Newmarket & District Canine Society

Thank you to the Officers and Committee for inviting me to judge at their open show, this appointment being delayed since 2020. I was particularly pleased with the large Cocker Spaniel entry; it was clear that all exhibitors had spent a lot of time preparing their dogs and I am grateful for the support shown by all exhibitors on the day. It was also great to hear the wonderful atmosphere ring side and cheers of support for fellow exhibitors.

Junior Handling 6 – 11 years (4,3)

1st – Robin Dixon (7 years old) - Beagle. This young man was very enthusiastic and has a great relationship with his dog and clearly enjoys being with his dog in the ring. He followed instructions given to him, just needs to work on keeping the lines tight in the pattern and not breaking the golden rule which he will get better at with practice. I have become aware that this young handler enjoys going to ring craft and with practice, I am sure he will grow to become a fantastic and competitive dog handler.

Junior Handling 12 – 16 years (1,0)

1st and Best Junior Handler – Meghan Slack (13 years old) - Brittany. This young lady oozes confidence, from the moment she entered the ring it was clear she has a great relationship with the dog she was handling. Dog was presented well and had no issues showing the teeth, kept a tight lead in her hand at all times and nice tight lines when on the move in a ‘T’pattern. Did not break the golden rule. I was particularly impressed with how patient this young lady was in the challenge for best junior handler, when a less experienced handler was in front of her whilst moving round the ring, she slowed her dog down and did not overtake.

It is worth noting that this handler also assisted exhibiting an English Springer for which I was also judging, despite having never met the dog or handled this breed before, she had no issues exhibiting and maintaining control at all times.

American Cocker Spaniel

Junior (1,0)

1st and RBOB – Wellsted’s Aftermarines Gold Effect – 15-month-old black and white bitch - Very feminine and pretty head with ears correctly placed which add to her appeal to the eye. Neck is long and slightly arched, this flows into a lovely slightly sloping topline. Strong boned and muscular front and rear quarters. Coat in exceptional condition, good drive on the move with tail that was carried just slightly higher than the topline, this bitch is clearly happy, just lost out as BOB on maturity.

Post Graduate (2, 1)

1st – Gaskin’s Shadowemane Elderberry Wine at Dovestream (IMP BELARUS) – 3-year-old black and tan bitch. This bitch has a feminine head with nice length of neck which flows into correct shoulder placement. Well sprung ribs and good depth of chest. Slightly unsteady on the move but happy. Preferred overall presentation and coat of Junior and Open in the BOB line up.

Open (1,0)

1st and BOB – Gaskin’s IR CH Juli Style Adorable Elvis at Dovestream – 4-year-old black, white and tan dog that has a refined chiseled head with intelligent expression. Ears set on line with lower part of eyes and long silky hair. Good length of neck which is sightly arched. Deep chest and short coupling with strong boned and muscular front and rear quarters, nice gentle sloping topline, appearance enhanced with correct placing of tan markings. Would prefer a little more substance throughout but deserving of BOB.

Cocker Spaniel

Puppy (7,1)

1st and BPIB – Kidd’s Laurellakes Dream Come True with Freestone NAF – 9-month-old black bitch that has a lovely head with a gentle expression and distinct stop. Good length of neck and compact with a level topline, well boned forelegs and good bend of stifle. Well-presented and moved with plenty of drive.

2nd – Hutson’s Stobytill Bootylicious – 8-month-old light blue roan bitch that has a feminine head with ears set low and level with the eyes. Good depth and breadth of chest for age, well balanced with well-muscled rear quarters. Just preferred overall coat condition and presentation of first.

3rd – Ward’s Wensum Dancing In The Dark

Yearling (6,1)

1st – Bindza’s Laurellakes Whos That Girl – 23-month-old solid black bitch that has a lovely feminine head with square muzzle, ears set low with straight silky hair. This bitch is well proportioned, square and compact with a level topline that slopes gently into the tail set, good depth and breadth of chest with just about the right amount of muscle on the rear quarters. Moved well and immaculately presented with a silky-smooth coat.

2nd – Wright’s Chazbaz My Fleurentina – 1 year old black and tan bitch that has a nice, compact and cobby structure. Square muzzle and eyes that harmonize with the rest of the coat. Good length of neck and clean throat which flows into a sloping shoulder and level top line. A little unsettled on the move but this did not stop her showing that she is a ‘merry’ cocker as her tail that was carried level did not stop moving. Just preferred the width and breadth of the body of first.

3rd – Taylor-Kistner’s Rizi Bizi Lois at Frieljoanipa NAF TAF

Post Graduate (8,2)

1st and BOB - Pearce’s Kenwad Black Grouse at Miska – 15-month-old solid black dog that is short and cobby with a lovely shaped head that has ears set low and level with the eyes. Well boned forequarters with cat like feet and well-muscled rear quarters (liked that this is not more than a handful). Nice and short in the coupling, this youngster moved with plenty of drive and could easily do a day’s work. Happy, merry and immaculately presented. Preferred the more balanced look of this dog in the line up so awarded BOB. Delighted to hear that this placing gave this dog his final point to complete the quest for the JW.

2nd – Wright’s La Scales Berlin with Chazbaz (IMP HUN) – 15-month-old solid black dog that has a well-developed skull which is cleanly chiseled. Well balanced and ‘square’ when looking at this dog from the side. Good depth of chest and level topline which he did not lose when on the move. Just preferred overall structure and presentation of first.

3rd – Reed’s Reemif Sweetly Contagious

Open (5,1)

1st and RBOB– Wildman’s Reemif Midnight Blue for Chanmalo ShCM ShCEx – 5-year-old blue roan dog who is really gentle and charming, he clearly loves being in the show ring with his handler. He has a well-balanced outline and is ‘masculine’ in appearance with plenty of substance throughout. Good width and depth of chest along with a wide, firm loin and a level top line. Immaculately presented and handled to perfection. Serious contender for BOB but found that winner of PG a little bit better over the shoulder today.

2nd – Hutson’s Stobytill After The Storm – almost 3-year-old blue roan dog – another dog which has plenty of substance and muscle throughout. Good length of neck and placement of shoulder, good width of chest and well sprung ribs. Moved with drive and merry in action. Very close call between 1st and 2nd in this class but just preferred the firm, level topline of first.

3rd – Clarke’s Harbethol Look Magical Echo

English Springer Spaniel

Junior (2,0)

1st and BPIB – Weyman’s Spuffing Prosecco – 10-month-old liver and white bitch that has a lovely head and expression. Skull of medium length with flat cheeks and nicely feathered ears. Strong neck and well boned front legs and well-muscled rear quarters. Good depth of chest and body with a firm, level topline. Moved well in profile.

2nd – Claydon’s Nineoaks Bring Him Home – 18-month-old tri-colour dog that has a masculine expression. Lovely head, well balanced throughout with a level topline. Good rear angulation with well developed muscular thighs. Moved with plenty of drive from the rear.

Post Graduate (3,0)

1st and BOB – Morgan’s Dexbenella Frilled To Bitz – almost 3 years old liver and white dog who has a friendly and happy appearance in his expression which is set off by his nicely feathered ears. Good length and strong muscular neck. Plenty of muscle and short coupled with a slight arch on his topline. Well boned front quarters and strong rear quarters both with well-rounded feet. Moved well today and presented with coat in tip top condition. No hesitation with awarding him BOB.

2nd – Frusher’s Dexbenella Fenella at Shersona – almost 3 years old liver and white bitch that is feminine and has plenty of substance, her feminine appearance flows from nose to tail with a well-balanced and well-developed body. Straight and well boned forelegs and well-muscled hindquarters. Moved well with a pacing stride. This bitch is clearly not timid as she was handled by a young lady that had never handled her before, at no point did she back off from the exhibitor.

3rd – McCourt’s Meadowdale Solitaire at Woodspa

Open (2,0)

1st and RBOB - Weyman’s Spuffing Molly’s Secret – 7-year-old black and white bitch that is nicely balanced and symmetrical when stood. This veteran has a lovely head with flat cheeks, dark eyes and a happy friendly expression. Deep chest with well sprung ribs and short in the coupling. Correct angulation front and rear, moved well with good reach and drive.

2nd – Osbourne’s Pendarlow Peter Pan with Braego – 6-and-a-half-year-old liver and white bitch that has a balanced, well-proportioned head and kind expression. Good length and strong neck and a firm topline. Moved with plenty of drive. Just preferred overall balance and presentation of first.

Welsh Springer Spaniel

Junior (2,2)

Absent

Post Graduate (1,0)

1st and BOB– Cooper’s Gilstonia Snow Moon – 2-year-old bitch that is very feminine in appearance, has a typical kind expression associated with this breed that is set off by her vine shaped ears. Well balanced outline and slightly arched over her loin. Well boned forelegs and wide, muscular hind quarters. Well presented with coat in excellent condition, there is plenty to like about her.

Open (3,2)

1st and RBOB – Cooper’s Isfryn Lady Grey Of Gilstonia – 6 and a half year old bitch. Another bitch that is feminine and well balanced with a coat in excellent condition. Lovely head with neck that is long and muscular, deep brisket and well sprung ribs. Covered ground well when on the move. Just preferred presentation and topline of first.

Damien Hutton-Baber (Babtonkelpie)