Irish Water Spaniel Association

IRISH WATER SPANIEL ASSOCIATION OPEN SHOW - 7TH MAY 2022

I would like to extend my thanks to the Irish Water Spaniel Association for inviting me to judge their Open Show on 7th May 2022 in conjunction with Birmingham National Championship Show. I would also like to thank the exhibitors who entered their dogs, knowing that it would be a long day with the Open Show following the Championship Show judging. I know that some exhibitors arrived even earlier to attend a grooming seminar too. On that note, the dogs were a credit to their owners, taking a long, hot day in their stride. Finally, I would like to thank Kirsty Biggs for her support whilst stewarding and for ensuring that the ring ran smoothly.

Puppy Dog (2)

1. BLADES AND ANDREWS’ KENISAL RINGLETS IN A LAKE FOR ANTDELA – Raw young dog of 10 months of age. Masculine head, eyes the correct shape and colour, with a lovely expression. Very well presented coat, lovely dark colour and curls in abundance. I loved his character and happy disposition as he moved around the ring with reach and drive. Best Dog Puppy and Best Puppy In Show

2. DUCKMANTON’S CUBOGLACH SANDY WAVE – 11 month old dog with a lovely shape and outline. Good head and expression, eyes a little light but I’m sure they will darken with time. Moved soundly around the ring.

Junior Dog (No Entries)

Special Beginners Dog (2, 2)

Novice Dog (2, 1)

1. DUCKMANTON’S PATAMISCHIEF ELIMINATOR – 3 year old dog who was thoroughly enjoying his time in the ring, his tail didn’t stop wagging! A good shape and nicely balanced. Mature head with a lovely expression. Not quite in his full coat today. Moved soundly around the ring.

Post Graduate Dog (5, 2)

1. ROBERTS’ TSAR OF DEE – 4 year old dog with a happy disposition. Compact body, spring of rib, with a good coat but could have a little more curl. Correct eye. Moved soundly around the ring.

2. MAC MAHON’S TIGER TAIL – 3 year old dog, slightly longer in shape but still in proportion. Good natural coat. Moved soundly around the ring but not quite the reach and drive of 1.

3. LAVENDER’S SANTAROCCA FERGUS

Limit Dog (2, 1)

1. Lavender’s Santarocca Fergus – 4 year old dog who was enjoying his time in the ring. Compact body with a good coat but could have more curl. Masculine head but eye a little round and light. Sound on the move but tail carriage a little high.

Open Dog (4, 1)

My challenge of the day, such a lovely class to judge and I can see why all 3 dogs have been awarded Sh Ch status.

1. HACKETT’S SH CH CURLYCO MY HOT ROCK STAR – 4 year old dog of excellent shape and giving the picture of overall balance. Head of good proportions, lovely eye shape and colour, and a melting expression. Ears long and low set. Excellent body and spring of rib. Excellent angulation front and rear. Presented to perfection with a coat full of crisp curls. Moved so easily round the ring with reach and drive. Best Dog and Best Opposite Sex

2. MARGERISON AND DAVIES’ SH CH KANDRELLI JACK SNIPE – 5 year old dog, slightly larger in build but totally in proportion. Masculine head and eyes a lovely colour. Great spring of rib. Moved out around the ring but gave his handler a bit of a hard time so not quite the reach and drive of 1.

3. BUSBY’S SH CH STANEGATE LEADING ROLE AT ZAKBY

Veteran Dog (No Entries)

Special Working Dog (1)

1. HEMPSTEAD’S CUVANA QUILLS PRECIOUS GIFT – 3 year old dog of a lovely size and shape. Masculine head with a lovely dark eye. Well presented natural coat of crisp curls. Excellent angulation front and rear. Well muscled throughout. Moved with ease showing reach and drive. Reserve Best Dog

Good Citizen Dog (1)

1. SCLATER’S MALANIS QUARTER MASTER – 6 year old dog who was thoroughly enjoying his time in the ring today. Good size and shape, and a compact body. Plenty of coat but it could be tighter in places.

Puppy Bitch (2)

1. BANNISTER’S TA AN NEIFINN AT BANYSUN – Feminine bitch of 11 month of age. Pretty head with a checky twinkle in her eye. Compact body and spring of rib developing. Excellent coat with plenty of curl. Moved with some expression. Best Bitch Puppy and Reserve Best Puppy In Show

2. DOUGLAS’ DAFFYDOWN DILLY – Pretty bitch of a nice size and shape. Just not the maturity of 1 today and eyes a little light in colour but she still has plenty of time to develop. Moved out soundly around the ring.

Junior Bitch (5, 1)

1. STIRK’S STANEGATE HEY IT’S BIANCA – 15 month old bitch with a good shape and outline. Maturity in the body with spring of rib developing well. Good eye shape and colour. Excellent coat, dark in colour and full of curl. Moved out with reach and drive.

2. ROLLO-JONES’ STANEGATE REPEATS THE MAGIC – 17 month old bitch of a good size and shape but does not have the maturity of 1 today. Feminine head, with a lovely eye and expression. Moved soundly but not the reach and drive of 1.

3. FOODY’S KENDENNER LOUISA

Special Beginners Bitch (4, 1)

1. Foody’s Kendenner Louisa – 16 month old bitch with a feminine head and expression. Slightly longer but still in proportion. Good coat but could be tighter in places. Moved soundly around the ring.

2. Douglas’ Daffydown Dilly

3. WEAVING’S STANEGATE CAST A SPELL

Novice Bitch (2, 1)

1. Foody’s Kendenner Louisa

Post Graduate Bitch (3, 1)

1. MCCALLUM’S WEEMAES ALL ABOUT EVE - 2 year old bitch of a good size and outline. Feminine head, eyes the correct shape and colour, and a lovely expression. Ears long and low set. Excellent angulation front and rear. Well presented coat of an even texture. Moved with reach and drive and her tail didn’t stop wagging.

2. ANDREWS’ FAMOUS CROWDS SECRET PARADE – 2 year old bitch of a good size but slightly longer in the body. Good eye colour. Plenty of coat but it could be tighter in places. Moved soundly around the ring.

Limit Bitch (4, 1)

1. McCallum’s Weemaes All About Eve

2. FORD’S CUBOGLACH REED TUSSOCK – 5 year old bitch, taller than 1 but in proportion. Feminine head with dark eyes of the correct shape. Ears long and low set. Good coat of even texture. Moved soundly but not quite the reach and drive of 1.

3. WEAVING’S KANDALIN GOLDEN STORM

Open Bitch (2)

1. SMITH’S SH CH IR SH CH FOULBY NIAMH AT LEONARDSTON (AI) ANCH 19 CW19 – 4 year old bitch of a good size and shape, showing a balanced outline. Feminine head with a lovely expression but I would prefer a slightly darker eye. Ears long and low set. Excellent angulation front and rear. Beautiful natural coat of an even texture. Moved out with reach and drive. Reserve Best Bitch

2. Weaving’s Kandalin Golden Storm – 4 year old bitch, slightly smaller in size than 1 but still in proportion. Feminine head with a lovely dark eye. Plenty of coat but it could be tighter in places. Moved soundly around the ring and seemed to be thoroughly enjoying her day out.

Veteran Bitch (1, 1)

Special Working Bitch (1)

1. HEMPSTEAD’S RIVERFOREST IRISH EIDER AT CUVANA – 6 year old bitch who showed an overall picture of balance both on the move and whilst standing. Feminine head, with eyes of the correct colour and shape, giving a melting expression. Well presented beautiful natural coat of crisp curls. Ears long and low set. Excellent angulation front and rear. Well muscled throughout which supported her to move around the ring with reach and drive. I just couldn’t take my eyes off her during the challenge. Best Bitch and Best In Show

Sarah Wilson (Eldarrah)