Cheltenham & District Canine Society

Cheltenham & District Canine Society Open Show Sunday 22nd February 2026

Judge Tammy Louise James:

Firstly, I wish to thank the Society for my invitation to judge, the exhibitors for their support and for accepting my decisions sportingly and finally my Stewards who did an amazing job in keeping the ring running smoothly.

Bernese Mountain Dog

Special Yearling (3,0)

1st English & Hallum & Hallum, Waldershelf Prim’n Proper

Balanced 8 month old bitch with a soft, kindly expression, loved her head. Deep chest, strong bone, well-muscled (for age) thigh which contributed to her precise movement, carried herself confidently around the ring.

Sadly, had to leave before the group where I am sure she would have done well. BPIB RBOB

2nd Watson, Etterbern Gozan to Stepdasher

10 month old dog, larger than 1st. Pleasing expression, masculine head which again I liked. Good lay shoulder, good depth brisket, all muscling developing nicely.

Held topline well on move but rear movement did not match the winner.

Limit (2,0)

 1st New, Ettenbern Forever First

3 year old dog with a pleasing and obviously male head. Broad chest, deep brisket, strong loin with well boned and straight legs.

A good mover who held his topline and had plenty of drive from the rear. BOB

2nd Love & Johnson, Gorsebern Mister Twister

Open (1,1)

16 month old dog with a friendly expression, a cheeky boy who was keen to see what was going on around him and ignoring his handler at times, but when they pulled together his good points were clearly visible. Strong boned, deep brisket, strong loin and well-muscled. This boy was 3rd in SY but moved much better in this class.

Brittany

Special Yearling (1/0)

1st Axtell & Ryan, Astrid De La Riviere Ouareau for Callmillard (Imp Fra)

9 month old bitch with a lively and mischievous nature. Good shoulder angles with wide blades, 3:2 head/muzzle, high ears, dark eyes. Elbows close, forelegs straight, pleasing muscling for one so young.

Nice to see her come back to a 4 square position when free standing after movement. BPIB RBOB

Limit (1,0)

1st Southorn, Umika De la Riviere Ouareau (Imp Fra)

2 ½ year bitch with dark eye and keen expression. She was pleasingly shown in hard condition and had good bone about her, brisket to elbow with wide shoulder blades, correct leg length and short back.

A nice mover who held her topline, bit of a fidget on the stack.

Open (2,0)

1st Drozdova, BE CH Malik Team Del Crepo (Imp Srb)

2 ½ year dog who caught the eye as her entered ring. 3:2 head/muzzle, high and small ears, dark eye. He presented well with correct angles, and short back.

Kept topline on the move and showed correct front extension and drive as he flowed around the ring.

BOB

2nd Southorn, Rochus Ottilie

7 year old bitch entering her veteran years, dark eyes showing an intelligent yet kind expression.

A sweet girl, not quite the overall outline I was looking for but a clean mover who was at one with her handler.

English Springer Spaniel

Puppy (2,0)

1st Topliss, Alhambian’s Kenny Everett at Beresford

6 month old l/w dog who was undeniably male. A merry boy with kind eye, correct ear placement, who painted a nice picture on the stack showing off his angulations. A strong boy who covered the ring swiftly and accurately, holding his topline at all times. BPIB

2nd Wallis & Savell & Osborne, Petranella Strike it Rich

8 month old l/w bitch who was unlucky today. Beautiful feminine head with correct fluting, dark eye and correct ear placement, preferred her head to 1sts. Well-made bitch with sloping shoulders and straight legs.

She slightly dropped topline whilst moving which made the difference today, no doubt this result will switch another time.

Special Yearling (2,0)

1st Topliss, Beresford Stand N’ Stare JW

20 month l/w male with a handsome head that clearly belongs to boy. Sloping shoulder, well developed chest, thighs broad and well-muscled. He strode out well, keeping topline.

Notes say feet could be a tad tighter.

2nd Topliss, Sandylands Stand by Me

18 month l/w male with good ear set and a correct muzzle length. Sloping shoulders, angulation correct, tight feet. Another who strode out well however not always co-operating with handler.

Limit (4,1)

1st Topliss, Beresford Stand on Ceremony JW

20 month l/w bitch, I think litter sister to 1st SY, similar comments apply. Low ear set, dark eye, melting expression. Deep brisket, straight legs, tight feet.

Covered ground well and held topline throughout.

 2nd Williams & Toublic, Cobhay Heavenly Hydrangea JW BEL JCH BJW 24

2 year old l/w bitch, a different type to 1st. Low ear set, dark eye, another melting expression.

Moved nicely for her handler who she has an obvious bond with.

Would like better angulation at front.

Open (3,0)

1st Topliss, Sh Ch Beresford Lockdown

5 year old l/w dog who I believe I have judged before and will probably make similar comments as before. Masculine head showing kind expression, dark eye, correct muzzle length, correct ear set, straight front, depth brisket, tight feet, liked his body height/length ratio. Covered ground well with drive and presence and shown in marvellous condition. BOB

2nd Williams & Toublic, Cobhay Dashing Dandilion JW

2 ½ year old l/w male, different type to 1st, notes say another 12 months and he will be there. I preferred the head on this boy to 1st, dark eye, pleasing skull ratios, correct ear set and yet another melting expression. Good angulation front and rear, deep chest, straight legs. He was a little untidy in his rear movement which cost him the class. RBOB

Field Spaniel

Special Yearling (4,1)

Litter sisters who I am sure will swap places time and time again and similar comments apply to both.

1st Murray, Sonnetend Money for Nothing

9 month liver bitch, feminine head with correct leanness and chiselling. Shoulders long and sloping, straight legs with correct flat bone. Her precise movement in this class helped her win and she held her topline throughout. Typical field outline, more mature than 2nd.

Lost to litter brother when challenging for best puppy due to some erratic movement, a shame as she had moved so precisely in SY.

2nd Stone & Parvin Sonnetend Expresso Love

9 month liver bitch, pretty girl showing beautiful chiselling and breed type.

Less mature than 1st, she did not have the same depth of chest.

Shown in gleaming and glossy coat.

Vexed her handler at times.

Limit (2,1)

 1st Stone, Sonnetend Brothers in Arms

Litter brother to SY 1st & 2nd, how pleased the breeder must be.

9 month black dog with a melting expression, dark eye and correct leanness and chiselling yet truly male. Another typical Field outline, with clean neck, long and sloping shoulders, chest deep for age, tight feet, a picture on the stack. Shown in hard condition and a with a gleaming coat. Moved well.

BPIB. BOB Delighted to note he took both Group 2 and Puppy Group 1

Open Dog (2,1)

1st Young, Brynneth Elysian

19 month liver male, with a classic Field head showing low ear set, chiselling, leanness, dark eye blending to coat. Clean neck, shoulders well sloped and laid, good depth chest, brisket to elbows, well-muscled thighs, correct tail set, a happy confident boy.

A lot to like about this boy, he was 3rd in SY where his erratic rear movement cost him dearly, having had his warm up he came into this class a different dog, I would suggest in order to get the best from him his handler finds a practice ring and warms him up rather than entering a class cold, she should also have more confidence in herself and her dog, the partnership is there for all to see it simply needs polishing.

Open Bitch (1,0)

1st Stone, Sonnetend Kiss Me Kate

6 year old black bitch with a beautifully chiselled head, very feminine. Good depth chest, sloping shoulder, good return upper arm, body length correct. Another shown in hard condition with gleaming coat.

A happy girl who was at one with her handler RBOB

Welsh Springer Spaniel

Special Yearling (2,1)

1st Griffiths, Merchinetes Padrig

23 month male who had a pleasing head, dark eye with ears hanging close. Made a good outline on the stack, showed off his correct angles and topline. Tight feet. RBOB

Limit (1,0)

1st Ward, Glenbrows Flame for Tantaraviz

3 year old bitch, feminine head with ideal proportions. Another I have judged before and similar comments apply. Clean neck, straight front, strong and muscular body with balanced angulation. Nicely presented in stack she was at one with handler,

Showed the best rear movement of the breed here today, BOB.

Open (2,1)

1st Tew, Pamicks Dream With Me

4 year old bitch. A different type to the other two shown today, not the type I was looking for but had many qualities. Dark eye, good ear shape and setting, strong and muscular with deep brisket and well sprung ribs, straight well boned legs. Liked her rear angulation. Had her tail between her legs slightly but picked up as she moved, holding topline nicely.