City Of Birmingham Canine Association

City of Birmingham

Welsh Springer Spaniels

06/09/2026

Judge: Anthony Allen

My thanks for the exhibitors for entering under me and to my stewards Rita and Shirley for keeping me on the straight and narrow. I had some super dogs to go over, and I had to make some tough decisions, I suspect they will change places over the coming year. I was pleased to hear the class winners greeted with applause. I thought there was a lovely atmosphere around the ring. 

My BCC and Best of Breed was LEWIN’s Sh Ch Santallina Olympic Flame JW. Winning the Dog CC was WILLIAMS & WILLIAMS Nyliram The Alibi For Trebettyn JW. My Res Dog CC was the exciting youngster JOHNSON’s Santallina Coroebus JW. Winning the Res Bitch CC and Best Junior was DYER’s Islanza She's A Peach Among Tylwyth who I thought was a very exciting prospect. My Best Puppy was DOUGLAS & DOUGLAS’ Chanangel Hypnotised by Santallina. Best Veteran was the evergreen GILLHAM & RITCHIE’s Sh Ch Slapestones Diamond Mine JW. Winning Best Special Beginner was GRIFFITHS Merchinetes Padrig

I was disappointed with a lot of the heads today; many had light bold eyes and so didn’t have the typical WSS expression that is so important to the breed. My other concern is that temperaments were not the best on a number of exhibits, too many were backing off.

SBD (1 Entries) Abs: 0

1st: GRIFFITHS, Mrs Ann Merchinetes Padrig. Smart dog of good overall shape and size. Needs to body up but presents a good outline. He has a masculine head, would like his eyes slightly darker and moved well but would like a little more rear drive. BSB.

VD (2 Entries) Abs: 0

1st: GILLHAM, Mrs Louise & RITCHIE, Mrs Thelma Sh Ch Slapestones Diamond Mine JW. Super chap, rising 9 years. Well-balanced and clean in outline, retaining the strength, substance, and proportions required. Masculine well worked head, soft expression, just a few grey hairs that really just enhanced his expression. Good neck into well set shoulders, good through the body, a shade long in loin, well developed quarters. In lovely coat and condition. Moved very well, considered him for top honours. BVIB.

2nd: DOUGLAS, Mrs Dorothy Kay & DOUGLAS, Mr Ian Sh Ch Chanangel Yorkshire Gold to Santallina. Curvy and compact with a handsome head and soft expression. Well off for bone, fabulous feet, excellent angulation, powerful movement. Lovely rich red and white colour. Preferred the tail carriage of the winner. 

PD (1 Entries) Abs: 0

1st: DOUGLAS, Mrs Dorothy Kay & DOUGLAS, Mr Ian Chanangel Hypnotised By Santallina. This chap was 11 months old and has lots of potential. Well boned and a nice overall size, balanced throughout. Handsome head, dark eyes, well set ears. Muscular neck, clean shoulders, would like him a little tidier in elbow, well sprung ribs, powerful quarters. Moved with purpose. Today my Best Puppy.

JD (1 Entries) Abs: 0

1st: BONSER-HADFIELD, Mrs D J Helgen Stratos. Smart youngster of 17 months. Presents a good overall shape and is well constructed with plenty of bone and substance. Pleasing head and expression. Held his shape on the move, super attitude, just needs a little more coordination.

PGD (3 Entries) Abs: 0

1st: JOHNSON, Mr Alyn Gareth Santallina Coroebus JW. 

A super young dog, A quality exhibit of excellent type, a nice size and carries a rich red and white coat of silky texture. Well moulded head, kind expression, long neck, well laid shoulders, good return, big ribs and wide quarters. Moved well. He needs a little more finish to complete the picture, but when he gets that, he will trouble the best. Today had to be content with the RCC. I will follow his career with interest.

2nd: 7065 BENNETT, Mrs Tracy Gilstonia Wreck It Riley for Flyboron. 

Well proportioned, decent head and expression, clean neck into a good front assembly, would like him a little tighter in elbow. Good ribbing and wide quarters. His tail never stopped wagging which was great to see. Moved well to take this place. 

3rd: GRIFFITHS, Mrs Ann Merchinetes Padrig

LD (4 Entries) Abs: 1

1st: JACKSON, Mrs Lisa Jayne & RITCHIE, Mrs Thelma & JA Slapestones Diminico. 

Presents a good outline on the stack and holds his shape on the move. Liked his head and expression. Clean over neck into well placed shoulders, stands on good legs and neat feet, good ribs and firm through loin. Good action on the move to take the class. 

2nd: JOHNSTONE, Mrs Gill & JOHNSTONE, Mr Peter Glenbrows Erasmus For Gilpeta. This chap is 2 years old and progressing in the right direction. Nice overall type, curvy outline, deep chest, well sprung ribs and powerful quarters. Masculine well balanced head with defined stop. Today wasn’t as tidy on the move as the winner. Coat in super condition.

3rd: SHORT, Mrs G & Mr P P & SHORT, Miss N Toftwood Ziggy Starman

OD (2 Entries) Abs: 0

1st: WILLIAMS, Mrs J & WILLIAMS, Mr Thomas Nyliram the Alibi for Trebettyn JW. 

He was my Best Puppy last time I judged the breed, so pleased to see him today as the finished article. Quality exhibit, well balanced and impressive on the stack. Good head enhanced by a dark eye, long neck, well laid shoulders, deep brisket, well-muscled quarters. Excellent mover which took him to the top, his tail never stopped wagging. Delighted to award him the DCC, his second I was told, best of luck for the third!

2nd: DOUGLAS, Mrs Dorothy Kay & DOUGLAS, Mr Ian Sh Ch Santallina Off And Running JW. 

Another very typy dog, I like him on the stack, he is compact and strong. Handsome head, long neck, well laid shoulders, good ribbing, short loin, well developed quarters. Moved well but not as settled as the winner, lost his shape a little at the end which cost him.

GCD (2 Entries) Abs: 0

1st: GROOT, Ms Maaike NL Ch DK Ch Int Ch Isfryn On The Spot. 

Strongly built and clearly cut out for a day’s work. Lovely head and expression, strong neck, well-made front assembly, big ribs, powerful quarters. Covered plenty of ground on the move.

2nd: GRIFFITHS, Mrs Ann Merchinetes Padrig. Repeat.

SBB (2 Entries) Abs: 0

1st: LOCKIE, Mrs Julia & LOCKIE, Mr Martyn Gwirgariad Shooting Star. 

Well-made girlie who presents a balanced picture on the stack. Moved well around the ring with a good action, just needed a bit more umph. Head balanced with an appealing expression. Neck strong which led into a decent front assembly, correct lay back of shoulder, stands on neat feet. Ribs well sprung and firm through the loin. Good quarters on him with a correct bend of stifle. 

2nd: AYRES, Mrs Andrea Glenbrows Asha. 

Pretty girl, 19 months, liked her overall shape, balanced and not overdone in any way. She has a decent front assembly, chest starting to drop as it should. Body of good proportion and quarters developing well, just needs to fill her frame. Movement was ok but needed a little more enthusiasm but had a fluid action. Preferred the winners outline on the stack today. Has good breed type and presented in good condition. 

VB (5 Entries) Abs: 0

1st: WALLER, Miss R Isfryn Lady Godiva At Fireglow Jw VW. 

I really liked this girl 9 year old lady, she presented a typical curvy Welshie outline and has a beautiful head with lovely dark eyes. She is so very well made, compact and strong with excellent leg length, super feet and well made quarters. Moved soundly to take this class. She was in my mind for top honours but she totally gave up in the challenge which was a shame. 

2nd: GIBSON, Mrs C A Dearham Dilys Of Cadehill. 

Another 9 year old of good type. She was sound and well-made throughout, feminine head, dark eyes, long neck, well made in body, good depth, decent bend of stifle. Lost her shape at the end a bit. Had a fluid action on the move.

3rd: DYER, Mr Martin & DYER, Mrs Janet Benton Small Talk Among Tylwyth (Imp Fin) VW

JB (3 Entries) Abs: 0

1st: DYER, Mr Martin & DYER, Mrs Janet Islanza She's A Peach Among Tylwyth. 

This young lady took my attention as she entered the ring, only 12 months old but everything progressing in the right direction. She has a super outline, totally feminine and not a hint of coarseness. I liked her head, overall shape good with a kind eye to give a beautiful expression. Neck clean into a well assembled front with a good lay back of shoulder. Stands on good legs and neat feet. Body developing nicely, good length and overall proportion. Quarters are developing as they should, stifles are moderately bent. Scored in movement with a fluid action and a super side gate. Still needs some finish to complete the picture but I think she may have a bright future ahead of her. Very well handled to take the RCC and Best Junior. 

2nd: DIXON, Mrs Frances Rubydown Summer Joy. 

Pleasing headpiece, moulded head, soft expression, clear stop but not quite the work of winner at the moment. Neck good into a decent front assembly, shoulders well set. Ribs and loin developing as they should, quarters well made. She has a good overall shape. Muscular quarters. Needs to settle on the move.

3rd: HART, Mrs Sally Glenbrows Melody At Mynthurst

GB (3 Entries) Abs: 0

1st: DIXON, Mrs Frances Rubydown Summer Joy. Repeat.

2nd: MAYO, Mrs Tracey Helgen Candy Mountain. 

Pretty head with kind expression. Good neck into shoulder, stands on good legs and neat feet. Good overall construction, a tad long in loin, good quarters. She moved well.

3rd: AYRES, Mrs Andrea Glenbrows Asha

PGB (2 Entries) Abs: 0

1st: COOPER, Mrs G A & MULLIN, Mrs Y Gilstonia Maggie May. 

A very well made bitch who is balanced throughout and has a really lovely head and beautiful expression. Great ribbing, strong loin, wide thighs. Lovely rich red and white colour. Moved true out and back but just needs a bit more umph. 

LB (6 Entries) Abs: 1

1st: TEW, Mrs Pamela Pamicks Dream With Me. 

Well-made three year old girl with a lot to like about her, good balance and proportion. In this class she excelled on the move with a ground covering action. Pleasing expression with a dark eye. Strong in neck, she has excellent angles fore and aft. Enough depth about her and legs well boned. Ribs well sprung and makes a good shape. Moderately bent stifles and good muscle tone, close up for top honours.

2nd: GIBSON, Mrs C A Ferndel Rossana At Cadehill. 

Another very nice type of bitch who had style about her. Three years old, she is coming into her prime. Her head is feminine with a pleasing expression, clean neck into well-placed shoulders and a good return of upper arm. Stands on well boned legs, good depth to chest. Ribs well sprung and a firm loin. Quarters well made. Fluid on the move, moved out steadily fore and aft just not as positive behind as the winner.

3rd: LEWIS, Mrs G A & LEWIS, Mr D T Eiriandylis Strange Magic Von Trannon Jw

OB (5 Entries) Abs: 2

1st: LEWIN, Mr M G Sh Ch Santallina Olympic Flame JW. 

A very elegant bitch who is totally feminine and was in full bloom today. Lovely head shape with the right amount of work to give a beautiful feminine expression. Super neck in to well set shoulders, good front angulation. Ribs well sprung and a muscular loin. Quarters have balanced angles and are well developed with stifles well bent. Came alive on the move with a fluid driving action off the rear. She stood out in the line-up and was completely at one with her handler. I was delighted to award her the Bitch CC and BOB.

2nd: PLACE, Mrs M L & HALLIDAY, Mrs AL Sh Ch Slapestones Aykhal At Aarminias. 

Another very nice type of bitch who had style about her. Her head is feminine with a pleasing expression, clean neck into well-placed shoulders and a good return of upper arm, depth to chest. Would have liked a shade more length of leg to balance her out. Ribs well sprung and a firm loin. Quarters well made. Fluid on the move. Not holding her topline as well as the winner today, which cost her the class. Close up for the RCC. 

3rd: WARD, Miss C M Glenbrows Flame For Tantaraviz

GCB (2 Entries) Abs: 0

1st: LEWIS, Mrs G A & LEWIS, Mr D T Eiriandylis Strange Magic Von Trannon Jw. 

I liked this bitch in the limit class but she was much more confident this time around and moved much better here. Good head and eye, pleasing expression. Long neck, stands on well boned legs and neat feet. In super coat and condition.

2nd: KNOX, Ms Anne & MOLE, Mr William Jennifer Our Loyal Welsh At Edincraw (imp Nld)). 

Nice type of bitch, 5 years old, longer than ideal but has a pretty head with a lovely dark eye. Good through the body, decent depth and well developed quarters. Wasn’t very happy in the ring today and was very sluggish on the move.