"Joint CKCS Clubs' Championship Show"

Joint CKCS Club – hosted by Eastern Counties CKCS Society

DOGS

I would like to Thank the Committee of the Club for the honour for judging for them again, at the last Joint CKCS Clubs event. A lot has been said about the declining numbers of entries, so I was thrilled that my co-judge Marian Mynott and myself seemed to somewhat ‘buck the trend’ with a wonderful entry of over 200 awaiting us – with hardly any absentees!

It was a thoroughly enjoyable day, the weather was kind to us and there seemed to be a happy atmosphere. It was a pleasure to judge with Mrs Mynott and all our final decisions were in total agreement.

I last judged for the Eastern nearly 20 years ago, and sadly, I have to concur with the overall sentiment that the quality, in general is not what it once was. Yes there are the ‘superstars’ out there….I found a few….but these dogs now seem to be the exception and not the norm. Judging these days is more & more about compromise….but when should we stop accepting these compromises? When the dogs no longer resemble Cavaliers? I recently heard an all-round judge, whom I greatly admire, say “You shouldn’t keep something just because it is ‘good enough’…especially for what is out there” I would agree with that sentiment and I fear that because the quality is slipping, are peoples standards also???

I was pleased with my line-up and while I only pulled in 4 for final consideration, there were a couple of others that, on another day, may have been there instead.

Thank you to my stewards…especially to Melissa Evans who had to manage single-handedly for the most part, and Andy Vella who stepped into the breach on a number of occasions.

Veteran (3,0 abs)

1st: Whitman & Tarabads’ KHATIBI BARK OBAMA JW ShCEx

Profusely coated b&t who I last met when I judged at the Club show in 2019. I was impressed with him then, and age has done nothing to diminish his quality. At nearly 8 yrs he can still out move some of the youngsters I judged today! Most fabulous topline and tail set, excellent croup and good driving action from his well-muscled hindquarters. Attractive head, and still with great dentition. A Veteran to be proud of.

2nd: Kynastons’ GRANASIL GOLDEN NUGGET ShCEx

Richly coloured ruby who I thought was quite delightful. Liked his calm, steady attitude. Appealing head, with lovely large dark eyes, and still with good pigmentation all through. Couldn’t match 1 for finish and furnishings today

3rd: Street & Pages’ LUPHENEX LORD OF THE RINGS

Minor Puppy (4,0)

This was a lovely class. Although not numerically strong, the first 3 were all super babies which augurs well for the future of the breed.

1st: Smith 7 Aldous’ ARANEL DA VINCI

It is so nice to see this exhibitor back in the ring and with a cracker such as this. Beautiful, well broken blen of 8 mths. Head is so so typical of this affix…beautiful eyes, well tapered muzzle and correctly placed ears. A neat compact shape, with lovely angulation all through. Moved ok, has the slight awkwardness of the youngster he is, but with maturity this will all come together. Hope he gets the exposure he deserves as I predict a very bright future for this young man.

2nd: Hughes’ LORANKA’S HES THE ONE

A slighter more mature blen than 1, I’m sure this will be this breeders next star. Displaying a lovely outline, nice angulation with good bone and substance. He was a sound steady ,mover with a confidence belying his age. Just preferred the overall type of 1

3rd: Longs’ ARROLINE KRYPTONITE

Puppy (8,0)

This was a really exciting class…the first 4 could all have been at the head of the line

1st: Chapman & Irelands’ NOTORIOUS DU CHATEAU NOBLESSE AT ELLEMICH

Was drawn to this boy as soon as he came in the ring. Wearing a heavier jacket, he’s carrying a wealth of coat for his age, which was a lovely rich colour and clean & sparkling with condition. Loved his head, has such a soft appealing expression – lovely large eyes with jet black halos. Good lip line and chin and enough fill to finish the picture, without being overdone. Neat, short body, good bone and substance and ideal angulation. Loved his outlook, with free easy movement, yet still possessing plenty of drive He was at one with his handler and did all that was asked of him.

I admit….he was the one to beat up until the Limit class. He is so like his father, who I loved and gave him his first CC from the Junior class in Germany last year, I wondered if his son might match him?

Ultimately he had to give way to the finish and maturity of The Shaman, but this boy is something special and I predict him reaching the stars with ease. Res CC, BPD and with my co-judges complete agreement a well-deserved BPIS over the lovely bitch puppy who, coincidently, was a daughter of my CC winner.

2nd: Inglis’ VERHEYEN REACHER AT CRAIGOWL

Here stood a more mature blen seeing his last puppy class. Another who was in lovely coat & condition. The most beautiful head, with the softest of expressions from his large, round eyes. Correctly placed ears which he used well to frame his charming face. Possessing a nice outline on the stand, he excels in neck and shoulder, whilst still being short and compact. This was a close decision, I could see so much of his illustrious parents in him, whom again…were both favourites of mine, but ultimately he couldn’t quite match the crispness of topline and croup of the winner. Another from the Top Drawer with an assured future I’m sure.

3rd: Levy & Sedgwicks’ PASCAVALE TYSON

Junior (4,0)

1st: Ryans’ CAVALLIBROOK GEORGE EZRA JW

An upstanding young dog who I was hoping to get the chance to judge. I was impressed with what I found. His head may be a little ‘old fashioned’ for my taste, but he is all quality. In fantastic coat which is well broken, you forget he is still just a Junior. Looked a picture standing and powered round the ring, at one with his handler. He has already had a stellar career, but I personally feel his best is yet to come and will look forward to seeing him when he has dropped into his frame more and tightened up all through.

2nd: Spall & Clarks’ LLAPSTTAM’S SIR PRIZE

I loved this b&t! He has got such a lovely head, large eyes, and correctly place & sized eye pips which just enhance his soft melting expression. Neat muzzle with good lip line and enough fill. I liked his size, he screams moderation. Carrying a good coat which was in gleaming condition, he had everything needed to win this class. Sadly he seemed to ‘check out’ quite early on in proceedings, and try as he might his handler just couldn’t get him to reconnect. Such a shame…my favourite b&t today.

3rd: Richardsons’ KRINGLEHOLME KRAFTWERK

Yearling (5,1)

1st: Chernukhins’ MILETREE ENDEVOUR

Heavily marked blen of a nice size & shape. Pretty head, nice round eyes of good size and colour. Very typical of his breeding. Moved well when settled.

2ND: Walkers’ CARSAN RED REBELLION

Profusely coated ruby. Fabulous colour, coat was put down to perfection. Sweet head with soft expression. Would like a little more leg under him to give better balance.

3rd: Royces’ LLAPSTTAM’S GARCON NOIR AT RUCAZAN

Novice (8,1)

1st: Lis’ AVALCIER ACE

Mature tri of 12 mths. In good coat, wearing a heavier marked jacket, with clean bright tan in all the right places. Shapely boy who covered the ground well, keeping a nice outline and carried his tail well. Will he interested to see this boy in another year as I feel he will be a ‘slow burner’

2nd: Levy & Sedgwicks’ PASCAVALE JACK DANIELS

What can I say about this naughty little blen!! Really gave his handler a hard time and sadly threw this class away. Loved his head, such a recognisable type. Beautiful eyes and lovely soft expression. Movement was difficult to assess, but table examination assured me he would be sound. Think he might benefit from ring craft ‘Boot camp’!!

3rd: Jacksons’ FORTUNEMAJOR REMUS

Sp. Grad Blen or Tri (6,1)

1st: Ackroyd-Gibsons’ TORAYLAC HARVARD

Noticed this youngster when he made his debut last year and have admired him since. I was glad to get the chance to judge him. I found a neat young man, with a lovely neck, fore chest and good lay of shoulder. He scores for size, being totally unexaggerated. I particularly liked the way he carried himself on the move. He reminded me of one of his breeders Chs of yesteryear….and predict, with normal luck, he will probably be every bit as successful as Joshua.

2nd: Lis’ AVALCIER ACE

See Novice

3rd: Lymers’ CASTLEWYTCH VALENTINO

Sp. Grad B&T or R (5,0)

1st: Croziers’ KORRAINES KANE

Another richly coloured ruby in good coat. Nice size, with lovely bone and substance. Good front angles, with super neck. A little longer cast than my ideal, but he is all in proportion. Moved well with plenty of confidence and had a nice air about him. Attractive head, with super eyes, and fabulous pigment. One for the future I feel

2nd: Hughes’ LORANKA’S ENCANTO

Well made b&t who looked in between coats here. He is a quality boy, with a sweet head & soft expression. He moves well when his mind is on the job, but he didn’t have the enthusiasm of the winner today

3RD: Jacksons’ FORTUNEMAJOR RUBEUS

Post Grad (5, 2)

1st: Lovels’ LOVETRAC BRANDON

Was really taken with this fellow. Shown here in super coat which was gleaming with good health and a lovely rich colour. Very attractive head, with well set and carried ears, lovely large eyes of good colour. Nicely tapered foreface with good fill under eye. He had plenty of bone and substance for his neat size, but without being overdone. Moved well with good reach in front, to be hypercritical would like better rear drive, but it was adequate. Still only 22 mths old, he really impressed me, such a lovely, quality boy. I had to include him in my last 4. Compared to my CC & Res CC winner, felt he would benefit from muscling up in his quarters to give more positive, driving action. For me, this is all that pinned him back from gaining top honours.

2nd: Spall & Clarks’ LLAPSTTAM’S HEAVENLY SENT

Well made, appealing ruby with a wealth of richly coloured coat. Loveliest of heads, with fabulous jet black pigment. Well set ears, framing his head to advantage. Really liked this boy…feel we’ll be hearing more of him in the future.

3rd: Hedgers’ KHATIBI ROYAL MALE AT ALREWIC

Mid Limit (6,2)

1st: Rees’ EMBETH ROCK THE BOAT

Well broken blen in fabulous coat that was presented beautifully. He scored for size, with lovely bone, and good substance. Decent neck on well laid shoulder, nice straight front, good upper arm allowing his feet to be well placed under his fore chest. Short backed, with neat loin, and adequate hind angulation. Presented a nice picture going round holding a level topline and carrying his tail out behind him correctly. He can sometimes drop into himself when standing which can make him look a little short in leg, as he did today. A quality dog who can never be overlooked.

2nd: Bayliss’ CASTLEWYTCH INFACTUATION

Another nicely made blen who was built on a larger frame than 1. Nice shape although a little longer cast. In super coat, he had a soft expression with large eyes, good pigmentation and used his ears to advantage. Moved with style keeping a good topline and carrying his tail well.

3rd: Bloomfields’ DELHAZE REACH FOR THE SKY WITH OAKLAKE JW

Limit (8,1)

1st: Hazeltines’ JUZANDIA THE SHAMAN

I’ve often admired this boy from the ringside….I just love his neatness!! He is such a cracking ‘little’ dog…he is really shapely….a true toy spaniel!! He has a lovely neck blending into adequate shoulders, but it is his short, compact body where he really scores. Dogs this short can sometimes be a little bit stilted in their stride when on the move, but because he is so well balanced, he still has a natural flowing gait, allowing him to cover the ground effortlessly. Really driving off his neat short hocks….one of the few doing that today. He holds his tail perfectly and in true cavalier temperament, it is constantly waving from side to side. While carrying a heavier marked jacket, it is of a lovely rich chestnut colour. He has a sweet head without any exaggeration. He is a ‘pretty boy’, but is all male with his lovely expressive eyes enhanced by black halos , good nose pigment and neat plush muzzle. Whilst his ears are correctly set, he doesn’t always use them to advantage, but his head is such that it looks equally attractive, with no tendency to being domed, when his ears are in repose. In the challenge, every time I glanced across the ring he just kept catching my eye… had that certain ’something’!

I gave his beautiful sister the Res CC at Crufts last year….but this gorgeous boy went one better and I was thrilled to award him his first CC. In this form I hope it won’t be too long before he equals his sister show record and gains his title.

With my co-judges complete agreement he was made a very worthy BIS

2ND: Surmans’ CAVALEIGH KENNEDY

Another nice blen, not to be ashamed to stand 2nd to the class winner. Scored for size, with good bone and substance….but moderate all through. Moved soundly and steadily, with a lovely calm demeanour. Couldn’t quite match 1 for coat today, but a quality boy who cannot be ignored.

3rd: Stantons’ CASSANDY BRUCE BANNER

Open (7,1)

1st: Levy & Sedgwicks’ FORESTCREEK I’M THE MAN AT PASCAVALE

I judged this dog in Denver last year and did well for him there. He has come on in leaps and bounds in the last 12 mths and I was pleased to have my hands on him again. My opinion of him hasn’t changed. He is a true toy spaniel, carrying a slew of richly coloured blen coat which was put down on point. He has lovely proportions and is so well balanced. Loved his outline going around the ring. He has everything in moderation, and was a strong contender and made it into my ‘final 4’. Just preferred the more masculine outlook of my CC & Res CC winners.

2nd: Eckersleys’ AM/CKCS/CAN CH. CHADWICK PUSUIT OF PERFECTION JW

Another nice ‘American’, very similar in type and style to 1. Attractive head, with lovely flat top skull, well set and carried ears and captivating eye and expression but for me, would have liked just a little more fill to his muzzle and chin. Nice for size, with a lovely outline on the move.

3rd: Hollands’ CH BONNIEMADRA LOKED AN LOADED

Champion (2,0)

1st: Kilcoynes’ CH. GRANASIL BOURBON

Well known, richly coloured ruby who I have judged before. Then he was a pretty raw youngster who had it all to come together…and boy has it ever! I predicted a stellar career for him, and what a career he has had!! It really isn’t difficult to see why he has written himself into the record books……he is beautifully put together, lovely neck & shoulders, short back with spirit level topline and correctly placed and carried tail. Sometimes he can lack the ‘pizzazz’, for me, as he did today, but he is a dog that anyone would be proud of and I’m sure he will now prove himself to be a useful, pre-potent sire.

2nd: Kerrs’ CAN.CH. CEMPAS NORTHWEST PASSAGE TO KINVAAR

There were some really lovely rubies shown today, and here was another one. A size smaller than 1, he was all in proportion. Gave away a couple of years in age and it showed, he gave a good account of himself and feel he is one to watch

Sp.Open Bred by Exh (2,1)

1st: Kilcoynes’ CH. GRANASIL BOURBON

See previous class

2nd: Godwins’ CAVALEIGH GENOVA

Have admired this quality blen from the ringside many times. He has such a lovely lovely head. Probably the biggest eyes here today (sad to say, this seems to be becoming the exception and not the norm). Lovely headpiece, nicely filled muzzle but not overdone in any way. A close decision, but preferred the strength of movement of the ruby.

Judge: Lucy Koster-Tindall