SEWSSC CHAMPIONSHIP SHOW 2012 - CRITIQUE (DOGS)

21^ST OCTOBER 2012

My thanks to the SEWSSC Committee and members for giving me the opportunity to judge at their Championship Show in the memorable year of the Club’s 25^th anniversary. I would also like to add a special thank you to my very efficient stewards for keeping the ring running so smoothly. I very much enjoyed judging this entry of quality dogs and I was very pleased with my final line-up.

Minor Puppy Dog (4)

1. Harrison’s Red Robyn V Raamvliet

Very good youngster with everything in place for a bright future. Lovely head and eye, well placed shoulders, good body proportions and well balanced throughout. Correct amount of bone and lovely tight feet. Movement a little lose at this stage but will strengthen as he matures. In first class coat and condition.

2. Luckett-Roynan’s Solva Giorgio

Very happy chap, developing nicely. Good head with expressive eyes. Good neck, shoulders and ribs. Well made throughout with the lovely bone that is a trademark of his kennel. In good coat and moving happily but erratically on his well-rounded, tight feet.

3. Isherwood’s Amblelight Trapezium Star

Puppy Dog (5)

1. Ritchie & Tindal’s Slapestones Eros

Very nicely balanced puppy. Handsome Welsh head with lovely chiselling and gentle, expressive eyes. Good neck and shoulders, straight front and correct amount of fore-chest and ribbing for age. Compact body showing rise over the loin and nicely angulated throughout. Moved well on good feet and with an ever-wagging tail. Coat in first class order. BPIS.

2. Harrison’s Red Robyn V Raamvliet

3. Starkey’s Glenbrows Falcon at Mynthurst

Junior Dog (4)

1. Barkley’s Cherryheath’s Mr Mischief JW

Very well developed lad for his age and showing his socks off! Great Welsh head with lots of work in it and with very expressive eyes. Correct amount of neck leading to well-placed shoulders. Compact body with good front, ribs and bone. Good muscle tone. Moving freely and confidently on his well-padded, tight feet. Pleasing outline throughout. Presented in top class coat and condition. Happy to award him the RDCC.

2. Graham & Denwood’s Slapestones Newman at Lyndfil

Smaller than 1 at this stage of development but has a lot of the same qualities. Very nice head with the softest of expressions. Good body proportions giving a balanced outline. Good bone and feet. Moved well.

3. Hassell’s Chanangel Nightwatchman at Kytreveglos

Yearling Dog (4)

1. Caldwell & McDowell’s Gemill Back to the Future for Cerysan JW

Very smart youngster who continues to improve. Good head, neck and shoulders. Well angled throughout and standing on super legs and feet. Has all the essentials of the breed standard and was presented immaculately in gleaming coat and condition. Close up in the challenge for RCC but just preferred the head and compactness of winner.

2. Thomas’ Bowdonia Rolling Dice

Another good youngster with nice head and kindly, expressive eyes. Good reach of neck leading to well placed shoulders. Straight front and good angulation throughout. Not making the most of himself on the move. In good coat and condition and standing on tight feet.

3. Graham & Denwood’s Slapestones Newman at Lyndfil

Maiden Dog (1)

1. Luckett-Roynan’s Solva Giorgio

Novice Dog (3)

1. Luckett-Roynan’s Solva Giorgio

2. Parker’s Morning Harvest

Smart lad with a well proportioned head and the gentlest of expressions. Good overall shape to body with correct amount of bone. Developing nicely. Coat could be a shade darker but was presented in excellent condition. Very tidy feet and moved well.

3. Roland-Shrub’s Fiergen Name of the Game

Graduate Dog (6 1a)

1. Buckwell’s Killena Song for Guy

Good head with gentle expression. Correct reach of neck and good shoulder placement. Straight front. Has the desired rise over the loin, which he maintains on the move. Shown in well-conditioned, glossy coat. Moved well.

2. Stone’s Stedigan Piper’s Piping

Nice head and kindly eye. Good reach of neck. Strong front assembly but could carry more body weight to advantage. Handler tends to over-stretch him when standing and he loses his top-line. Moved happily on excellent feet and with a lively tail action.

3. Johnstone’s Ferndel Seeing Stars for Gilpeta

Post Graduate Dog (6)

1. Craig’s Mr Charlie Boy

This happy lad has all the attributes of the breed. Glorious, well chiselled Welsh head with the gentlest of eyes and a melting expression. Correct depth to muzzle and well set on ears. Good reach of neck leading to well laid back shoulders. Straight front. Deep through the chest with good spring of rib and strong, well-muscled quarters. Plenty of bone and substance. Movement was spot on coming and going and with an easy, driving gait always maintaining the required rise over the loin. In full, gleaming coat that is flat and dense and presented immaculately. Delighted to award him the CC and with my co-judge’s agreement RBIS.

2. Johnstone’s Ferndel Seeing Stars for Gilpeta

Smart dog with a nice head and gentle expression. Good reach of neck and a well-developed fore-chest. Short coupled. Top line not his best feature. Standing on very good feet and moving happily.

3. Wright’s Amblelight Alioth

Mid Limit Dog (2 1a)

1. Finlay’s Cerysan Robert Roy

A very nice dog. Alone here but very worthy of his place. He has a great Welsh head and eye with a kindly expression. Good reach of neck, straight front and well-developed ribs. Good rear angulation and he displays the correct rise over the loin. Lovely, flat coat presented in top class condition. Moved happily and covered the ground well.

Limit Dog (6 1a)

1. Evan’s Coedybrain Ryan Ar Nantlle

Pleasing, well balanced Welsh head. Gentle expression. Good neck and shoulders. Short coupled body and well sprung ribs. Plenty of substance throughout. Strong, well-muscled quarters and moving happily with drive on well-rounded, tight feet. In good coat and condition.

2. White’s Fiergen Break Dancer

Good overall balance. Plenty of bone and substance. Masculine head with gentle, expressive eyes. Correct reach of neck. Good chest and ribs. Compact body with strong quarters and well muscled throughout. In good coat and condition. Moved well.

3. Tester’s Avilt Neferusobek

Open Dog (5)

A close decision. The first two could change places on another occasion. Both are lovely WSS but not giving their best today.

1. Summer’s Sh Ch Hillrobin Hamblet

Quality dog with a good head and eye. Correct length of neck leading to well-placed shoulders. Straight front and deep chest. Compact body proportions and well angled throughout. Well-muscled quarters. Not making the most of himself on the move in the final challenge. In good coat and condition.

2. Harrison’s Glenbrows Timelord

Another quality dog with a lovely head and expression. Well balanced throughout. Good front, neck and shoulders. Deep chest and well put together front and rear assemblies. Again, not showing himself to advantage today. Immaculately presented in full coat.

3. Ridge’s Saanu Northern Lights

Veteran Dog (5)

1. Wren’s Saanu Copper Beech at Gwynmarren JW ShCM

11 years old, a popular veteran and a credit to his owner/handler. Lovely Welsh head and eye giving the softest of expressions. Still retains his correct outline with rise over the loin and good body proportions. Obviously enjoys his food and this is reflected in his slightly, expanding waistline! Moving happily and well with his enthusiastic handler.

2. Duncan’s Ir Sh Ch Redfrith Chianti JW

Upstanding dog of good, solid quality. Compact body proportions. Masculine head and kind eye. Good reach of neck and correct shoulder placement. Deep chest and well covered ribs. Strong, well-muscled quarters. Showing well and a lively mover.

3. Worth’s Sh Ch Shandwick Kristoffer at Sarabande ShCM

Special Beginners Dog (2)

1. Stone’s Stedigan Piper’s Piping

2. Roland-Shrub’s Fiergen Name of the Game

A nice Welsh but quite immature for age and could carry more weight to advantage. Lovely head with a very gentle expression. Good rear angulation. Coat very well presented and standing on deep, tight feet. Moving well.

Special Working Dog (0)

Good Citizen Dog Scheme Dog (4)

1. Finlay’s Cerysan Robert Roy

2. Wren’s Gwynmarren Winter Storm JW

Well-balanced dog built on strong lines. Good Welsh head with a kindly expression. Correct reach of neck and good shoulders. Deep chest and powerful quarters. Carrying a tad too much weight! In high spirits and giving his handler a hard time. Coat in good condition.

3. Tubb’s Parkmist Mater Dancer for Alsutu

Sandra Bell

BITCHES

May I start of by saying a big thank-you to the committee for the lovely day that they provided me with, I could not have been better looked after. The atmosphere at the SEWSSC is quite unique, in that there appears to be a pervasive happiness and an overt industrious enthusiasm throughout this club, of which I am proud to say, I was one of the founding members, many moons ago. All of that, and more, still abounds in this inclusive democratic club, it does not only put on events only for the showing fraternity either, they organise some fun events aimed at pet owners as well, and in my experience a lot of fun is had by all.

Obviously, it goes without saying; that I am very thankful to those people who chose to enter their dogs under me to assess.

Please bear in mind that my choices and ensuing critiques are only the manifestations of my thoughts on how your dogs appeared to me on the day regarding their compliance to the current Breed Standard for the Welsh Springer Spaniel. Remember! You always get to take home your choice for BOB!

If I may, I would like to make one or two comments on the quality of dogs shown today; I think by and large, you should be very proud of what you all have achieved, as the quality in my opinion is good and in safe hands. For me there are some areas of concern though, namely, the appearance of the over refined, glossy racy and very flat coats of some specimens, a good number of which, have even had their whiskers plucked out from their muzzles, along with their ears being shorn to the length of beagles. Let’s not take it to excess and lose that overall workmanlike appearance. Our Breed Standard is, if you think about it; an attempt to retain the workmanlike characteristics as handed down to us by previous generations, namely, the points in the standard entirely revolve around providing the dog with the right equipment to undertake its primary function; hunting, which protects the whole dog whilst carrying out its work in thick cover, over very rough terrain, and often in the very cold wet conditions. The Breed Standard for a Welsh Springer Spaniel calls for a dense coat, this is one area that should be addressed and corrected.

Exaggeration thankfully is no more, fortunately the overextended necks have virtually disappeared, and a practical length now exists in the main; after all our dogs necks, should only be long enough to pick up and carry clear of the ground a hare; which is likely to be the longest quarry they ever have to handle, and the other purpose for having enough neck, is just to clean up its rear end, when the need arises.

I extend my sincere thanks to my co judge Sandra Bell (Glanhafon) We both admired each other’s exhibits that we had put up; and I trust we amicably decided on the very best out them for BIS, RBIS BOS BPIS BOSPIS, etc.

BIS : - Monday’s Hillrobin Brockanfield among Ambika.My observations - Craig’s Mr Charlie Boy, DCC.RBIS. BOS. A handsome excellently constructed dog, whose movement only enhanced his soundness when stood, he entirely complied with the WSS Breed Standard; he had balance with substance and was truly excellent throughout; I just could not fault him. We, having deliberated extensively; eventually came down on the side of the Bitch CC winner for BIS : - Monday’s Hillrobin Brockanfield among Ambika.

Ritchie & Tindalls Slapestones Eros. BPD.BPIS. I think this exhibit is one of the all-time greats of the breed in waiting, faultless to go over, a supreme exhibit from any angle, right size, balance, colour, construction, coat density, feet, angulations tail-set, movement, where do I stop with my superlatives?….we; both judges, came down convincingly on the side of the puppy dog for BPIS.

Minor Puppy Bitch

1^st- Wetstyne’s Brighid Our Loyal Welsh.

Pleasing head, kind biddable eye with chiselling beneath, some forechest, evident, deep well sprung ribs coupled up to substantial quarters, moved with purpose going and coming on reasonably tightly formed pads, tail set on well, dense coat. Lay of shoulders could be better.

2^nd Blackford’s Amblelight Sunglow.

Nicely balanced youngster with proportionate well formed head, kind eyes, with work beneath, set in pleasant foreface, squareish muzzle with wide developed nostrils, strong neck set into correct lay of shoulder with adequately boned straight front, deep well formed chest coupled up to strong nicely developed and angulated rear end, moved merrily carrying her top-line well, good tail set, stood on correct deep cat-like pads.

3^rd Primmer’s Amanshe Golden Revelation.

Meets many of the points of the breed standard, Excelled in head, good stop in squarish muzzle in which were a set of good scenting nostrils, kind eyes with some chiselling beneath, moved with purpose going and coming on adequately boned legs with reasonable feet, good tail set. Could do with more width to her thighs and more forechest.

Puppy Bitch

1^st Harrison’s Glenbrow’s Future Romance BPB/BOSPIS.

Balanced well boned youngster with slight arching over the loin, a beautifully formed breed standard head, with kind biddable tight eyes, correct flushing height, strongly boned, well developed and angulated front coupled up to an equally well made substantial rear, dense weatherproof coat, moved accurately holding on to her breed standard top line, stood on exquisite cat like deep pads. Lacks forechest.

2^nd Harrison’s Future Hope.

Close call between one and two, has most of the attributes of one, satisfies the breed standard from head to tail, except for the lack of arching over loin, nicely proportioned well made head, kind expressive tight eyes with chiselling beneath, well defined stop, strong neck; set into nicely well boned and angulated front, deep chest coupled up to strong quarters with well developed thighs, correctly coloured dense weatherproof coat, moved soundly going and coming on tightly formed deep cat like pads 3^rd Brown’s Graygees’s Firecracker

Balanced with many pleasing Breed Standard attributes, would have liked more fore-chest and also a slight rise over loin on this otherwise well put together bitch. Very flat coat moved accurately going and coming.

Junior Bitch

1^st Smith’s Cherryheath’s Miss Dior.

An impressive well made head, displaying virtually all of the breed standard requirements, however, when it came to the body, could have had more substantial back-end particularly bum cheeks, the top-line was straight and the lay of shoulders were not quite as required by the standard, seemed somewhat a little light in bone, moved well on cat like tight deep pads. Free from exaggeration.

2nd Watson’s Welingerhill Garden Tiger Of Hillpark.

Balanced, particularly good quality breed standard head, especially, her tight rimmed expressive biddable eyes which had work beneath, well developed wide scenting nostrils, ears well set on close to cheeks and not too low slung, clean throat, body; top line spoilt by arching rising too early down her back, strong coupling, not stood on breed standard feet.

Yearling Bitch

1^st Wren’s Ferndale Eostre at Gwynmarren.

Balanced compact specimen of the right height for facing cover, and not too heavy, good angles in front and back-end, constructed with adequate bone. Her level top line with no arching over loin and poor feet stopped her short of total compliance with the breed standard requirements. Movement was true and fluid.

2^nd Jennings and Donovan’s Gemill Electra.

A superb traditional type of Welsh, meeting many of points of the breed standard; an exquisite proportionate head with the most beautiful kind expression emanating from her delightful tight rimmed almond shaped eyes, which were set into a face with light chiselling, squareish muzzle, ears set on at the right height and laying close to cheeks, strong neck, set into well angulated front end, deep and well sprung ribs, which were well coupled up to a strong moderately angulated back-end via a substantial coupling, well developed wide thighs, super top line with an arching over loin which she held well on the move, tail set on perfectly, finished off by a dense weatherproof rich red & white coat; Oh! what a shame she wasn’t her most confident on the day, one cannot ignore a major prerequisite of the breed standard; merriment! Could do with tighter deep cat like feet.

3^rd White’s Bowdonia Crimson Glory.

Not quite well enough developed yet for contention, needs time and patience,

nice expressive compliant head features which exuded a kind biddable expression, absence of forechest, substance, and slight arching over loin.

Maiden Bitch

1st Harrison’s Glenbrows Future Romance

2^nd Harrison’s Glenbrows Future Hope

3^rd Brown’s Graygees Firecracker.

Novice Bitch

1^st Harrison’s Glenbrows Future Romance.

2^nd Harrison’s Glenbrows Future Hope.

3^rd Brown’s Graygees Firecracker

Graduate Bitch

1^st Luckett Roynan’s Solva Guiletta.

Breed standard head with a kind biddable expression, Confident, Correct size, compliant colouring, strong, compact, well boned throughout with correct angled formation in back and front, mandatory arching over the loin, well set on tail, moved reasonably well, stood on deep round tight cat like pads.

2^nd Thomas’s Bowdonia Star Catcher JW.

A good honest well constructed balanced bitch, with an excellent proportionate head displaying many of the characteristics the breed standard calls for, good stop, tight kind biddable alert eyes with chiselling beneath, squareish muzzle, strong neck with slight arching, set into a well angulated strongly formed straight front, deep chest with enough ribbing, substantial strong coupling tying together a well developed and angled rear end, lovely wide well muscled thighs, moved well going and coming on well rounded and deep padded cat like feet. Top line level; no slight rise over loin.

3^rd Carr’s Gemill Primevail.

This was a tight class, another exhibit that met many points of the Breed Standard, a strong well boned and muscled bitch throughout, I would have liked to see some more forechest and better feet though to enhance the overall construction, but there aren’t many exhibits these days that feature well rounded deep tight cat like feet; an important part of a dogs conformation, however, this exhibit had an eye catching proportionate head, kind tight rimmed eyes, wide scenting nostrils, squareish muzzle, a well muscled neck set into well laid shoulders, straight well boned front, deep chest, strong coupling up linked to well angled muscled and broad thighed back-end. Her true Welsh representative expression, nearly did it all for me.

Post Graduate Bitch

1^st Starkey’s You Know Me At Mynthurst.

A bitch with ring presence, cool and measured performance from both handler and dog, a well balanced specimen throughout, shown perfectly trimmed with well toned

muscling, her head is well formed and has a nice kindly expression emanating from sincere tight expressive eyes which have chiselling beneath, good angulations in well boned straight front plus strong back end construction, deep chest well developed coupling, correct tail set, rich red and white coat, not stood on the best of deep round padded cat like feet.

2^nd Jones’s Pennylock Sioned At Trosley.

Correct size, balanced bitch which excelled in her movement, her head was good with all that the standard requires including the kindest of expressions, well-toned and boned through-out. Did not stand on the best of feet.

3^rd Charles’s Menstonia Iolanthe Of Stagarth.

Several words in her kennel name take me back to years gone by! My notes just say; strong merry balanced, she was only one of two today that were overtly merry and active when I was going over them, however, this was a bundle of Spaniel activity, did not stand on the best of feet, Excelled in her proportionately made head, from which the softest, kindliest of expression was generated while still maintaining an overall alertness, she moved adequately with purpose; both going and coming.

Mid Limit Bitch

1^st Monday’s Hillrobin Brockanfield Among Ambika.

For me this exhibit exuded a typicality of times past, the balance, coat colour, size and build were the attraction, there was no large monolithic overdone rigidity to her, she conformed to most aspects of the breed standard, there was also a flexibility within her size and weight, which enhanced her presence and performance in the ring which she held onto right up to the end of this long and intense day whilst still upholding all of the characteristics demanded of the breed standard. She donned a lovely breed standard head into which was set the kindest softest melting expression, she moved accurately with purpose, her deep rich red jacket was reminiscent of a freshly opened chestnut and was of the right density and length, I could go on…..and yet; I would still like her to have more substance in the back-end; EG; bum cheeks beneath her tail; it’s not a perfect world. BCC & BIS

2^nd Abbott’s Norlington Nectar JW.

Another very nice quality balanced exhibit with good bone, well toned muscle, and a superb dense correct colour jacket in super condition, with the required arching over the loin, adequate feathering, this exhibit had the nicest of proportionate heads

with kind tight eyes of permitted colouring, squareish muzzle with good size nostrils. Moved with reasonable enthusiasm. Would have liked her to have deeper rounder pads.

3^rd Graham and Denwood’s Slapestones Heart (ai).

A modern balanced refined type, up to size, nicely boned and well toned muscle, strongly coupled up, her movement going & coming on her cat like feet was sound.

Limit Bitch

1^st Masson’s Pennylock Rhian Of Manmoel.

This exhibit, I am confident in stating, would have the old school of the breed in today’s parlance calling her, “the bitch with the XFactor”; yesterday’s expression would have been; typicality! A traditional looking, Welsh Springer Spaniel from head to toe, my notes say, “superb type” Balanced generally well constructed throughout, her coat colour, density,and condition, all fit the bill, lacking in forechest.

2^nd Sutherland’s Julita Rezannella Of Jacranella.

There are not many feet that fit the breed standard specification like this exhibit, this is not the usual place to start a critique, but with the good number of impractical hare like feet around, it was important for me to flag up just how good these feet were, another very solid balanced traditional looking workmanlike exhibit, super head, well balanced, rich dense coat in bloom. She makes me think of many old school people of the type that they themselves often saw being put down in the show rings of yesteryear, this very elusive traditional looking specimen of Welsh Springer Spaniel is sacrosanct and should be used as a blue-print for typicality!.

3^rd Luckett Roynan’s Solva Octavia.

A pleasant proportionate head, with well defined stop and squareish muzzle with good size scenting nostrils, nicely balanced throughout, correct height, built for endurance and a hard day’s work; movement reasonable on tight deep cat like round pads; not the most confidant of the bitches shown today.

Open Bitch

1^st Ritchie’s Sh.Ch Hillrobin Galaxy at Slapestones JW.

An excellent proportionate head with a kind eye exuding a biddable disposition, her shoulders were well placed in a strong well angulated front end with straight well boned legs, deep chest with a good spring of rib, coupled up nicely to her back-end, a protective dense coat, the red jacket was the colour of a good freshly opened chestnut, adequately boned through-out, could do with more substance to her beneath the tail; bum cheeks and better developed forechest; nonetheless, overall she was spot on for type as I interpret the breed standard. RCC.

2^nd Duncan’s IR.SH.CH Redfrith Betty Boop JW.

Also a very good specimen throughout in terms of type and build, a nicely made proportionate head, kindly biddable expression, vine leaf shaped ears held close to the sides of her head, strong well angled front and back end, well boned throughout and stood on excellent deep, tight cat like deep pads on which she moved around the ring in a purposeful manner, it was so very close, she pushed hard for top spot, which on another day; the placing’s could easily be reversed.

3rd Worth’s Shandwick SH CH. Premier Rose At Sarabande JW.

A lot to like about this Welsh, built well for her primary function, strong throughout, well angulated and muscled straight well boned front, powerful rear end with good width thighs, both of which were linked up together with a substantial coupling, well set on tail which was held correctly on the move, dark red burnished jacket, contrasting well with the glistening white of the rest of her coat. This lady totally complied with the Breed Standard’s stipulation, that all of our breed’s exhibits should display a merry disposition and this one certainly did just that, after an initial hesitancy when I first went over her. Front feet not her fortune

Veteran Bitch

1st Caldwell’s Cerysan Alexa.

A superb classic Welsh head of beautiful proportions, studded with the loveliest of perfectly coloured eyes creating a melting kindly expression, strong neck with a good lay of shoulder which in turn was set into well boned and angled front end, deep well sprung ribs, well coupled up to good strong quarters with broad and wide thighs, stood on neat cat like feet. Merry. Good movement going and coming, the absence of the mandatory slight arching over loin, would have made the final picture more complete.

2^nd Wren’s Glenbrows Playtime At Gwynmarren.

A merry, active strong well constructed balanced active Welsh, displaying plenty of the archetypal busy spaniel action; deep well sprung ribs well coupled up to strong backend, good lay of shoulder, more forechest would have better completed her otherwise sound conformation, moved with plenty of push and drive around the ring in a purposeful manner. 3^rd Blackford’s Amblelight Diona.

Nice type, displaying some very good points in the breed standard’s requirements; just a little too much for her today to show her attributes to their best advantage.

Special Beginners Bitch

1^st Jennings’s & Donovan’s Gemill Electra.

2^nd Smith’s Cherryheath’s Miss Dior.

3^rd Watson’s Welingerill Garden Tiger Of Hillpark

Special Working Bitch

1^st Barkley’s Cherryheath’s Miss Chief JW.

My find of the day, I could not quite understand why she was not competing in other classes, as she was of a build and quality to take on any of the exhibits here today, excelled in head, eyes, neck, lay of shoulders, rise over loin, strength and conformation of front and back ends, well boned, strong coupling, moved with purpose holding her correct top-line, topped off with correct colour red and white dense weatherproof coat. Stood on the best of feet, tight, round deep tight pads, pushed hard in the line-up, she most certainly was a strong contender for top honours.

Good Citizen Dog Scheme Bitch

1^st Wren’s Glenbrows Playtime At Gwynmarren.

2^nd Woodward’s Bowdonia Chasing Dreams

3^rd Smith’s Cherryheath’s Miss Hustle

JUDGE

Mel Bryant