Weston Super Mare Canine Society

Firstly I’d like to say a huge thank you to the committee and my stewards, a very well run show, a proper South West atmosphere, you really have a great community down here, everybody seems to help each other and get involved. 

Thanks to those who entered under me also. 

I enjoyed judging the handling classes, it was a good experience, it’s VERY encouraging to myself as a young person to see so many interested in the dog game, hopefully many will hang about and become the breeders and exhibitors our hobby needs. 

English Springer Spaniel: 

Two different kennels entered their stock today, both opposites in type. When judging, my type preference doesn’t come into it, as long as they look like a springer I am happy, confirmation and BREED type is king! 

The exhibits today were cleanly presented which pleased me, jackets well maintained and trimmed to a great standard.

Special Yearling : 

1. Kibby’s, Pinhays Princess Sarah, this bitch create a good shape of balance and moderation, leaning slightly towards the masculine side especially in head where I found her skull to be broad and her expression a little harsh, however she has excellent depth of flew, correctly shaped eyes and good work underneath them, flat cheeks to finish with ears correctly set and well feathered, super length of neck, her front assembly I felt was V good, displaying correct angulation, forechest still needs to develop as it’s giving the impression of narrowness. Topline is good, ribs wide, good length of loin, tail set on well, however it’s carried too high which spoils the overall picture on the move. Her rear is well let down, good width to her thighs, however she completely lacked muscle here which you could see on the move, her thighs are of correct proportions, if well muscled she has the ability to really get going on the move. She has good feet and bone. On the move I found her accurate on profile but without power, on the out and back I found her needing to be more parallel. She’s well presented and is a good prospect. 

2. Hill’s, Peasblossom Emotions With Teignvalley, a young black and white bitch with the best of temperaments and attitude, she’d show all day I’m sure. Her head is a little strong for me, albeit a soft expression with perfect eyes, she is a little too throaty and broad through back skull, her neck is of a good length into a well made front, upper of the correct length and angle, excellent forechest, overall she’s a better size than 1. Her ribs are well sprung, however they come quite a way back, her loin is also long, her tail is well set and well carried, didn’t stop wagging in fact, her rear long in both thighs which gives the impression she is slightly sickle hocked which lost her to 1. On the move she had a bit of purpose about her but lacked the reach and drive that the breed requires, she is so well muscled, beautifully presented and has time to grow up into those angles. 

Open dog: 

1. Hill’s Teignvalley New Beginnings JW, another black and white, good specimen, a good head, plenty of work, correct flew, well set ears, correct eye colour and shape, well developed neck leading into ok shoulders, his upper arm could be longer and set at a better angle, it gave the impression that he is straight in front, well developed body, not too long, not too short, good depth, rear of good proportions, another well muscled and in overall good body condition. On the move he had purpose and a great attitude, however he had not go enough reach. 

2. Kibby’s, Pinhays Pie In The Sky, unfortunatly I think this dog is a little too much for his handler, his head is masculine, eye was a little on the light side, good length of neck, front ok with decent angles, however he lack in forchest and overall depth for a male, I found him too long throughout today, his tail is carried too high, his rear although well let down I found too long in second thigh, he lacked muscle overall today. He stood on good feet and had a good temperament, in profile he showed decent foot fall but on the out and back he crabbed slightly, well presented. 

Open Bitch: 

1. Hills Teignvalley Rags To Ritches JW, this bitch is symmetrically built, overall she couldn’t be confused with another breed. Her head gave a beautiful expression, I’d perhaps want a little more strength to the piece in general but she had well shaped eyes, good work under them and well set, nicely feathered ears. Her shoulders are well laid back, another who’s upper arm I feel could be a little longer and at a slightly better angle, firm topline, depth throughout and excellent well developed forechest, her rear is well made and let down, tail set is perfect and it’s well carried and used on the move. Good bone and feet, on the move she again displayed purpose, I’d prefer slightly more extension in front, however she was true coming and going, completely sound in all directions, perfectly presented, well muscled and conditioned! Pleased to award this bitch BOB! 

2. Kibbys Trimere Taylor Maid at Pinhays JW ShCEx OSW, up my street for type, head is well made, eyes could be tighter, plenty of work under the eyes, good depth of flew. I’d prefer more length of neck, ok shoulders, good return of upper arm and length, forechest well developed, she has good depth throughout, her topline is week on the stack and move, she rises over the loin slightly, but honestly I feel this could be a handling error emphasising this, her rear is of good proportions however. Good length of first and second thigh, but another from this kennel needing more muscle, on the move her footfall was correct, but as above, her topline let her down, out and back she was close behind, tail a little high today, well presented. 

P.s sorry to the exhibitors for the delay of this critique, I thought I had submitted but obviously didn’t along with another critique, having had surgery also my head has been elsewhere, many congratulations on your day! 

Handling classes: 

6-11years 

1. Kaycee-mae Turton, 10 years old, showing all the promises of a good handler, did exactly as asked but must brush up on breed knowledge. 

2. Isabella Scullion, 11 years old, she displayed excellent knowledge, completely sympathetic, did most as I asked but spoilt performance by getting in between me and her exhibit. 

12-16 years 

1. Libby rycroft, aged 12, excellent knowledge and confidence, did everything I asked, sympathetic with her exhibit and a graceful winner. 

2. Lula Stower, aged 12, excellent young handler, expert knowledge on the breed and confident with it, did all I asked, but I would encourage her to be slightly more sympathetic to her exhibit. 

Adult handling: 

17-39 years 

1. Paige Edens, sympathetic handler, at all times looking where she is going and checking the dog and my position within the ring… good multi tasking! At all times presenting her dog and showing it, good breed knowledge, completely at one with her exhibit. 

2. Cally Saunders, the dog gave this handler a difficult time, she shows all the promise to be an excellent handler with excellent concept. 

40+ years 

1. Janet Rice, seasoned pro, knows her breed, goes at the correct speed and listens to instructions well, excellent lead placement and completely sympathetic. 

2. Tristan Rycroft, unlucky to met one as he has also got an excellent way with his dog, always showing his exhibit to advantage , listens to instructions and is at a me with his dog!