Eastbourne & District Canine Society

Eastbourne and District canine Society Premier open show the south of England show ground Sunday, 23 August 2026 I was delighted to be given the opportunity to judge at Eastbourne & DCS Premier Open Show, and I’m very grateful to the committee for inviting me. My thanks also go to the exhibitors for entrusting their lovely dogs to me and for being so sporting throughout the day. A special mention for Noel, who stewarded single‑handedly and did a sterling job keeping everything running smoothly. Spaniel (Clumber) Postgraduate 2-1 1st Sainsbury’s, Elskerwoo Silver lining A strong bitch with substance and a lovely, attentive expression and very responsive to her handler. She has a large, good head with a deep stop, a strong neck flowing into a well-laid shoulder, and well boned throughout. Her feet are nicely rounded, and she has a deep and long body with well-sprung rib, quarters have a well-bent stifle, with hocks low. She moved nicely in profile, showing good freedom and reach, although she was rather close coming and going. Her topline could also be firmer. She has a very good-quality, silky coat, which was nicely presented. Open 3-1 1st Sainsbury’s ELSKERWOO Cloudy skies JW BOB a very feminine bitch who has so many good breed points. She has a strong skull with a good stop, a lovely thick neck, and short, well-boned legs. Her body is long and deep, with a well-ribbed back, and I particularly liked her strong quarters, with a well-bent stifle and good thighs, quarters well set. She moved extremely well, with effortless drive, and importantly maintained her shape beautifully on the move. This was what ultimately won her the class. A lovely bitch who I was delighted to award BOB. 2nd Thorogood’s Anbrook Don't stop me now at Harrfield ShCEx a strong, masculine and mature male with plenty of substance and breed character. He has the required strength of head, with a deep stop and strong muzzle, correct length and strength of neck flowing into a well-laid shoulder. I particularly liked the return of upper arm, which places his strong forelegs nicely underneath the body and gave him balance. He has excellent bone and large round feet, together with a well-sprung rib which is well-ribbed back. His quarters are strong, and low-set hocks. abundant silky coat. Unfortunately, he was not moving freely today and tended to skip quite frequently on the move, which affected my final decision. Reserve BOB. Spaniel Cocker Junior 6-2 1st Williams's Four seasons mix and match very pretty 13-month-old blue roan bitch with a lovely, correctly proportioned outline. She has such a beautiful head, with a good skull and square muzzle, and a lovely eye giving the gentle expression so typical of the breed. She has a good neck, set nicely into sloping shoulders, a straight front with good pasterns and lovely cat-like feet. Her body is deep and compact, with well-sprung ribs and a good level topline. Her quarters are very well made, with a good bend of stifle and hocks well let down.She moved very well, with the typical merry action of the Cocker, covering the ground well and maintaining her shape. For just 13 months, she is together and presented a very complete picture. 2nd Warrington's Zakova Cracksman a lovely golden dog who is just right for his age. He gave a little away to the bitch, who at 13 months is slightly older and presented a more complete picture today, but he is a very nice size with good substance. He has a good skull and nice stop, with a lovely dark eye and good expression. His clean neck flows into a well-laid shoulder, with a straight front, good bone and tight feet. His body is correct for his age, with a nice turn of stifle, and he moved out well with good reach and drive. 3rd Pereira's Surrazil Loretta Lynn. Res. Hewitt' S Cascadia Olympia Postgraduate 5-2 1stWarrington’s Zamora Jager Bomb a very attractive, extremely extrovert black bitch who took my eye immediately. At just nine months, she certainly demonstrated the merry, ever-wagging character of a typical young Cocker, and was a real pleasure to watch. She has lots to like in breed type, presenting a well-balanced and compact outline, with an excellent silky coat. She has a pretty head, clean neck flowing into a well-laid shoulder, straight front, good pasterns and lovely cat-like feet. She has a level topline, well-sprung rib and is nicely short-coupled, with a good turn of stifle and hocks well let down. She has that typical bustling Cocker movement, with a lovely ground-covering action, and was true both in front and behind. For such a young bitch she is remarkably together, and I was delighted to award her BP and BOB. 2nd Covington’s Delightful Hunter Legendary at Silverdust JW a lovely quality blue roan dog in excellent coat, who also demonstrated the required happy and outgoing character. He has a good skull, nice stop and kind eye, with a clean neck into a well-laid shoulder. He has a straight front, correct bone and tight feet, with a well-sprung rib and good turn of stifle. He moved out well, with good reach and drive.I just preferred the head and shorter back of my winner. But a very worthy Res BOB 3rd Lundin’s Omennes Dont Stop Me Now Open 3-2 1st Warrington’s Zamora Wise Guy JW a masculine black dog with lots of furnishings, good bone and substance, and nice overall proportions. He has a strong skull and muzzle, with a clean, well-set neck and a straight front. He has a good, deep body and well-bent stifle, with hocks well let down, although I would like to see a little more strength in the hocks, which seemed to affect his movement today. He has many good breed qualities and was well presented. Spaniel (English Springer). Not a big entry today but three really lovely quality examples of the breed, all of whom I am sure will have changed place many times, as they all have lovely breed type and much to admire. Postgraduate 2 1st Walker’s Dexbenella One More Time – a very typical black and white dog with a lovely outline, showing good strength and masculinity. Relaxed and extrovert, with a pleasing head, broad skull and dark, almond-shaped eye. Good reach of neck into a well-laid shoulder, with return of upper arm. Good bone, correct pasterns and tight, round feet. Well-sprung rib and very well-bent stifle. Moved out freely with exceptional reach and drive. BOB. Glad to hear he went on to take G3. 2nd Williams & Toublic’s Cobhay Heavenly Hydrangea JW BEL JCH BJW – I really like this young liver and white bitch, who has lovely balance and a very typical outline. I particularly appreciate her well-made head, well proportioned between skull and muzzle, with a defined stop, fairly square muzzle in profile and well-developed nostrils. Pleasing eye with a kind expression. Good length of neck into a well-laid shoulder, straight front and flexible pasterns. Correct body for her age and correctly made quarters which are in balance with her front. She moved out freely. Unfortunately, not in the best of coat today, but this is understandable for her age, and I am sure she will mature well and, in time, have the finish to complement her many other strong attributes. Open 1st Williams & Toublic’s Cobhay Sashing Dandelion JW – a very mature, masculine dog for his two years. Good skull, defined stop and pleasing eye. Strong, clean neck into a well-laid shoulder with a nice return of upper arm. Well boned, with tight, round feet. Deep, well-sprung rib, level topline, well-bent stifle and hocks well let down. Excellent coat with good feathering. Moved freely in profile. Res BOB. Spaniel (Field) Open 3-1 1st Tye’s Irisbel The Greatest Showman at Timor JW – I really liked this boy’s friendly, happy character. He moved out well with good driving movement and was true in front. I like his balance and the way he is put together. Excellent, typical chiseled head with good skull, moderate stop and correct muzzle, with an open eye and good expression. Well-set, strong neck, good flat bone and tight, round feet. Good length of body and rib, with strong, muscular quarters and hocks well let down. Long, flat, silky liver coat. BOB. 2nd Shipton’s Bel Ch Heartwood Mishules All Is Possible with Calico (IMP USA) JW BW24 – black and tan bitch with an excellent quality, flat, glossy coat of correct texture. Pleasing head with an open, gentle dark eye. I preferred the head of 1. Long, muscular neck into a well-laid shoulder, flowing into a level topline. Well-bent stifle with good thighs. She moved well in profile, although I preferred 1st for forehand movement. Res BOB. Sussex Spaniel Postgraduate 1 1st Cullen & Bearn’s Norriss Northern Magic Open 2 1st Moon’s Deanery Proper Charlie – a strongly built, typical masculine six-year-old dog who showed a very typical head, with a wide skull, pronounced stop and frowning brow, deep muzzle and scissor bite. Soft eye with a little haw. Thick, strong neck into a well-laid shoulder with good return of upper arm. Short, well-boned arms with round, padded feet. Deep body, well-bent stifle, hocks well let down and correct tail set. A very typical dog who moved true fore and aft, with an abundant, typical coat. BOB. 2nd Cullen & Bearn’s Norriss Northern Magic – a five-year-old bitch with many good breed points. I like her extrovert, happy temperament, and she moved nicely in profile, although she was pinning in front. Good head with strength in skull and muzzle, a defined stop and kindly eye. Strong neck into a well-laid shoulder, deep body without a waist and well-bent stifle. Res BOB. Spaniel (Welsh Springer) Junior 2 1st Dixon’s Rubdown Summer Joy a 15‑month-old bitch who shows promise but still needs time to mature in coat and substance. She has a sweet, feminine head with a happy, outgoing temperament. Clean neck, straight front, tight round feet, level topline, and a deep brisket. Well‑bent stifle and a well‑set tail, though carried slightly high. Moved smoothly in profile with good reach, but tended to pin in front. 2nd – Wallace’s Amblelight Meadow Orchid, feminine bitch with a good quality, typical head with balanced skull and muzzle, dark kind eye, and correct ear set. Straight front and deep brisket. Would benefit from more rib and tends to drop her croup. Nice stifle and moved freely in profile. Coat of correct silky texture with attractive feathering. Postgraduate 2 1st Dixon’s Rubdown Summer Joy repeat from above 2nd Wallace’s Amblelight Meadow Orchid Open 3 1st – Barkley’s Jacranella Galdahad of Cherryheath (AI) JW – BOB A dog with a beautiful head and expression, dark eye and nose. Excellent reach of neck into well‑laid shoulders and good return of upper arm. Straight bone, though slightly wide in front. Strong bone, good pasterns, and catlike feet. Deep body with well‑sprung ribs, level topline, and a nicely turned stifle. Profuse, dense, silky coat. Moved with freedom, drive, and good ground coverage. 2nd – Gough’s Julita Rukeyser A 10‑year‑old still showing excellent working ability and a good nose, which caused his handler a bit of a challenge! Balanced head with hazel eye. Wide in front, level topline, short deep body. Well‑bent stifle, deep thighs, and well‑let‑down hocks. Moved very well in profile. Res BOB 3rd Stone’s Kidenoan Mark Time for Merrem JW Weimaraner Junior 2 1st Upton-Lovett & Upton’s Sharnphilly She’s a Cracker with Roydack Two very nice, quality feminine bitches, each showing strong breed type and moving out well with excellent effortless ground covering gate. I preferred the head of the winner, she had more length in muzzle with complimented the proportions of her skull, really lovely reach and set of neck into well laid shoulder, and she displayed better overall balance, standing more correctly over her front legs. Straight front, good pasterns and feet, correct body for her age, and nicely made quarters. Best of Breed. 2nd – Robinson’s Theondale Ever Hopeful – Res BOB A very good bitch with plenty of breed points; just not quite the head or front of the winner today but not denying her good over all conformation, nice bone, correct length of leg, good depth and spring of rib and well ribbed back, well bent stifle and excellent effortless movement. Open 1 1st Robinson’s Theondale Ever Hopeful AV Special Beginners 62-31 What an absolutely stunning class of Special Beginners. I can honestly say that there was excellent depth of quality throughout the class, and this gives me real optimism for the future. The handling and presentation were first class, really bringing out the very best in their exhibits. 1st Wynne-Evans’ Droveborough One Love My first place was a lovely English Setter bitch who had so much to admire. She is very true to type and of moderate size, with a most lovely, balanced head and a beautiful expression. With bright gentle eyes. She has a good tapered neck flowing into a well-laid shoulder, with return of upper arm. Her front is straight, with correct pasterns and tight feet. She has a good body for her age, with a well-bent stifle and good overall balance. She moved with a correct, smooth gait, showing good reach and drive. What particularly stood out to me was that she was completely devoid of exaggeration and was, above all, a very sound and honest, truly lovely representative of the breed and at the right stage of development for her age, sympathetically handled, a very worthy winner. 2nd Harmer’s Funflash Showman (imp SWE) A lovely Miniature Schnauzer who took my eye from the minute he came into the ring. He was so alert and completely at one with his handler, immediately giving the impression of a sturdy, robust dog with plenty of endurance. He has that typical, nearly square outline and was very pleasing to go over. He has a typical head, with lovely dark, attentive eyes and a good expression. He moved freely, with good reach and drive, and has the correct harsh coat. His excellent preparation and presentation completed the picture, a very smart and typical exhibit. 3rd Scullion’s Whippet Pelham Surely I’m Striking. Res Burrows’s Pomeranian Larosapearl Jasper Dreams. VHC Moss’ Portuguese Water Dog Winterkloud Sun Blessed. Judge Penny Gowland