West Of England Cocker Spaniel Club

West of England Cocker Spaniel Club – Special Awards

Thank you to the officers and committee of West of England Cocker Spaniel Club for inviting me to judge the Special Awards at what was my first breed club appointment. Special thanks to my two stewards and the support of those exhibitors who entered.

Class A – Puppy Dog or Bitch (4,2)

1st Craig’s Alisma Aloonah – 10-and-a-half-month-old blue roan bitch that is feminine in appearance with a square muzzle and lovely dark eyes. Short, deep and cobby with well boned front and rear quarters and a lovely level topline. Moved well with drive. Look forward to seeing how this youngster matures.

2nd Lill’s Rosbercon Relight The Fire, 11-month-old blue roan dog that is masculine in appearance, correct ear placement and dark eyes with good length of neck and a level top line. Correct angulation front and rear. This youngster still needs time to mature and not as merry as first on the move.

Class B – Post Graduate Dog or Bitch (10,3)

1st Grist’s Kasordon Firestarter – 3-year-old solid black dog that has a well-developed skull and dark tight eyes. Moderate length and muscled neck which gently slopes into a lovely level top-line which is finished off with correct placement of tail set. Deep chest and well sprung ribs. Well angulated quarters and moved with plenty of drive. I judged this dog as a puppy in 2019 and it is pleasing to see how well he has matured.

2nd Bowen’s Lararth Midnight Blue – 20-month-old feminine blue roan bitch that has a gentle expression. Cobby and square with a level topline, coat in excellent condition. Moved with drive in nice straight and clean lines.

3rd Birkenshaw’s Gilcar Blue Destiny.

Class C – Open Dog or Bitch (6,2)

1st Birkenshaw’s Gilcar Midnight Dream – almost 2-year-old blue roan dog which has plenty to like about him. He is square, compact and cobby with a typical cocker outline, good spring of rib and depth of chest. Good angulation front and rear with thickly padded cat like feet. Moved well with drive, a gentle and kind expression finishes off this dog nicely. Shown in excellent coat and condition.

2nd Pearce-Gudger’s Glowhill Silversmith For Pearkim – almost 5-year-old black and white dog that is slightly smaller in build and substance than first. Nice masculine head set on top of a moderate length muscular neck. Lovely sloping shoulder with good front angulation, short in loin with a level topline. Hindquarters wide with well boned legs, just not as merry on the move as first.

3rd Kew’s Withiflor Bird On The Wire Over Wylyeview.

Damien Hutton-Baber (Babtonkelpie)