Tibetan Spaniel Association

I would like to thank the members for having placed their trust in me for judging this Championship show, I am very grateful for this appointment. Many thanks also go to the officers and committee for all their efforts in making sure all goes seamlessly on the day.

I was looking for a (relatively) small, active and alert dog who is very normally constructed and therefore moves economically, with a good ribcage and a short loin, a small head in relation to body and an expression that can only be achieved with depth of chin, well placed and oval eyes and ears that are high set and mobile.

Overall, and maybe it traditionally is indeed the case, I found the depth of quality in bitches much higher than in males. However, I am still concerned about the limited options I had in males and I really struggled in some early classes with the kind of trade-offs I had to make. We need to make sure we do not confuse males having a slightly bigger skulls than bitches with males being allowed to have huge skulls. We also have traditionally had better lay back of shoulders than other Tibetan breeds, let’s try to keep it that way. On the plus side, I was pleased to see so many exhibits with typical breed features such as hare feet, ear fringes and silky coats.

Baby Puppy Dog (2/0)

1. Whitfield-Roberts' CLYDUM MAGIC FORMULA – 5 m/o reddish boy with good body proportions, correct rear angulation, good level topline, correct slight bow in front. Would prefer a better lay of shoulders to complete a very correct angulation nd overall shape. Liked the size of his skull, small in proportion to body, good ear set, correct mouth and good pigment. Lovely hare feet. A little hesitant at first but that’s only normal at his age.

2. Lynch's COPPIZANNA JUSTIFY MY LOVE NAF – a lovely 4 m/o full of confidence, good overall shape, correct ribcage, good bite, well placed and correctly oval shaped eyes, a little pale in pigment at this stage.

 Baby Puppy Bitch (5/0)

1. Blackshaw & Roberts' CLYDUM MAGIC MAID Best Baby Puppy in Show – Red gold bitch of good substance for age, correct body proportions, level topline, correct slight bow in front, good return of upper arms and good enough lay of shoulders. She has a small head in proportion to body with good shape of skull, correct high ear set, good slightly undershot bite. Very balanced on the move and sporting lovely hare feet.

2. Blackshaw's CLYDUM MAGICAL MAYHEM – Another one from that litter, this one a B&T, very similar correct body shape to 1, being a little longer than high, good rear angulation, lovely eye shape, would prefer slightly less undershot. Moved well and pushed her sister hard.

SVD (3/0)

1. Simper & Scoates' Ch CREATING HAVOC FOR WELLBARN Best Special Vintage In Show – Gold & white with a masculine head, good eye shape, correct blunt muzzle with good cushioning softening the expression, good depth of chin, good high ear set and correct skull, masculine but still with a small head in relation to body. Correct body shape, good rear angulation and high tail set, correct spring of ribs, a little more lay of shoulders would complete the picture. Moved well even without taking his age into accounts. A credit to his breeders/ owners.

2. Wallis-Baga's Ch VELROK SERAFIRE AT AMCROSS – Lovely shape on this dog whose ribcage extends well back, a little steep in shoulders and hocks could be let down a little lower. Good shape and size of skull, blunt muzzle, good stop, correct pigment. Level topline, good tail set and carriage. Not quite the rear drive of 1st on the day, but another one that proves the longevity of our breed.

VD (3/0)

1. Steed's Ch GIANNI ITS GOLLANT – Gold dog with good body proportions, nice skull and ear set, good length of muzzle, correct eye shape and colour. Good front with good breastbone and shape of ribcage, lovely hare feet, correct rear angulation with high tail set, presented in lovely silky coat and with good drive on the move.

2. Thompson's SUSU PRINCE CHARMING ShCEx VW – Close up to 1st, this slightly smaller but still correctly proportioned male has an attractive eye, good pigment, like 1st, would prefer slightly more depth of chin. Lovely overall balance, good rear angulation, not quite the lay of shoulders and front action of the winner. Presented in lovely silky flat coat.

PD (8/1)

This class was a little disappointing with most exhibit having quite large skulls and very limited lay of shoulders.

1. Lemon's PARLOUEVE LOVE EXPLOSION AT OLDCHARM Best Puppy Dog, Reserve Best Puppy In Show – pale gold dog with a lovely shape, level topline, high set tail that was well carried, balanced movement. Good skull size & shape for a male, lovely eye shape, placement & colour, correct ear set, would not want him any more undershot. Won this class on his overall type.

2. Blackshaw & Roberts' SOUSKA GO WITH YOUR HEART – a lovely gold dog with a correct longer than high shape, lovely skull shape and size, good dark oval eye, pleasing expression when he chooses to use his ears. Good angulation front & back, just not quite the tail set & overall carriage of 1.

JD (4/0)

1. Wallis-Baga's VELROK INDIAN GOLD JW – Small gold & white dog who has a lovely textbook shape, good lay of shoulders, attractive head & expression with dark oval eyes, correct bite, high ear set, good depth & width of chin, correct pigment. Correct front & rear angulation, lovely hare feet, good high tail set. To say he was not presented in the best of coat condition is an understatement and that gave me a dilemma, but his type, balance and construction tipped the scales.

2. Collins' SUSU BANANA PARTI BOAT AT TEPHITI – an attractive parti presented in immaculate conditions. He has an attractive dark oval eye, good depth and width of chin, lovely pigment, correct skull shape & high ear set. Would like more lay of shoulders and ribcage cold extend a bit further back. Lovely silky gleaming coat and correct hare feet.

ND (2/0)

1. Emery's LACORAL COSMOS – Young gold male with good overall body shape, level topline and high tail set, front could have a little more angulation, good width of body. Attractive dark oval eye, good pigment, would like more refinement in skull.

2. Smeardon's BALGAY DBAND CHA YIN – Smaller dog than 1 with good eye and correct skull size & shape, would prefer slightly less undershot bite and higher set ears. He is little restricted in front action and has a tendency to not hold his topline. Parti coat is well presented.

GD (4/1)

1. Wallis-Baga's VELROK INDIAN DIAMOND – Small dog who won on his overall type but really deserves better coat presentation. Good skull shape, attractive head with correct oval dark eye, lovely ear set, correct level topline, needs to carry a little more weight. Movement was balanced and active.

2. Smeardon's BALGAY DBAND CHA YIN - repeat

PGD (8/1)

1. Parkes' KIIRAMANNA DIAMOND EYES AT PARALDE (IMP FIN) – a small well-balanced dog, would like a little more substance but he is still young. Has a lot of lovely typical breed features, good oval eye, good high ear set, would like a little more depth of chin. Correct lay of shoulders, level topline, good high tail set with well carried tail, correct rear angulation, his movement is balanced.

2. Horton's OLDCHARM LOVE TO LOVE OF DIXPAT – Masculine dog in lovely coat condition, good front, correct topline, good rear angulation. Good skull shape & size, ears could be slightly smaller and eyes darker, correct undershot bite. Didn’t move as well on the day as his construction should allow him to.

MLD (3/2)

1. Thornley-Taylor's SAXTEAD MOONLIGHT SHADOW – Well shaped dog of good substance, correct rear angulation, masculine yet elegant, good lay of shoulders, would like slightly more return of upper arm for perfection, correct level topline and high tail set. Head is well laid out with correct blunt muzzle, well placed eyes of good shape & colour, high ear set, correct bite and black pigment. Presented in good coat, he moved well. Stood alone but a worthy winner.

LD (7/0)

1. Morton's LINSDOWN GIBRAN Reserve Dog CC – Masculine gold dog of good size and overall shape, well-constructed with good spring of ribs and ribcage extends well back, correct rear angulation. Good blunt muzzle of correct length, nice oval eye, ears are correctly high set but would prefer the slightly smaller. Presented in good coat, he moved steadily around the ring.

2. Cooper & O'Brien's SUSU MORE THAN A PRINCE – a very attractive blonde gold dog, not as masculine as 1, level topline and high tail set, correctly angulated, I liked his head & expression and he moved with precision.

OD (2/0)

1. Hall's BALGAY SHAB TRA – Masculine dog that is up to size but has the correct longer than high shape, good level topline that finishes on a high set and well carried tail, good return of upper arm, correct hare feet. He has a good oval eye shape and his bite is very slightly undershot.

2. Steed's GIANNI ITS ELI – smaller dog than 1, lovely shape, correct hare feet and in fantastic coat & body condition. A little shorter in foreface than 1 and he could do with slightly higher set ears. Well-constructed front & rear, would prefer higher tail set, moves well around the ring, holding his head high

CHD (3/0)

1. Brown & Colaco's Ch SAXTEAD NORBU Dog CC, Reserve Best In Show, Best Opposite Sex – This dog is very correct in many ways, lovely overall shape, level topline, tail is set high and well carried, I liked his substance, his size and the fact his skull is well proportioned being small compared to his body. Good blunt muzzle, correct depth of width of underjaw, correct bite, nice small and high set ears. He was on top form today and his silky coat well presented and lying rather flat, he moved steadily and effortlessly and that correct hare feet were the icing on the cake.

2. Lemon's Ch PARLOUEVE TRUE BLUE – a larger dog than 1 and would not want him any taller, but his body proportions are correct. Good body, level topline, high tail set, lovely hare feet. He has the darkest of oval eyes, his bite is correct although could do with slightly less undershot, ears are of good size but skull is a little wide for me.

SVB (6/1)

This was one of the best classes of the day, with such depth of quality

1. Cooper's Ch DEDICATED TO SENSATIONAL WHITE SUSU (IMP NLD) – Lovely size on this girl, good overall shape, excellent topline, correct tail set & carriage, well laid back shoulders. She has a good skull shape with correctly high ear set, good bite with amazing dentition considering her age. Presented in great body, muscle and coat condition., does not look her age on the move!

2. Steed's Ch GIANNI ITSAPANDORA – Very close up to 1, I loved her shape, skull size, bite, underjaw, muzzle. She has high ear set; her eyes could be slightly darker to complete the picture. Correct high tail set, in fabulous coat condition and another one whose movement did not belie her age. Pure class.

VB (8/2)

1. Thomson's TIBBIESTARS MOULIN ROUGE VW Best Veteran In Show – This red bitch has the most glorious of head and expression with her small skull and lovely ear fringes and her dark oval eyes are drawing you in. Good front angulation, correct level topline, lovely high tail set, the most attractive of hare feet. I loved her slightly naughty and excited attitude and she moved with reach and drive. She was considered for the BCC but lost a little her sparkle in the challenge.

2. Tyler's SOUSKA WHEN OUR LOVE IS GONE – Another very feminine girl with good eye shape and correct blunt muzzle and wide and deep underjaw. Lovely skull size & ear fringes, good hare feet, correct spring and depth of ribs and she moved well around the ring.

MPB (5/0)

1. Wallace's AMAZING GRACE DE LA VALOUBIERE AT MUDITAN (IMP FRA) – Very attractively headed bitch, such a lovely dark oval eye, correct shape & length of muzzle, good bite, correct depth and width of chin, high set ears with a little lift. She is well angulated front & rear with a level topline and her movement was balanced. So delightful, so feminine. Still a baby but she was the one I would have taken home and I admit to rushing to find out who she was and what was in her pedigree as soon as I was home! I hope her owners will keep on showing her.

2. Cooper's SUSU THE SHOW MUST GO ON – So close, as this one has a lovely shape, level topline, quite an attractive head and eye. She is well angulated and has good substance, she moved very soundly, lost out to the refinement of the class winner.

PB (4/0)

1. Short's MALIA ZAYA Reserve Bitch CC, Best Puppy Bitch, Best Puppy In Show – A deep gold feminine bitch, she has a lovely head with attractive oval dark eyes, correct bite and dentition, strong pigment, correct blunt muzzle, her ears are set on high and display lovely fringes. She has enough lay of shoulders, a good return and length of upper arm, level topline, good ribcage for age, her tail is set on high and she moved really well. Good coat quality.

2. Davies' TSARONG SAMAYA – another one with a very feminine head, lovely skull shape & size, high ear set, dark well—shaped eyes. Good front angulation, a little longer cast than 1, presented in lovely coat condition.

JB (2/0)

1. Smith's LACORAL ANYA – Gold bitch with a good overall body shape, OK front angulation, good rear and turn of stifles, level topline & high tail set. She has a lovely eye and good ear set but her skull could be a tad narrower, correct undershot bite, but would prefer full dentition. She is going through that junior phase where her coat is not full yet.

2. Morton's PARLOUEVE PROMISE ME – an honest bitch of good substance, level topline, correct hare feet, ok angulation. Skull is a little wide and ears could be smaller, nice eye shape & colour. Moved well, would just like more refinement throughout.

NB (3/0)

1. Short's MALIA ZAYA - repeat

2. Davies TSARONG LASYA – Gold blonde bitch who is a little longer than I would like and did not fully cooperate with her handler today. Level topline, good high tail set. Lovely hare feet. She has correct dark oval eyes, a correct bite and a blunt muzzle.

GB (3/0)

1. Borrett's CROCKERNE MOON BEAM AT TIBAMA – 2 y/o honest bitch who is well constructed and with correct body proportions. Nice eye, blunt muzzle, would prefer higher set ears. She moves well keeping her topline level and with good tail carriage, Correct hare feet.

2. Smeardon's LINSDOWN KLARICE – small bitch with correct small head, good eye, correct bite, ears could be smaller. She has a good front but would like her ribcage to extend a little further back and her coat needs a little work at the moment.

PGB (6/0)

1. Townsin's TSARONG NYIMA – Bitch of correct size, well built with level topline. Correct hare feet. Eye is of correct shape & colour, good pigment, high ear set, correct bite and good width and depth of chin. Balanced movement and presented in correct silky coat.

2. Blackshaw's SOUSKA FOREVER YOURS – This bitch scored highly for her overall balance, good body & substance, level topline, high tail set. Not quite the front movement of 1, but her movement is balanced and precise. Good eye, correct ear set & fringes, would just like a better bite.

MLB (8/0)

1. Purnell's CROCKERNE MOON DANCER – feminine bitch of lovely size, presented in good body & coat condition, hare feet, correct angles and moves well from the side, level topline, high tail set. She has an attractive head with correct eye shape & colour, high set ears, good pigment & correct length of muzzle. Pushed hard in the challenge.

2. Thornley-Taylor's SAXTEAD TRULY SCRUMPTIOUS – Slightly taller than 1 but a very sound bitch who is well constructed, with high tail set and in good body & coat condition. Correct head qualities with good eye shape, blunt muzzle, good underjaw, correct bite & dentition, high set ears of good size.

LB (11/4)

1. Short's MALIA MISTLETOE KISSES JW – lovely size on this well shaped blonde girl, correct body, attractive head with good eye shape & colour, high set ears, good with of underjaw. Shoulders could lay back a little more, but she has a good return and length of upper arm. Presented in lovely coat quality.

2. Simper & Scoates' CLYDUM RHADIANCE OF RHEDD – red bitch who is feminine and has correct body proportions, good high tail set, lovely hare feet. Would like her skull to be a little narrower to complete the finish on her very classic head with good length of muzzle, correct bite and well-shaped eye. Presented in good coat.

OB (2/0)

1. Thomson's TIBBIESTARS SHADY LADY – Red bitch with an attractive head, correct dark and well-shaped eye, ears are high set and she carries lovely ear fringes, good dark pigment, correct bite. She is up to size but is well constructed with level topline and good high tail set, nice hare feet. She was very excited to be there and her movement was active!

2. Morton's LINSDOWN JODHA – Nicely headed bitch, good eye, correct skull size in relation to body, blunt muzzle, good pigmentation. Would not want her any taller either and shoulder could have slightly more layback, correct level topline, good high tail set, not in full coat today but coat is of good texture.

CHB (2/0)

1. Cooper, Ottens & Ottens' Ch SUSU THE BRIGHTEST STAR Bitch CC, Best In Show – Lovely size on this bitch who has a small & well laid-out head, correct dark oval eye, good high ear set and ears are small, correct length of muzzle, undershot bite. She has a good neckline that flows into well laid out shoulders, level topline, good rear angulation. She is nicely proportioned all around with lovey hare feet. Very active on the move and she stood well, put out all the stops in both challenges where she delivered a flawless performance to take it all!

2. Short's Ch MALIA HARVEST FLOWER – Gold bitch with dark oval eye as all have in this kennel, good blunt muzzle of correct size, head is small in proportion to body but would prefer a little narrower at the sides. Good overall body shape and construction, level topline, moved fine but not as positively as 1 on the day.