Cheshire Agricultural Society

Cheshire Premier Show 17/06.26 Irish Water Spaniel 

Judge – Richard Willoughby

I would like to thank the committee for inviting me to judge at this well organised show and the exhibitors for giving me the privilege of judging their dogs.

Special Yearling 

1st - Roberts’s Curlyco Cosmic Girl- Lovely feminine bitch with a sweet disposition, good head with a good length of nose and with a lovely feminine shape and expression. With pleasing almond shaped dark eyes. Neck of good length lifting head above topline. Forefront okay with a good lay of shoulder onto level back with a good set on of tail with a nice tail carriage onto well angulated stifle and hock. Coat of a good, dark liver colour but slightly open. Dog moved well both fore and aft and held topline well on the move. This a young bitch that just needs time to mature but should do well.

Limit

1st – McCafferty’s Malanis Beatrice at Colraine- 4 year old bitch of a more traditional shape giving a cobby shape and outline. Head of good size with a pleasing, feminine expression. Nose of good length with a correct bite and a good dome of skull. Eye of good colour with correct size and shape. Good length of neck with nice lay of shoulder on to strong forequarters. Nice level topline with a good spring of rib onto a short coupling with good width of loin. Pleasing angulation stifle onto a low set hock. Nice dark coat with good curl with a hard covering. Moved well showing strength and power and pushed closely for RBOB. 

Open

1st, BOB- McCallum’s IR/SHCH Bogbairns Down the Rabs at Weemaes- Striking young dog, caught my eye as soon as he entered the ring. Lovely masculine head with large nose and wide muzzle with a touch of fineness. Good length of neck set onto strong shoulders holding a nice level back. Dog is well boned with nice feet and strong forefront. Lovely spring of rib onto a strong, wide back with good width through loin. Good rear angulation with nice low set of hock. Coat of good dark colour but slightly open in parts but will curl with age. On the move this dog came to life exhibiting strength and power and definitely fit for purpose. Will look forward to his future as will only improve with maturity. One to watch.

2nd, RBOB- Weaving’s IR/SHCH Stanegate Cast a Spell- Pleasing 6 year old bitch with a lovely head of good size, feminine expression and good dome of skull. Nose of good length with adequate width of muzzle and correct bite. Neck of good length set on to strong sloping shoulders with adequate forefront giving a good depth of brisket. Good spring of rib set onto a strong level back onto a nice tail carriage. Pleasing rear angulation giving good length and angle to stifle to low set of hock. Coat is of a good dark colour with good tightness of curl. Dog pleased on the move with good side angles and moved true both fore and aft. Overall this dog gives an impression of strength and balance and a worthy RBOB.