Manchester Dog Show Society

Manchester Championship Dog Show.

16th January 2026.

Spanish Water Dogs.

I had been looking forward to today for some considerable time and I relished my time with this lovely breed and its proud supporters. There was a lovely relaxed but supportive atmosphere ringside. My thanks to the officers and committee of Manchester Championship show, for this appointment, my first time awarding Challenge Certificates in this breed. I had two wonderful discrete, efficient stewards, who kept things moving and me in check – my thanks.

With such a small bitch entry it’s difficult to make sweeping statements, however I was looking for that typical distinctive outline, a level back (allowing for a slightly higher wither), together with a slighter longer length of body compared to height, with the height at elbow at about half the height at the withers. What I found, were mixed toplines and in some cases exhibits who were just too long in body. In most cases this appeared to be attributed to a longer loin, rather than ribs coming further back.

I was surprised to find that some exhibits lacked the slight stop, which really makes the head and provides, for me the elegance required. Too little stop creates plainer less typical heads. Rear movement was mixed and whilst some looked adequate going around, its was disappointing moving away.

That said temperaments were excellent, as were coats, and front assembly was good. I gather my principal winners were quite closely related. These were.

BEST OF BREED : 3958 HODGKINSONRUTHERFORD, Dr K & RUTHERFORD, Mr M Rainethyme Rerite The Rules For Chanderhill JW

Dog CC : 3958 HODGKINSONRUTHERFORD, Dr K & RUTHERFORD, Mr M Rainethyme Rerite The Rules For Chanderhill JW

Res Dog CC : 3965 THOMPSON, Mrs Kirstie Cooishka Chasing Rainbows JW

Bitch CC : 3953 DONALDSON, Mrs F Prizelands Tickled My Fancy JW

Res Bitch CC : 3966 THOMPSON, Mrs Kirstie Sh Ch Cooishka Girl From Mars JW

Best Puppy : 3950 CAPILLE, Mrs Rachel Lendever's Man Among Men

There were no veterans or special beginners sadly.

Special Beginners Dog (0).

Minor Puppy Dog (0).

Puppy Dog (2).

1. CAPILLE, Mrs Rachel Lendever's Man Among Men Excellent almost square proportions, already up on leg, level topline held well for one so young, excellent profuse coat of desired texture, super head planes and lovely to handle, gave a good account of himself, mature for one so young and brisk on the move. BP.

2. WOOD, Mrs Jan As Good As It Gets Wavelet With Sinduda A little longer than 1 but not incorrect not showing himself to the best of advantage to today, which is a shame as there was much like like, hocks well let down, and super rib and lovely kind eye, enough stop, movement was sound, but would benefit from more confidence going around.

Junior Dog (1).

1. HODGKINSONRUTHERFORD, Dr K & RUTHERFORD, Mr M Rainethyme Rerite The Rules For Chanderhill JW Robust and medium sized and commanded my attention, despite standing alone in head he is elegant with correct head planes and in body his topline is correct, is ribs are wide and well back, and he is just long enough. His movement was mistakenly brisk and sound, his coat of correct texture and a joy to handle. Well ahead in maturity, I was pleased to award him the DCC and later BOB, his second I believe, I am sure a bright future awaits.

Graduate (0).

Postgraduate (2).

1. GLAYSHER, Mrs C & THOMPSON, Ms Kirstie Cooishka Wake Up Boo Lovely square dog, really scores in depth of chest, balanced for and rear and correct head planes I was particularly impressed with the movement on this one which was clean and impactful and productive, a lovely exhibit.

2. SEDDON, Mrs Amanda & SEDDON, Mr John Mourama Altea A more mature exhibit scores in body, longer than some but not incorrect long sloping shoulders and a good head plane, a little relaxed and missing a little showmanship, which would have helped. Good coat and a kind correct eye.

Limit (1).

1. SEARLES, Mrs Vanessa Cravessa Snoopy 11 month old chap, really scores in construction to the front with good shoulders and upper arm, not as clean coming towards as others where, in body is lovely to handle, a little longer in loin and more moderate behind than some, really mature for a youngster, he was in super order, in hard muscular condition he is sound going around.

Open (5)

1. THOMPSON, Mrs Kirstie Cooishka Chasing Rainbows JW Showed beautifully and to full advantage, his cheeky ever wagging tail was a credit to his temperament and rapport with his charge, liked him for size and was the best coming and going in the class, lovely level topline but critically was marginally higher at the withers – which many lacked, hocks well down and moderate bend to stifles, a pleasure to judge, his title can not be far away RDCC.

2. HODGKINSONRUTHERFORD, Dr K & RUTHERFORD, Mr M Zorrazo Cool As A Cucumber Not the flashiest but I liked him immensely, he is understated, honest and laid back, level back super deep chest, correct in head and super short and strong neck, going around he is sound coming and going he gave way to the winner, quality exhibit all the same and one to watch, I suspect he goes up a gear on grass and should like to see him again.

Veteran Dog (0).

Special Beginners Bitch (0).

Minor Puppy Bitch (0).

Puppy Bitch (0).

Junior Bitch (1,0).

Graduate Bitch (0).

Post Graduate Bitch (0).

Limit Bitch (2)

1. DONALDSON, Mrs F Prizelands Tickled My Fancy JW I adored this bitch at first glance, just what I was looking for, just slightly longer in body, with a level topline, outline was held impeccably on the stack and move, good depth, super coat, feminine but robust, sound going around, and a lovely head and expression, she showed so well too, balanced fore and rear and put on a lovely show, a pleasure to judge. In the lineup, despite the super open bitch class, she was not to be denied the BCC, her first I believe after several reserves, I hope her title is not far away.

2. KEHOE, Mrs Rebecca & KEHOE, Mr Aarron Valentina De Canagua At Aguamarina (imp Esp) Shorter exhibit than one but she had the correct leg length being the same as her depth of chest, there was much to like and she challenged one but on occasion her topline dipped, I loved her personality and could image her working all day. She was shown in super hard condition.

Open Bitch (4)

A difficult class to judge, with quite some variety.

1. THOMPSON, Mrs Kirstie Sh Ch Cooishka Girl From Mars JW This bitch headed the class on proportions and size, on the move she was aminated, purposeful and alert. I liked her size balance fore and rear and her head planes. Super coat and level topline that we look for, under the profuse woolly coat formed of ringlets shed had a good correct depth of chest.

2. GLAYSHER, Mrs C & DONALDSON, Mrs F & PALUMBO, Mrs Sh Ch Rainethyme Ever So Special I liked this exhibit at first glance, she epitomises honest, of good size and length, falls away a touch behind the withers, at times regrettably. Otherwise much to like, sound typical and a lovely to watch move. Not surprised he is titled, she is of super type.