Crufts

Crufts 2024 Welsh Springer Spaniels.

What an honour to be invited by the RKC to judge my own breed at this prestigious of all shows. I would like to record my thanks to my stewards who kept the ring running smoothly and enabled us to finish in good time. It was so good to hear the warm applause greeting all of the winners and to see competitors congratulating each other on their successes. There was a super entry of 170 from 150 exhibits. Presentation was first class throughout and temperaments were exceptional. I was a little concerned about the number of exhibits which carried their tails too high and hind movement could be improved although a minority found the carpet a little slippy in places. I was really pleased with my final line ups and delighted with my top award winners. I really enjoyed my day.

Veteran Dog

Entries: 12 Absentees: 1

What a super class to start the day and what an advertisement for the breed. Owners should take a lot of credit for the way every one of these were turned out.

1st Brown’s Bowdonia Ozzie

Really filled my eye today. He defied his age and really motored round the ring. Standing he gives the picture of a mature and balanced Welshie. Now 9 years old, he has a lovely head with dark eyes and well placed ears. Strong clean neck leads nicely into sloping shoulders. He has good bone. His ribs are well shaped with width and depth. He has firm well muscled loins and good width to his quarters. He is correctly proportioned behind with good width to his second thigh and without excessive angulation. In good coat, he moved well, especially in profile. In the challenge, he pulled out all the stops and I was delighted to award him the CC. A popular choice judging by the applause.

2nd Chandler’s Sh Ch Chanangel Sticky Wicket

I have often admired this boy from the ringside. Now 13, he is a credit to his owners as he can still compete at the highest level. So good to go over, he has a well-shaped head, masculine but not coarse in any way. Clean neck of good length, his shoulders are well laid and elbows nicely tucked in. Good depth to his body and firm couplings give a correct top line. He is strong over the quarters with well-turned stifles. Well presented in lovely coat. He moved well but just lacked the extra drive of the winner on the day.

3rd Caldwell and Mcdowell’s Bowdonia Only The Brave for Cerysan

Another top class 9 year old looking so fit and well. Balanced head with plenty of work and correct ear placement. He has a good neck and well laid shoulders. Balanced in body with firm top line and good rear angulation. He too moved well.

 Minor Puppy Dog

Entries: 1 Absentees: 0

1st Danks Kemish’s Ferndel Sandro at Alolfrana

Just seven months and shows so much promise. Balanced head which will only improve as it develops. Dark eyes which give a kind expression. Straight, well boned front legs. Well balanced in body with good length to his ribs. Correct top line with a lovely tail set. He is that correct rich red in colour. Moved well for his age. Should go on to do well once he deepens and his feathering grows to complete the picture.

Puppy Dog

Entries: 4 Absentees: 0

1st Chimes’ Bronnydene Fly Red Kite

At 11 months is coming together nicely with such a lot to like. He has a good head which is strong but balanced. Neck is of good length and leads to nicely sloping shoulders and straight well boned front legs. Good length of rib and firm over the loins. He is well angulated behind with good width of thigh and well turned stifles. He was happy on the move and obviously enjoying his day. Needs to settle a little to show himself to best advantage.

2nd Harrison’s Glenbrows Amadeus

Mature in body and presented to advantage. Correct head with good length of muzzle and dark eyes. Straight, well boned front leads to tidy feet. He has well laid shoulders and good ribs showing plenty of length and width for his age. Well angulated quarters complete a balanced picture standing. Coat was in good condition and that desired rich red in colour. He was a little wary and was unsteady on the move. Preferred the hind movement of the winner today.

3rd Douglas’ Santallina Off and Running

Another with plenty to like about him. Not as forward in body as the two ahead of him today and will take longer to come together. Well shaped head with good eye colour and ear placement. He has a clean neck of good length. Ribs are long but need to fill out. Correct rear angulation. Not as happy today as when I recently judged him and this reflected in his movement.

Junior Dog

Entries: 6 Absentees: 1

1st Harrison’s Glenbrows Casanova

Litter brother to my RBCC winner and possessing so many of the same attributes. Only just a year old and already looking the part. The best mover in this class and did not disappoint on closer inspection. Super head with typical expression and plenty of shape. Straight front with good width for his age. Tidy feet which so many lacked today. Clean long neck leads to well-laid shoulders. Well ribbed for his age with good depth and firm couplings. Good width to his quarters. In good body and coat.

2nd Clarke’s Tigerrock The Wombles

Another promising youngster looking and showing well. Well shaped head with good muzzle and a kind expression. Good reach of neck and nicely laid shoulders, elbows tucked in well. Good length and depth to his ribs. Short coupled. He has good rear angulation and moved well for his age. Should go on to do well as he fills out.

3rd Barkley’s Jacranella Galahad of Cherryheath

Larger type but still balanced through. Well-proportioned head with well-set ears. He has a strong neck and straight front legs. Good depth to his chest and well boned through. Good width to his quarters. He moved steadily and soundly here.

Yearling Dog

Entries: 5 Absentees: 1

1st Hepworth’s Kamunting’s Mad Hatter

Stood out in this class today. Stronger built and more forward than the others. Balanced head with good eye colour and well placed ears. He has a good length to his muzzle and well developed nostrils as the standard requires. Strong neck leads to well-made front with straight well boned legs. Well developed in ribs. He has well-turned stifles and good width to his quarters. Moved steadily and true to win this tricky class.

2nd Caldwell and Levy’s Cerysan Limited Edition

At just 18 months is not as forward as the winner and lacks the feathering at the moment. Compact type with a pleasing head with good stop. Well laid shoulders. He is strong over his loins and short coupled giving a good top line. Well angulated quarters and is short from hock to heel. Just needs a bit more time and to steady on the move.

3rd Jorgensen’s Si Ch Welsh Dream's Golden Tour

Finer through than the winner. He has a good length to his muzzle and dark eyes giving a gentle expression. Straight front legs with elbows nicely tucked in and good round feet. He has a good length of rib but needs to deepen in body as he matures. Would like to see him moved at a steadier speed.

Post Graduate Dog

Entries: 10 Absentees: 1

1st Allen and Cochrane’s Eiriandylis by George

Such a good honest dog, well made and free from exaggeration. He has a well-balanced head with dark eyes and well developed nose. He has straight front legs and a strong clean neck. He is well ribbed back and has good depth to his chest and is firm over the loins. There is a good bend of stifle giving a balanced outline. He moved the best in this class today.

2nd Stevenson’s Mymmsbrook Matador with Blythway

Another three year old with plenty to like about him. Stronger in head than the winner but still plenty of shape and a good length of muzzle. He has a muscular neck and shoulders are well laid back with his elbows neatly tucked in. He has good depth to his chest and shows a good length of rib. Good width to his quarters and moderately angulated behind. He was in good coat and moved out well but tended to carry his tail a little high at times.

3rd Batey’s Glenbrows Best of Friends

Overall another good one. Compact through with a positive disposition and showing well. Straight, well boned front legs with round feet. Well ribbed and strong through his couplings. He is short from hock to heel and moved enthusiastically. Not as well angulated as those above and was giving a little away in age.

Limit Dog

Entries: 10 Absentees: 2

1st Chandler’s Chanangel Jo Sugden

Up to size but so well balanced and honest through. Pleasing head with good shape and correct ear placement. Strong neck of good length. Well boned with good round feet. He has good length to his ribs and short firm loins give him a well-balanced body. He has good width to his quarters and well-turned stifles. Well presented in good coat condition and rich red in colour. He moved freely showing a happy temperament and good tail action.

2nd Gaylor and Robertson’s Heniveruce King of Brewers for Aprilflash

Proportionate head with good stop and well placed ears. He has good length of neck and his elbows are nicely tucked in. Well boned with good feet, he has enough length and depth to his chest and well angulated quarters. He was well presented and moved at the correct pace with good tail action.

3rd Ritchie and Scaife’s Waverleyline to Tobermory at Slapestones

Well shaped head and strong neck of good length, a little taller and more upright than those in front of him today. He showed drive in profile on the move but tended to carry his tail a little high. He was a happy boy who was enjoying his time of the green carpet.

Open Dog

Entries: 17 Absentees: 2

1st Ritchie and Butler’s Sh Ch Slapestones Diamond Mine

Some close decisions inevitably in a class like this, quality all down the line. My eye kept getting drawn to this 6 year old. Mature and so well put together. He has a well shaped head with the desired slight dome and defined stop. He has dark eyes which give him a kind expression. Strong neck leads to sloping shoulders and his elbows are tucked in well. Good length and depth to his ribs giving plenty of heart room. He is firm and short coupled with a resulting correct top line. Strong quarters with well developed second thigh and correct tail set. He moved well covering the ring easily and carrying his tail correctly. RCC in a quality line up.

2nd Harrison’s Sh Ch Glenbrows Revolution

Another worthy champion in good form and turned out to the highest standard. Stronger in head than the winner but still balanced and with plenty of shape below his eyes. Straight, well boned front legs lead to nicely sloping shoulders. Good length of back with depth to his well feathered chest. He has well angulated quarters and his hocks are well let down. He moved well, especially in profile. Close up.

3rd Dolinina’s Se U(u)ch/ru Ch/lt Ch Lentigos Jakob Se

Worthy Champion, fully mature and also looking the part today. A good headed boy with correct stop, dark eyes and well placed ears. He has a clean neck of good length and is straight in front. He has plenty of width and depth to his chest but was a little longer cast than those above him. Quarters are of good width and well angulated. He moved well from all angles, carrying his tail correctly. Another quality Welshie.

Special Working Gundog Dog

Entries: 2 Absentees: 1

1st Ducourtioux’s Fr/tr Ch Don's Fingers Crossed

Unplaced in the strong Open class but still plenty to like about him. Longer in head but still plenty of shape below his eyes and correct stop. Plenty of width to his chest, he is well ribbed and has good depth of body. Well-muscled through with firm couplings and well developed thigh. I found him a little straight in stifle standing but this did not seem to limit his movement. He almost danced round the ring.

Good Citizen Dog Scheme Dog

Entries: 10 Absentees: 0

1st Clarke and Gaylor’s Tigerrock Tick Tick Boom

Well balanced yearling boy who is beginning to look the part. Lovely head with dark eyes and good length of muzzle. Straight in front with enough width yet elbows are neatly tucked in. He is balanced in body with good length of rib and depth of chest. Strong quarters with a good bend of stifle complete the picture. He lacked the feathering to compete for top honours but won this class on his true active movement.

2nd Attwood’s Ir Sh Ch Kylowen Drym

What a pleasing well balanced 9 year old who was VHC in the large Veteran class. Greying in muzzle but with dark eyes and good ear placement, it enhanced his gentle expression. Strong in neck and compact in body with good width to his ribs and firm in the loin. He is well angulated behind and used this to advantage on the move.

3rd Philipson’s Menstonia Meteor

Another good one. He was unplaced in the strong open class. What a lovely head on this boy, so full of breed type. Balanced and well-shaped without being overdone in any way. He is well constructed with good width to his front and has good bone through. Strong in quarters with good width of thigh and hocks are well let down. He moved steadily but was not in the best of coats here.

Veteran Bitch

Entries: 16 Absentees: 2

1st Ritchie’s Sh Ch Sarabande Eternity at Slapestones

Super 8-year-old who can still compete with the best. She has a feminine, well-shaped head. Clean neck of good length. Well bodied with good depth and length of ribs. She is firmly coupled and strong in back with a good tail set. Strong quarters with correct angulation. She moved so well to take this strong class.

2nd Tain’s Sh Ch Taimere's Takes The Biscuit

Another out of the top drawer. Balanced through and showing a happy disposition. Correctly balanced head with good stop and well set ears. She has a good reach of neck and good width to her chest. Well ribbed with good depth and short loins. She has good width to her quarters and well developed second thigh. In good body and coat. She moved well but was just edged by the winner.

3rd Backhouse’s Glenbrows Truth About Aindrea

Looking so well for 10 years. Presented a balanced outline and was in great body and that essential rich red coat. She has a typical head with soft expression. Good length of body and good turn of stifle. She moved well taking advantage of the large ring.

Minor Puppy Bitch

Entries: 4 Absentees: 1

1st Gibson’s Ferndel Rossana at Cadehill

Won this class and subsequently best puppy on her overall make and shape. Very honest and true for her age. She has a good head which will only improve as it develops. Clean in neck with well laid shoulders. Correct in top line with a good tail set and short couplings. She has good rear angulation and her hocks are nicely let down. She was the better mover here and this was the deciding factor when she was awarded Best Puppy. Should go on to do well.

2nd Mcilwaine and Reynolds’ Ferndel Rebecca for Benoveor

Litter sister to the winner and similar comments apply. Correct head for her age and everything appears to be coming together nicely. She has a good front with straight, well boned legs. Balanced in body with good rear angulation. She moved well enough but did not have the extension and confidence of her sister. This will come with time.

3rd Lewin’s Ferndel Serenella for Vynesbrook

Younger than the two above and not as forward. She has a pretty head which will improve further as it breaks. Good coat colour and condition. She was a little overawed with proceedings today and did not show herself to best advantage.

Puppy Bitch

Entries: 4 Absentees: 0

1st Ferndel Rossana at Cadehill

2nd Ferndel Rebecca for Benoveor

3rd Ferndel Serenella for Vynesbrook

Junior Bitch

Entries: 7 Absentees: 1

1st Harrison’s Glenbrows Wish

This 16 month girl presented a very nice outline when stacked. She is well put together with nothing exaggerated. Well shaped head of correct proportions. Straight front legs with elbows nicely tucked in. She has good length and depth of body and a firm top line. Well angulated quarters enable her to move with drive when seen in profile. She was presented in lovely coat and condition and the best mover in the class today. She should go on to do very well once she fills out.

2nd Ward’s Glenbrows Flame for Tantaraviz

Another good one showing well and enjoying her experience. Lovely head with dark eyes and well placed ears giving that typical expression. She has good depth to her body and is firm in topline. She has super coat colour and condition. She moved true in both directions. Just lacked the feathering of the winner.

3rd Tain’s Nyliram The Witness for Taimere

At 14 months is coming together nicely. Not as forward as those above but still plenty to like here. Well-proportioned head with good length of muzzle. Arched neck leads to sloping shoulders and elbows tucked in. Good length of body and well angulated quarters. Just needs to fill out and gain more experience. She was a little unsettled today.

Yearling Bitch

Entries: 12 Absentees: 3

1st Harrison’s Glenbrows Harmony

Another quality Junior looking so well and carrying plenty of coat for her age. Well shaped head with good stop and dark eyes. Clean neck of good length leads to well angulated shoulders. She has good straight well boned front legs with enough width to her chest. She is well ribbed and deep in chest. Firm couplings and good width to her quarters. She has a good turn of stifle and hocks are well let down. She was turned out well and moved well holding her top line and carrying her tail correctly. She continued to impress in the challenge and pleased to award her the RCC

2nd Glenbrows Flame for Tantaraviz

Litter sister to the winner. She was placed second in the previous class.

3rd Holland’s Ferndel Starshine over Flatcharm

Well made 20 months old looking the part standing and good to go over. She has a pleasing head and well placed ears. Strong in neck with plenty of bone yet still retaining her femininity. She is developing nicely in body and has a correct top line. Well angulated quarters allow her to move freely.

Post Graduate Bitch

Entries: 11 Absentees: 2

1st Backhouse’s Nyliram The Sea Glass at Aindrea

Very pretty two year old who caught my eye on the move and did not disappoint on closer inspection. Feminine head with dark eyes. Good length of neck leads to sloping shoulders and nicely tucked in elbows. Good length of rib and short couplings giving the correctly balanced body. She has moderate angulation behind. The best mover in the class, carrying herself well and at the correct pace. Handled to advantage.

2nd Casey’s Tigerrock Lit De Roses with Willowmeana

Lovely headed girl with plenty to like here as well. Clean neck of good length, well made shoulders with good length of forearm. She has plenty of length to her ribs and width to her quarters. Stifles are nicely turned without excess. Hocks are well let down. She is correct rich red in colour. Just edged out on movement today.

3rd Morgan’s Benoveor Endless Love

Very happy three year old, moving well and covering the ring easily. She has a good head with enough shape and kind expression. Neat feet, a rarity today. Good depth to her body, just not as short and compact as those ahead of her. She was shown in good coat and condition.

Limit Bitch

Entries: 14 Absentees: 2

1st Graham’s Nyliram The Moth Catcher

Attractive two year old in good body and coat. Well shaped head with work below her eyes and well set ears. Good neck leads to sloping shoulders. Well bodied with good width to her ribs and firm over the loins giving a correct top line. She has strong quarters with good width to her thigh. Presented in full coat and moved well carrying her tail correctly.

2nd Thomas’ Bowdonia Truly Scrumptious

So honest and well put together. Lovely head with dark eyes and low set ears. Strong neck of good length. Straight, well boned legs and neat feet. She is balanced in body with width and depth to her ribs. Strong quarters with well turned stifles and short from her hocks to heels. She moved out well and showed reach and drive. Just not as good in coat as the winner here. This will surely come.

3rd Ritchie and Graham’s Renascent Bleaberry at Slapestones

One I have seen and admired from the ringside. She did not disappoint on close inspection. Well-shaped head with dark eyes and good length of muzzle. She is well boned and well constructed through with good angulation, front and rear. She has well sprung ribs with good depth and firm top line. In good coat condition with rich red and clean white. She moved steadily but not as well as I know she can.

Open Bitch

Entries: 14 Absentees: 2

1st Graham’s Sh Ch Nyliram Telling Tales

My star of today. Looking her best; Looked the part standing and did not disappoint on the move. Correct head with defined stop, dark eyes and well placed ears giving correct expression, kind yet alert. Strong neck of good length leads to well angulated shoulders, straight front legs and neat feet. She is well bodied with both width and depth to her chest but not over done in any way. She is firm in top line and short coupled. Her quarters have strength and moderate angulation, hocks not turning in or out. On the move, she showed reach and drive in profile and carried her tail correctly. Well turned out in good coat and body. My CC winner and Best of Breed.

2nd,Harrison’s Sh Ch Glenbrows Paramour

No disgrace being second in this very strong class. Another out of the top drawer. Also looked so well standing and presented and handled to get the best out of her. Balanced feminine head of good length with dark eyes and low set ears. Clean neck of good length. She is well boned and has plenty of depth to her body. Firm in back with muscular loins and good width to her quarters. Well-turned stifles. She was in super coat and moving well. A worthy Champion.

3rd Djurstedt’s Int/dk Ch(u)/se U(u)ch Pelydryns Hokus Pokus

Another worthy Champion that is well constructed and shown to the highest standard. Lovely head with plenty of shape below her eyes. Strong neck and lovely sloping shoulders, elbows neatly tucked in. She has plenty of bone but retains her femininity. Deep in chest with correct topline and strong quarters. She too, moved well. Full of quality, just lacked the sparkle of those above. A credit to her owners.

Good Citizen Dog Scheme Bitch

Entries: 8 Absentees: 2

1st Barkley’s Cherryheath's Miss Velocity

Lovely headed 8 year old. Balanced in head with correct stop and good length of foreface. Straight, well boned front. Good length and width to her ribs giving plenty of heart room. She has well-constructed quarters with well-turned stifles, width to her second thigh and hocks are well let down. She moved steadily and correctly.

2nd Benoveor Endless Love

Third in the Post Grad class, moved just as well here.

3rd Attwood’s Kylowen Demelza

Unplaced but not disgraced in the strong Veteran Class. Looking so well for her 9 years. She has a well-balanced head with good length of neck. In lovely body and retains that essential rich red colour to her coat. She moved out at speed, perhaps a little slower would be beneficial? Not often you can write that for a veteran!

Jane Howarth

Judge