American Cocker Spaniel Club Of Great Britain

THE AMERICAN COCKER SPANIEL CLUB OF GREAT BRITAIN

Championship Show October 5th 2025

When I received the invitation to judge the parent club of the American Cocker Spaniel in the UK, my own very first breed, I could hardly believe my luck. I was filled with joy and excitement as this was a dream I never really dreamt that came true. From finally getting my first dog at 13 years of age, to standing in the middle of the ring being afforded the pleasure of going over your dogs of this most wonderful breed, I was counting my blessings 42 years later on. To me, the American Cocker Spaniel is one of the most beautiful breeds I know, and I dare say that I love all the Spaniel breeds. I may not have been faithful and continued on my own with the yanks, realising the high maintenance required, so I drifted off to English and Welsh Springer Spaniels, lately also adding an Irish Water Spaniel who make me realise how much work a heavily coated breed really involves.

I have to thank you, the officers of the club, for this great appointment. To Linda Reed, Carole Fryer and of course Simon Whincup who also acted as the most brilliant steward on the day. It was also a pleasure to have so many of my British friends from various Spaniel breeds attending the show, thus showing me support. It was highly appreciated. The vast knowledge shared between the members of the audience in the hall, was staggering and humbling.

And to the main carachters of the show, the dogs and their handlers, I owe you a massive thank you for accepting my placings. Now to my feedback to you.

First of all, the venue. I was driving from Derbyshire the morning after storm Aymy on a sunny but cold morning. Lots of trees had fallen over roads, still not cleared an early Sunday morning, so I was lucky to get there at all. The venue was apparently new to this show, and a fairly new sports centre. Bright and functional hall but sadly spoiled the first hour from basket balls making thumping sounds, quite unpleasant for the younger and unexperienced exhibits. After a short while it was badminton in the other part of the hall, so it was quiet thereafter thankfully.

VETERAN DOG OR BITCH (2, 2a)

BABY PUPPY DOG (1, 0a)

1 Tricajon Oreo Cream at Jennobar: L/W/T, 5 months. Lovely shape and proportions, masculine well shaped head with dark eye, big teeth, wide and deep muzzle. Slight arch to scull, nothing coarse about the head. Lovely neck and sufficient angulations in front, a little straight in shoulder but good return of upper arm, well developed chest, wide across the loin which was short, good angulations behind, excellent feet and bone. Well coordinated movement shown on a loose lead. Super temperament. Promising coat.

MINOR PUPPY DOG (1, 0a)

1 Very Vigie Just for Giggles (IMP FIN): B/W/T, 6 months. Masculine and well developed for age, correct proportions, well shaped scull, good width and depth to foreface, well placed ears, beautifully crested neck, normal angulations in front, excellent behind, well sprung ribs, slightly low set tail, could have a longer step in front, excellent drive from behind, his performance in his class was unfortunately affected by the noise from basket balls thumping in the other half of the hall, however his temperament and his owner’s sympathetic handling made him overcome this when he came back for the challenge,, well done! Super coat.

PUPPY DOG (1, 0a)

1 Alibama That’s My Boy: Buff, 10 months. Perfect size, correct proportions, short coupled and well up on his legs, loved his breed type, combines masculinity with an air of elegance. Classic head piece with a nicely rounded scull and good stop, enough length and strenght of muzzle, well placed ears, beautifully arched neck which flows soflty into his shoulders, slightly sloping topline, straight back, well placed tail but like many youngster full of themselves, still carries his tail a little high. Enough chest for his age. Moves slightly close behind but super side gait. Lovely coat of correct texture. BPD

JUNIOR DOG (1, 1a)

YEARLING DOG (1, 0a)

1 Little Life Zimply Champagne (IMP FIN): Buff, 22 months. On the top end for size but well within the standard, masculine all over, slightly long cast for perfect proportions, a little heavy in scull and would like more strength to foreface which however is of good length. Dark, expressive eyes. Excellent shoulder and upper arm. Nicely developed forechest and good spring of ribs, adequate depth but could be a little longer in brisket. A little long in loin and could be wider across the croup and stronger in topline. Well set and carried tail. Lovely bone and feet. Could show some more enthusiasm in his movement which still is correct and well coordinated. Super silky coat well presented.

NOVICE DOG (0, 0a)

POST GRADUATE DOG (3, 2a)

1 Harrisburg Hakuna Matata: Golden, 3 years. Excellent proportions, classical outline with a super topline, a touch to heavy in head which needs to be more refined, dark, well shaped eyes, good neck, somewhat straight in shoulder however good return of upper arm. Would like him broader all through his body, especially behind, a fraction long in loin, enough bone, excellent feet. Well placed and carried tail. Moving a little short in front, good drive from behind but a little close going away. Excellent coat quality and adequate amount of his coat. Friendly temperament.

LIMIT DOG (6, 2a)

1 Nova Story Boogie Woogie (IMP MNE): B/W/T, 2,5 years. Correct size only a fraction long cast, beautiful head piece wth well developed foreface and slightly rounded in scull. Excellent body which is strong all the way thorough. Strong neck going into nicely angulated and clean shoulders. Wells et and correctly carried tail. Excellent bone and feet. Moved really well on a long and seemingly uneffortless stride. Well presented coat that could be slightly silkyer to the touch. Super temperament. A well deserved RCC.

2 Mycalleys Sirocco JW: Black, 2,5 years. Perfect for size and proportions, compact outline, beautiful head being masculine without any hint of coarseness, nicely crested neck, slightly upright in shoulder and a little short stepping in front, correct topline. Proud of his tail. Super body and good widt over his croup. A touch wooly coat very skillfully presented.

3 Nasailleen Nigel

OPEN DOG (4, 1a)

1 Sh Ch Nujax Happy Halloween: Liver with tan markings in the right places, 2 years. Handsome male full of style and class scoring heavily for overall breed type, excellent size and proportions, textbook head with his slightly rounded scull which is not too heavy, well defined stop and beautifully cushioned foreface with enough length. Large, dark and expressive eyes giving him such a wonderful expression. Super neck slightly arched. So well angulated both front and rear. The topline doesn’t need to be more sloping than this, especially when stood, on the move he shows a super topline with just the right degree of slope. He is well bodied up for his young age with good spring of ribs and a short, strong loin. Excellent tailset but carries his tail a little too gaily. Moved effortlessly with precise footfall and particularly good front movement not seen too often in the breed, His coat and presentation, just wow! An honour to award him the CC and BOB.

2 Sh Ch Fonesse Dirty Dancing at Carolco ShCEx: B/W, 5 years fully mature male of correct size and proportions, nice head but would like some more strength to his muzzle. Beautiful clean neck of ample length and strength, super in body with a capasious chest, a tad long in loin, good width over his backend, well placed and carried tail, topline could be stronger on the move. Enough bone, excellent feet. Expertly and beautifully presented coat that has a little tendency towards wool in his featherings.

3 Sabisabi Iroquois Eyota

BABY PUPPY BITCH (0, 0a)

MINOR PUPPY BITCH (1, 0a)

1 Mycalleys Jasmine: Black with tan markings in the required places, however could be clearer on the muzzle. Super overall shape with lovely size for her 7 months, excellent proportions with a short back and well up on her legs. Lovely feminine head with enough length and strength to foreface. Already nicely sprung ribs which come a long way back. She has super width all through her body and across her bum. Well angulated both ends. A fraction too low set tail, but carried her tail very well in spite of that. Low hocks. Her backcoat is absolutely top notch and her featherings are coming on nicely. Shown happily on a loose lead with free and easy stride and unmistakeable mischievousness.

PUPPY BITCH (4, 1a)

1 Alibama She’s a Peach: Buff, 10 mpnths and oh so full of quality, a sheer classic beauty how the top buffs used to be in the breed’s heydays. Her overall balance and proportions are textbook with good length of legs combined with a super short back which is why she pleased me endlessly. She has a beautiful head with gorgeous expression from dark well shaped eyes and a plush foreface of good length. Lovely arch of neck. Body well developed for age. Moderate and balanced angulation front and rear. Moved with style and precision and with bags of show attitude. Excellent coat and presentation. BPB and just had to give her BP.

2 Nasailleen Flicka Bird: B/T with correctly placed clear and clean tan markings, 11 months. Excellent size, good length of legs but would like her a fraction shorter for optimal balance, sweet head and expression but would like more strength to foreface. Well developed in body, excellent bone and feet. Correctly slightly sloping and strong sopline, tailset a fraction too low and carried a little too gaily. Really powerful mover showing good propulsion from her strong hindquarters. Super coat structure and presentation.

3 Jaclee Raise Your Glass

JUNIOR BITCH (2, 1a)

1 Nasailleen Edge of Glory at Cosalta: Black, 11 months with appealing proportions. Very feminine head which I would like a bit deeper in muzzle and will of course need time to be fully developed in head which at the moment is a little too fine, however her expression is absolutely lovely. Beautifully arched neck of good length. A little upright in shoulder. Strong and slightly sloping topline, just a freaction too low set tail which she carries correctly on the move. Still has a way to go to develop in body but time she has in abundance. Promising coat, still not quite out of her puppy coat. A little short stepping in front, super drive from the rear. Very sympathetically handled on a loose lead showing off her happy disposition.

YEARLING BITCH (2, 0a)

1 Alibama Dot to Dot: Black, 18 months, top quality, another with a truly classical outline, just so balanced. Her head is hyper feminine with good strength to her foreface which I would just prefer a fraction longer. Elegantly arched neck which is well muscled and strong. Short and firm back. Well set tail, but slightly too gaily carried on the move. Excellent coat structure and just the right amount of it. Carried herself really well around the ring, another one with that charming slight air of mischief about her.

2 Arrowbien Rose & Rose at Davcar: Tricolour, 21 months. A little heavy all through and would like more refinement and elegance in her head. Really well bodied with good spring of ribs. Topline a little soft. Excellent bone and feet. Super structure on her back coat, however featherings could have less wool.

NOVICE BITCH (2, 0a)

1 Americlass Dita Von Parti: B/W, 11 months, beautiful overall quality, really comes into her own on the move where she excelled and shone. Well shaped head but would like it cleaner. Excellent angulations both ends, super in body with good width all through. Good coat quality nicely presented.

2 Afterglow Dominicae: Tricolour, 15 months, well up to size but perfectly proportioned and presenting a very typical outline. Too heavy in scull and too light in muzzle. Beautifully crested neck. Straight and slightly sloping topline. Needs more width and length of chest. Well set and carried tail. Not happy on the table still agreeable and she too upped the game when it came to movement which was effortless and well syncronised. Super coat texture

POST GRADUATE BITCH (3, 0a)

1 Sabisabi Apache Catori: B/W, 3 years, presenting a beautiful and typical outline especially when stacked. Lovely head with well cushioned muzzle and a soft, still mischievous expression. Super neck which is nicely arched. Good width all through her body, a quality on which she scored heavily. Well set and carried tail, however the topline could have been stronger on the move. Excellent bone and feet. Movement was precise and she covered the ground well.

2 Dreamcast Elysium at Carolco: B/W, 20 months, prefectly proportioned. Needs to fill in in muzzle which is a little short, otherwise good head, sufficiently long neck which is strong. Well sprung ribs, but still needs time to develop in forechest. A tad long in loin. Good widt across her croup. Enough bone. Moved with enthusiasm and precision.

3 Jurgapearls Arabella

LIMIT BITCH (3, 0a)

1 Kenoula No Regrets: Black, 17 months, and now we are talking, this little gem made my heart beet faster and brought back memories of great ones from the past. My notes says that she reminded me of a picture of Lochranza Teeny Bopper who went to Australia. So classic and a true yank. Scored heavily in her correct proportions and outline being short, compact with a good body and she is well up on her legs which she stands well over. Her headpiece is exquisite with excellent length, width and depth of muzzle, clean scull, beautifully crested neck of ample length. Good width all through her body with an excellent chest and short loin. Super coat of silky tecture and the right amount of it, that is not too much featherings. Her movement was a true pleasure to watch as she simply floated around the ring on a loose lead like she was dancing, such was the charisma that she exuded. I was captivated by her sheer quality and had to award her the CC. I am afraid this little star may be overlooked by other judges, so her handler really has to make the most of it to make sure they see what I did – then she will be a hard act to beat.

2 Arrowbien Nina Ricci at Jennobar: Tricolour, 21 months, full of substance still retains her elegance, a difficult combination. Slightly longer cast than winner. Well shaped head with excellent strength and length of foreface. Strong and long neck. Could be slightly cleaner over shoulders. Excellent volume through her body. A tad too low set tail. Excellent coat quality and presentation. Moved with presision and power.

3 Almondsbury In the Night at Mickals

OPEN BITCH (3, 0a)

1 Sh Ch Nasailleen Ella Vaday: Black, 30 months, beautiful outline with a nicely moulded head which has enough strength in foreface, long, thin ear leathers. Crested neck into well laid shoulders and a gently sloping, strong topline with a well placed and carried tail. Good spring of ribs. A fraction too long in loin. Strong and well angulated hind quarters. Moves really well, exceptionally good in front movement. Super coat and presentation. RCC

2 Mycalleys Koko JW ShCEx OSW: Black, 31 months, a truly classical bitch full of breed type, presenting a highly typical outline and handles really well. Plush foreface with sufficient length of muzzle. Beutifully arched neck of good length. Strong topline which she held on the move. Mature in body with well sprung ribs. Good bone. Could be slightly better angulated both ends, however she is balanced which is the most important aspect. She could have had a longer step in front. Her coat is textbook, both in texture and presentation.

3 Jaclee Trails of Gold over Furian

Stig Arne Kjellevold (Westaway, Norway)