Border Union Agricultural Society

I want to thank the Border Union committee for the hospitality. Was I disappointed with my entry, heck no. Did I find what I was looking for? Definitely, yes. I was more than content with my final lineups in both dogs and bitches, all very much of a type that I love. As always, when I have judged previously, I use integrity to judge honestly and impartially, and dogs were placed solely on their merit.

All dogs were presented in fine fettle and some lovely cheers from around the ringside on some of my decisions.

There seem to be some changes in the breed compared to yesteryear. I feel all breeds are changing as this is something we need to live with. The good old-fashioned back to basic springer type is still there, albeit one needs to look harder these days then we used to have to.

Spaniel (English Springer) - Puppy Dog

Entries: 1 Absentees: 0

1st Teignvalley New Beginnings (Mrs C Hill) – 8-month-old B/W who goes by the name of Bernard!! A delightful young man, who is of a good height for his age. On first inspection, he is nicely balanced. His head is needs to develop, as one would expect for his age, but he has a lovely eye shape, dark eye, and the softest of expressions. He stands on good bone for his age, and his feet are nice and compact. His neck is of a good length, his shoulders are well laid, and he has a good front. Not the full forequarter angulation yet, but he does have a good shoulder placement with good return of upper arm. Needs to body up, and ribs need to develop, but he has a good length of back, a correct amount of loin. His hindquarters are of good depth and angulation is moderate. Tail set is good and uses his tail on the move. Movement fore and aft is good, and his side gait is good, but difficult to assess fully, as this boy really does like to ‘Spring’ around the ring. Delighted to award him BPIB over his sister.

1221. Spaniel (English Springer) - Junior Dog

Entries: 2 Absentees: 0

1st Peasblossom Changes (Mr & Mrs D Mitchell) – Just over 12 months of age, this L/W boy commanded attention as soon as he entered the ring. A very stylish young man with solid jacket, for me this boy is very much a type that I like. From the side, he presents a good outline, being of good height and balanced. He owns a well-balanced, masculine head and in proportion with the rest of his body. His eye does need to darken but his expression is not impacted by this. He stands on good bone and has good tight compact feet. His forequarters are developing nicely, and he has plenty of heart room. His neck is of good length and is strong and slightly arched which flows nicely into his excellent shoulder placement and good return of upper arm. The elbows are nicely tucked into a compact body and a strong top line with nice arch of loin. Strong hindquarters which are nice and wide with super muscle, he has a nice bend to his stifles. The hocks are well let down. The tail is well set and, on the move, carried correctly. Front and aft movement is true, and his side gait is correct, swinging from the shoulder and driving from the rear, holding his shape. The tail does not stop wagging and has the best of temperaments. In the best of bib and tuckers and beautifully presented.

2nd Calvdale with Respect (Mr & Mrs M Calvert) - Upstanding L/W boy of a different type to my winner this lad is more compact all through his head is developing nicely but a little stronger than my winner again I does need to darken but this will come with age I would like to see a little more neck but this lad does have a good shoulder placement with a good upper arm angulation he has good bone and lovely feet is height to length ratio is good but just a little too square for me he has a good depth of chest lovely straight top line his quarters are good stifle is nicely bent with no exaggeration slightly longer in hawk on the mood good on the move good front action but the rear was a little unsettled carried his tail a little high for me on the move but there is no doubting that this boy will mature into another top winner for this kennel

1222. Spaniel (English Springer) - Yearling Dog

Entries: 1 Absentees: 0

1st Peasblossom Brogan at Gaolachcara (Ms Stevenson) – just over 18 months old, this boy commanded attention as soon as he walked into the ring. On first inspection he is of a good height, and he gives an overall impression of being very well balanced His head still has a lot of maturing to do but you can certainly see which kennel he is from! He has a good eye nice and dark with a lovely expression. His forequarters are nice and straight, and he has good compact feet. He has a lovely neck leading onto well placed shoulder. I would like to see a little more angulation on the return of upper arm. A lovely strong top line he still needs to mature in body as he is slightly lacking in depth although he does have a good spring of rib. His quarters are of a good width and strong and well-muscled. Well let down hocks and a good tail set this boy on the move was a joy to watch. He powers round the ring swinging from his shoulder and really driving from the rear which is what a Springer movement should be.

1225. Spaniel (English Springer) - Limit Dog

Entries: 7 Absentees: 3

1st Pinereoch No Stunts Larrie (Ms L & Mrs A Wilson & Connor) – L/W who is still only just over two years old. Beautifully presented I loved his overall shape standing, reminding me very much of a young Evening Star (those who know will know) His head is fabulous, masculine, and balanced without any coarseness with lovely chiselling and fluting. He has a good eye shape and a lovely dark hazel eye with a charming expression. He has good bone and lovely shaped compact feet. He has a good for chest and his neck is of good length, slightly arched and strong. His shoulder placement is good with a good return of upper arm with his elbows tucked into a deep chest. His topline is level and strong which he holds on the move. He has a good spring of rib and a nice length of loin which is arched. The forequarters are well let down with good width and are strong and well-muscled. Hocks are well let down. His movement is good, with sound front and aft soundness coupled with a lovely side gait where he swings from the shoulder and drives hard from the rear. Nicely feathered to finish off a nice picture, he still looked immature in the lineup, against my Open Dog, but I was happy to award him the Res CC.

2nd Beresford Bolt from The Blue (Mrs T E Topliss) – B/W boy that I have admired from the ringside so thank you for giving me the opportunity to judge him very much a dog that would have sat nicely in my kennel such a lovely type he has a beautiful well balanced head masculine and of correct shape eye shape and colour as should be with a heartwarming expression very well off for bone without being overdone or course his neck is of good length nicely arched and placed on good shoulders he has good angulation to his forearm he has a good strong level top line excellent spring of rib Anna good arch over the line he has excellent well-muscled quarters and neat Hawks he came across his anxious today which really affected his movement from the top draw though and unlucky to meet one today.

3rd Eastriding Royal Black (Mrs K Jenkinson)

Res Cherishym Draconis (Mr P & Mrs Y Richardson & Terry-Richardson)

1226. Spaniel (English Springer) - Open Dog

Entries: 5 Absentees: 1

1st Sh Ch/slo/cro Ch Peasblossom Xanti (Mr & Mrs D Mitchell) – B/W who really pulled out all the stops today in a lineup of quality males (even though his dad kicked a ball into his face naughty daddy). Stood out in this class for me for his type and flowing outline, balance, and overall symmetrical construction. This is another boy who I who I would quite happily have in my kennel. He has the most glorious of heads so well balanced and masculine. His head has good chiselling and excellent fluting, correct eye shape, his eyes are dark, and his expression is so very mesmerising. He is well boned all through and super tight compact fee. Excellent forequarters, with good bone and straight front. He has a good strong neck of good length and slightly arched which falls on to the best of shoulder placements and super angulation on the return of upper arm. The elbows are nicely tucked into his deep chest he has a nice compact body, excellent spring of rib a good strong level top line, held whilst on the move. Hindquarters are well let down, thighs broad, well-muscled and moderate angulation. Hoicks are well let down and very neat. On the move he is true fore and aft and on the side gate he has a deep stride swinging from the shoulder and driving from his strong quarters. A very merry mover his tail kept level with his top line. Nicely feathered, his presentation was faultless. This dog is on top form, and I was more than happy to award him the dog CC.

 2nd Sh Ch Calvdale Scaramouche Jones JW (Mr & Mrs M Calvert) – L/W dog who presents a very good picture of balance and height he has a typical head which is nicely balanced he has good eye shape and he has a good dark Hazel eye with a good expression he has a good length of neck but not overly which is strong his shoulder placement is set well and he has a good length of upper arm is good bone and ice faith with a good for chest his body is nice and compact with a with a good depth of chest and nicely sprung ribs he has good strong quarters with good debts and 2nd thy Hawks nicely let down his movement wasn't as positive as I've seen him before but he did couple cover the ground with ease nice tail carriage the darkness this young male was well presented.

3rd Sh Ch Beresford Lockdown (Mrs T E Topliss)

Res Cherishym Dofida (Mr P & Mrs Y Richardson & Terry-Richardson)

1227. Spaniel (English Springer) - Veteran Dog

Entries: 2 Absentees: 0

1st Roqfolly Black Label (Mrs J M Crabtree) - it is remarkable that this B/W boy is 11 years old beautifully presented. Stud he presents a brilliant picture he's got good height and length ratio he owns a very typical head which hasn't lost any of its muscle you would not think looking at him that he was the age he is he's got good bone a good strike strong front chest front straight front good feet his neck is of a nice length and nicely arched he's got great shoulders he's got a lovely level top line his well bodied nice spring of rib and he's got nice length and arch of line his hindquarters are nicely angulated nothing overdone and he's still showing strong muscle tone good Hawks moving he put some of up some young dogs to shame he's very true moving fore and aft on his side gate you can still see him using his front action and his reaction taking him round the ring at a good pace.

2nd Westaway Dream Angus of Rosannoch (Imp Nor) (Mrs E Rose) - giving away to age this L/W boy is stronger all through than my winner. Stronger in head than I prefer, this boy is still showing no signs of aging. He has a good, strong neck, leading onto good shoulders. Would like to see a better return of upper arm. He has a good compact body, good strong topline. His quarters are in no way over angulated. Good width to his thighs, and well-muscled, he moved slightly close behind and did not have the front reach as my winner.

1228. Spaniel (English Springer) - Puppy Bitch

Entries: 1 Absentees: 0

1st Teignvalley Rags to Riches (Mrs C Hill) – B/W sister to my puppy dog winner this young lady is not as forward as her brother saying that she has the prettiest of heads with an attractive shape eye, nice and dark and the most charming expression. She has a good neck length leading onto good shoulder placement. Her front is nice and straight, and she has good bone and lovely feet. She has a good length of back and she is of a nice height for her age. Moderately angled to the rear she moved nicely for an aft. Today she was carrying just a little too much weight. As always beautifully presented and handled.

1229. Spaniel (English Springer) - Junior Bitch

Entries: 1 Absentees: 0

1st Elazlan Coronation Day (Miss E Chandler) - 15 months L/W who stood, presents a nice outline. She is of a decent size and is nicely balanced throughout. She has good bone retaining her femininity. Her head is of lovely shape, and she is very pretty, with a good eye shape, colour, and expression. Her neck is of reasonable length falling onto a good shoulder placement. She has a reasonable return of upper arm. Her shoulders are nicely tucked into a nice length of body. Good strong topline, and good arched loin. Nothing overdone about her quarters, which are nice and thick and moderate in the bend of stifle. Slightly longer on the hock. She moves soundly fore and aft, and her side gait is good. Beautifully presented and well handled by her young owner/breeder.

1230. Spaniel (English Springer) - Yearling Bitch

Entries: 2 Absentees: 0

1st Melverly Amy Dorrit with Coastalglows (Mrs J L Harris) – Wow, the most gorgeous of black and whites. This young lady would certainly fit into my kennel quite perfectly Stood, presents the most fantastic of outlines and of good type and is very symmetrical. She is of correct height, and she is so well balanced. She owns the most beautifully balanced head and has lovely chiselling and fluting up through to a good eye shape, beautiful dark colour and the most captivating of expressions. She could melt any heart. She has a good length of neck, which is strong and nicely arched. I can confirm that she has exceptionally good angulation to the upper arm which is noticeable on the move. This lady has the best of feet and is adequately boned. She does need to mature in body, but she has a good spring of rib and good strong topline. Her hindquarters are nicely angulated with excellent width and muscle. Well let down hocks. On the move, she is very sound fore and aft, and her side gait is true with a good swing from the shoulder and drive from the rear. Moved very happily. Beautifully turned out with a gleaming black coat and white as white. I could not deny this lady the Reserve CC today. Absolutely loved this girl and her time will come once she has matured.

2nd Shersona I Believe in Angels at Beresford (Mrs T E Topliss) – same sire as my winner, but much finer in bone and narrower all the way through. Very reminiscent of her father in the head, I found her to have a slightly rounder eye than my winner, although the eye colour was nice and dark. She was nicely balanced for her size, being smaller than my winner. She has a good length of neck but would have liked more angulation to her front piece. Her front was a bit wide, and elbows were not as tucked into the body as I would like. Well bodied but needs develop and mature throughout the body. I would like to see her with little less angulation on her quarters, but she is very well muscled and has good width to the thigh. Movement was unsettled. Nicely presented and very well handled.

1231. Spaniel (English Springer) - Graduate Bitch

Entries: 1 Absentees: 0

1st Melverly Betsy Trottwood with

 (Mrs J L Harris) – litter sister to my previous class winner. This liver and white girl stands on slightly more bone and is a tad taller than her sister. However, she still retains that feminine look, and is very reminiscent of her mother, whom I judged 2 years ago. Such a beautifully balanced head, with a wonderful eye shape, colour and soft, melting expression. Another with good bone and the tightest of feet. Just like her sibling, she has a good length of neck which is strong and of a nice length. Her front angulation is good as is her rear. More mature in body than her sister, she is also much compact, with a good spring of rib and strong loin. Her hindquarters are strong and of good width and she moves so on point fore and aft. Her side gait is good, but she did not move with the va va voom of her sister.

1232. Spaniel (English Springer) - Post Graduate Bitch

Entries: 5 Absentees: 1

1st Pinereoch Amethyst of Rosannoch (Mrs E Rose) – litter brother to my Limit I see. Presents a lovely outline, with good balance, she has a very pretty head, nice eye shape, dark eye, and a very pleasant expression. Head does still need to break, as I would have liked to have seen better chiselling throughout. Good neck length and good shoulders. Good straight front would like to see a little more width on the forequarters. Brisket is maturing well, and this girl is compact in body. Quarters are well let down, with good width to the stifle and well-muscled. She is settled on the move and certainly moved out the best in this class. With the right amount of feathering, this lady was presented to perfection and well handled.

2nd Petranella Tipping the Wink JW (Ms C P Savell) L/W female who lost out to first place due to presentation and not having the outline or balance of my winner. L/W who is feminine in size & appearance, balanced head with a sweet expression, albeit a tad overdone in stop for me. She has a strong neck of good length, shoulders are well-laid & she has just enough length of upper arm, good bone & stands on straight forelegs, wide enough in body with good ribs but would benefit from a bit more depth to her chest. Good quarters, which are of a good width and moderate angulation, she moved erratically fore and aft, and was not as mature throughout to my winner.

3rd Daenerys Moondancer to Cherishym (Mr P & Mrs Y Richardson & Terry-Richardson)

Res Peasblossom Aura at Felltops (Mr N J & Mrs S L Joyce)

1233. Spaniel (English Springer) - Limit Bitch

Entries: 5 Absentees: 2

1st Melverly Vignette (Mr R J Smith) – L/W lady who pulled out all the stops today. This youngster presents a lovely outline with good height to length ratio. She is a good size for a female and has nothing overdone about her whatsoever. Very typy, she has the most beautiful of heads, which has good width and balance. Her eye is well shaped, with good colour and melting expression. Good forelegs, they are nicely boned and straight. This girl has the correct amount of neck length, which is nicely arched. She has good shoulder angulation and a super return of upper arm. Good length of back, her chest is nice and deep, and she is of a good length in body. Her ribs are well sprung, and she has a good strong loin, with slight arch. Definitely one that is well coupled!! Strong hindquarters which are wide and well-muscled, they are moderately angulated. Well set tail. On the move, this girl was as sound as a pound fore and aft and her side gait was fabulous today, really striding out with her shoulders swinging forward whilst her drive from the rear being powerful. Had the right amount of weight on today, he has just the right amount of feathering to finish the picture I was delighted to award her the CC and ultimately BOB. I was thrilled to watch her being shortlisted to the final six in a strong Gundog Group. Well done.

2nd Peasblossom Tupelo Honey with Teignvalley (Mrs C Hill) – B/W/T girl whom I have judged before and thought very highly of. Super type who has a good outline and is a good height for a female. Slightly heavier than my winner, but still very much a lady, she owns a lovely head which is nicely balanced, feminine head. She has a super dark eye and wonderfully kind expression. She is well boned, and has a good strong front and lovely, neat feet. Her neck is of a good length and is strong and well arched. Her shoulders and upper arm are well angulated, and her elbows nicely fit to the body. She has the compactness that I like with good depth of chest and owns a good spring of ribs. Nicely arched loin which is strong. Her quarters are nicely angulated, with depth and excellent muscle tone. Strong topline held on the move, she is certainly very smart on the move, really driving from the rear.

3rd Freeway Fortune (Mr J & Mrs L Lillie)

1234. Spaniel (English Springer) - Open Bitch

Entries: 5 Absentees: 1

1st Sh Ch Calvdale Flutter JW (Mr & Mrs M Calvert) – A L/W/T who stood has a nice outline. She has a beautifully balanced feminine head. Her eyes are set well, nicely shaped and such a very, soft, kind expression. She is nicely boned. Her front is straight and is nice and strong with good heart room. The tightest of feet. Her neck is of a moderate length and is well arched and strong and she is nicely angulated on the upper arm. Elbows tucked nicely into the body, she has a good spring of rib, and a compact body. Her quarters are nicely angulated with good width. Today, she was not moving as well I have previously seen her.

2nd Potrail Turns The Swag On for Pinereoch (Ms L & Mrs A Wilson & Connor) – L/W who has a beautifully balanced outline. Her head is feminine through and through with a good, shaped eye with good colour. She has a good length of neck, which is strong and slightly arched. Clean over the shoulders which are well laid back, good return of upper arm. Good straight front, nice bone and elbows are tucked tight to the chest. Nice straight topline, good length of loin, she has nice quarters, which are of a good width and well-muscled. Not moving out as well as I have seen her. Very well presented and handled.

3rd Slo Ch Peasblossom Zoya (Mr & Mrs D Mitchell)

Res Freeway Remembrance (Mr J & Mrs L Lillie)

1235. Spaniel (English Springer) - Veteran Bitch

Entries: 2 Absentees: 0

Two lovely veteran girls.

1st Ir Sh Ch Calvdale I Say of Fallenleaf Cjw18 Cw18 Cent’w (Mr G & Mrs J Cunliffe) – L/W whom I loved for her type. She is very symmetrical in her outline and well balanced. She stands on good bone and feet, and has a nice straight front, forequarters nicely feathered. Good neck and well laid shoulders. Elbows nicely tucked into her brisket. Good topline, well sprung ribs and compact in body. She has lovely, strong quarters, with good width and muscle tone. She oved very soundly fore and aft and she powered around the ring well. Beautifully presented and handled. Pleased to award this lovely girl Best Veteran in Breed.

2nd Sh Ch Bordacity Honey Ryder VW (Ms S Watson) – A genuinely nice type of bitch, she owns a lovely head, dark eye and expression and front assembly is well angled. She is well balanced in outline, and still has good bone. She has elbows tucked into a good depth of brisket. Hindquarters are nicely angulated, with good width. On the move, she was not as sound as my winner and nor was she as well presented and handled.

Dawn Swales

Judge