Welsh Springer Spaniel Club

The Welsh Springer Spaniel Club

Open Show

Aug 30th 2024

Judge: Miss H A Upton

I would like to thank the committee for the invitation to judge their breed club open show in conjunction with their Championship Show. It is always an honour to be asked to judge a breed club show and I received a warm welcome from the committee and exhibitors. I would also like to thank my 2 wonderful stewards Ben and Jayne Bennett who have known me since I was a child. Having these experienced stewards run my ring for me was an honor.

Best In Show - TYLER - EIRIANDYLIS LIFE OF RILEY

Reserve Best in Show and Best Opposite Sex in Show - STEVENSON - MYMMSBROOK MATADOR WITH BLYTHWAY JW

Best Puppy in Show - GRAHAM - NYLIRAM BORN THIS WAY

Best Veteran in Show - BROWNS - BOWDOINA OZZIE VW

Baby Puppy Dog or Bitch (5:1)

What a fabulous way to start the day off by judging this exciting baby puppy class.

1st - RITCHIE’S - SLAPESTONES FINSCH

5 month old, beautifully balanced with good bone and substance. Pretty-headed bitch of correct proportions, dark eyes with lovely cheeky expression, clean neck, and shoulders, firm topline, plenty of spring to rib with ample depth, standing on nice tight feet, moved out across the ring with elegance and slashing her tail. A quality puppy with the right show attitude. I look forward to seeing her mature. Best Baby Puppy in Show.

2nd - MULLIN - GILSTONIA MAGGIE MAY

Less bone and substance and lacking the balance of winner at this stage. Feminine head with dark eye, lovely ear set, ample spring to rib and good length-to-height ratio, stronger in her rear angulation at this stage, good bend of stifle and well let down hocks, once settled she moved well with plenty of drive and enthusiasm.

3rd - BASCOMBE - SLAPESTONES ORAPA

Reserve - GAYLOR & ROBERTSON - GILSTONIA RUN RED RUM FOR APRILFLASH

Minor Puppy Dog (3:1)

I loved both of these boys both full of quality.

1st - GRAHAM - NYLIRAM BORN THIS WAY

7 months of age and full of character and confidence. Handsome and well-balanced with plenty of bone and substance, there is nothing overdone about him, he is masculine in the head with a lovely expression through dark eyes, a clean neck with well-laid shoulders, ample spring to ribs, and good depth of chest, he stands on a straight front with nice feet and strong well-muscled hind. Moved around the ring effortlessly and with presence, I was very close to giving him top honours but settled for BPD and BPIS.

2nd - GRAHAMS - NYLIRAM EDGE OF GLORY

Similar comments apply to the winner, slightly more compact than his brother and lacking the finesse at this stage, however, I am sure he and his brother will be swapping places throughout their careers.

Puppy Dog (2:0)

1st - GRAHAM - NYLIRAM BORN THIS WAY (Rpt of Minor puppy)

2nd - GRAHAMS - NYLIRAM EDGE OF GLORY (Rpt of Minor puppy)

Junior Dog (5:1)

1st - HARRISON - GLENBROWS CASANOVA JW

A beautifully balanced and well-presented male, masculine throughout with good bone and muscle. Handsome head with dark eyes, cheeky but soft expression, solid topline with good tail set, deep-chested, with plenty of spring to rib, standing on tight feet, strong hindquarters with ample bend of stifle, moved effortlessly and enthusiastically around the ring and as one with handler.

2nd - JOHNSTONE - GLENBROWS ERASMUS FOR GILPETA

Another well-balanced male, more compact than winner, masculine head with slightly lighter eye than I prefer, good neck and shoulders, straight in foreleg, round tight feet, deep in chest and good spring of rib, good rear angulation which he put to use on the move, covered the ground easily, just preferred the show attitude of 1 today.

3rd - DOUGLAS - SANTALLINA OFF AND RUNNING

Reserve - WALLINGTON - FERNDEL RENZO AT ROVINJDAL

Yearling Dog (3:1)

1st - BARKLEY - JACRANELLA GALAHAD OF CHERRYHEATH (AI) JW

No denying he is male, upstanding but balanced, he has the loveliest of heads with good proportions and the cheekiest of expressions, he is full of bone and muscle with good depth and width to chest, moved out with plenty of drive and moved with character slashing his tail all the way round.

2nd - WALLINGTON - FERNDEL RENZO AT ROVINJDAL

Another upstanding male, less balanced than the winner, handsome head with dark eyes, soft expression, clean neck of good length leading into well-placed shoulders, ample spring to rib, and good depth, the handler needs to work on stacking and moving him to his advantage.

Novice Dog (2:0)

1st - GRAHAM - NYLIRAM BORN THIS WAY (Rpt of Minor puppy)

2nd - GRAHAMS - NYLIRAM EDGE OF GLORY (Rpt of Minor puppy)

Post Graduate Dog (3:0)

1st - BROOK - EIRIANDYLIS GEORGIA MOON

Handsome and full of character, presented in good coat and condition with plenty of bone and muscle, masculine head, with a lovely expression, good length to neck, good width and depth to chest, ample forechest, with straight front, strong hindquarters with good bend of stifle, moved effortlessly around the ring with plenty of drive from the rear and holding his topline on the move.

2nd - LEVY - CERYSAN LIMITED EDITION

Another lovely male, however lacking the balance of winner, more compact and carrying a little too much weight today, handsome in the head, beautiful dark eyes with a gentle expression, deep in chest with plenty of spring to rib, well boned and muscled, he didn’t stop wagging his tail from the moment he entered the ring, moved well but would like to see more drive from the rear.

3rd - SHORT - TOFTWOOD ZIGGY STARMAN

Limit Dog (7:1)

Two lovely dogs and a very close decision between the 2.

1st - STEVENSON - MYMMSBROOK MATADOR WITH BLYTHWAY JW

Full of Masculinity, elegance, and balance, owning the ring full of confidence and grace, the handler gets the very best out of him. Handsome head of good proportions, a cheerful expression, clean neck with well-laid shoulders, deep chest with ample spring to rib, standing on straight front and good hind angulation, tight feet, he has a correct tail set, however, he does carry it slightly high on the move, something I will forgive a male, effortless footfall covering the ground with ease and grace. BD, RBIS, and BOS.

2nd - ALLEN & COCHRANE - EIRIANDYLIS BY GEORGE

This was such a close decision, lost out to the winner on maturity, but I am sure these two will swap places many a time. Well-balanced and compact with a gorgeous head with a merry expression, clean neck of correct length, leading into well-placed shoulders, straight in front with ample bone, deep in the chest with plenty of spring to rib, strong hindquarters with good bend of stifle, this chap didn’t stop wagging his tail, a very merry Welshie who moved across the ring with reach and drive and with plenty of character.

3rd -HEPWORTH - KAMUNTING’S MAD HATTER

Reserve - JONES - TROSLEY TAMOSHANTA

Vhc - NICOLL - BENOVEOR SAIL ON TO ANTRETH JW

Open Dog (2:1)

1st - GAYLOR &ROBERTSON - SH CH HENIVERUCE KING OF BREWERS FOR APRILFLASH

Another merry dog, who presents as well balanced, with good bone and substance and in good coat and condition. A handsome head of nice proportions, framed with nice ears and dark eyes, clean neck of good length, firm topline with good muscle and correct tail set, deep in the chest with good spring to rib, front and rear angulation shown off on the move, where he covered the ground effortlessly with plenty of drive from the rear. Close for top honours.

Veteran Dog (5:3)

Two 9-year-old dogs who are a credit to their owners for keeping them both in such good condition at this age.

1st - BROWNS - BOWDONIA OZZIE VW

A dog I have known since a puppy and he just gets better with age, he is presented in a beautiful coat and condition. He is well balanced and of good size, with a gentlemanly head with a soft expression through dark eyes, he is clean in the neck, with a good lay of shoulders, ample spring to rib and of good depth, and strong topline, he has strong hindquarters with ample bend of stifle and well let down hocks, he covered the ring effortlessly in his class, but was lacking the enthusiasm in the challenge, pleased however to award him BVD and BVIS.

2nd - BARKLEY - CHERRYHEATH’S MR MOJITO

Another dog I have known since a puppy has matured nicely, not quite as balanced as the winner. A nice head with a gentle expression, a good amount of depth and spring to chest, plenty of bone and muscle, with strong hindquarters, moved out with drive and enthusiasm.

Good Citizen Dog (3:1)

1st - BROOK - EIRIANDYLIS GEORGIA MOON (Rpt of Post Grad)

2nd - HANKINS - JULITA RAINMAKER WITH WOODELROND

An upstanding male, who wasn’t as balanced as the winner, full of substance and bone, masculine in the head with dark eyes, would prefer a cleaner neck, deep in the chest with a good spring of rib, his tail didn’t stop wagging, however, he lacked enthusiasm on the move today.

Special Working Dog (1:0)

1st - SMITH - ISFRYN PEEPING TOM JW

A dog who I have loved since a puppy and my opinion of him has not changed, he is everything the breed standard describes; symmetrical, compact, merry, and built for endurance and hard work. A dog that just makes you smile, masculine head of correct proportions, plenty of bone and substance, good depth and width to chest with ample fore chest, good front and hind angulation, which he put to use, merrily striding out across the ring. RBD.

Special Beginners Dog (6:3)

1st - BROOK - EIRIANDYLIS GEORGIA MOON (Rpt of Post Grad)

2nd - LEVY - CERYSAN LIMITED EDITION (Rpt of Post Grad)

3rd - WALLINGTON - FERNDEL RENZO AT ROVINJDAL

Minor Puppy Bitch (2:0)

1st - SMITH - NYLIRAM HOLD MY HAND AT ISFRYN

A wiggly and enthusiastic youngster who is full of character. Feminine throughout and needs time to mature. She is pretty in the head, with dark eyes, a clean neck, and shoulders, well ribbed up for one so young, good amount of bone and muscle for her age, once settled she moved well covering the ground easily, I look forward to watching her future.

2nd - LOCKIE - GWIRGARIAD SHOOTING STAR

Not the most confident of youngsters and this showed in her expression, feminine head, balanced and compact bitch, who has a good amount of bone and substance for her age. Another one that needed time to settle on the move, but once she did she moved out well.

Puppy Bitch (3:1)

1st - WORTH - SARABANDE SPIRIT IN THE SKY

An upstanding, well-presented youngster in a full gleaming coat, slightly lacking in confidence which showed in her expression, a feminine head of good proportions, clean neck of ample length, well ribbed up, firm topline, handler needs to slow down on the move as she moved erractically around the ring.

2nd - SMITH - NYLIRAM HOLD MY HAND AT ISFRYN (Rpt Minor Puppy)

Junior Bitch (5:0)

1st - MCILWAINE & REYNOLDS - FERNDEL REBECCA FOR BENOVEOR

I wrote in my notes naughty and stubborn girl. Won the class on overall balance, she is compact and has good bone and substance, lacking her coat and enthusiasm on the move today. Pretty-headed, dark eyes, clean outline, and showing correct front and rear angulation. Moved well, would just like to see more enthusiasm.

2nd - COCHRANE & ALLEN - EIRIANDYLIS CONFUSION

I liked this bitch, she is of good size, just needs to tighten up in front at this stage, a pretty head with soft expression, a clean neck of good length, a firm topline, deep chest and ample spring to rib for age, good hind angulation with plenty of bend to stifle and well let down hocks, she moved well covering the ground with ease and enthusiasm.

3rd - GIBSON - FERNDEL ROSSANNA AT CADEHILL

Reserve - DOYLE - HELGEN HURRICANE DORIAN

Vhc - PRIMMER - AMANSHE ENCHANTED SPIRIT

Yearling Bitch (2:0)

1st - HARRISON - SH CH GLENBROWS WISH JW

A mature and immaculately presented bitch who was as one with the handler. A very feminine head with a beautiful soft expression, clean neck leading into good shoulders, ample spring to rib with good depth of chest, a firm topline, strong hindquarters with good bend of stifle, moved effortlessly around the ring.

2nd - DOYLE - HELGEN HURRICANE DORIAN

Feminine with a clean outline, well balanced and compact in size, pretty head with beautiful expression, she is presented in good coat, just lacking the substance and maturity of the winner. Moved well covering the ground easily.

Novice Bitch (5:1)

1st - GIBSON - FERNDEL ROSSANNA AT CADEHILL

She won this class on overall balance and strength. She has a very pretty head with dark eyes and a soft expression, she has a clean neck with ample length, a firm topline, a deep chest, and has a good amount of forechest, plenty of spring to rib for her frame, straight forelegs with ample bone, she was strongest in hindquarters in this class and she showed this by flowing around the ring with plenty of drive from the rear.

2nd - WORTH - SARABANDE SPIRIT IN THE SKY (Rpt Puppy Bitch)

3rd - SMITH - NYLIRAM HOLD MY HAND AT ISFRYN

Reserve - MADELEY - DON’S D JUBILEE AT MAYTAG (IMP SWE)

Post Grad Bitch (6:1)

1st - TYLER - EIRIANDYLIS LIFE OF RILEY

This bitch was everything I was looking for, beautifully balanced and of the correct size. Presented in the right amount of coat and condition for a working breed. Feminine head with dark eyes, clean neck with plenty of length and leading into well-laid shoulders, forelegs straight and well boned, standing on firm tight feet, she has plenty of rib for her frame with good depth, firm topline with the correct tail set, she has strong rear angulation, she isn’t the flashiest of movers and I can see her being overlooked in some cases for this however she still covers the ground with a powerful driving action and holding her topline. I could not deny her Best Bitch and Best in Show.

2nd - SHORT - TOFTWOOD JEAN GENIE

Pretty headed bitch with a gentle expression, slightly finer in muzzle than I’d prefer, has good bone and plenty of muscle and presented in good coat and condition, ample spring to rib and deep from withers to brisket, standing on straight front and nice tight feet. Moved out well covering the ground with ease, just not as balanced as the winner.

3rd - BLACKFORD - AMBLELIGHT ADHARA JW

Reserve - PRIMMER - AMANSHE MERMAID’S TEARS

Vhc -LOCKIE - BENOVEOR TRULY TO GWIRGARIAD

Limit Bitch (7:1)

1st - RITCHIE & GRAHAM - RENASCENT BLEABERRY AT SLAPESTONES JW (IMP USA)

A bitch I have admired from the ringside, she is presented in beautiful coat and condition and is handled to advantage. Slightly on the larger scale but keeping the balance, she has good bone and substance, a head of good proportions with a gentle expression, a clean neck leading into well-laid shoulders, a firm topline, well ribbed up with good depth, strong front and rear angulation, which she shows on the move, she covers the ground with ease. She has the ‘look at me’ attitude, considered for top honours.

2nd - TEW - PAMICKS DREAM WITH ME

Another bitch who I have watched from a young age and she is coming into her own now, she doesn’t have the coat and substance of winner, but no denying she is balanced. Pretty head, with a mischievous eye, clean neck, and shoulders, ample spring to rib, front straight with plenty of bone, standing on compact feet, firm topline with a slight arch over the loin, strong rear angulation with a good bend to stifle, moved well, I’d like to see her stride out more with handler but moved with enthusiasm and held her topline on the move.

3rd - FERGUSON - JULITA RAINDANCE AT TEASELWOOD

Reserve - MORGAN - BENOVEOR ENDLESS LOVE AT RUBYDOWN

Vhc - COOPER - GILSTONIA SNOW MOON

Open Bitch (3:1)

Two beautiful examples of the breed.

1st - RITCHIE - SARABANDE DANCING QUEEN AT SLAPESTONES JW (AI)

I preferred this bitch for her balance and her head proportions, feminine head, mischievous expression, clean muscular neck leading into well-laid shoulders, good length of body and presenting as strong and muscular, well ribbed up with deep brisket, good front and rear angulation with plenty of muscle in the rear, she moved out soundly covering the ground with ease.

2nd - GRAHAM - SH CH NYLRIAM TELLING TALES JW ShCEx OSW

Beautifully presented in immaculate coat and condition, she is handled to perfection and is as one with her handler. A different type to my winner, pretty head, with dark eyes and a gentle expression, she is well balanced, with ample bone, rib, and substance, she moved around the ring effortlessly and with plenty of ring presence.

Veteran Bitch (7:1)

1st - WALLER - ISFRYN LADY GODIVA AT FIREGLOW

A well-balanced compact bitch who presents as strong and built for a day's work. A feminine head of good proportions, dark eyes with a gentle expression, ears set moderately low and of correct shape, she has good length to neck, with clean shoulders, firm topline, deep in chest and well ribbed up, strong hindquarters with plenty of muscle, moved well but would like a little more enthusiasm.

2nd - CALDWELL - HILLPARK QUEEN BEE FOR CERYSAN AWB

A very merry girl with plenty of personality, slightly lacking in coat condition but this does not take anything away from her construction and her ability to spend a day working. Very feminine in head with nice dark eyes and a happy expression, she is well balanced and stands on clean tight feet, she is well ribbed up and has good depth of brisket. She moved with such reach and drive and covered the ground easily and with enthusiasm.

3rd - TYLER - HIGHCLARE MADE OF HONOUR AT EIRIANDYLIS

Reserve - BONSER & HADFIED - GLENBROWS FAITH

Vhc - GIBSON - DEARHAM DILYS OF CADEHILL

Good Citizen Bitch (3:0)

1st - POPKIN - JULITA RYVEETA JW

A bitch who is full of zest, presented in good coat and condition beautiful head of correct proportions, alert expression, a clean neck leading into well-laid shoulders, she is balanced, compact and with plenty of spring and depth to chest, she is full of substance and well boned, moved out across the ring full of enthusiasm covering the ground with ease. RBB.

2nd - CALDWELL - HILLPARK QUEEN BEE FOR CERYSAN AWB (Rpt of Veteran)

3rd - MORGAN - BENOVEOR ENDLESS LOVE AT RUBYDOWN

Special Working Bitch (1:1)

Special Beginners Bitch (4:1)

1st - COCHRANE & ALLEN - EIRIANDYLIS CONFUSION (rpt Junior)

2nd - SHORT - TOFTWOOD JEAN GENIE (rpt Post Grad)