Northern Ireland Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Club

Northern Ireland Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Club 

Championship Show - 27 September 2026

Apologies for the delay in posting this critique, which was substantially completed in the week after the Show. I had a commitment to judge in USA just after the show which involved a 10 day visit to Canada and a drive from there to Massechussets. In addition I had numerous hospital appointments to attend. We all get old, unfortunately!

I am grateful to the Club for the invitation to judge your Championship Show, I really enjoyed my day.

My first thoughts are with the Club Secretary, Michael O’Shaughnessy, who was hospitalised a few days before show day and hope his health is improving and he is now home. His wife Hazel phoned me on the Thursday before, to tell me about this and to reassure me that all was organised for the show and that I’d be met on the Sunday morning by Committee Member Cath Deddis and Treasurer Roberta Cooke and that in her and Michael’s absence, there would be two very capable stewards to deal with the ring administration. Indeed, I am grateful to Gillian and Sean, for their work.

Thanks also to the Committee for the Judge’s gifts, which are greatly appreciated.

I was delighted with the quality of the entry that included many of the current top winners, and five of my class winners from the The Cavalier Club’s Show where I had judged the bitches 19 months ago. 4 of them are now Champions and the 5th well on it’s way there. In addition, in dogs I had the current top two males in the UK to assess along with a few other top class exhibits.

It was very satisfying to learn from Michael that the entry of 71 Cavaliers was the largest received since the Club started twinning with Belfast. 

We were the second show of the day. Belfast having been judged in the morning in the carpeted main ring. We were in a different ring without matting and some of the dogs found the shiny concrete surface difficult to cope with. Perhaps the Club should think about having mats in the ring for the dogs to move on for assessment. However, there were many who coped perfectly and it was very roomy. Do exhibitors still use the likes of Tacky Paw Wax on the feet of dogs who are uncomfortable on smooth shiny surfaces?

I was looking for a small, well balanced, happy Cavalier well within the weight requirements, with typical head and expression, correct angulation front and rear, level topline standing and moving in profile and acceptable parallel movement viewed from front and rear. These attributes I found in each of the four dogs and bitches I finalised in the Challenges.

Having last judged in 2025 at the last minute rearranged venue for the Cavalier Club where the ring was so small and the boards laid on grass in the gazebo vibrated constantly with the weight of dogs and handlers, with spectators encroaching in the ring, it was great to have a flat roomy surface to watch the dogs move. Sad to say some of those gave grave cause for concern about how they moved on the out and back. With everyone nowadays having a phone with a video facility, it is easy to have a friend or partner film this aspect to let you view what the judge is seeing. You may be pleasantly surprised or disappointed. 

I’ve spent many hours, sitting in my garden, watching all my dogs, especially puppies, looking for natural posture and accurate movement.

DOGS

Veteran Dog or Bitch (1 Entry, 0 Absent)

1st Tracz’s My Heart Of Diamonds Yellow Sunshine

Gentle faced 8 year old Blenheim with eyes dark, round and large. Good overall shape and balance. Lovely coat texture and shine and plenty of it which added extra glamour. Good weight and a balanced frame. Dark nose pigment. He moved out steadily, just a bit close in rear. Handsome boy with lots of appeal and a size smaller would have added even more, 

Minor Puppy (6, 1)

1st Kerr’s Kinvaar’s Honky Tonk Man

6 months Blenheim just starting on the show trail. Head obviously babyish and needs to develop but he is good looking with dark eyes. Very pleasing in profile on the move where I could appreciate his proportions and shape. Good shoulders leading into firm topline. Lovely tail carriage. He fitted in nicely to my lineup. 

2nd Spiers’ Caramoone Red Hot (NAF)

Neatly proportioned Ruby same age as winner. Pleasing outlook. Short back and correct top line. Correct teeth. Not quite the angulation in front but he carries himself well in profile with self assurance for a 6 month old puppy.

3rd Lamont’s Chantismere Matthieu Arama at Moorfields

Res Spall & Clark’s Llapsttam Philanderer

VHC Szczygiel’s Castletoy Merlin Monroe

Puppy (3, 0)

1st Wilkins & Wilcock’s Tebaldi Bohemian Rhapsody

Smart Ruby of nine months and moving into the adolescent stage. Pleasing enough in head with good eyes, dark in colour. Shapely body and enough substance. Decent reach of neck, level back with good top line and tail set and carriage. Rich coat colouring. His foundations are good and he has plenty of scope to finish well. 

2nd Nolan’s Jernito King Of Hearts

This Blenheim is very striking in profile, both standing and on the move. 

Head needs to break as at present he lacks the expression I was seeking and needs more under eye filling. A size bigger type all through and out moved today by winner. But he is a work in progress, 

3rd Bennett’s Charnavale Touch Of Charm at Remmya

Junior (4, 0)

1st Lovel’s Lovetrac Beckham

Just the size and shape I was looking for. An elegant outline on this well-broken Blenheim. Pleasing head type that still needs development but nevertheless is gentle in outlook with expressive eyes. Attentive and waggy personality. Steady mover in all directions. Eye catching. In my final four for the Challenge Certificate. .

2nd Carthy’s Ardgrove Daydream Believer

Heavily-marked Blenheim who appealed in size and proportions. Pleasing head and facial features, with correct earset. Richly coloured coat. Moving true with style and purpose. Lots to like. 

3rd Lamont’s Moorfields Lochlann

Yearling (3, 1)

1st Kerr’s Caramoone Canadian Club at Kinvaar

Fitted the bill entirely. Small and well balanced. Very attractive head properties. Expressive eyes, well-set and good colour and shape. Firm in outline and well- bodied. Richly coloured coat of good length. Steady and accurate on the move. In my final 4 for consideration and with perseverance could win big 

2nd Hamilton & Hogg’s Mariposa Cavalier’s Pico Bello at Hamhoggs (Imp Pol)

Ideal markings and a super happy attitude on this Blenheim youngster. Bigger than winner. Pleasing head type and expression just lacking the Wow factor. Has good tail carriage.Needs a tidier gait going and coming. Willing to please. 

Novice (3, 0)

1st Spall & Clark’s Llapsttam Techno Notice

Teenage Black & Tan who I felt needs more body. Elegant and shapely in outline. Good neck and shoulders and well-carried tail. Appealing facial features giving attractive expression. Coat well presented. Driving rear movement just a little careless in front. 

2nd Spiers’ Kinvaar Imperial Flame

Tricolour dog with huge ears framing an attractive head and good face features giving mellow expression. Good length of coat with markings well distributed. His whites would look better without the staining. Good rear action not so adept coming towards me. 

3rd Leaver & Gresty’s Revaelann Rocky Road

Post Graduate (2, 0)

1st Willis’ Dinitro’s Rock Steady Eddie JW

A nice looking Blenheim boy but bigger than my ideal. Had good qualities in head and expression. Pleasing eyes dark and gentle with black nose pigment. Well broken markings of rich colouring and presented in grand condition. Displays a very satisfying picture, with a good attitude and steady on the move.

2nd Hamilton & Hogg’s Kringleholme Continental

Another happy Blenheim and again on the biggish side. Sympathetically handled, Not doing himself any favours today. Rather uncoordinated in holding himself standing and even more so on the move.

Limit (4, 0)

1st Searle’s Stonepit Into The Blue

Just the right size I was looking for. Great construction from nose to tail, presenting a very balanced picture overall. Richly coloured heavily-marked Blenheim coat of good length in sparkling condition. Balanced head properties, with appealing eyes, correct teeth and dark nose pigment.moved steadily and accurately in all directions. A real contender today, to whom I awarded the Reserve CC.

2nd Rhodes’ Calonlan Zeus

Lovely headed Tricolour of ideal size and proportions. Predominantly Black in coat, shown in gleaming condition. He has a stylish outline standing, which appealed to me greatly, but was rather erratic on the move today losing his clean outline completely. I liked him a lot, but failed to bring his A-Game today. 

3rd Eccles’ Llapsttam Get Knotted JW

Res Smith’s Beaudale Smooth Criminal

Open (6, 3)

1st Lovel’s Ch Lovetrac Banksy

He fulfilled most of my requirements today in size, balance, outline and deportment. Beautiful head with a sweet and gentle outlook. There is nothing exaggerated or overdone about him. Everything fits so well together. He has a happy demeanour with his tail gently wagging in repose. He moved effortlessly and had no problem with the floor surface. He willingly did all that was required of him and looked a picture in his silky well marked Blenheim coat. Delighted to give him the CC today and later Best in Show.

2nd Chapman & Ireland’s Ch Ellemich American Express

Another quality Blenheim with many of the correct admirable qualities I sought. He was perfect in profile moving, retaining the desired level topline and tail carriage. Has a great rapport with his owner and is very willing to show off his qualities His coat condition was praiseworthy. Can on occasion drop his top-line when posed and I preferred the overall outline of winner. 

3rd Conlon & Kotani’s Ir Ch Rathbrist Rewrite The Stars

Special Open B/T or Ruby (3, 0)

1st Spall & Clark’s Ch Llapsttam Luther Vandross JW

2 year old Ruby shown in full glamorous coat. Gentle face and attractive headpiece. Appealing in outline with everything fitting well together, both standing and on the move. Today I felt he was rather thin on handling his ribcage and have seen him with more sparkle. 

2nd Eccles’ Llapsttam Get Knotted JW

Good looking Black & Tan of ideal size and body proportions. He strides out accurately showing off his short back, compact body, good neck and front assembly. Has stacks of style and is very eye catching in flowing coat gleaming with condition. Proud tail spoils his otherwise clean outline.

3rd Lamont’s Ir Ch Moorfields Meir

BITCHES

Minor Puppy (5 Entries, 1 Absent)

1st Chapman & Ireland’s Ellemich Love Letter

Sweet head and enchanting expression on this Blenheim. At 6 months she is very well-developed and her body was quite adult already. Presented in excellent condition. Complimentary markings. Movement acceptable in rear, but not so tidy in front.

2nd Szczygiel’s Castletoy Happy End

Another 6 Month old Blenheim. More what I expected in body development at this stage. Good in outline with pleasing angles front and rear. Fetching face with gentle eyes. She was steady enough on the move. A lot of puppy fluff still to come out, but she appealed in size and shape. Has scope, but still has a long way to go. 

3rd Kerr’s Kinvaar Pink Pony Club

Res Leaver & Gresty’s Korraines Baby Love at Revaelann

Puppy (4, 0)

1st Willis’ Dinitro’s Opalite Sky

Neat sized Ruby with good body proportions and a richly coloured coat. Good eyes, teeth and nose pigment. Could be softer and more feminine in expression. Very steady and accurate on the move and that took her to first place. 

2nd Ryan’s Cavallibrook Ezperanza

Bijou Blenheim with pleasant face and a good outline in profile, both standing and on the move. Good colouring and presented in fine condition. But so disappointing on the out and back. Effervescent. 

3rd Kilcoyne’s Granasil Incantations

Res Richardson’s Kringleholme Mystere

Junior (4, 1)

1st Carthy’s Ardgrove Take My Breath Away

Blenheim of perfect size and proportions. Great angles front and rear. Most appealing head and expression. Lovely coat in great condition. Attentive and alert, displaying a typical Cavalier personality. She’s a steady and accurate mover, making my final four in the Challenge. Should continue to do well. 

2nd Byers’ Moorfields Maple

A rangier type of Blenheim who needs more time to develop into her frame. Coat gleaming and shiny with condition. Would like her to move with more fluency in profile but she was accurate moving front and rear. 

3rd Wright’s Fortunamajor Cast A Spell at Myoglenn

Yearling (2, 0)

1st Chapman & Ireland’s Ellemich You Make Me Blush

A stylish showy Blenheim with very pleasing head properties. Delightful in face and expression. Good for coat and perfect presentation. Liked her size and balanced outline. Front action let her down. 

2nd Conlon & Kotani’s Rathbrist Accidently In Love

Another Blenheim youngster. At 13 months needs more time to grow into herself and come together. Ideal coat markings and pleasing facial features.

Novice (2, 1)

1st Rhodes’ Calonlan Bianca

This Black & Tan stood alone here. Correct for size,but would like better angulation front and rear and a tidier front action. Still very juvenile in development but lovey coat properties. Her colours were good, raven black with bright tan markings, shining with condition. She did not cope very well with the surface of the ring.

Post Graduate (4, 1)

1st Hamilton & Hogg’s Invincible Angel Magic Oak at Hamhoggs JW (Imp Pol)

Very soft expression on this Blenheim who has classic head features. Correct body shape with pleasing angles front and rear. Level topline. Soft coat texture and good shiny condition. Moved pleasingly in all directions. 

2nd Moorfields Maple

3rd Richardson’s Kringleholme Corvette

Limit (5, 1)

1st Searle’s Stonepit Dominique

Neat size and shape with appealing head, eyes and expression. This Blenheim was very accurate and sound moving in all directions. Complimentary coat markings. Presented in wonderful condition. In my final 4 bitches today. With more self belief could have it all

2nd Conlon & Kotani’s Ardgrove Born To Shine at Rathbrist

Another Blenheim. Attractive head and expression. She has a clean outline, if a little longer in body, but general appearance was overall very pleasing. Good length of coat presented in grand condition. A steady mover but dipping a little at shoulders spoiling the clean profile she presents standing. 

3rd Craney’s Sweetbriar Moonstone

Res Bennett’s Rishtte I’m Tanisha of Remmya JW

Open (6, 2)

All four present in this class had commendable merits to draw my attention.

1st Conlon & Kotani’s Ir Ch Rathbrist This Is Me

This Blenheim impressed with her very correct and balanced outline. Spot on for size and weight, with complimentary angulation front and rear. Her delightful personality enchanted me. Lovely head with softest expression. She had enough coat of rich colouring presented in tip top condition. In this closely contended class she was the steadiest both standing and moving. Delighted to award her the Reserve CC at what I learned later was her first time at a UK show.

2nd Waters’ Ch Sweetbriar A Singer

Another sweet faced Blenheim. Small and neat with short back and good ribs. Very appealing headpiece with the softest outlook. Well-marked with a happy personality. Moved steadily with confidence. A bit untidy coming towards me. 

3rd Cox’s Emberlace Christina

Res Lovel’s Ch Lovetrac Angelica

Special Open B/T or Ruby (4, 1)

All three in this class had claims to take the first placing, but on balance I was looking for a small well proportioned bitch well within the Standard’s requirements and the Ruby did this and more.

1st Spiers’ Kinvaar Strawberry Tart

She was just perfect in size and balance for my eye. She captivated me completely. Apart from her extreme beauty, she had the personality and exquisite deportment that drew my eyes to her constantly. Shown with sympathy and skill to display her many attributes to the full. I apologise to the owner for asking her to let the breeder take her into the challenge as well. I think,subconsciously, I had made up my mind that she was my Best Bitch and did not want to risk spoiling my dream. I was very happy to see her and my best dog compete for Best in Show. Both looked wonderful to my eye, with the decision favouring the dog, being just slightly shorter in body.

2nd Wilkins & Wilcock’s Llapsttam Four Tea Love at Tebaldi’s JW

This Black & Tan ticked most boxes for me and I have regularly admired her from the ringside. Very sweet face and full marks to her owner on her turn out. She gleamed. However, today, I felt her wealth of coat gave the impression that she was probably a size bigger all over than the winner. But my high regard for her remains in tact. In the right place, at the right time could make up . 

3rd Smith’s Ch Beaudale Little Bit Naughty

Gordon Inglis ( Craigowl) Judge