South Western English Springer Spaniel Club

South West ESS Society Critique

Judge: Kath Holt (Bethryn)

Firstly I would like to thank Denise and her committee for the invitation to judge this, their second championship show. I would also like to thank them for the lovely hospitality shown to me on the day. It is a lovely venue outside and very reminiscent of Hurworth for those of us who show in the North.

To the exhibitors who braved the cold and allowed us to continue to show outside in the lovely big ring, thank you so much. I was not only delighted with the numerical entry but the quality of the entry was excellent, and there were a number of classes where I could have easily given out more than one red card.

I have to say that the number of puppies and youngsters in the age classes was very encouraging and it is a while since I have seen so many quality youngsters coming through.

Generally presentation was really good and most teeth were sparkling white. I did find a couple of mouths that were not correct. The standard says “standard scissor bite”. The ESS is a breed that carries game and so needs a strong jaw and mouth to be able to do this. They have to be correct and whilst I can overlook a crooked tooth, an incorrect mouth, has to be penalised.

My two biggest concerns really are heads and unfit, overweight dogs. The latter, as owners, we can do something about quite easily but there were some who were given a lower place because of this. There are dogs that need to get some muscle which will not only improve their appearance but also their overall movement.

The former is something not so easy to correct. The head piece of an ESS is what makes the expression and unique way they can see deep inside you. I saw some out there on the day lacking in foreface, too strong in back skull and narrow in muzzle as well as light eyes, round eyes and overall alien expressions. We can’t allow this to become entrenched in our breed because it will be very difficult to breed it out.

All that said, I was delighted with my winners and, please understand that we have some real quality coming through the ranks, some of which were not in the top spot today but I am sure will be in the future. Talking of the future, it is bright as long as we keep an eye on what we are using on what and have care in ensuring the head remains that soft, classical ESS headpiece that we all love to look at.

Class 25 Baby Puppy Dog (0,0)

Class 26 Baby Puppy Bitch (1,0)

1 Hill’s Peasblossom Emotions with Teignvalley: what a lovely start to the day’s judging. This 4 month and a whisker b&W bitch puppy has the sweetest of heads at this stage of her development. She is so balanced for a baby. She has a moderate length of neck, well laid shoulders, lovely return of upper arm. Already has good depth in her body. She stood well and moved out beautifully in profile. Presented in immaculate condition. I am sure her owner is very pleased with how she is looking at this stage. Best Baby Puppy in Show, I am sure her first rosette of many.

Class 1 Minor Puppy Dog (3,1)

1st Walker’s Dexbenella Livin the Dream: The day just got better. This dog caught my eye as he came into the ring. His overall picture is one of a beautifully balanced “show dog”. By that I mean that he exudes presence with a look at me attitude. And I did, with his magnificent liver and white jacket that shone next to his sparkling white feathering. If I am being really niggly, his head does need to develop and currently is a little plain but let’s remember he is 8 months old and doesn’t want a finished head at this stage. He has a strong neck of correct length. When you run your hands between his front legs, his forechest stops you from advancing. He has super bone and lovely tight feet. Lovely angled front and back which enable his lovely flowing movement. He looks amazing in profile and away/back. Suffice to say I loved him and will watch him develop over time. Considered for top honours BPD and BPIS

2nd Shovel’s Peasblossom Daredevil for Tiverstone: This 8 ½ m bwt really gave his handler a hard time. He was difficult to get settled but when he did, he showed himself to be a well made dog of sufficient substance and certainly quality. His head was masculine and of correct proportions, dark eye and correct shape making for an overall soft expression. Strong neck and balanced angles. He was perhaps carrying a little more weight than I would like to see but I am sure as he matures he will lose that so he overall structure can be seen. He was less mature overall than 1 but certainly one to watch.

Class 2 Puppy Dog (6,1)

1st Walker’s Dexbenella Livin the Dream: as MPD class

2nd Topliss’s Beresford Stand “n” Stare: He was really unfortunate to meet 1 today because this boy can stand with the best and not be out of place. He exudes quality in his sparkling liver and white jacket. Shown in lovely hard condition, his movement when settled is a joy to watch as he floats around the ring effortlessly. At 11m old, his head is starting to mature and he has all the signs of that true ESS expression that melts your heart. He has a good straight front, tight elbows and a deep chest making for lots of lung room. His shoulder placement is correct with lovely return of upper arm. On the stack he shows excellent leg length to height proportions making an overall balanced picture. I think this will be another successful youngster coming through from this kennel.

Class 3 Junior Dog (2,1)

1st Nicklin’s Daenery’s Warrior Heart TAF: Stood alone but a worthy winner. He is still only a young dog but is impressive to look at on the stack and on the move. His head piece already shaping up to be the correct shape with work starting to show under and between the eyes. His eye still needs to darken but given his age I have no doubt this will happen. He stands on well boned, straight legs and tight, well padded feet. He has a lovely return of upper arm that is evident on the move. Overall he shows a well balanced outline. Moved well when he settled down but another quality youngster that I will watch with interest.

Class 4 Yearling Dog (1,0)

1st Hill’s Teignvalley New Beginnings: He is a very showy eye catching dog and immaculately turned out. He has a lovely balanced head with good eye colour and is developing nicely. He stands on excellent tight feet and has beautiful bone. Very good lay of shoulder, if I am being really picky, I would like a little more upper arm to give that extension on the move. He has lovely rear angles. His muscle tone is superb and with that powerful rear he certainly gets his exercise.

Class 5 Novice Dog (3,0)

As Puppy Dog

1st Walker’s Dexbenella Livin the Dream

2nd Topliss’s Topliss’s Beresford Stand “n” Stare

Class 6 Graduate Dog (2,0)

1st Stevenson’s Peasblossom Brogan At Gaolachcara: This 2 year old liver & white boy has a beautiful head with lovely work, his head is really coming together with fluting and chiselling in evidence. He is well off for bone and has a good deep chest with plenty of lung room, balance front and rear angles. Would like a little more depth over loin but he is young and has to still drop into himself as he matures. He has a beautiful side profile view. He came into the ring in immaculate presentation and another with some super muscle tone.

2nd Fugle’s Russell at Cumani (Imp Ita): This 3year old is little strong in back skull but is masculine in his appearance. Stands on lovely tight feet. He has sufficient return of upper arm giving him a good front extension. He is well angled behind but could be shorter in rear pastern. He kept his top line on the move.

Class 7 Post Graduate Dog (5,0)

1st Williams & Toublic’s Cobhay Dashing Dandelion JW: This liver and white boy has a lovely head but still has some maturing to do in order to finish that beautiful ESS expression. He has sufficient bone and stands on tight well-padded feet. He has a clean tight, well arched neck. He has sufficient angles but is balanced front and rear. On the move he has a lovely profile and maintains his top line.

2nd Le Clerc’s Hunterheck Fade to Black: This black and white boy has a lovely head with a kind expression. He can make a lovely shape but gave his handler a hard time so difficult to see. He is clean through his neck and has good depth of body. He is well angled front and rear.

Class 8 Limit Dog (2,0)

1st Walker’s Dexbenella Double Oh Seven: A dog from the top drawer who oozes quality. His head is balanced muzzle to back skull. I would like a little more work in his head especially in his stop but at 3 ½ he is still young in ESS terms. He is of good height and lovely length to height ratio. He has a lovely return of upper arm and lay of shoulder. Super depth chest with plenty of lung room. He has a lovely powerful back end. His side profile view is really lovely, covering ground well. Excellent presentation.

2nd Scotting’s Ashring’s Love Touch For Recondy: This liver and white boy had more work in his head than 1 but his eye could be better shape which just spoils the overall expression. He is a lovely shape with good bone and is well angled front and rear. He has a lovely depth of body. Moved well but a little overawed on the day. I am sure on another day he will trouble others.

Class 9 Open Dog (4,0)

A lovely class of quality dogs. My 1 and 2 were outstanding.

1st Mitchell’s Sh Ch/slo/cro Ch Peasblossom Xanti: I judged this boy when he was 6months and a whisker and fell in love. I haven’t seen him for quite some time but I am so glad that now he is a mature lad, I am still enamoured with his quality. He is a smaller framed dog all round than 2 but he has everything in all in the right place. He is masculine in his head with a very soft kind expression. Beautiful well arched, strong neck into a lovely lay of shoulder and return of upper arm. He has lovely bone and exquisite feet. His body is of super depth with level topline. Good depth over the loin. He is balanced everywhere and moved beautifully covering the ground well. Dog CC and BOS

2nd Topliss’s Sh Ch Sandylands Stand N Deliver. I was really splitting hairs. They are different in overall type with 1 being of smaller frame and 2 being a lot rangier. This dog moves like a dream. His side profile gait is tremendous and he covers the ground effortlessly. He has to be the best mover on the day. A little larger in frame and body than I would usually go for but he oozes quality. He is all boy with a lovely masculine head with such a soft kind expression. This was a hard decision between these two worthy champions. It was a pleasure to go over both of these boys, thank you.

Class 10 Veteran Dog (0,0)

Class 11 Champion Dog (1,0)

1st Topliss’s Sh Ch Beresford Lockdown This boy is a lovely compact liver and white dog who is stamped quality throughout. He has a lovely head with true ESS expression. Lovely fluting and chiselling and beautiful dark eye that makes your heart melt when he looks at you. He stands on tight well-padded feet and super bone. He is well angled front and rear and gives a beautiful balanced look overall on the stack. His side profile gait shows him covering the ground well. The first time I have had the opportunity to go over him and I loved him. Beat his kennel mate for Res Dog CC.

Class 12 Special Beginner Dog

1st Le Clerc’s Hunterheck Fade to Black (see Post-Grad dog)

2nd Reynold’s Clentonian Pitch Perfect: He is a clean looking dog who I thought would place higher in previous class. He could do with more forechest. He has lovely bone but is a little wide in front. He is well proportioned and balanced. A little lacklustre on the move which has cost him on the day.

Bitches

Class 13 Minor Puppy Bitch (4,0)

Lovely to see such quality youngsters.

1st Banaszak-Kulka & Pawlwicz Game On Tamaan (PL) This black and white 6 month old baby has beautiful balance for one so young. She is so balanced in front and rear angulation. I would perhaps like a little more depth in body but she has so much more time to drop into her body so that will come. She has the prettiest of heads with a lovely dark eye of correct shape. She stands on tight feet with good bone. She is short from hock to heel which gives her lovely drive behind. Her side profile is fantastic and I am sure she is going to have a very successful show career.

2nd Stevenson’s Spuffing Daiquiri At Gaolachcara: This liver and white bitch has more substance than 1. She was shown I lovely hard muscle condition. Lovely head and dark eye for one so young. Stands on tight feet and has lovely bone. She makes a lovely profile on the move.

Class 14 – Puppy Bitch (4,1)

1st Nicklin’s Daenerys Girl On Fire at Dexbenella This liver and white girl is a beautifully balanced puppy. She has a pretty head of correct shape and will only improve with time. She stands on tight feet and has lovely bone. A beautiful deep chest and good depth of body throughout. She is balanced in her angles, front and rear and this gives her a super side profile which ultimately won her the class. I will watch her career with interest, certainly one to keep an eye on.

2nd Walker’s Dexbenella A Million Dreams. Placed Res in a strong MPB class. She is a beautifully shaped bitch with good depth of body. She has a pretty feminine head of correct shape and with good eye shape. She has beautiful bone and well off for forechest. She is super bitch will again watch with interest.

Class 15 Junior Bitch (5,1)

1st Corbett’s Siegers Eye to Eye with Trimere: She is of a lovely type with the most exquisite neck and shoulders. She is well off for bone and stands on tight well padded feet. She displays excellent overall balance and her side profile movement is a joy to watch. She surely must be a star of the future.

2nd Taubman’s Meonstoke Wild Thyme: Another beautiful bitch albeit a different build to 1. She has the most feminine of heads with beautiful dark eye. She has a strong arched neck. She has lovely bone and stands on tight feet. Hasn’t the forechest of 1. On the stack she has shows a balanced profile and moves well.

Class 16 Yearling Bitch (6,1)

1st Cokell’s Carlyquinn Winter Storm: This bitch is a strong and well bodied girl. She has the most feminine of heads with a lovely eye of correct shape that needs to darken but time is on her side. She has super bone and tight well-padded feet. She is overall a well balanced bitch but just didn’t seem herself today. When she settled she moved beautifully to win the class.

2nd Glass’s Cobhay Rosa Meg: She is a lighter frame than 1. She has a feminine head. She has sufficient bone and stands on good feet. She is balanced in her angles but just lacks a little upper arm which limits the forward reach on the move. She does move sound though just not the ground cover of 1.

Class 17 Novice Bitch (3,0)

1st Walker’s Dexbenella A Million Dreams: see puppy bitch

2nd Reynold’s Clentonian Picturesque: More mature than 1. She stands on lovely feet and has sufficient bone. She has good leg to height ratio. She is feminine in head with well set ears. She moved ok but doesn’t have the presence of 1.

Class 18 Graduate Bitch (6,0)

1st Bellamy’s Dexbenella in My Dreams At Moontorn JW: Liver and white bitch. She is a lovely type and just my cup of tea. She is feminine in head with correct eye shape and well set on ears. She is clean through her neck into well laid on shoulders. Super deep chest with lovely forechest. She moved beautifully away and back but just lost her topline a little on the move

2nd Glass’s Cobhay Rosa Meg: See Yearling Bitch

Class 19 Post-Graduate Bitch (5,1)

1st Terry-Richardson’s Daenerys Moondancer to Cherishym: This is the best I have seen this bitch. She is certainly maturing very nicely. Very pretty feminine head. Correct length of neck into well placed shoulders. Sufficient bone and stands on lovely tight feet. She is balanced through and on the move she has a lovely side profile keeping her topline.

2nd Ternent’s Hunterheck Cariana: This bitch is beautiful. She is such a lovely type and the most feminine of heads. Her expression just draws you in as it should. She has super bone with lovely well padded feet. Deep chest and well off for forechest. She would have won this class had she been to weight watchers for a couple of weeks before the show. As Don Miller once said to me about my Bonnie, “she looks like she loves her food!” She will trouble the best with a little less around her middle.

Class 20 Limit Bitch (3,0)

1st Walker’s Dexbenella Double or Quit: Well, she has to be my find of the day! I literally couldn’t take my eyes off her as soon as I saw her stacked in the line up. My notes say Balanced, Bone, Beautiful all the “B’s”. She is the most feminine of bitches with the most gorgeous of heads with a beautiful dark eye of correct colour and shape. She stands on super straight legs with tight elbows, excellent forechest and has the tightest, well padded feet. When she moved she was graceful with drive from behind and reach in front, covering the ground effortlessly. I could have watched her move all day but I am sure her handler would have not been too happy. Bitch CC BIS beating her Dad who won Dog CC and BOS.

2nd Pattinson’s Crackerjanne Cassiopeia: Such a shame that she met 1 today because is a lovely bitch in her own right. She was carrying a little bit more weight over her shoulders today but I know how hard it is to target that area. A ball up and down a hill is what I was told to do. She is feminine in her head again with correct eye shape and colour. She is balanced and beautifully put together. Her profile movement is her forte and certainly draws your eye.

Class 21 Open Bitch (3,0)

1st Topliss’s Sandylands Send My Love: This bitch shows a beautifully balanced profile on the stack. She is a super type with sufficient bone and standing on tight well-padded feet. She is feminine in her head with a lovely soft, kind expression. Neck of good length and well arched. Her stacked profile transfers to her side profile on the move where she makes a correct shape, covering the ground with ease. She really does challenge her litter brother (Open Dog) with her excellent movement. She is such a lovely bitch.

2nd Taubman’s Meltarose Madeleine at Meonstoke: This bitch is a real honest type as they used to say. She is feminine in her head with correct colour and shape. She has lovely bone and feet. She is balanced in her angles front and rear. She moved well and kept her topline. I would just like a little more forechest.

Class 22 Veteran Bitch (4,1)

1st Hydon’s Ir Sh Ch Clentonian Pandemonium JW ShCEx OSW VW: Nobody has told this girl that she is a veteran. She is the most beautiful black and white in her perfect jacket with a shine that you can see your face in. She has the most feminine of heads. Strong well arched neck that leads into well laid shoulders. She has sufficient bone with beautiful feet. She is balanced in her angles front and rear and as such moves really well keeping her profile. Best Veteran Bitch and BVIS

2nd West’s Grosbreuil Abricot Regal: She is such a pretty feminine headed bitch. She certainly belies her 9 years. She has lovely bone and feet. Balanced in her angles both front and rear but is slightly longer cast that 1. Moved well.

Class 23 Champion Bitch (4,1)

This must have been the class of the day. There were three very worthy champions and it really was splitting hairs between them, with my personal preference influencing my final placings.

1st Smith’s Sh Ch Melverly Vignette: What a beauty?! She has the most feminine of heads. When you look at her she just draws you in with that dark eye and wonderfully worked head. She has that chiselled work under her eye and the requisite fluting that give her the typical ESS expression. She is well off for bone and stands on beautiful tight feet. She moved beautifully with reach and drive maintaining her topline, winning her this class today. My type of ESS. Just lost out to the Limit bitch for the CC, Res Bitch CC and Res BIS.

2nd Corbett’s Sh Ch Trimere Time Flies: This bitch really is stunning and deserves every CC and placing that she has achieved. She really pushed 1 hard for this class and it really did come down to the tiniest of preferences for me in the head where I felt 1 was slightly better. This bitch can move around the ring with the most beautiful of profile movement. She has dropped in her body and as expected from this kennel, is like a fine wine and improving with age. She is sufficiently well off for bone and has lovely tight feet. Strong well arched neck and excellent front assembly. It really was splitting hairs.

Class 24 Special Beginners Bitch (2,0)

1st Le-Clerc’s Hunterheck Lost In A Spell: Black and white bitch with a feminine head. She has good bone and lovely tight feet. Sufficient bone. Carrying a little weight over her shoulders. She moved well to win the class

2nd Field-Enticott Baudelaire Double Sunset: Liver, white and tan bitch with feminine head. She is a little short in neck and that doesn’t lend itself to the best front construction. However, she is lovely and deep in her body and well muscled behind. She was shown in good coat with excellent presentation.

BIS - Walker’s Dexbenella Double or Quit

RBIS - Smith’s Sh Ch Melverly Vignette

BOS - Mitchell’s Sh Ch/slo/cro Ch Peasblossom Xanti

BPIS - Walker’s Dexbenella Livin the Dream

BVIS - Hydon’s Ir Sh Ch Clentonian Pandemonium JW ShCEx OSW VW

BB&W - Walker’s Dexbenella Double or Quit