King Charles Spaniel Association

KING CHARLES SPANIEL ASSOCIATION CHAMPIONSHIP SHOW 26.9.26

Thank you to the club for inviting me to judge their Championship Show today, it is always an honour to judge a breed club show and I fully appreciated the entry which awaited me. Not the easiest breed to judge and compromises have to be made in most decisions, but overall temperaments were excellent, with lots of wagging tails and happy dogs, only a few unsure youngsters, which I feel totally acceptable in strange surroundings. I was delighted with my winning line up and especially to hear later that the two puppy winners were litter mates, and blenheims at that.

MINOR PUPPY DOG (3) A good start to the day with these promising three youngsters, ultimately behaviour came into the decisions, my winner was:-

1ST Bowles Robinson’s Baldragon Fireworks N Fizz, this 8 month boy attracted my eye as soon as he entered the ring, pleasing for balance, size and bone, his attractive well broken silky coat with rich chestnut markings, the icing on the cake. He has lots of maturing to do yet but has a quality head, ample width and rise over the eyes, which are dark round and expressive with full pigmentation and the blackest of noses enhancing the look. Moved out well, once settled keeping his topline, a little more confidence and I am sure will go all the way to the top. Pleased to award him the class and later Best Puppy in Show

2nd Rushton’s Marsward Muskateer, well broken, 6 month tri, who has a firm body, well ribbed with level topline, looks a bit leggy at the moment, but should appear more balanced once his rib and chest fill to give the required outline. He is well boned yet not overdone, he handles well on table from large rounded skull, dark round eyes, well filled muzzle and good mouth with wide underjaw. His face markings, lacking a blaze may detract for some, but as he matures and finishes off should not be a concern. A happy youngster who just needs to learn his ringcraft as yet to complete the picture. 

3rd Bakers Rignolla Tambourine Man at Cofton

PUPPY DOG (1)

1ST Tuesley & Swaines Marsward Man on Fire, Quality 6 month ruby, who has all the essentials, pleasing for size balance and bone, his coat is a rich colour covering a well made body with good spring of rib, firm topline and good angulation to rear. His head is of ample width, with dark round eyes and wide underjaw. Could have challenged hard for BP but as yet still a little reluctant to move out and show to advantage, which I am sure will come with time as he was certainly confident enough to be examined on the table. One I shall look out for.

JUNIOR DOG (2) This class probably gave me the hardest decision of the day, with two quality exhibits of differing types yet both meeting the standard well, either I would have been happy to take home with me. Ultimately I chose this dog

1st Whitman & Tarabad’s Khatibi Night Howl, lighter, cleanly marked tri boy just out of puppy who exudes quality from head to toe. Mouth watering expression to head, which can only get better as he matures. Large domed skull, with low set ears, expressive dark round eyes with good rise to skull, well placed nose and beautifully cushioned wide muzzle. His elegant neck set into well laid shoulders, well ribbed body with level topline with good angulation to rear. He can appear a little longer at present but once he matures and his body develops I am sure will be hard to beat in the future. Pleased to award him Res Dog CC

2nd Jackson’s Amantra Thatchers Gold, a real Toy Spaniel, I just loved this compact short coupled, cobby, ruby boy, smaller than winner yet well within standard, he is so well balanced all through yet still with the required bone. He has the true Charlie attitude, reserved yet happy to be handled. Refined head, gently rounded with dark eye and good finish to muzzle. On the move he shows that required touch of elegance and refinement.

YEARLING DOG (3) A very interesting class to judge as most of you will know I have the litter brother of both these exhibits, so no decision was easy. 

1st Mochries Chacombe Harry on Downsbank, after a lot of deliberation I chose this dog as my winner, He excels in head, well domed skull with dark round eyes, with good rise to skull, well placed nose, large open nostrils and well cushioned muzzle. His size and bone are good, a little longer in loin. His markings well broken with good rich tan, long silky adult coat now coming through to complete the picture as he matures. As with all three extrovert boys in this litter they all need to settle on move to show off their attributes to advantage, which I am sure we are all hoping will come with time.

2nd Chacombe Hendrix at Justacharma, a slightly heavier boned tri boy, with well sprung rib broad chest and firm level topline, strong well angulated rear quarters which he uses to drive off on the move. On examination he appears confident and laid back, has a large masculine head, broad skull, wide underjaw to complete the picture.

NOVICE DOG (1)

1ST Bakers Rignolla Tambourine Man at Cofton, 3rd in minor puppy, this youngster just lacked the confidence and maturity of others in that class. He is pleasing to handle on table, standing four square, he is compact in body with level topline, moderate in bone of a good size and balance. Well broken blenheim coat, showing good length already, one that just needs time to mature. Moving with much more confidence in this his second class

GRADUATE DOG (2)

1. Boyers Marchog Make Way for Ellinghurst, 16 month rich ruby male, mature in body well ribbed with strong bone, firm level topline and strong rear quarters. He has a masculine head, wide skull with ample rise over his well placed dark round eyes. Defined stop with large nose pad and the required large open nostrils. He has width to underjaw with required turn up. He excels on the move never putting a foot wrong, exhibiting the perfect outline with reach, drive, level topline and well set tail. Reserved in temperament, but not a bit nervous, he handled well on table, still has maturing to do, but couldn’t go past him for my Dog CC and later Best in Show.

POST GRADUATE DOG (5)

1. Boyers Marchog Make Way for Ellinghurst (rept)

2. Dunfords Headra Bruce, mature 4 year old tri, pleasing domed head, long well set tapering ears, dark round eyes, well placed between large nose pad with open nostrils, complete with cushioned muzzle of good width. His body is firm, well ribbed, would prefer him a little shorter in loin for balance. Well presented and shown, his long well broken quality coat and featherings complete the picture.

3. Maddison’s Mitapip Macallan

4. Abbotts Helmajon Sibelius

LIMIT DOG (4)

1. Matches Baldragon French Conexion at Fochai, a close decision in this class I chose this 3 year old who has now blossomed into a fully mature male. Masculine with large head, broad skull, dark round eyes with broad muzzle, wide underjaw and those large open nostrils. His body is well ribbed with broad chest and strong bone, firm topline and well angulated rear, he moved out with drive to take first place here.

2. Spall & Clark’s Khatibi Ken Ya Believe Im at Llapsttam, I looked at this tri youngster in profile and thought Wow, he looks stunning and will most likely make the top grade. Immaculately presented, he has a super head, gently rounded skull, dark round eyes and well cushioned muzzle. Good for size balance and type, not quite the drive from rear as winner today, for me he just needs time to finish and mature and settle down to take top honours, one to be proud of.

3. Melville & Jackson’s Amantra Tomatin

OPEN DOG (3)

1. Champion & Jackson’s Amantra Kings Oak, Well broken tri of moderate size, balance and bone, not overdone in any way, pleasing head, rounded skull, with dark round eyes and ample width of muzzle and underjaw. Elegant neck, short backed with well turned stifle, moved out steadily.

2. Abbotts Helmajon Rhapsody in Blue, Larger framed tri boy, firm well ribbed body, with level topline and strong well angulated rear quarters. He has a kind yet masculine head, wide domed skull, with dark round well placed eyes, with large nose pad with wide open nostrils. His cushioned muzzle is broad with wide underjaw. A happy boy who moves and shows well.

3. Maddison’s Justacharma Northern Magic

Veteran Dog (2)

1st Tuesley & Swaines Ch. Am Ch Marsward My Masterpiece, quality richly marked ruby who I have previously given top honours to as a youngster. Shown in good condition, firm well ribbed body strong bone, masculine head, broad rounded skull with good rise over eye, well cushioned muzzle with broad wide underjaw. Still moving out with drive from strong rear quarters Best Veteran Dog

2. Rushtons Tiflin We All Love Jack, 8 year old tri who again is holding his age well, Quality head with dark round eyes giving attractive expression, well balanced body, compact with ample leg length, although not as cobby as winner he still has good bone for size, moving out well with reach and drive

Minor Puppy Bitch (4)

1. Bakers Shining Star over Cofton, Such a promising youngster, compactly made, with quality well broken blenheim coat, caught my eye as soon as she entered the ring, not surprising when I see later she is the litter sister to my MPD winner, what a lovely pair they are. Like her brother, she is a good size, with moderate bone, compact in outline with level topline and well angulated rear quarters. She has an adorable feminine head, gently rounded with dark round eyes and required turn up to nose, good width of underjaw and cushioning to muzzle. She moved out steadily and showed with confidence, another to look out for Best Puppy Bitch

2. Smiths Rosspenn Magical Moment for Justacharma NAF TAF, Very much a baby still, this small tri bitch has moderate bone for size, she is square in outline and she handled happily on table but lacked the confidence of winner as yet on the move, 

3. Matches Baldragon Coronation Crown at Fochai

4. Tuesley & Swaines Marsward Momentum

Puppy Bitch (1 Abs)

Junior Bitch (2)

1. Whitman & Tarabads Khatibi Czech Me Out, This 14 month tri bitch was determined to lead her owner a merry dance, nothing nervous about her just stubborn and uncooperative. On the table stacked she handles well, she is a pleasing size, with firm body of moderate bone, well ribbed and cobby body and level topline, feminine head, gently rounded domed skull, with dark eyes and well placed nose, her muzzle is broad and well cushioned. Just needs to settle into the job in hand to show to advantage.

Yearling Bitch (2Abs)

Novice Bitch (1)

1. Bakers Shining Star over Cofton (Rept)

Graduate Bitch (1)

1. Whitman & Tarabads Khatibi Czech Me Out (Rept)

Post Grad Bitch (3)

1. Potters Justacharma Magic Trix, 2 year old lightly marked tri bitch, pleasing size with moderate bone, balanced body with level topline. Feminine head with gently rounded skull and low set ears, dark round eyes. More settled on the move than others in class

2. Whitman & Tarabads Khatibi Czech Me Out (rept)

3. Abbotts Helmajon Smyths Cadenza

Limit Bitch (6)

1. Bowles Robinson’s Lovetrac Katrina Baldragon, Quality 3 year old tri bitch, has all the essentials, just carrying too much weight on the day. That said I couldn’t dismiss her she is a good size, with cobby body firm topline and well angulated rear. Her feminine head, gently rounded, with dark round eyes, well placed nose and cushioned muzzle with good width of underjaw. One I feel could easily gain her title should she loose some weight.

2. Rutherfords Rignolla Devon Dreamer with Potbelli, Pleasing well broken blenheim bitch, well balanced with good bone for size, square in outline with good turn of stifle. Pretty head, with dark round eyes, just lacking a little in pigment on the day. A happy showgirl who moved out well

3. Bakers Cofton Part of your World

4. Abbotts Helmajon Clara’s Romance

Open Bitch (5)

1. Whitman & Tarabads Ch Baldragon Russian Around with Khatibi, At 5 years this extrovert girl oozes confidence and has no intentions of settling down. She is pleasing for size and bone, well ribbed with strong rear quarters, which she uses to drive off around the ring, a little too proud of her tail at times perhaps. Her head is well domed with dark round eyes and desired rise over to skull, nose well placed between, complete with open nostrils, her muzzle square and well cushioned with ample width of underjaw. Bitch CC & BOS RBIS.

2. Tuesley & Swaines Travtana Sound of Thunder at Marsward (Imp USA) Quality 3 year old ruby bitch, who I see has produced well for her owner, with 4 of her offspring entered on the day. She has a firm well constructed body, good spring of rib and level topline, she has good bone for size, yet not overdone in any way. Pleasing fairly large head, gently domed, dark round eyes with ample rise over to broad skull, nose well placed, muzzle full and well cushioned with ample width of underjaw. Moved out steadily

3. Gurtner’s Bel Lux Ch Int Ch Una De Melcourt

4. Abbotts Helmajon Clara’s Romance

Veteran Bitch (2)

1. Bowles Robinson’s Ch Chacombe Marana Baldragon, this 9 year old excels for breed type, belying her age, classic feminine head, domed with low set ears, dark expressive round eye, well placed nose with open nostrils and cushioned muzzle with ample width, her body is cobby, well ribbed with firm level topline. For me she personifies the breed type required in her movement, which is not hurried in any way but “dignified, elegant and refined” yet still with the required reach and drive of a sound moving dog. A very worthy Champion, pleased to award her Best Veteran and Reserve Bitch CC

Judge: Pauline Sidgwick