North Of England Welsh Springer Spaniel Club

North of England Welsh Springer Spaniel Club

Sunday 2nd November 2025

I would like to start by thanking the committee for the invitation to judge this lovely show and for giving their time up to make the day run so smoothly. I don't know if it was due to me being the afternoon judge, or just sheer circumstances but it was really sad to see so many absentees across both sexes, but never the less I was very pleased with the quality of dogs I judged. Most of the dogs were beautifully presented, but a lot lacked confidence which spoiled the overall picture, toplines, feet and tailsets were for the most part good, but movement and muscle tone needs to be worked on. 

Puppy Dog

1. Philipson’s Menstonia Endless Dreams

Masculine chap, symmetrical in appearance, lovely head and muzzle depth, ears set well and of good shape. Shoulders well laid back, straight legs on the best of feet, good body depth for age, strong topline, moderate bend of stifle and well muscled hind quarters. Moved well, driving from his rear. Stood alone for best puppy in show but im sure he could hold his own in the best company. 

Yearling Dog 

1.Jackson,Jackson and Ritchie’s Slapestones Diminco

Really liked this young man, but he was giving his handler a hard time, which at times made him hard to assess. He scores in head and expression, good ear set and shape, long well muscled neck, would like him stronger in front as it makes him look a little unbalanced. Well off for bone and coat which was of good colour, strong topline and good rear quarters, moved well once settled just needs more confidence. 

2.Bascombe’s Slapestones Orapa

Balanced, compact chap, loved his larger than life character, really made me smile. Text book head and expression, dark eye with a typical cheeky WSS glint in them. Well off for bone, nice straight legs and the best of feet. Strong topline and good depth of chest and moderate hind quarters. Just carrying his tail too high on the move which cost him the class. 

Post graduate 

1. Slapestones Diminco 

2.Slapestones Orapa

3.Wallington’s Ferndel Renzo at Rovinjdal

Veteran Dog 

I would just like to comment what a credit these 2 outstanding boys are to their owners, a pleasure to judge. 

1.Richie and Gillham’s Sh Ch Slapestones Diamond Mine JW

My heart skipped a beat when this magnificent guy entered the ring, I have admired him many times from ringside and was thrilled to have the chance to judge him. To me he is the epitome of a WSS, symmetrical, compact with a level headed kind disposition. Beautiful head, melting expression and correct chiselling under his eyes, vine shaped ears and long muscular neck. He had the best front construction of the day, straight legs and round cat like feet. Correct depth of chest, which he held on the move, moderate hind quarters, that were well muscled. He was presented and handled to perfection, floating round the ring with smooth ground covering stride, totally at one with his owner, who he is an absolute credit too. Pleased to award him Best dog, Best Veteran Dog, Best in Show and Best Veteran in show. Thank you for bringing him. 

2.Brown’s Bodownia Ozzie VW

This young man was 11 years old, not that anyone had told him, balanced, well off for bone and in good coat and condition. I fell in love with this fella's lovely head and melting expression, kind dark eye and sugary accents on his muzzle. Good front construction, good length of neck and correct depth of chest, moderate hind quarters that he used well to power around the ring. Reserve best dog. 

Post Graduate Bitch

1.Casey’s Tigerrock Amazing Grace with Willowmeana

This girl is all lady, balanced from every angle, lovely head and expression with a kind dark eye, long neck, well set into shoulders, straight legs and lovely cat like feet. Her topline was strong and held well on the move, correct depth of body and strong well muscled rear, she's not the bravest of girls which did affect her movement a little, but was good when settled. 

2.Chandler’s Chanangel White Rose

Baby of the class, so giving a lot away in maturity, she was well presented in good coat and condition. Lovely head, nice depth of muzzle, dark eyes of correct shape, muscular neck, straight legs and nice feet, strong topline, well muscled rear, she moved well just a little proud of her tail, which could settle with age 

Limit Bitch 

1.Casey’s Tigerrock Lit De Roses with Willowmeana

This young lady caught my eye as soon as she came into the ring, beautifully presented, gleaming coat and condition. Balanced, feminine and symmetrical from any angle, lovely head, correct depth of muzzle and kind dark eye, correct ear shape and set. She has enough bone, straight legs and tight round feet., good body depth and correct coupling, good width of thigh and moderate bend of stifle. She moved well, covering the ground correctly, really well handled, pleased to award her best bitch. 

2.Backhouse’s Nyliram The Sea Glass at Aindrea

I really liked this girl, she was feminine, balanced and well presented, sadly she was carrying far too much weight which affected her topline and movement. Beautiful head and expression, good bone, her movement was sound, but I think it would be outstanding if she was fitter. 

3.Short’s Ferndel Fire Gem at Toftwood

Open Bitch 

1.Chandlers Chanangel Yorkshire Rose

Feminine girl, loved her size and balance, well off for bone and presented in good coat and condition. Nice head proportions, good depth of muzzle and well shaped dark eye. She excels in rib, well sprung with good body depth, strong topline, and well muscled quarters. She moved well, would have liked more width across her thigh to finish the picture. Reserve best bitch 

Veteran Bitch 

1.Graham’s Aindrea Harleyquinn 

This young lady makes such a balanced picture, lovely head and expression, dark eye of good shape, she had one of the best front assemblies I judged on the day. Straight legs, cat light feet, well sprung ribs, correct body depth, well set tail and strong moderate rear quarters that she used well on the move, covering the ground soundly.