South of England Welsh Springer Spaniel Ch Show 22 October 2023

 

Dog Critique

 

Firstly, I would like to thank the Committee for their invitation to judge dogs at this show – I felt honoured to be asked, and thoroughly enjoyed my day at this friendly and well run show. My stewards were exceptional and kept the ring  [and me!]  in good order – thank you both. This was a quality entry and it was a privilege to judge your lovely dogs who were, without exception, well presented and demonstrating the kindly temperament required of this breed. I was a little concerned to find several level bites and felt that although hind movement was better than when I last judged, front movement was not as good. I was delighted with the quality of my final lineup and my principal winners.

 

Minor Puppy Dog 3(1a)

1 Harrison Glenbrows Casanova - Eyecatching  61/2 month old, presented in gleaming coat and condition and thoroughly enjoying himself. He has an attractive, well proportioned head with a lovely dark mischievous eye, good reach of neck set cleanly into his shoulders, well ribbed back and short in the loin. As you would expect, he needs to tighten up and is just a little  bum high  at the moment but time will remedy this. He moved with enthusiasm and showed a lovely freedom of movement in profile. BPD

2 Barkley Jacranella Galahad of Cherryheath (ai) 8 months old and out of a bigger mould. Well off for bone and substance, deep in chest and strong over the loin. Preferred the more refined head of the winner. Moved out purposefully, just a tad close behind.

 

Puppy Dog 1

As 1^st MPD

 

Junior Dog 1

1 Caldwell & Levy Cerysan Limited Edition – Compact, balanced dog, appealing in head, well boned straight front, tight feet, well sprung ribs and well developed 2^nd thigh, moderately angled in front and at rear, presenting an attractive picture. Moved out soundly and accurately.

 

Yearling Dog No entries

Maiden Dog 2

1 as 1^st MPD

2 as 1^st JD

 

Novice Dog 2

1 As 1^st  MPD

2 As 1^st  JD

 

Graduate Dog 4

1 Stone Kidenoan Mark Time for Merrem JW  Liked this boys overall balance, nothing exaggerated here. Well proportioned head, low set ears, good reach of neck, clean over shoulders and strong over the loin. Best mover in this class, driving from the rear and showing accurate footfall

2 Batey Glenbrows Best of Friends Liked this dog very much, balanced throughout, handsome head, clean in front, good depth of body and well developed hindquarters. Not as free or positive on the move as winner.

3 Primmer Amanshe Lone Ranger

 

Post Graduate Dog 2

1 White Mimmsbrook Malbec with Fiergan My notes say “such a happy boy” and he was! Balanced head, soft eye, good reach of neck set cleanly into shoulders. Rangier in build but still balanced in outline. Presented in good coat and once he steadied up he moved soundly

2 Primmer Amanshe Lone Ranger Longer cast dog, liked his head with his dark eyes and appealing expression. Sufficient bone and depth, in good coat. Moved well in profile, just a tad close behind.

 

Mid Limit Dog 3(1a)

1 Jones Trosley Tamoshanta Masculine head with kind expression, well off for bone, strong in neck, deep in chest and a good spring of rib. Not overdone in any way, enough front angulation matched with a moderate bend of stifle. On the move he was sound and carried his constantly wagging tail correctly

2  Gough Julita Rukester Lots to like here, well proportioned head, soft eye and correct earset. Longer cast but still balanced, well ribbed and strong in topline. Not as developed behind as winner, which was reflected in his movement.

 

Limit Dog 2

1 Gaylor & Robertson Heniveruce King of Brewers Eyecatching young dog, presented in gleaming coat and condition. He has a beautiful masculine head with chiselling under the eye which accentuates his dark expressive eyes. Lengthy neck, well set shoulders, well ribbed back, strength in loin and well muscled hindquarters which enabled him to move with drive and accuracy. Pleased to award him the RCC and will watch his progress with interest.

2 Wright Taihang Hawthorn Different type to winner, but still lots to like. More compact dog, pleasant head, soft expression, sufficient bone and substance. Moved soundly, but couldn’t match the enthusiasm of the winner.

 

Open Dog 4

1 Wren Llon Derwen Dar at Gwynmarren Typy well presented dog, has substance and depth and is well angulated in front and behind. His head is well balanced with a  soft expression and nicely set ears, he has a good spring of rib, is strong over the loin and has a good turn of stifle which he used to advantage on the move.

2 Leach Islanza Hey Dude This well presented dog is balanced in profile, well off for bone and strong in topline and was shown in hard condition. On the move he was sound and enthusiastic, not as true in front as winner.

3 Cemis Taimeres Talk about Me

 

Champion Dog 4

A brainteaser – I could have justified placing any one of these worthy champions first!

1 Worth Sh Ch Sarabande Lord of the Dance(ai) JW Immaculately presented dog, balanced and proportionate and finished with that beautiful red and sparkling white coat .He possesses a lovely head, dark eyes accentuated by the chiselling on his foreface, clean neck flowing into well laid shoulders, good spring of rib, shortcoupled and with strength in loin which enabled him to hold his topline on the move, and well set wagging tail. He moved with accuracy and fluency and although pressed hard by the limit winner, he could not be denied the CC. I was delighted to see him go BIS with the agreement of my co-judge – congratulations!

Harrison Sh Ch Glenbrows Revolution JW This handsome boy pleases in head, with good finish to muzzle,and dark eye giving that soft expression, has good bone, depth and substance and was presented in hard condition. He is well made throughout,  and his well muscled hindquarters enabled him to move well once he settled to the job in hand!

3 Wren Sh Ch Llon Lewis at Gwynmarren

 

Veteran Dog 10 (1a)

A lovely class of veterans – many of them could easily outmove the youngsters and without exception they were a credit to their owners. Thank you for bringing them, it was an absolute pleasure to judge them.

1 Caldwell & McDowell Bowdonia Only the Brave for Cerysan  This lovely boy was as sound as a pound and presented beautifully. He is a smaller dog but still balanced and proportionate. His head is masculine and well balanced and his lovely dark, soft eyes are enhanced by the sprinkling of icing sugar on his face. He is well made throughout with no exaggeration and outmoved the rest of this lovely class to win it.

2 Blackford Amblelight Galatea a size up on winner and one you need to handle to appreciate his undoubted qualities. He has a well proportioned head, strength in neck and topline, balanced angulation and moved out straight with drive from the rear.

3 Barkley Sh Ch Cherryheath Mr Mischief JW ShCM VW

 

Special Beginners Dog  4

1 as 1^st PGD

2 As  2^nd PGD

3 Levy Cerysan Commodore

 

Special Working  1

1 Sutherland Ch Jacranella Solo  Compact, proportionate and unexaggerated  dog, attractive in head, good length of neck, well boned and ribbed, clean front and well angled rear, in good hard condition. Moved out soundly, covering the ground with accuracy and drive.

 

Special Shooting Dog  1

1 Wright Amblelight Solar Flare  Liked the head and soft expression of this niely presented boy, he has enough bone, decent ribs and moderate angles in front and behind. Moved out with enthusiasm, could have been tidier in front.

Good Citizen Dog  5(1a)

1 Barkley Cherryheath Mr Mojito  Soundly made throughout with plenty of bone and . substance. He has a lovely head and the frosting adds to the attraction, deep through the chest and ribs, and strong in loin with well muscled hindquarters. Excelled in movement.

2 Leach Islanza Sprinter  Longer cast dog, well ribbed with balanced angles, good in upper arm and has a good turn of stifle. Moved out well in profile but a little close behind going away.

3 Wright Taihang Hawthorn

 

Paddy Catling (Judge)