Birmingham Dog Show Society Ltd

Thank you to the Committee for inviting me to judge Sussex Spaniels for my 1st CC appointment in the breed, at The National; to Mr. and Mrs. Young for their kind hospitality; to the exhibitors who entered under me, I appreciated their support and finally to my 2 Stewards who had a very long day! The heat of the day taking its toll as the day progressed.

DCC AND BEST OF BREED was MERCER & THOMAS’ AMUR IZ VALLEY WINS AT STORMACRE

BCC was BENNETT’S SOVAROMA CLARRIE BROWN

RDCC was ALDERSON’S SH CH MEGGAMOOCH ULYSSES

RBCC was ALDERSON’S MEGGAMOOCH WINTERFELL

BP was MATTHEWS’ FOXHAMPTON FITS THE BILL

BV was EVANS’ SH CH YORKHAM ROCKING RUDOLPH ShCEx

BSB was JONES’ FOXHAMPTON FREE FALL

Dog classes as follows:

SPECIAL BEGINNERS – 1 entry:

1. JONES’ FOXHAMPTON FREE FALL – Sibling to the BP and similar comments apply, at present, he’s a tad longer in the leg which will take a little time for his frame to catch up and complete the picture, though this will come. He is developing nicely and there’s lot to like about him; good improvement in his coat presentation since I saw him last, which improves the view of his rear movement. Well presented.

MINOR PUPPY – 1 entry:

1. MATTHEWS’ FOXHAMPTON FITS THE BILL – At 9 months he has nice proportions in his general shape and outline. Was a little more together in terms of his movement compared to his sibling, but they are both babies still. Strong head which will continue to develop and gain width as he grows. Good reach of neck and well-placed shoulders, straight front, large knees, and strong bone. Good colour for his age.

PUPPY – 2 entries:

1. MATTHEWS’ FOXHAMPTON FITS THE BILL – see above

2. JONES’ FOXHAMPTON FREE FALL – see above

JUNIOR – 2 entries:

1. PENNEMAN & WAKEFIELD’S NORRISS NORTHERN MAFIA – At nearly 15 months he has a nice shape in profile, lovely head with good stop, brows frowning and wide flews. Well placed shoulders and good spring of ribs. Straight front with sturdy legs though was a little timid on the move today. Nice coat and colour for his age.

2. JONES’ FOXHAMPTON FREE FALL – see above

YEARLING – 2 entries:

Litter siblings at 20 months and differing stages, both beautifully presented

1. BEECHAM’S CRUMLEDOR ALBUS DUMBLEDOR – Good width of skull with moderate curve, good frown and pronounced stop. Straight front, on strong legs with ample bone. Better developed in loin than sibling, generous feathering for age; has the beginnings of golden liver highlights. Moved ok.

2. MOWBRAY’S CRUMLEDOR REUBUS HAGRID – Taller framed than 1, meaning he’ll take a bit longer to complete the picture and a tad darker in colour. Nice head with good width and pronounced stop, deep muzzle. Straight front with depth of chest, well-marked frill, though not as well developed over the loin as his sibling at this stage but the substance is there.

POST GRADUATE – 3 entries, 1 absent:

1. MOON’S DEANWAY PROPER CHARLIE – Wide skull, good stop, and frown with soft expression and nice eye. Deep muzzle and flews. Balanced outline, with deep chest and with good lay of shoulder, moved out with drive and good reach. Young and not fully developed in the body, would benefit from filling out at the waist.

2. MOWBRAY’S CRUMLEDOR REUBUS HAGRID – see previous class

LIMIT – 4 entries, 1 absent:

1. MERCER & THOMAS’ AMUR IZ VALLEY WINS AT STORMACRE – A 4-year-old dog when stacked presented a lovely profile. His head has developed so much since I saw him last, skull is wide, with frowning brows and good stop, nice deep muzzle, and soft expression; strong neck and well-placed shoulders, straight front with strong legs; body fully developed with no waistiness; deep chest and depth of ribs; good overall muscle tone and well off for bone. Moved out with distinctive roll and displaying correct tail carriage. If I’m picky his coat would benefit from the summer sun though overall, he was a delight to go over.

2. MOON’S FOXHAMPTON FIELDS OF GOLD – 3-year-old presented a balanced outline. Head with good width of skull and a moderate curve, deep flews, and nice expression. Strongly boned and muscular, he has a good depth of chest and spring of rib. Moved out with enthusiasm and good tail action. Just needs to fill out and lose his waistiness.

3. BRADBURY & PRESTON’S JESSEMYNS WILCOT AT HARASTEORRA

OPEN – 3 entries:

All deserving champions with differing attributes and for me, the toughest class of the day.

1. ALDERSON’S SH CH MEGGAMOOCH ULYSSES – A mature dog of nearly 4 years who is substantial in every way from his head to his hocks. Strong head with width of skull, brows frowning with a pronounced stop: deep square muzzle and flews. Deep chest and well-developed body with good spring of rib. He has sturdy legs of substantial bone, powerful hocks, nice tidy feet. True steady movement with the said roll. In the challenge, I preferred the length of neck and expression of winner.

2. GOODWIN’S SH CH SERENDEL SUSSEX ENDEAVOUR – smaller type than winner, presents a nice outline. Wide skull with moderate curve with brows frowning. Straight front with short legs of ample bone, moved well. Correct coat colour though, for me, I preferred the presentation of winner.

3. GRAHAM’S SH CH EALD DANCES WITH WOLVES AMONG NYLIRAM Jw

VETERAN – 3 entries:

1. EVANS’ SH CH YORKHAM ROCKING RUDOLPH ShCEx – A young veteran just over 7. Good width of skull pronounced stop and frowning brows, deep muzzle and flews, overall has good bone. Balanced outline, with correct lay of shoulder and body with no waistiness. Moved well. Coat of correct colour with golden tips and nice coat texture.

2. GRAVES’ NORRISS NORTHERN WIZARD - At 10 years he still has a balanced, classic outline though a smaller frame than winner. Good head with kindly expression and ample bone, feeling the heat of the day.

3. HIPGRAVES’ SH CH BETHRYN NIGHT ON THE TOWN

Bitch classes as follows:

SPECIAL BEGINNERS – 1 entry:

1. BRADBURY & PRESTON’S HARASTEORRA APHRODITE – 3-year-old, smaller in type but presents a nice, balanced package all round. Pretty head with good width of skull and soft expression. Ample bone for her stature.

MINOR PUPPY – 1 entry:

1. MATTHEWS’ FOXHAMPTON FOXY LADY – litter sister to BP winner, again good shape and overall proportions and similar comments applies. Lovely head with fair width at present, nice ears-set, good eye colour and reach of neck. Straight front with large knees, tidy feet. Ample bone throughout and moved happily with good tail carriage and action.

PUPPY – 2 entries; 1 absent:

1. BEECHAM’S MEGGAMOOCH XANADU – nearly 12 months, taller and not quite the bone the previous winner though a nice shape and outline. Moved well, I preferred the tail carriage of MP winner.

JUNIOR BITCH – 2 entries; 1 absent:

1. ASHCROFT & ALDERSON’S VARYA VELIKOLEPNAYA IZ VALLEY WINS (IMP) – 17 months with a feminine head, which has good width, pronounced stop and frown. Has a balanced outline, good lay of shoulder and reach of movement; held her top-line on the move; body well developed for age, good spring of ribs. Coat displaying the correct golden liver colour.

YEARLING – 1 entry:

1. MOWBRAY’S CRUMLEDOR BELLA LESTRANGE - 20 months, taller framed and she’ll need time to come into her own. Nice straight front, good lay of shoulder, moved out well. Feminine head with moderate curve and deep muzzle. Good depth of chest. Lovely presentation.

POST GRADUATE – 3 entries:

1. ALDERSON’S MEGGAMOOCH WINTERFELL – 28 months. Lovely head with width of skull, brows frowning with a pronounced stop and soft expression. Deep chest with good spring of rib, well-muscled hindquarters driving true movement. Beautifully presented and correct coat colour. Performed well in the challenge, I just preferred the length of neckline and bend of stifle of winner.

2. BRADBURY & PRESTON’S HARASTEORRA APHRODITE – see SB above

3. MOWBRAY’S CRUMLEDOR BELLA LESTRANGE

LIMIT – 4 entries

1. BENNETT’S SOVAROMA CLARRIE BROWN – A 2 1/2-year-old who is coming into her own. Presents a balanced shape, outline and held her top-line when on the move. Feminine head with good stop and frowning brows, deep muzzle. Nice straight front and strong bone. Long neck with good frill and well angulated shoulders. Body not quite fully developed with some sign of waistiness, moved out with purpose with well angulated rear action. Good overall muscle tone, lovely coat, and colour. Well presented. Flagged a little in the challenge at the end of a very hot day.

2. MOWBRAY’S GAINSMILL LILLY LUNA POTTER AT CRUMLEDOR – At 3 years, there’s a lot to like; she has a feminine head with good width of skull and deep flews, long neck, nice dark eye, and soft expression. Not quite the bone or the body of winner, at this stage, though she presents a lovely outline and top-line.

3. MOON’S DEANWAY SUMMER STORM

4. DAVEY’S EALD VILLAGE GOSSIP

OPEN – 5 entries – All could and have changed places at various times but today none of them moved as well as I’ve seen in the past, which was disappointing for me.

1. ASHCROFT’S MARQUELL YOU KNOW YOU KNOW TORSHCA – a mature nearly 7-year-old, head has nice wide skull, pronounced stop, brows frowning and a soft expression. A balanced outline and ample bone.

2. ALDERSON’S MEGGAMOOCH TANGO – a mature 6-year-old. For me, not quite the top-line or reach of neck compared to class winner. Feminine head, which has good width, pronounced stop and a super frown. Lovely coat and correct golden liver colour.

3. DAVEY’S EALD VILLAGE SCANDAL Jw

VETERAN – 1 entry; 1 absent

Christine Swietalski