well back and strong loin ensured he kept his topline both static and on the move. Correct tailset that was carried well. Good muscle tone on rear used to advantage. 

2 Lane-Ridyard, Lane & Lane – Hardyllic Jack of Diamonds with Kulawand

Balanced silhouette, all male - nothing coarse about him. Broad skull and balance in head. Kind dark eye with good pigment giving gentle expression. Good length of neck flowed into well laid shoulders and good upper arm length. Decent forechest, spring to rib reaching well back, short coupled and strong over the rear. Strong bone. Another with good muscle tone covered the ground with ease - accurate footfall with plenty of reach drive. 

3 Stonebridge – Toseland Two Can Have a Party

O (2,0)

1 Smith – Rocamoka Funky Business RBOB

Nicely shaped/neatly sized veteran mid-gold bitch still looking capable of a day’s work. Balanced proportions with nothing exaggerated. Feminine balanced head with mild expression – lovely dark soft eye. Enough neck into well laid shoulders. Mature in body, deep chested. Level topline and tailset. Good bone and substance. Moved soundly with accurate footfall. Just preferred the front angulation and reach and drive of the BOB today (her son)

2 Moore – Purbarn Friends Together with Auryngra

4 yr old balanced boy. Well shaped and proportioned head, dark soft eye and ears set well. Clean neck flowed into OK shoulders, would prefer a little more length to upper arm. Good depth and spring of ribs, strong loin and muscled hind quarters. Standing of good legs and feet. Moved well around the ring just preferred the silhouette of winner 

English Springer Spaniel

J (0,0)

PG (0,0)

O (3,1)

1 Williams & Toublic – Cobhay Dashing Dandelion JW BOB

L&W lad who scored for type, size and balance. Soft expression from correctly shaped eye with chiselling below. Undoubtably a male expression , I would not want backskull to be any broader. Silhouette displays good proportions throughout. Good neck flowing into well placed shoulders, elbow tight to ribs which are well sprung. Short coupled. Parallel hocks. Moved with purpose holding topline. Presented in excellent coat and condition

2 Williams & Toublic – Cobhay Fancy Phlox

L&W veteran lady - feminine in outlook of good type. Pleasing head of good proportions and soft expression. OK shoulder placement could benefit from a little more length to upper-arm. Ribcage extending well back, strong loin with well angulated rear. Low set hocks. Just preferred the balance and reach of winner.

American Cocker Spaniel

J (1,0)

1 Clay & Beet – Americlass Americano with Thistlefinch

B&T of 10 months. Still has lot of time to mature on and drop further into frame. Feminine headpiece with good eye and slightly richer tan than her littermate. Stylish outline that could be further enhanced with a little more neck and needs to settle into her front as she matures. That said she was very balanced with decent front and rear angulations. On occasion stacked she looked a little flat in topline. Ok tailset and carriage. Moved well with drive from behind. Puppy coat well presented

PG (1,0)

1 Clay & Dummett – Americlass Macchiato with Almondsbury BP

Litter sister – B&T and they really were like peas in a pod. Very feminine in outlook, nice balance to head that shows the required work, dark eyes and plush enough muzzle. Length to neck leading into good front, appropriate bone for size and good feet. Edged BP with slightly more settled stack and coordinated movement. Well presented and handled.

O (2,0)

1 Fryer – Dreamcast Elysium at Carolco BOB & GRP 4

B&W – Femininity and style in one package. Beautifully presented, coat of good texture and topped it off with great ring presence. Lovely feminine head of excellent proportions, dark soft eye with good pigment. Plush muzzle. Good neck and front, enough chest reaching just below her neat elbows. Ribbing reaching well back and a short loin. Excellent tailset and carriage. Lovely silhouette producing the required top-line both static and moving. 

2 Dummet & Vikhrova – Nova Story Boogie Woogie JW (Imp)

Tri dog built on larger lines but nicely proportioned silhouette. Strong neck flowing to nicely angulated and clean shoulders. Bigs ribs, loin could benefit from a little less length. Well set/carried tail. Excellent bone and feet. Rather distracted by a feather he found and did not quite display the fluid ground covering movement of the winner.

Welsh Springer Spaniel

J (0,0)

PG (1,0)

1 Cochrane – Eiriandylis Confusion RBOB

Well balanced head, correct stop and soft eye. Prefer slightly more reach of neck. Good forechest, well ribbed and short loin. well angulated rear. Good bone and neat feet. Slightly soft in topline, moved OK with good tail action, covering the ground. Excellent rear musculature. Lovely rich colour well presented natural coat of good texture. Not quite the accurate footfall or silhouette of BOB. 

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O (2,0)

1 Whitfield – Glenbrows Thought to Amberdella BOB

Very feminine lady with a well-balanced head and soft expression. Balanced angulations front and rear. Correct length of neck with good shoulder placement and return of upper arm. Ribcage well sprung and extends well back with short sturdy loin. Held topline held on the move with good tail carriage. Another with excellent natural presentation, coat of good colour and textur

2 Cochrane – Eiriandylis Confusion 

Pointer

Special thanks to pointer exhibitors for the amazing entry – my first time judging the breed, feeling rather fortunate/excited to get my hands on such quality dogs.

P (4,1,)

1 Matthews - Sonham Brimstone BP

B&W very much still a baby but showing lots of promise. Well-proportioned head, slight concave muzzle, kindest of dark eyes with just a hint of naughty. Good arch to neck leading to pleasing topline. Needing to fill out / settle into frame. Balanced moderate front/rear angulations, rear quarters used to full advantage on the move going round once he settled down and concentrated. 

2 Saunders & Newton – Teisgol Snow Prince Charmin

O/W Masculine head, which I really liked - good stop, muzzle shape and lovely eye. Arch to neck, and decent front assembly. For age well sprung ribs and enough brisket. Good legs and pasterns/feet. Body well made, firm topline, well-developed quarters and hocks well let down Just not quite as co-ordinated on the move as winner.

3 Stilgoe – Teisgol Snow Princess

J (2,0)

1 Martin & Martin - Sunhouse Quintessence RBOB

Smart and stylish B&W bitch turned out in excellent order, soundly constructed showing balance and symmetry. Holding an impressive silhouette both static and in motion. Attractive feminine head with lots of work, well defined stop and nothing excessive. Really clean through the neck and shoulder. Correct height to length proportions and rib/coupling proportions spot-on. Standing on the best of legs with good pasterns and feet. Lovely topline and underline, good tailset and used well. Pleasing on the move, good stride length and minimal foot lift. Shown in glossy coat / hard condition.

2 Saunders & Newton Corotine Velvet Tuxedo

Another B&W with a good head piece which is developing nicely, clean in neck and a decent front assembly, would like a little length to body to enhance silhouette. Good legs and feet. Needs to fill his frame which should come with time. Quarters developing, stifles well turned. Not as settled in movement as winner.

PG (4,0)

1 Clinton – Sonham Just Over the Moon at Oramiss JW 

B&W very well put together, free from exaggeration with stylish proportions. Liked his head and expression – all male without any hint of coarseness with lots of work. Reach of neck flows into well angled front. Enough depth to brisket and well ribbed. Really nice depth of 2nd thigh, good turn of stifle and low-set parallel hocks. True movement coming/going, balanced coordinated, covering the ground fluently holding outline throughout. Best of tailsets and carriage. Sibling of the Open winner 

2 Saunders & Newton Corotine Velvet Tuxedo

3 O’Neill - Tenshilling Hello Stranger

O (10,4)

Spoilt for choice in this class - a lovely quality class throughout.

1 Matthews - Sonham Just The Ticket (AI) JW BOB

2 yr old L&W male of good size and substance. Appealed for elegance and strength without exaggerations and excellent muscle tone. Beautiful headpiece with a lovely expression. Matching front and rear angulation Excellent second thigh used to best advantage. Moving true in all directions, his side gait was so impressive - good extension without excessive foot lift. Well-muscled with enviable body condition. I am sure his best is yet to come as he matures on. In such a strong class/entry could not deny him BOB.

2 Martin & Martin - Sunhouse Quintessential

Still a junior and held his own in good company. B&W with eye-catching clean outline built on slightly smaller proportions to winner. Lovely head and expression, with lots of work and kindly eye. Good reach of neck flowing into well-laid shoulders. Good depth of forechest, with well-sprung ribs carried well back, leading into a strong loin and powerful hindquarters. Totally sound on the move in all directions - with an easy fluid side gait. (Sibling to the junior class winner) 

3 Martin & Martin – Sunhouse Black T’square One (AI)

A very smart lady impressive static and on the move - a lovely series of graceful curves. Femininity and style in one package