Lancashire Heeler Association

VULNERABLE NATIVE BREEDS OPEN SHOW

STONELEIGH, 24th AUGUST 2025

My thanks to the Lancashire Heeler Association for their kind invitation to judge at this well-organised show at a great venue, and to the individual Breed Clubs for supporting the classes. It was a privilege to judge a super quality entry throughout, and I appreciate the generosity of all exhibitors in bringing their beautiful dogs for a non-breed specialist’s opinion.

CLUMBER SPANIELS

PUPPY (0 entries)

SPECIAL YEARLING (0 entries)

LIMIT (0 entries)

OPEN (1 entry)

1st Blackburn’s SUELYNDA LET ME BE THE ONE JW, impressive 2 yrs D of substantial & well balanced build, masculine & well-proportioned head being broad in skull with brow, deep stop & square muzzle, plenty of forechest, liked his length of neck leading to well-laid shoulders and excellent front angulation, strong bone throughout, big round feet, deep in brisket with well-sprung ribs, well-coupled, broad well-muscled hindquarters with correct rear angulation, a powerhouse on the move with an effortless stride and great drive behind, in sparkling coat & fit condition, a real pleasure to judge & award him BOB

VETERAN (0 entries)

FIELD SPANIELS

PUPPY (0 entries)

SPECIAL YEARLING (0 entries)

LIMIT (2 entries)

1st Moore’s FANTASTIC FIELD SHINE LIKE A DIAMOND AT GADHELIC JW (IMP FIN), very attractive outline on this upstanding 2 yrs Liver B, body length balanced by length of leg, noble & lean appearance to correctly-proportioned head, eyes OK for shape & colour with attentive expression, stands on well-boned straight forelegs & neat feet, strong neck, ample forechest, well angulated in front with well-laid shoulders & enough length of upper arm, deep through body, well-ribbed back and well-coupled, well-muscled & great width of thigh, ample bend of stifle, sound on the move showing drive behind, very pleased to award her RBOB

2nd Welburn & Angus’ ELGERT QUEEN OF HEARTS TO SPARKENHOE, eye-catching black B whose coat gleamed, built on slightly smaller lines than 1st but still beautifully balanced in outline, refined feminine head, loved her dark eyes which were tight & of correct almond shape giving her a typically grave expression, long strong neck into well-laid back shoulders, stands on strong feet, plenty of forechest, deep & strong through body, another with wide well-muscled thighs, moderately bent stifle, impressive mover showing great drive & accurate footfall front & rear, just not holding her topline so well as 1st today

OPEN (0 entries)

VETERAN (2 entries)

Veterans in any breed always tug at my heart strings, and these two did that and more, being wonderful examples of the breed and its longevity.

1st Bennett’s SH CH JESHAM BARONET, 8 ½ yrs Liver D of unmistakeable quality, so typical & proportionate in outline, loved his masculine & well-balanced lean head with that look of nobility, dark hazel almond-shaped eye giving him the gentlest of expressions, well boned without coarseness, straight forelegs & standing on neat feet, strong in neck, excelled in front & rear angulation, well-built throughout with ribs extending well back to short strong loin, great width of thigh, in lovely coat & fit condition, moved well with drive holding firm topline, no hesitation in awarding him BOB & BVIB, delighted to hear he was later BVIS4, congratulations

2nd Moore’s SH CH ELGERT CHINA GIRL FOR GADHELIC, delightful 9 ½ yrs Liver B, presented a lovely outline, a shade more compact overall than 1st, the most beautiful feminine head with lean muzzle, correct eye shape & colour give her a truly melting expression, strong neck leads to a well-angulated front, excelled in forechest, plenty of bone while retaining her femininity, deep brisket & strongly built throughout, well-ribbed back & short-coupled, firm topline, wide & strong in thigh, like 1st not overdone in stifle, her soundness on the move belies her veteran status, just a shade heavier over the shoulders than 1st today

IRISH WATER SPANIELS

PUPPY (0 entries)

SPECIAL YEARLING (1 entry)

1st Bradley’s NYLLAUP OREGON SUNSTONE, upstanding 13 mths D with compact outline, head is unsurprisingly not yet the finished article but is already masculine & of good length & width, eye colour to darken a shade, appealing bright expression hinting heavily at the mischief within, long neck leading to a well-angulated front assembly, plenty of forechest for his age, deep in brisket with ample spring of rib, short & broad in back, short & strong in loin with good depth to flanks, broad thighs & well let down in hindquarters, in good coat with correct crisp ringlets, moved very steadily considering his youthful exuberance, very pleased to award him RBOB

LIMIT (1 entry)

1st Hardy’s CUBOGLACH TUFTED SKIPPER, 2 yrs B, liked her overall make & shape, beautifully proportioned head of good size with domed skull & long, strong muzzle, loved her large nose, dark brown eyes of correct size & almond shape giving her an appealing expression, good length of neck, enough forechest & sufficient layback of shoulder, deep enough all through body with big ribs, powerfully made over rump with well-angulated stifles, full of energy & moved freely, preferred crisper coat texture & body depth of younger D for RBOB

OPEN (3 entries, 1 absent)

1st Bradley’s SH CH STANEGATE STAGE DEBUT (AI) ShCEx, mature 5 yrs B & absolutely beautiful, my notes read “everything I hoped to see”, substantial & compact yet undoubtedly feminine in appearance, domed skull of correct width, long & strong in muzzle, super dark brown almond-shaped eye & intelligent expression, strong in neck & throughout body, ample forechest, well-angulated front & rear, big ribs, strongly-coupled, back short, broad & level, her powerful rear drove her effortlessly round the ring, lovely tight-curled & crisp-textured coat, BOB, her many charms later winning over the BIS Judge to take BIS, congratulations

2nd C TUFTED SKIPPER

Teresa Dunsdon

(Judge)