North Of England Spaniel Club

North of England Spaniel Club

22nd June 2025

What an absolute honor to have been asked to judge Clumbers, AV Classes & finally BIS at this friendly well run society show. The atmosphere was lovely on what was a wonderful English summers day and how perfect being surrounded by wonderful spaniels.

Clumber Spaniel

Puppy – no entries

Post Graduate 3 (1)

1st Nicolson, nicolson & Risk Knockhalon Spooktacular of Taranstigh

9 months old brother and sister. Lovely shape to them both nicely balanced and strength throughout. 1st head broad skull and good square shape with occiput correct. Good dark eyes with correct shape to them giving the desired expression, large ears of correct vine shape to nicely balance the head. Lovely strong shoulders leading into good upper arm and correct front assembly with good strong bone. Adequate chest and nicely sprung ribs. Standing well on good feet, strong straight movement from all angles with good carriage of topline. Need to watch standing as dog stands correct and the owner does have a tendency to stand front legs out at elbow when they are not – the dog does it right!

2nd Stevenson, Knockhalon Put a Spell on You. similar to 1 but just smaller throughout, lovely head and expression but just lost out on the drive of 1st on the move and its overall balance.

Limit 5 (2)

1st Nesbitt, Creeaark Austin Healey From Chabrouille

Just loved this dog, handler did not show him off to the best but the quality of him shone through and won the class and BOB. Lovely substantial boy who looks like he could do a full days work and then some. He had a wonderful happy disposition and made full use of the ring to show his lovely effortless but accurate stride where he strode out well with strength, good topline and correct footfall. Lovely head and expression, nice dark eye, good deep chest and correct well sprung ribs. Nice length of hock and well let down to give good drive. BOB

2nd Barrass, Bebecova Uniqueness

A smaller structure throughout, nice shoulders and front assembly, quite loose in muscle tone which did not help with the movement on the day. Preferred head to no 3 .

Open 2(1)

1st Nicholson, Nicholson & Risk, Clubus Jolly Jumper of Taranstigh (imp DNK)

Nice topline held well on the move, tailset correct and flowing well off on back on movement. Good short hocks giving good drive, and straight movement with a good reach . RBOB

Lagotto Romagnolo – no entries

Ellen Dobson Memorial Members AV Veteran Stakes 2 (2)

Best in Show

As said, what an honor to have such a privilege to award Best in Show – I had some fabulous dogs to assess so thank you to the judges for putting them through to me.

I really loved both my BIS and RBIS and was splitting hairs between them, a real delight for a judge to have such decisions to make.

BIS – Sussex Spaniel – Mowbray, Sh Ch Gainsmill Lilly Luna Potter at Crumbledor ShCEx

One I have judged before and today on the grass in the outside ring she really strode out so well to truly grab that Top Spot – faultless movement and stride, such a happy girl. Lovely head and expression, correct eye shape and colour giving you such a lovely expression. Body proportions lovely with just enough leg. She could not be denied the top honors today as she gracefully pulled us in with her charisma in the ring.

RBIS - Spanish Water Dog Doji Smogetsu Twinkle you Tinkerbell at Chanderhill (Imp Fin), such a lovely typy movement, so true coming and going. The breed standard states Robust, medium sized, well-muscled – well this lovely girl had that all in spadefuls, such a delight to go over her and feel the quality and substance with lovely muscle tone.

I must also mention the smart cocker who I really loved but just did not quite get it together enough on the move but I am sure will rival all the top ones as maturing takes over. The clumber again put on a sterling performance.

Best Puppy in Show

BPIS – Eng Springer – Calvert – Elazlan Elle for Leather – lovely bitch, very dainty feminine head, not perhaps outgoing as some but only a baby – she moved with drive showing her lovely topline and good angulation, rear had good drive.

RBPIS – Spanish Water Dog – Rainethyme Rerite the Rules for Chanderhill, lovely substantial dog with power in movement. Good shape to him and correct coat of good texture. Really pushed the springer hard for BPIS.

Best Veteran in Show

BVIS - English Springer Spaniel , Casey, Tigerrock Strike a Pose

RBVIS – Welsh Springer Spaniel, Gibson, Ferndell Rossana At Cadehill

Both lovely examples of the breed, shown in tip top condition and enjoying their day out , the English just had that bit more drive on the move.

AV Minor Puppy 4(3)

1st Darling, Elazlan Night Hawk – stood alone in the class, on the top end of size for his age, lovely head and expression with good eye shape and expression, nice flat cheeks for his age and correct stop going into slightly rounded skull with enough work in. Nice movement when settled. 0

AV Puppy 1(1)

AV Junior 9(7)

1st Thompson, Cooishka Chasing Rainbows – clipped off Spanish Water Dog – nice shape and substance to him. Head of good shape slightly longer in rear skull to his foreface, good colour eye and nose with correct pigmentation. Front angulation adequate leading into good shoulder and upper arm. Overall a nice depth to him for his age.

2nd McGeachie, Malbecmogs Lady of the Lake at Klanhallion, Sussex not as settled on the move and lost out to movement.

AV Post Graduate 8(3)

1st Bacon, Timbric Doris Day JW, lovely cocker who I really liked. Nice compact shape of good balance. Nice depth of brisket, loin short with a level topline and low set tail.

2nd Stevenson, Knockhalon Put a Spell on you

AV Open 6(5)

1st Nixon, Stonielea Williams Charm at Glenbruetti, clumber previously judged in breed classes where it was awarded 3rd place. Stood alone but moved well.

AV Cath & Wilf Steel Memorial Reserve Open Stakes 3(2)

1st Darling, Elazlan Billy Kimber, English Springer – really liked this dog, nice up on good feet, moved with drive and held topline well. Good shape and correct head especially in profile. Lovely character coming through .

AV Reserve Best of Breed Winners Stakes

1st Chandler, Chanangal White Rose, Welsh springer of correct length to height ratio, nice dark eye, Ears correct ear set and size. Upper arm good leading into correct shoulder and forechest. Nice long neck leading smoothly into good topline and low set tail, correctly held on the move.

2nd Bacon, Timbric Doris Day JW, sadly she was not playing ball with her movement today as having far too much fun, but a lovely attractive girl who I really like.

AV Segedunum members Puppy Stakes 1

1st Calvert Chanangel Yorkshire Honey, good head and shape from all angles. Good length of neck and well placed shoulders, a lovely young handler who did well to hold such a strong dog who thought she might prefer to be outside the ring.

AV Marie Maccallum Memorial Members Open Stakes 5(3)

1st Shipton, heartwood Mishules all is possible with Calica (imp USA) JW BW24

A black and tan Field Spaniel, head with pleasing expression, if being critical would prefer slightly more length in foreface and slightly more chiseling . She presents a good overall balance but a tad more leg length would enhance this, sitting on good legs and feet, straight front movement coming with good rear movement.. Moved well round the ring to win the class.

2nd Tait, Crimicar Midnight Destiny, Cocker Spaniel, slightly fine in head for me for a male cocker, would just like a bit more all over. Sound movement and good angulation on the stack and move.

Judge Gretel Osborn (Elgert)