Durham County Canine Association

King Charles Spaniel

My thanks to the committee for inviting me to this splendid outdoor show and your hospitality on the day, the setting and the venue were delightful. The weather was rather hot but exhibitors did well to keep their dogs cool and rested to avoid them any distress.

I would like to thank my able steward for her invaluable assistance on the day in keeping the ring running smoothly for me and to the exhibitors who brought their beautiful dogs to the show for my judgement.

It was my first time judging King Charles Spaniels today, although a breed with a similar sounding name to the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel I am all too aware of the differences in these 2 breeds. The thing that sticks in my mind most about the Charlie is their reserved temperament which leads them to completely ignoring you when you look at them on the ground and on the table, preferring to stare hard and fast at their owners instead, this always makes me chuckle.

I want to thank the exhibitors for bringing their dogs for me to judge, especially as I am not a breed specialist, however I was absolutely thrilled to see my choice for BOB went on to get Toy Group 1 and Reserve Best in Show.

Special Yearling (0,0)

Graduate (1,0)

1. Maddison's Penemma Raphael - Very masculine looking Blenheim dog, a little up to size. Head well domed with round eyes set apart, would have liked a darker eye and pigment was also lacking in the nose. Forward movement ok but rear movement was a little close behind. Good temperament and tail was carried well on the move.

Open (2,0)

1. Sidgewick's, Paulian Wheres Wally JW - tricoloured dog with a super head and well domed skull with correctly placed ears. Well defined stop, I particularly liked his dark round eyes that gave a lovely expression.

Correct size and compact body with excellent angulations both fore and rear that gave rise to a very balanced picture on the move. Beautifully presented coat with minor ticking, tail was carried a little high on the move but not over the back and didn't detract from the elegant outline he presented. (BOB, Toy Grp1 & RBIS)

2. Maddison's Celxo Charles Dickens SHCM - Masculine ruby dog with nice head and domed skull with good pigment and well placed eyes, larger in size than 1 and moved a little close behind today (RBOB)