Richmond Dog Show Society

Richmond Championship Dog Show

11th September 2021

Field Spaniels – Judge Ms Gretel Osborn (Elgert)

I thoroughly enjoyed my day. Judging a breed that you adore is always special and I thank all the exhibitor’s for their entries, some close decisions in some classes. My Open Dog Class was my stand out class of the day full of quality exhibits, but really pleased with all my winners.

Puppy Dog -1 (0)

1st MOSS, Mr A Ewtor the Wizard – Lovely young dog, showing promise at just 8mths, all legs and feet but everything where you want it. Good length of back to height ratio, nice tight front feet on correct front assembly with good reach of neck & correct firm topline, held well on the move, needs to settle and tighten but that is what you want at 8mths. Good head and correct eye colour giving a very gentle expression. Will watch his progress with interest. Best Puppy Dog .

Junior Dog – 1 (0)

1st SMITH, Mrs P Cocolambton the Conquerer – Not the eye shape or expression that I would want but only young so time on his side as they do take so long to mature up & once his head is matured will change. He was unsettled on the day and needs his handler to work with him, I gave him the benefit of the doubt on this occasion as on 2nd go over he settled more. He covered the ground well and had a good stride and drive, nice length of back and well sprung ribs especially for a young boy.

Yearling Dog – No Entries

Post Graduate Dog – 6 (3)

A difficult class as all at different stages of maturity and ages.

1st GALLEN, Mrs C Woodsong Pleiades (IMP FRA) – a 2yr old who is just coming into his own, overall a nicely balanced boy with good coat and texture, with just the right amount of furnishings. He has good hock length giving him good set down from firm muscled thigh, allowing good drive in his movement. Nice length of neck and good shoulder placement, good front that the owner needs to watch when setting him as he correctly sets himself but not always showing this when stood. Head is slightly heavy for me and would prefer more chiselling across his skull, lovely dark eye and kind expression. He won today on his body and correct movement.

2nd UNDERWOOD, Mrs F Coverwell Black Grouse – a 5yr old boy who again his handler needs to get the best out of him when stacking and moving him. Lovely head with correct eye and chiselling, needs to tighten more on his front and use more drive and enthusiasm when moving but a nice boy.

3rd HOPKINSON, Mr T & Mrs S Thandiwe Twist of Fate – I just wanted to mention my 3rd as felt so sorry for the owner as she totally got flustered today, as an exhibitor also all you want to do is give encouragement so it is hard to see this when judging and I do hope you get the better of your nerves as your boy knows what to do and stands himself well.

Limit Dog – 2 (1)

1st GALLEN, Mrs C Woodsong Lexington (IMP FRA) – slightly shorter in length than I wold like to see so slightly loses the classic shape of a Field. Lovely head and this is where he really scores, lovely chiselled head and good eye colour. He has a lovely front with good front action when moving, however, his hocks are slightly loose and so looses the drive in the rear end. Presented in excellent condition.

Open Dog – 4 (0)

This was most definitely the hardest class of the day, a real credit to the breed that we have these ambassadors to showcase our lovely breed. I really had to knit pick between them all and I am sure they will swap places many times. A wonderful class to judge – thank you.

 1st BENNETT, Mr D A & BENNETT, Mrs J Sh Ch Jesham Baronet – CC & BOB, one that I have judged as a youngster so was lovely to see him fulfil his potential and mature into a stunning boy. Height and length spot on – not too long or too tall, giving a perfect outline. Lovely straight front legs leading into good pads that take the weight and strength of his structure well. Correct shoulder angulation and good upper arm allowing for a lovely flowing movement. Nice spring of rib and length of back leading to well muscled rear quarters all put together so well, nice length hock again allowing for excellent movement. When he moves he just oozes quality and flows round the ring, not needing to fly round the ring as sometimes is the trend but a nice steady pace of correct Field movement, he really looks like he could work all day.

Puppy Bitch – 1 (0)

1st HOLGATE, Mrs J & HOLGATE, Mr C Nadavin Exclusive – BP, RCC, just loved this young lady. Not the largest Field but at 10mths she has all the attributes needed for a bright future. Lovely melting expression, although slightly light in eye at present, but will darken with age. Good chiselling and lovely length of foreface. Correct straight front legs, nice depth of brisket, good length of neck, excellent shoulder placement with correct length to height ratio. Nice spring of rib and good rear end with correct angulation and hock well let down to allow for good drive with good muscle tone. Pushed hard for CC but just lost out on maturity today.

Junior Bitch – 4 (1)

1st HOLGATE, Mrs J & HOLGATE, Mr C Nadavin Exclusive

2nd RUSSELL, Ms V & PALM, Ms A Kingsmist Indigo Night at Brynnyth – at 17 mths a typical youngster for Fields, will take time to mature up and fill her frame. Totally different set to the class winner & at this age a bit gangly all over but all in the right places, just needs time. A pretty feminine head, good drive and movement but needs to tighten in front at the moment.

Yearling Bitch – 3 (2)

1st MACBAIN, Miss A & BREWER, Ms D Fecimus On The Road Again - A smaller bitch with a slightly short foreface. Kind eye and lovely expression. Correct depth of rib and nice angulation of front and shoulders, would prefer a slightly longer loin to give the correct Field outline of length to height ration. A happy little girl on the move with correct foot placement .

Post Graduate Bitch – 3 (1)

1st MOORE, Miss C Gadhelic Jennyanydots - A bitch with a lot to like about her. Lovely pretty head with correct chiselling under her eye to allow for a correct soft kind expression. Nice length of neck leading to correct shoulder placement. Good topline held well on the move. Good loin and spring of rib. Moved with drive, and purpose round the ring.

2nd TREVOR, Mr T J & Mrs K Gadhelic Jemina Jiggle for Trevorsilk – litter sister to 1. A slightly smaller frame throughout and when allowed to stand naturally has a nice outline and angulations, however she tends to over reach herself when stacked and looses the bend of stifle so the back end tails away without the correct support and overbalances giving the wrong outline and shape. The owner needs to watch this as when naturally stood everything is in the correct place and holds her own well on the move.

Limit Bitch 3 (1)

1st MACBAIN, Miss A & BREWER, Ms D Fecimus Once Youve Had Black – really liked this bitch’s expression, correct eye shape and colour, would prefer more length to muzzle to give the characteristic shape of a Field head. Good feet and front with plenty of flat bone, allowing her to move well round the ring, kept topline on the move. Slighly short in loin but did move well with drive.

2nd JAMES, Miss T Woodsong Pitch Perfect (Imp) Fra – just at that ‘awkward’ stage, where everything is where it should be but not quite fitting together yet. With maturity and more muscle tone I am sure she will get it together as just a bit slack on movement and loose on hock as moved away. Good height to length ratio and nice head shape, eyes slightly light but again this fits with her ‘inbetween’ stage she is at the moment.

Open Bitch 2 (1)

1st HOLGATE, Mrs J & HOLGATE, Mr C Sh Ch Nadavin Wenhaver JW – a bitch I have been in classes with but never gone over so was nice to do so, she did not disappoint. A very balanced bitch with a lovely head, and kind expression with just the right amount of aloofness that only a Field can give. Nice length of back and good loin, giving a really solid and well muscled rear end that was used to full advantage with strong movement, good hocks of correct length to give good reach and strength when moving. Her ribs are well sprung with plenty of bone throughout. Everything about her says Field Spaniel. A pleasure to judge, her daughter pushed hard for the CC but just her maturity won over on the day.

Judge Gretel Osborn (Elgert)