Crufts

Welsh Springer Spaniels CRUFTS 2025 – Thursday 6th March 2025

Judge: Nigel Worth

I was both delighted and extremely honoured to be invited to judge the breed I first fell in love with 40 years ago. My grateful thanks to the Crufts committee for this opportunity. Also, a big thank you to those exhibitors that entered their dogs under me, I really appreciated the time and effort you put in to get your dogs to what is inarguably the best dog show in the World, in some instances travelling extremely long distances. The presentation and condition of the dogs was good, however we must remember the standard calls for the coat to be straight or flat, silky textured and dense. Movement particularly in some classes made my choices difficult. Temperament too was excellent. One or two didn’t enjoy being handled but with practice and careful handling they will I m sure come to love the showring. Some dogs could have had more tail action and several tails were quite high. However, I was more concerned with soundness and how the exhibit covered the ground as this is not a waggy tail contest. I am not known for sitting ringside watching the judging at shows so having the opportunity to get hands on with so many dogs was a real pleasure and sometimes a complete surprise

First and foremost I was looking for a head of good proportion with a typical expression plus a balanced outline, with correct angles front and rear. Size is important to me. The standard is very clear and I do worry that the breed is gaining in height. Worth remembering this breed is the smaller cousin of the ESS. Other areas to watch – too many large feet, lack of forechest in some and too long in the hocks in others. Having said all that I am more than happy with my winners and in some classes would have liked more place cards.

Lastly I wish to thank my two lovely stewards, Mr & Mrs Atkinson who did an amazing job of organising the ring and keeping everything (including me ) running smoothly. A day to remember.

Veteran Dog (11,1)

A really lovely class of veterans, a testament to the love and care given to them by their owners.

1st: Sh Ch Slapestones Diamond Mine JW (Mrs & Miss Ritchie & Butler). I believe I awarded this dog his first CC and my opinion of him has not changed. He has a well proportioned head, masculine without any coarseness. Well chiselled below eyes. Neck of good length set into well angled shoulders. Plenty of forechest Good bone, straightest of fronts, good feet. Balanced length to height proportions. Well angled muscular rear. Firm level topline which he held while moving soundly with drive around the ring. Delighted to award him Best Veteran in Breed.

2nd: Int/Multi Ch Lentigos Jakob Se Vch (Ms T Dolinina). Another well made dog. Slightly taller than winner but nevertheless well balanced throughout . Lovely head, clearly defined stop, good length to muzzle. Lovely dark eye. Strong neck, well angled shoulders,good forechest, well boned straight front legs. Exceptional feet. Enough rear angulation, well let down hocks. Good topline, deep chest. Shown in excellent coat and body condition. moved soundly with drive.

3rd: Int/Multi Ch Easy Victory Adea Ejw’17 Vww24 (Mgr J A Samsel). Smaller built dog but again of balanced proportions. Lovely head and expression. Skull of correct proportions to muzzle, defined stop and dark eye. Enough neck, reasonable shoulder placement with well boned straight front. Well bodied, well sprung chest of good depth. Well angled rear. Firm topline which he held while moving with drive around the ring.

Puppy Dog (4,0)

A lovely class of puppies all with plenty of time on their side to develop.

1st: Slapestones Dominco (Mrs L J & Mrs T & Mr A Jackson, Ritchie & Jackson). Quality puppy who stood out in the class. Very typical head conforming to the standard. Good length of neck set in well placed shoulders. Needs time to further develop in forechest and body but the shape and balance already visable. Good bone, straight front, and firm round feet. Well angled rear, hocks well let down. Firm topline and moved well for one so young. One with a bright future. Just lost out to bitch puppy as I felt she was just ahead of him in terms of maturity ant togetherness on the move. They did however make a lovely pair going around the ring in the puppy challenge.

2nd: Slapestones Orapa (Mrs A Bascombe). A slightly rangier version of winner – I see they are litter bothers. Didn’t quite show or handle as well as winner therefore not showing himself off to advantage. Has good bone and feet, well angled front and rear. Pleasing head with dark eye. Enough neck. In lovely coat and condition. moved well when settled

3rd: Gilstonia Run Red Rum for Aprilflash ( Miss C J & Mr I Gaylor & Robertson). Promising puppy who just needs time to develop. Today his rear action not as strong as those above him. Another with good bone and feet. Balanced when stood with lovely topline. nice angles front and rear. Pleasing head and expression.

Junior Dog (5,0)

1st: Nyliram Born This Way JW (Mrs J Graham). Smaller built dog of good proportion and balance. Pleasing head and expression.well placed ears of correct size. enough neck. Another with good bone and feet. Mature in body with correct topline, good depth and width to chest . strong rear. Moved well around the ring covering the ground effortlessly.

2nd: Islanza Gladiator (Ms P Salt). Not as confident as winner today and not as positive on the move. Both handler and dog struggled to get around the ring.However he is still only a junior and has plenty of time to settle and develop. Would probably have liked a slightly more defined stop but head and expression pleasing enough. Good bone, with straight legs. Rear angulation good and topline level.

3rd: Slapestones Orapa. 2nd in puppy dog.

Yearling Dog (3,1)

Two very different dogs. Today I felt the winner presented a more balanced outline when stood and was more positive on the move.

1st: Bronnydene Fly Red Kite (Mrs S P Chimes). Pleasing head and expression. just enough neck, good bone and feet. Mature body with good spring to rib. Showed well moving soundly around the ring. Presented in good coat and condition.

2nd: Glenbrows Erasmus for Gilpeta (Mr P & Mrs G Johnson). Taller and longer caste than winner. Masculine head without coarseness. Good length of neck. Good bone. Nicely bodied. Coat in good condition. not the topline of winner and not as positive on the move.

Post Graduate Dog (4,0)

1st: Cerysan Limited Edition (Mrs C K Levy). Another who presents a very balanced outline. Not a big dog but has plenty to offer. Masculine head with lovely dark eyes. Reasonable length to neck. Good forechest. Straight front with plenty of bone. Mature body with firm topline. well angled rear. Moved really soundly with drive and enthusiasm. A happy boy who was shown in lovely condition.

2nd: Toftwood Ziggy Starman (Mrs G & Mr P P & Miss N Snout.) Taller dog with plenty to like. Another pleasing masculine head. Good length to neck, straight front, good bone and feet. Good depth to chest, well bodied, would have liked a little more rear angulation. Not as positive in his rear action as winner today.

3rd: Amanshe Lone Ranger (Miss A Primmer). Heavier type than 1st and 2nd. Masculine head, strong neck. Plenty of bone and mature body. Shown in good coat. Moved well enough.

Limit Dog (11,3)

1st: Glenbrows Marquis (Mr S & Mrs H & Mr T & Mrs Williams & Williams & Harrison & Harrison). This dog caught my eye on first inspection of the class. He has a lovely head and expression, strong neck of good length. Well made front with plenty of forechest. Good bone and feet. Straightest of fronts, mature body of good width and depth of chest. Enough rear angulation. Firm topline, which he held on the move. Moved really soundly, covering ground and driving out well. He was presented immaculately. Was considered for further honours.

2nd: Waverline to Tobermory at Slapstones (Miss D, Mrs T & Mr M Ritchie & Scaife). Another mature dog who gave a very good account of himself.excelled in bone and tight feet. Pleasing head, masculine without coarseness. Good length to neck. Straight front Firm topline. well let down hocks. Moved well but just preferred the more positive rear movement of winner.

3rd: Kamunting’s Mad Hatter (Mrs B Hepworth). Heavier type dog. Balanced throughout. Nice head, good neck, well off for bone, nice feet. Would have liked a little less weight over shoulders. Good depth to chest with good spring. Moved well with firm topline. in lovely coat and condition.

Open Dog (15,2)

This was a strong class with some really nice dogs. Type did vary but that was to be expected. I decided to shortlist then it was down to tight decision making and good movement.

1st: Lv/It/Si Ch Bedrik LLyn Sonata Multi Jch (Mr V Yankovskiy) . Really felt this dog looked a picture both standing and on the move. Lovely head of good proportions with defined stop. Dark eyes and lovely expression. strong neck of good length. Good angle to shoulders, well off for forechest. Lovely bone with excellent feet. Mature body with good spring of rib and good depth. Strong loin with enough rear angulation. Correct topline. he moved so soundly both front and back and covered a lot of ground effortlessly. On occasion his tail did lift above his topline but it did not detract from his excellent footfall . delighted to award him the CC in good competition.

2nd: Eiriandylis by George (Ms Ja Allen). This dog was a complete surprise to me. Particularly liked his size and balance. Lovely head, well defined stop. Dark eyes with lovely expression. strong in neck and shoulder. Enough forechest. So balanced with good height to length ratio. Good bone.Well ribbed with good depth to chest. Strong in loin and well muscled rear with good angulation. Firm topline and shown in good coat and condition. Very sound on the move, . just felt my winner today had the more powerful drive. However pulled out all the stops in challenge for Res CC which he won in excellent competition. I understand he already has 2 CCs and a few res CCs, I cannot see his title being too far away.

3rd: Sh Ch Glenbrows Revolution JW ( Mr T D & Mrs H L Harrison). Slightly bigger dog but can he move. He has an impressive outline. Balanced with a lovely head, long neck and good body proportions. He has excellent bone and feet.shown in excellent coat and so well presented. He just comes alive on the move and powers around the ring with plenty of drive.

Special Working Gundog Dog (3,0)

1st: Fr/Tr Ch Don’s Fingers Crossed (Miss Anne Ducourtioux) . A big dog who was well balanced with a lovely head and expression. he excelled in bone, had good angles front and rear. Plenty of forechest, mature body with good rib and depth. Moved really soundly with good drive keeping a firm topline. Just felt this gave him the edge to win this class. His presentation was immaculate and he was shown in excellent condition.

2nd: Int/Multi Ch Eastfarm’s Middletime Dreams (Mgr J A Samsel). Another well made dog, balanced throughout, well angled front and rear. Good bone. Being critical maybe I would have liked a more define stop but nevertheless a pleasing expression. good length to neck. Good height to length proportions. Good bone, deep chest with good spring. Firm topline. moved well.

3rd: Int/Multi Ch Lentigos Jakob Se Vch. 2nd in veteran

Good Citizen Dog Scheme Dog (8,3)

1st: Eurion Jasper (Miss E K Green ). Best mover in the class today. Being critical would have liked a more defined stop and for me a little heavy in shoulder. However when stood he was balanced, had good bone and tight feet. Angles front and back were acceptably. Firm topline when moving.

2nd: Islanza Hey Dude (Mrs S & Mr B R Leach). This dog is right up my street for type but sadly today he didn’t seem to be enjoying his time in the ring and his movement suffered, hence being placed 2nd. When stood he really looks the part with so much to like. Disappointed I couldn’t put him higher.

3rd: Eiriandylis Georgia Moon (Mrs A Brook). Another who gave his handler a hard time. Smaller type but again balanced when stood, good bone, mature body, acceptable angles front and back. Good width and depth to chest . In lovely condition. moved well when settled.

Veteran Bitch (11,2)

Lovely class of veterans, all shown in lovely condition and thoroughly enjoying their time in the ring.

1st: Benton Small Talk among Tylwyth (Imp FIN) (Mr & Mrs J Dyer). Feminine head and expression, good length to neck well angled shoulders, good rear angulation. Good bone and feet. Good spring and depth to chest. Moved soundly both coming and going and covered the ground well in profile.

2nd: Highclare Maid of Honour at Eiriandylis (Ms L Tyler). I believe I have placed this girl well before. She has a lovely feminine head of good proportions, good neck and shoulders. Well angled rear. Excellent bone and feet. So balanced and in lovely condition. gave her handler a bit of a hard time when moving today but did enough to show she is sound.

3rd: Andrea Harleyquinn (Mrs S L & Mr J R Graham), another shown in lovely condition. nice head, good neck and shoulders. Well angled rear. Good height to length body ratio. Moved soundly.

Puppy Bitch (5,0)

1st: Slapestones Aykhal at Aarminias (Mrs M L & Mrs A L Place & Halliday). This young girl pulled out all the stops. She is so well made. Really lovely head and expression. good length of neck, well laid shoulders. Good bone and really tight feet. Good spring and depth of rib for one so young, strong muscled rear. Firm topline and shown in lovely coat and condition. her handler certainly knows how to get the best out of her. Moved soundly covering plenty of ground effortlessly. In the challenge for Best Puppy I felt she was better developed and more balanced and in the final run off got the nod.

2nd: Slapestones Finsch ( Mr A Mrs TC & Miss D Ritchie). Litter sister to winner and built from the same mold. Very similar comments apply. And hard to split them. On occasion when stacked she lost her topline but presented a firm topline when free standing. Moved soundly with drive. I believe both have a bright future and will change places many times.

3rd: Slapestones Catoca (Mrs S L & Mr J R Graham). Yet another litter sister and again you can see the resemblance in all three. Not yet at one with her handler but has a lot to like and again similar comments apply. She has time to settle and mature. Pleasing head and outline, good bone. In lovely condition. movement was sound when settled

Junior Bitch (7,0)

1st: Cox Queen from Kind of Magic ( Mr B Homikx).. This girl caught my eye on first inspection of the class. She would fit right in at “Sarabande”. She has a gorgeous head and expression. so feminine. good neck, well made front. Good forechest, lovely bone and feet, well angled, strong and muscular rear end. Particularly loved her size. Lovely mature body, just needs to grow her coat to finish the picture .perfectly balanced and so strong on the move. Will watch her future in the ring with interest.

2nd: Tuttington Ginger Snap at Ardinia (Mrs J & Mrs F Jackson & Palmer). Another presenting a balanced outline. Feminine head and expression. good neck, lovely deep and well ribbed chest. Good bone and feet. Well angled rear. Firm topline, would like to see a little more confidence but moved soundly.

3rd: Raffelsbrander Extra Edition (Mrs R Kaufmann – Dotsch). Mature girl in good coat. Good bone, well ribbed chest and balance outline when stood. Enough neck, kept a level topline on the move. Would have liked a little more rear angulation which would have helped with a more positive rear action. However did enough to prove she was sound.

Yearling Bitch (9,2)

1st: Ferndel Rossana at Cadehill (Mrs C A Gibson). Very well made. Feminine head of correct proportions. Good neck and shoulders. Good bone and feet. Straight front, well ribbed chest of good depth. Firm topline, well angled rear. Balanced outline. Shown in good coat and body condition. moved well, sound back and front and covered the ground well.

2nd: Eiriandylis Confusion (Ms S A & Ms J A Cochrone & Allen). Not as mature as winner but has time on her side. Feminine head and expression. good length to neck. Good angles front and rear. Good bone and feet. Moved well when settled. Needs more coat to finish the picture.

3rd: Amanshe Enchanted Spirit (Miss A Primmer). Pretty headed girl, good length to neck. Enough bone, straight front, would have liked a little more rear angulation. Good rib with spring and depth. Moved okay.

Post Graduate Bitch (16,5)

Not an easy class to judge as there was such a variation in type and movement.

1st: Summer Nights by Roxdale (Miss S Gilmore). Good head and expression. well defined stop. Enough neck. well angled front , enough rear angulation. Very similar Good height to length ratio. Mature body. Moved out well.

2nd: Hillpark Carys Gold (Mrs Am & Mrs Gm & Mrs Na Walton & Coffin & Patterson) . similar type and size to winner. A little heavy over the shoulder but the angles are correct. Topline falls away a little to the tail. Moved well enough, to gain this place.

3rd: Glenbrows Flame for Tantaraviz (Miss C M Ward). Beautifully presented bitch shown in good coat and condition. longer caste than I would like but has lovely bone and good feet. Good depth to chest, firm topline and moved well.

Limit Bitch (14,3)

1st: Glenbrows Harmony JW (Mr T D & Mrs H L Harrison). Such a lovely girl to go over. Well mature and very well balanced. Has a pretty head of excellent proportions. Strong neck of good length, set into well made shoulders. Plenty of forechest, straight front, good bone and tight feet. Lovely angle to quarters. strong in loin. Firm topline. Moved soundly with plenty of drive. Presented immaculately and in excellent condition. Pleased to award her the Res CC. later learnt I awarded her mother her first CC from Junior.

2nd: Benoveor Endless Love at Rubydown (Mrs J M Morgan). Another with a feminine head and good length to neck, set into good shoulders.lovely bone, good feet. Longer caste than winner but is balanced throughout. Well ribbed chest of good depth. Firm topline, well angled rear. Showed well and moved soundly with drive around the ring

3rd: Eiriandylis Life of Riley (Ms L Tyler). Well made and of good type, which is something this breeder consistently achieves. Very feminine head, strong neck of good length, correct shoulder placement. Balanced outline when stood. Ample rear angulation. Good bone and feet. Not the confidence on the move of those above her but showed she was sound.

Open Bitch (13,4)

1st: Sh Ch Renascent Bleaberry at Slapestones JW (IMP USA) (Mrs T & Mrs L Ritchie & Graham. Today this girl completely stole the show. She is at the top of her game. She looked a picture standing and did not disappoint when going over her. Head and muzzle correctly proportioned, soft feminine expression. lovely length to neck. Good angles to both front and rear. Lovely bone and tight feet. Mature body with plenty of forechest, well ribbed with good depth. Shown in good coat and lovely condition. Watching her move today was a joy. She is so sound and powerful. She takes one stride when some need three. Her handler really got the best out of her today. Delighted to award her the CC and could not be denied BOB. I thought she represented the breed well in the group ring. The bigger the ring the better she seems to go.

2nd: Sh Ch Nyliram Telling Tales JW ShCex OSW (Mr T Graham). A well known bitch who has a long list of wins to her credit. Today was not her day, I felt she did not have the bloom or movement of others and preferred head and feet of main winners. However she deserved her place in a strong class.

3rd: Dutch/Lux/Ger/Bel/Int Ch Yoko Ono from Kind of Magic (Mr B Homikx). Another well made girl. Liked her size and height to length ratios, balanced with good angles front and back. Feminine head, enough neck. Good substance to body. Good bone and feet. Moved well.

Special Working Gundog Bitch (2,0)

1st: Summer Nights by Roxdale. 1st in Post Graduate.

2nd: Out of Africa Du Domaine De Kerarzic Vilin (Mrs Nelly Clero). Bigger type than winner and not as positive on the move today. Feminine head and expression. good length to neck. Plenty of bone. Would have liked little less weight particularly over the shoulders and when stood a little high behind.

Good Citizen Dog Scheme Bitch

1st: Benoveor Endless Love at Rubydown . 2nd in Limit

2nd: Hillpark Queen Bee for Cerysan Awb (Mrs A P Caldwell). Placed earlier in a strong veteran class. Lovely head and expression, very feminine. Balanced outline with firm topline. plenty of neck, angles good front and rear. Mature body with good spring to rib. Moved out well.

3rd: Summer Nights By Roxdale (miss S Gilmore) 1st in post grad and special working