North Of England Spaniel Club

NORTH OF ENGLAND SPANIEL CLUB OPEN SHOW 23rd JUNE 2019

I thoroughly enjoyed my day judging at this friendly show, where I was privileged enough to have not only a quality entry of Sussex Spaniels  for my first appointment in this delightful breed, but also many lovely dogs in Best In Show and the Variety and Stakes classes too. I would encourage all Spaniel exhibitors within travelling distance to support this historic Club's two Open Shows each year - if my day was anything to go by, you are guaranteed a great day out.

CLUMBER SPANIELS

Unfortunately all exhibits were absent today

Puppy (0 entries)

Special Yearling (1 entry, 1 absent)

Limit (0 entries)

Open (2 entries, 2 absent)

SUSSEX SPANIELS

I was honoured to have so many excellent examples of this wonderful breed present in a numerically good entry, it was a very valuable experience for a "C" list judge, thank you

Puppy (0 entries)

Post Graduate (5 entries)

These three all impressed me with their strength, substance & balance.

1st Graham's EALD DANCES WITH WOLVES AMONG NYLIRAM, 12 months dog,  substantially built throughout, well-proportioned head with wide skull & pronounced stop, eyes still need to tighten a little but good colour & soft "frowning" expression, heavy well-set ears, long strong neck, excellent front construction, plenty of forechest & good width in front, very strong body which was of correct length & depth with no waistiness, moderate bend of stifle, strongly boned legs of correct length ending in lovely round feet, large hocks, happy active mover

2nd Alderson's MEGGAMOOCH ULYSSES, 12 months dog, very substantial, slightly larger all through than 1 but still balanced with correct leg length & strong bone, obviously masculine head with wide skull & plenty of depth to muzzle, pronounced stop & "frowning" brows, eye colour could be a shade darker, not quite the length of neck of 1 but strong, excelled in width & depth of forechest, well-angulated shoulder & return of upper arm, tremendous strength & depth in body with no waistiness, moderate bend of stifle, lovely round feet & large hocks, moved happily using his tail

3rd Way's EALD VILLAGE POACHER FOR SHUVICK

Limit (3 entries, 1 absent)

1st Goodwin's SERENDEL SUSSEX ENDEAVOUR, mature & substantially built dog, masculine head of correct proportions being wide in skull & deep in muzzle, clearly defined stop & "frown", good tight eye of correct colour giving a delightful expression, framed by thick well-set ears, strong neck, plenty of forechest, correct front assembly, standing on well-boned short legs & big round feet, deep & strong in body, back ribs deep, particularly liked his strong level topline & depth of flank, excellent wide quarters which were moderately angulated, thought he was a super quality dog all round, RBOB & later 1st in RBOB Stakes

2nd Mowbray's JESSEMYNS HONEYBARN,  not as substantial as 1 being lighter in bone & also a little higher on the leg, but undeniably feminine with pretty head of good proportions, not quite the stop of 1, but had a kind expression with good eye colour, good length & width of ears framing her head nicely, strong neck leading to a well-angulated front, plenty of depth to her chest with deep ribs, liked her length of loin & width of thigh, moderate rear angulation, would prefer larger hocks,  wanted to play on the move, showing off her happy temperament complete with ever-wagging tail

Open (5 entries)

1st Goodwin's SH CH SOVAROMA SCRUMPTIOUS SERENDEL, at first glance everything about her seemed "just right", stood out for size, outline & balance, beautifully proportioned & feminine head with good width of skull, soft "frowning" expression with correct hazel eye colour, thick well-set ears, strong neck, excelled in bone, correct length of leg, loved her body shape & length showing no waistiness, all fitting together so well with well-angulated front, muscular thigh & moderate bend of stifle, very active on the move with typical roll, happy outgoing temperament evident in her wagging tail, delighted to award her BOB & later RBIS

2nd Nesbitt's YORKHAM FRED BEAR FROM CHABROUILLE ShCM, mature dog with substantial outline, a size bigger all round than 1 , but still balanced throughout, loved his masculine head & kind expression framed by full ears, good length of neck which was strong, good front angulation, deep chest, very strong in body with good length, deep ribs & level topline, no waistiness, wide well-muscled thighs, moderate rear angulation, his movement was a joy to watch, showing plenty of drive, very happy & animated, belying his veteran status, very pleased to award him BVIB

3rd Alderson's MEGGAMOOCH TANGO

BEST IN SHOW

Seven present, all a credit to their respective breeds. From a shortlist of three, which included Calvert's ESS BERESFORD NIGHT SPELL, who appealed for her well-shaped feminine head, kind expression, compact & well-balanced body and even stride, I selected:

BIS - Graham & Hogstrom's WSS DON'S STATEMENT TO NYLIRAM, was immediately drawn to the unexaggerated, compact & symmetrical outline of this relatively young dog, clean balanced head with fairly square muzzle, well chiselled below eye which was dark giving such a kind expression, excelled in length of neck & front angulation, moderate leg length & in proportion to length of body, muscular & strong throughout with plenty of depth of chest & spring of rib, deep & strong in flank, powerful hindquarters with moderate bend of stifle, in the final run-off he was so effortless & smooth going round, displaying heaps of drive & a clearly merry temperament, that I could not resist him for the "top spot"

RBIS - the glorious Sussex Spaniel, Goodwin's SH CH SOVAROMA SCRUMPTIOUS SERENDEL, so very little to choose between her & the WSS, she still stole my heart, but my eye was taken by the stylish movement of the Welshie, what a perfect dilemma for a judge to have!

BEST PUPPY IN SHOW

Only one Best Puppy in Breed present as so few puppies entered overall, Babester's Cocker Spaniel KALISPELL VILLANELLE, charming 7 months Blue Roan bitch, compact outline with length of body balanced with leg length, pretty feminine head developing  nicely, dark eye complete with mischievous twinkle, long ears, good length of neck, very well constructed in front, already has plenty of spring of rib & depth of chest, short-coupled, correct moderate rear angulation, firm well-rounded rump, very sound confident mover, lovely outgoing & merry temperament, worthy BPIS & fittingly also exhibit no. 1 in the catalogue   

BEST VETERAN IN SHOW

Four very pleasing Best Veterans in Breed present, making for very strong competition. If only I could have rewarded them all for their health, vitality and longevity.

BVIS  - Chandler's WSS SH CH CHANANGEL STICKY WICKET JW ShCM, appealed greatly for his sturdy symmetrical & compact outline, proportionate masculine head with darkest of eye & kindest of expression, good length of neck, plenty of forechest, well-angulated in front, body of moderate length & balanced by moderate leg length, deep in brisket with good spring of rib, firm level topline, muscular thigh, correct moderate bend of stifle, striking rich R/W coat and in sparkling condition, his strong driving movement was a real pleasure to see.

ANY VARIETY

Minor Puppy (3 entries, 1 absent)

1st Barber-Ball's KALISPELL COEUR DE LION, 7 months Blue Roan Cocker Spaniel dog, compact shape making an appealing outline, masculine head with distinct stop, good depth of muzzle for his age, dark eye, lovely long well-feathered ears, strong in neck but needs a tad more length of neck which will hopefully come as he grows, good front angulation plenty of forechest, already deep & sturdy in body with good spring of rib, short-coupled, level topline,  well-rounded rear, leg length is good, ample rear angulation, very exuberant & excitable on the move, no doubting his merry nature

2nd MacFarlane's  COOLEELA HERACLES,  6 months Black Cocker Spaniel dog, just a baby & not as mature as 1 in all departments including coat & feathering, head is still developing but has good balance, charming expression with dark eye framed by lovely long ears, another who would benefit from a little more length of neck in due course, has a good forechest & front angulation, at the moment body is longer cast & lighter in build than 1, again there is plenty of time for development in this area, on the move was a lot steadier than 1 & showed off a confident & merry nature

Puppy (2 entries, 2 absent)

Junior (4 entries, 2 absent)

1st Graham's EALD DANCES WITH WOLVES AMONG NYLIRAM

2nd Dolan's WILLANORAH NEVER SAY NEVER, 12 months Blue Roan Cocker Spaniel dog, another one who was compact in outline, liked his masculine well-balanced head & gentle expression, moderate length of neck into nicely angulated front, sturdy in body with good depth of chest, needing a little more maturity in spring of rib, depth in flank & width of thigh, which is not a great surprise at his young age, correct moderate bend of stifle, moved with enthusiasm, just going a little close behind

Post Graduate (2 entries)

1st Shipton's WINTERBOURNE TRUE LOVE FOR MISHULES BJW18, Black Field Spaniel bitch in lovely coat & condition, correct proportions overall, upstanding in profile, noble feminine head with long lean muzzle & moderate stop, gentle attentive expression, long low-set ears, long strong neck into long sloping shoulders, liked her depth of chest & flank, good length to ribcage, moderate bend of stifle & well-muscled thigh, topline could be a little firmer, not really loving being in the ring, doubtless would rather be out & about, did show driving movement when she put the effort in

2nd Barber-Ball KALISPELL KARRERA, B/W Cocker Spaniel dog, sturdy & compact in build, masculine head of balanced proportions, lovely long & well-feathered ears, good length of neck into well-angulated front, liked his forechest, strong & deep in chest, well-sprung ribs, short-coupled, moderate rear angulation, muscular thighs, well-rounded rump, low-set tail, unfortunately  was not cooperating with handler when standing, roaching his topline, & was completely distracted on the move, wanting to be in the ring even less than 1

Open (1 entry)

1st Cunningham's FOULBY FIDELMA OF ELVANDAR, IWS bitch, neat square outline, pretty head with strength in muzzle, alert expression with a mischievous twinkle in her eye, strong neck, front & rear angulation not overdone, lovely depth & width to her body all through with strong couplings, sturdy over hindquarters, would have liked crisper curls & ringlets, especially on forelegs, perhaps going through a coat change, movement was rather erratic displaying a good helping of this breed's sense of humour

STAKES

Reserve Best of Breed Stakes (6)

Have heard people refer to this class at shows as the "Losers" class, no danger of that here with so much quality on show

1st Goodwin's SERENDEL SUSSEX ENDEAVOUR, Sussex Spaniel

2nd Babester's KALISPELL KINGSMAN JW, Blue Roan Cocker Spaniel dog, compact & square in outline,  clean & well-proportioned head  with square muzzle, dark eye with bright & gentle expression, well-set ears of good length & shape, very muscular neck, really liked his front angulation, strong body with deep chest & well-sprung ribs, short-coupled through loin, firmest of toplines, rounded & muscular hindquarters with well bent stifles, loved him for his balance & strength throughout,  moved with plenty of drive & typical Cocker bustle

3rd Graham's FERNDEL COVER STORY ABOUT NYRILAM JW, WSS Bitch

Segedunum Members Puppy Stakes (2 entries, 2 absent)

Marie MacCallum Memorial Members Open Stakes (3 entries, 1 absent)

1st Tait's AMAROANNE GLORY DAYS, Blue Roan Cocker Spaniel dog, compact & square in profile, masculine & very well proportioned head with square muzzle,  dark eye with kind alert expression, well-set ears of good length & shape, correct in neck, being strong & moderately long, leading into excellent front assembly, great depth of chest & spring of rib, short & strongly coupled,  plenty of width over rump, good bend of stifle, liked him very much, on the move he was rather inclined to pull away to the left away from his handler

2nd Palmer's DREAMIST CHASING RAINBOWS AT COLMEIR B/W/T Cocker Spaniel dog, name as in catalogue, but not sure if correct as similar name also in Veteran Stakes, attractively marked, compact outline if not as square as 1, slightly finer in head, but still well-proportioned with good balance between skull & muzzle, dark eye with gentle expression, well-shaped lobular ears, moderate length of neck, liked his front & rear angulation, deep body, well-sprung ribs, short-coupled, not quite the strength in hindquarters & width of rump of 1, happy & steady mover

A quality entry in this Memorial class named after of the most well-known Gundog breeders in the area

1st Steel & Jefferson's MYCALLEYS DENISSE SHARNAMBER ShCM VW, Black American Cocker Spaniel bitch, 9 1/2 years, compact & sturdy in outline, in firm condition, feminine but well-developed head with nicely rounded skull, clearly defined stop, excellent depth & length to her muzzle, eyes round & full with bright expression, low-set & well-feathered ears, long neck into very well-angulated front assembly, deep & well-ribbed body, very short-coupled, hard slightly sloping topline, plenty of rear angulation, showed accurate footfall & drive on the move, tail carried correctly

2nd Douglas' SH CH FERNDEL JUSTIN TIME ShCM, WSS dog, nearly 8 years, another attractive & well-balanced example of his breed, impressed with his sturdy & compact outline, masculine well-proportioned head with deep muzzle, long & muscular neck, plenty of forechest, excellent front angulation, tremendous depth of chest & flank, strongly coupled, correct moderate rear angulation, topline just starting to soften with age, on the day he could not match the drive of 1, nevertheless a Welshie to be proud of, not surprised to find later that he has his title, certainly a worthy Sh Ch

3rd Palmer's DREAMIST CHASING RAINBOWS, Bl/R/T Cocker Spaniel dog