Tunbridge Wells & District Canine Society

What a pleasure to judge at this anniversary show. The management team seemed to have thought of everything and organisation was amazing. The Group ring looked really well and the singers added to the relaxed atmosphere. I can’t think of a more enjoyable judging appointment with a quality group as the culmination.

Cocker Spaniels

Puppy (6,2 abs)

1 Maris Bray’s Plaiglen Biker Babe to Helenwood

Lovely 7mths black full of quality and showing lots of potential Correct head with enough shape for her age. Straight front of good width. Round feet. Presented in good coat and condition. Moving well holding her top line nicely. Best Puppy. Continued to show well to gain second in a strong puppy group.

2 Griffin’s Griffial All My Loving

Another promising youngster. Eight months red with a pretty head, good length of neck. Firm level top line and good rear angulation. Hocks well let down.

3 Warrington’s Sun Kat Zakova

Junior (5,2)

1 Warrington’s Zakova Santana

Super young black male of 15 months. Presented a clean outline and did not disappoint on closer inspection. Balanced head with kind eye and well placed ears. Super shoulder angulation. Well ribbed and firm in top line. He is well angulated behind. Moved to advantage. Best of Breed and later Group Three. Well deserved.

2 Conway’s Laproche Bluey Spots

Reserve in the previous class. Pretty head with kind expression. Straight front. Moved with correct tail carriage. Not as forward as the others here today.

Post Grad (4,1)

1 Zakova Santana

2 Griffin’s Griffial Make It Count

Pleasing blue with decent head, a little loose in eye for me. Good ear placement, clean neck with good layback of shoulder. Strong quarters with good width to his second thigh and hocks well let down. Moving well in profile holding a correct top line.

Open (4,2)

1 Hutton Baber’s Esqueen Following Star at Babtonkelpie

Well presented b/r with well proportioned head, clean neck of correct length and straight, well boned front of good width. Well ribbed with short firm couplings. Good rear angulation. Preferred the tail set of the younger boy today. Reserve best of Breed.

2 Maris Bray, Wiggins and Woods’ Glowhill Gallivant

Pleasing 2 year old with balanced head and well angulated shoulders. Balanced body showing good width of rib and short couplings. Plenty of rear angulation and correctly let down hocks.

Sussex Spaniel

Junior (1)

1 Harvey’s Uccello De La Baronnie De Curvalle Malbecmogs

15 months D developing along the right lines. Strong but balanced head, well off ofr bone. Good body properties with length of rib and enough depth for his age. He moved well showing good rear extension. Reserve Best of Breed.

Post Grad (2)

1 Hawkins Harasteorra Betelgeuse

Edged this class on movement in profile. Correct in head without being overdone. Strong neck of good length. Well boned through. He has good depth to his chest and plenty of length of rib. Strong quarters with good width and hocks are well let down.

2 Harvey’s Special Vero Buenas Dias

Three year old girl with super head of good shape and typical expression. She has well developed ribs and a correct top line. Well angulated stifles. Close up.

Open (2)

1 Moon’s Deanway Proper Charlie

Mature boy and so good to go over. Lovely head with well-placed ears and kind eyes. Strong in neck with good layback of shoulder and nice width to his front. He has a firm top line and is strong over the loins. Well angulated quarters. He moved well carrying his tail correctly. Best of Breed.

2 Harvey’s Special Vero Big Ben

Balanced in head with low set ears. Strong clean neck leads to well placed shoulders. Firm in top line. He has good width to his quarters.

AV NSC Gundog

Junior (2,1)

1 Whitworth’s Lagotto Mad Max Madiba of Freworth

Just 12 months. Well grown and so good to go over. Correct length of neck, Balanced in body with adequate depth and firm couplings. He moved soundly, showing a positive disposition. Reserve Best NSC.

Post Grad (3,1)

1 Weller’s Am Cocker Sabisabi Apache Tonka at Geenawell

Lovely young male, well presented and moving at the correct speed to show reach and drive whilst keeping his top line. Well-shaped head with defined stop and bright eyes. Long clean neck with good layback of shoulder. Well ribbed and showing good rear angulation. In lovely coat Best NSC.

2 Tadhunter’s Am Cocker Taramount Pure Imagination

Two year old buff girl. Refined head. Well boned compact body, She has strength over her loins and is well angulated behind.

AV Gundog Import Reg

Open (2,1)

1 Dando’s Slovakian RHP Stormdancer Romance

Balanced in head with keen expression and good length to her muzzle. Strong arched neck leads to straight front with nicely sloping pasterns. Good length of ribs and level in top line. Moved well in profile. Best Import reg.

AV Gundog Veteran (18, 5)

What a super class this was. Each one making the task more difficult. Nearly all were in contention and it was the proverbial case of splitting hairs.

1 Bryant’s Gordon Setter Kilnrae Hallmark

A quality boy who belies his age. Yes, I have judged him before and awarded him a RCC. Today, I felt that he was in just as good a form. Good to go over and full of breed type. He has a balanced head with defined stop and width to his skull. Well-proportioned body with enough bone but no coarseness. Well angulated quarters of good width. He was shown in super coat and condition and moved so well. Delighted to award him Group One and to see him go on to best Veteran in Show. Well done.

2 Wilson’s Clumber Sh Ch Anbrook Fair Maid of Kent by Winhampton

Worthy champion now 7 years and looking so well. Super heads with plenty of shape below her eyes. Strong neck and well angulated shoulders. Super body with good length and depth to her ribs. She has strong quarters and used them to advantage on the move.

3 Barham’s Pointer Kenwardgold Minnie Me

AV Gundog Res Best of Breed Stakes

Some top quality exhibits here and unfortunately only one place. I seriously considered several including the English Setter and Curly Coated retriever but eventually settled for Warrington’s GSP Zakova Aria. Who impressed for outline and soundness. Shown in fit muscular condition.

Gundog Group

A full and quality group with very little between those shortlisted. I really was splitting hairs.

1 Bryant’s Gordon Setter Kilnrae Hallmark

2 Walker’s ESS Dexbenella It’s Only Me

3 Warrington’s Cocker Zakova Santana

4 Tye’s Field Span Irisbel The Greatest Showman at Tymora

Gundog Puppy Group

1 Bennet’s Eng Setter Wansleydale Busy as a Bee at Caprow

2 Marris Bray’s Cocker Plaiglen Biker Babe at Helenwood

3 Bell’s Flat Coated Ret Curlycrests Sweet Home Chicago

4 Williams and Toublic’s ESS Cobhay Dashing Dandelion

David Howarth

Judge