Richmond Dog Show Society

Richmond Dog Show Society

(Spaniel) English Springer

It is always a pleasure to judge my own breed. In comparison to the last time I judged, there were a few issues that concerned me. The first was the lack of depth of quality in the younger classes and this is a real concern for the future, where is the next generation of top-class English Springers coming from? As a breed we seem to be retaining more bitches and less males, this is adding to the conundrum. Heads are not what they were and to me many were untypical, and I had quite a few yellow starey eyes, which really spoilt that beautiful ESS expression. Fronts are not what they were and correspondingly this impacted on movement, many did not have the true movement and forelegs were not swinging straight forward from the shoulder.

My Dog CC and Best of Breed was the superb Dk Ch Su (U) Ch Norsk Ch World Sieger's Crocodile Rock, my Res Dog CC and Best Veteran was awarded to the evergreen Sh Ch Beresford Night Train. For My Bitch CC I selected Sh Ch Trimere Time Fly's and for my Res Bitch CC I chose the exciting youngster Plaiglen One Last Time. My Best Puppy was Sieger's See Eye to Eye with Trimere (Imp Dnk) A.E and my Best Special Beginner Seaspring Windcatcher at Chipewyan.

VD (1 Entries) Abs: 0

1st TOPLISS, Mrs Trudy Sh Ch Beresford Night Train

He won the RCC under me last time I judged and now here as veteran he is still looking fabulous. He presents a super outline on the stack. He has a lovely typical head and expression with correct chiselling and fluting, kind expression and good balance. Clean neck leading on to well-placed shoulders and good return of upper arm. Depth to chest and ribs well back, good through the loin. Quarters well developed and correct bend of stifle. Firm in topline throughout and good finish to croup. Moved well and covered the ground in profile, just not quite a fluid as the open winner in the challenge. Lovely type of dog. Please to award him the RCC and later Best Veteran.

YD (1 Entries) Abs: 0

1st NICHOLSON, Mrs Beverley M Kingsheath Paso Doble

A smart young man with a lot to like about him. He was superbly presented, not a hair out of place a real credit to his owners. Masculine in head and expression, good chiselling but eyes need to darken a shade for me. Strong neck, nicely developed chest and ribs well sprung, just a bit too much covering. Powerful quarters with correct angulation. Moved out well with a good action to advantage.

PGD (1 Entries) Abs: 0

1st FUGLE, Mrs Lesley Russell at Cumani (Imp) It

This chap has a balanced head, a tad strong in back skull but well proportioned. Neck of moderate length and powerful, decent lay back of shoulder, I would like a little less width in front. Ribs well back and firm through loin, quarters well developed and would like a shade more bend to stifle. On the move he wouldn’t settle and just didn’t get into his stride.

LD (2 Entries) Abs: 0

1st GLEDHILL, Mrs Jane Greg De Les Tres Llacunes (imp Esp)

I see he won a class under me last time and I think he has really matured up. He is a lovely dog to go over, he just feels right. He has a clean outline on the stack. His head is masculine and balanced with defined chiselling enhanced by a good eye. Strong in neck, front construction is good, would like a shade more return of forearm. Good length of body, ribs well sprung and a muscular loin. Hindquarters OK, hocks well let down. On the move he was sound with a typical action, he just struggled to get into his stride, he needs to work with his handler a bit more to complete the picture. In my opinion if he gets his act together, he should take his crown.

2nd ROWLINSON, Mrs Edwina Meltarose Midshipman

Liver and white boy. Good outline, masculine head and expression with plenty of chiselling and fluting. Strong through the neck into decent shoulders, would like a shade more return of forearm. Depth to chest. He was standing on well boned legs and neat feet. Ribs well sprung and strong in loin. Super quarters with a good bend of stifle. He didn’t bring his A game on the move; he was just a bit untidy and lacked drive.

OD (3 Entries) Abs: 0

1st MADSEN, Miss Vibe Borregaard DK Ch Su (u) Ch Norsk Ch World Sieger's Crocodile Rock.

Topflight dog who presented the balanced picture I was looking for. He has a masculine head, with the correct amount of chiselling. He flows through the neck and shoulder and has good return of upper arm. His forechest is developed and ribs are sprung and well back to a firm loin. His quarters are well developed with hard first and second thigh. I was impressed as I went over him, he just felt right. Personally, I would like a little less of him, but everything is in proportion and balanced. His crowning glory is his movement, he just came alive with a good driving motion, swinging his front legs forward, and he simply owned the ring. In the challenge I could not see anything to beat him. Please to award him the CC and BOB, in my opinion he is a class act.

2nd TERRY-RICHARDSON, Mrs Y & RICHARDSON, MR P Cherishym Dofida

This dog looked very smart today and I could not ignore him. He has a typical springer head, balanced with defined chiselling, super dark eye and expression. Powerful neck, front construction is good, decent lay back of shoulder. Good length of body, ribs well sprung and a muscular loin. Hindquarters were well made with a good bend of stifle, hocks well let down. He didn’t have the fluidity of the winner on the move. Ran him off in the challenge the RCC but he just didn’t get into his stride.

3rd TOPLISS, Mrs T Beresford Bolt from The Blue

VB (3 Entries) Abs: 2

1st AINSLEY, Miss Lucy-May & NICKLIN, Mr Lewis Sh Ch Daenerys Winds of Winter

This lady, as with the veteran dog winner, won the RCC under me last time I judged and it was great to see her again, especially as she now has her crown. Very petty bitch with a classic head, excellent shape, defined fluting and chiselling with a beautiful eye shape which gave that typical expression. Neck of good length which led on to correctly placed shoulders. Standing on good straight legs and neat feet. Mature through the body with ribs well sprung and depth to chest, strong loin. Good hindquarters with stifles well bent. Not as fluid on the move as she was on the last time I judged her, and was carrying a couple of extra pounds which meant she rolled a little today.

MPB (1 Entries) Abs: 0

1st CORBETT, Mrs Ann Sieger's See Eye To Eye With Trimere (Imp Dnk) A.E

Eight months, a smart youngster with a lot of quality about her. Her head and expression are pleasing with correct amount of chiselling and fluting, right for her age. Clean reach of neck which led on to correctly placed shoulders, good front angulation. Correct length of body, with well sprung ribs for her age. Quarters well made, a good bend of stifle and hocks well let down. Good on the move with a fluid action for her age. With finish should have a bright future ahead of her. Best Puppy and later Puppy Group 4 – congratulations.

JB (4 Entries) Abs: 1

A close decision between these two smart ladies.

1st: 2928 GLENDINNING, Ms F Plaiglen One Last Time

Liked her a lot, on the stack she presents with a super clean outline. Feminine in head with good fluting and chiselling under the eye that gave her that typical kind springer expression. A real hint of mischief in those eyes when she looks at you. Neck of good length which just flowed into her well laid shoulders. Standing on straight legs and super tight feet. Ribs springing nicely for her age, loin firm. Super quarters with stifles well bent and hocks well let down. Good muscle tone. She had both drive and accuracy on the move. Happy to award her the RCC, congratulations.

2nd: 2920 COKELL, Mrs H & NICKLIN, Mr L & AINSLEY, Ms L M Carlyquinn Winter Storm JW

On the stack I thought this girl would be my winner, but she wasn’t as together as the first on the move. Elegant in outline, good head shape and soft expression balanced head of good proportions, eyes need to darken a shade, neck of moderate length and leading to well-placed shoulders, I would like a shade more return of upper arm. Stands on well boned legs and good feet. She has depth to chest and ribs well back, firm in loin, quarters well developed for her age. Needs to settle on the move but will get there, another headed for the upper house in my opinion.

3rd: 2929 HYDON, Mrs M Loxbourne Hustle and Bustle

YB (3 Entries) Abs: 1

1st: 2932 BRIX, Mrs Tinne & MADSEN, Mr Kaj Bauer Jch, Jww 24, Cie.j Sieger's Silent Symphany

Lovely on the stack, super coat in excellent condition and presented to perfection. Elegant in outline, good head shape and proportions, neck of moderate length and leading to well-placed shoulders with a decent return of upper arm. Depth to chest and ribs well back, firm in loin, quarters well developed for her age. Super on the move with a typical springer action, close up to top honours.

2nd: 2945 TOPLISS, Mrs Trudy Shersona I Believe in Angels at Beresford

I liked this black and white on the stack but she was not quite together in movement today. Her head is pleasing, and her expression is feminine with defined chiselling and good definition. Good depth of chest for her age and proportionate length of body. Quarters well made with a moderate bend of stifle, just a shade to long from stifle joint to hock. She moved positively and covered the ground with ease both in profile and fore and aft.

NB (1 Entries) Abs: 0

1st: 2925 FUGLE, Mrs Lesley & COOK, Miss LAURA East Riding Love in Black with Cumani

Nice type of bitch with a lot of potential but just wasn’t on form today, she wasn’t happy on the move at all. She is a good overall shape with balanced angles front and rear. She has a feminine head and expression, enhanced by a good eye. Enough depth of chest and stands on well boned legs and good feet, ribs well sprung, slightly long in loin. Good back end, moderate bend of stifle.  

PGB (3 Entries) Abs: 1

1st: 2941 TERRY-RICHARDSON, Mrs Y & RICHARDSON, MR P Daenerys Moondancer to Cherishym

This bitch has everything in the right place and if she had a bit more confidence she would be taking her title. She has a lovely outline on the stack, a refined head piece with good fluting to give a feminine expression. Clean through the neck, shoulders well set, with a good return for forearm, stands on good feet. Well-made in body, ribs are well sprung, and she is firm through the loin, held her topline throughout. Quarters are well developed with moderately bent stifles.

2nd: 2923 DUNSDON, Ms T Kingsheath Mayday at Seaspring

Nice type of bitch but was not making the best of herself today. Good feminine head and expression, enough work and a kind eye. Good through the neck into well-made front assembly, good lay back and enough return of forearm, I would like her a little tighter in elbow. Good through the body, decent spring of rib, slightly longer in loin. Moderate quarters, decent bend of stifle. In super coat and condition. Not the best on the move today, needed more drive.

LB (3 Entries) Abs: 0

1st: 2930 KEELY, Mr & Mrs M J & K Khaleesi De Les Tres Llacunes with Alhambian (imp)

Now this lady surprised me, I didn’t think I liked her, but she has really come together into a topflight girl. She has a lovely feminine head shape and expression. Clearly defined chiselling and fluting and lovely eye colour. Neck of good length and muscular which led on to well laid shoulders and correct front angulation. Good body length with good depth of chest, ribs well sprung, correct finish to her body. Muscular through the loin, excellent rear angulation, quarters well made with stifles well bent and hocks well let down. She wasn’t playing ball with her handler on the move, accurate fore and aft once she slowed down, but not very fluid on the go round, which cost her higher honours today.

2nd: 2938 STROVER, Mrs Philippa Seaspring Windcatcher at Chipewyan

Black and white lady, longer cast than the winner and a bit heavier set. She has a good head with a kind expression, enhanced by a lovely dark eye. Clean reach of neck, decent lay back of shoulder, would like a tad more return of forearm. Good though the ribs, a tad long in loin and needed to be a little firmer in topline. Moderately angled quarters. Was fluid on the move, needs a shade more drive. Best Special Beginner, I thought she represented the breed very well in the group.

OB (3 Entries) Abs: 1

1st: 2921 CORBETT, Mrs A Sh Ch Trimere Time Fly's

Another who came under me last time, on the stack she presents with a super clean outline. Feminine in head with good fluting and chiselling under the eye that gave her that typical springer kind expression. A real hint of mischief in those eyes when she looks at you. Neck of good length which just flowed into her well laid shoulders. Standing on straight legs and super tight feet. Ribs springing nicely for her age, loin firm. Super quarters with stifles well bent and hocks well let down. Good muscle tone. She has a good action on the move, showcasing that typical springer action forelegs swinging forward in an easy manner. She had both drive and accuracy. Pleased to award her CC. In the challenge she was just carrying a shade to much weight and wasn’t as fluid in action as the dog winner.

2nd: 2939 TAUBMAN, Mrs K C Meltarose Madeleine at Meonstoke

This bitch was elegant on the stack presenting a clean outline. Her head is pleasing with good chiselling and fluting to give that typical expression, enhanced by a kind eye. Clean in neck into well set shoulders, I would like a little more return of upper arm, stands on well boned legs. Well made in body with a decent spring to her ribs, slightly longer in loin. Good rear, quarters well developed with a good bend of stifle. Good action on the move, just not as fluid as the winner today.

SBB (1 Entries) Abs: 0

1st: 2938 STROVER, Mrs Philippa Seaspring Windcatcher at Chipewyan (2nd in limit)