| Dogs |
Dr A Paloheimo (Anncourt — Finland) |
This was a dream judging appointment: judging your own breed in its home country. Thank you for the invitation and your kind hospitality.
My life has evolved around Cavaliers since 1971, first as an exhibitor, then also as a breeder and later as a FCI judge all over the world. In these 50+ years I have also lived, showed and bred Cavaliers in Britain and it was with a bit of sadness to witness the shrinking number of entries.
How could we attract more exhibitors and more dogs to maintain the key purpose of a show: to evaluate breeding stock for and among breeders. But also, to preserve a pleasant hobby, an event to meet up with like-minded enthusiasts. The less dogs, the less people. Then there is also the economic side, you would need ‘enough’ entries to cover the costs of running a show. Co-sharing of judges and venues is a good solution. But perhaps you could attract more entries if you adapt to the FCI system where champions are allowed to compete only in champion class, and then for BOB, but are not allowed to win a CC after the qualifying one. This broadens the possibility that owners of well-deserving good dogs find it worthwhile entering a show even when there is a special star or two in the breed at a certain moment of time. Having been there as an exhibitor and breeder in Finland, it does work. The star is still a star, and the wins we calculate for ‘Cavalier of the Year’ would be number of BOBs and group placements. But current RKC rules allow multiple CCs and there is solid reasoning behind but times are changing and it may be good to review it.
Having said this, I am sure we all are proud of the breed ambassador of the moment, Ch Ellemich American Express, and I was pleased to meet him again after three years when I awarded him Toy Group at Crufts, as a youngster. He is now fully mature and absolutely at the peak of condition and full of breed type.
|
| Dog CC |
Chapman & Ireland’s |
Ch Ellemich American Express |
| Reserve CC |
Rix’s |
Ricksbury Elite JW |
| Best Dog Puppy |
Arrowsmith & Vorderstrasse’s |
Arrowbien Clark Gable |
| |
|
|
| Veteran |
(4 Entries, 1 Absent) |
|
| 1st |
Wimberley & Newman’s |
Trishine’s Celestial Dream with Finjaro
Blen, lovely type, excellent expression, rather short muzzle, lovely dark eyes, excellent pigment, excellent ears, correct bone, good body, easy mover. Best Veteran in Show. |
| 2nd |
Wileman & Bott’s |
Ch Granasil Trick Or Treat for Narvidar JW
Black & Tan, excellent shape, vey compact, in excellent condition, correct eye shape, good front, excellent mover, lovely temperament, full of energy. |
| 3rd |
Wragg’s |
Jomaki Gospel Bill |
| Special Veteran (10 yrs and Over) |
(0. 0) |
|
| Baby Puppy |
(1, 0) |
|
| 1st |
Jackson’s |
Verheyen Cantona at Fortunamajor NAF TAF
Black & Tan, 5 months, quality puppy with excellent proportions and size, superb silky coat texture, good balance, correct bone, good rear, sound mover, great temperament. Mouth needs to improve. |
| Minor Puppy |
(2, 0) |
|
| 1st |
Hartill-Speak & Jackson’s |
Fortunamajor Resurrection under Gracewincavs
Blen puppy with correct proportions, promising head, excellent pigment, correct length of muzzle, correct bite, lovely shape of eye, lovely markings, needs a bit more weight, balanced mover. |
| 2nd |
Spall & Clark’s |
Llapsttam Techno Notice
Black & Tan, lovely silky coat texture, good proportions, excellent size, would prefer a bit longer muzzle, moves freely but front movement needs more length. |
| Puppy |
(4, 1) |
|
| 1st |
Arrowsmith & Vorderstrasse’s |
Arrowbien Clark Gable
Blen, compact well developed confident puppy, lovely shape and balance, lovely colour, excellent eyes, lovely ears, correct bite, very sound, moves very well for his age with tail wagging non-stop. Future star! Best Puppy in Show. |
| 2nd |
Stonebridge’s |
Carsan Double Agent with Toseland
Blen, quality puppy of larger frame that needs to fill in, lovely type, excellent classic skull, mouth needs to improve, very sound. Lots of potential. Needs more time. |
| 3rd |
McGill’s |
Sabal Vanagu Imperija at Bjulaseta (Imp LTU) |
| Junior |
(4, 0) |
|
| 1st |
Dawson’s |
Hearthfriend High Hopes at Luphenex
Blen, most promising youngster, excellent shape, medium bone, very sound, lovely neck, good eyes, excellent ears, muzzle could be a bit longer, correct bite, excellent mover. |
| 2nd |
Jackson’s |
Fortunamajor Jimmy Choo JW
Blen best of eyes, excellent expression, lovely ears, stronger head, would prefer bit more leg length, lovely colour, profuse coat, movement needs more time, tail needs to settle. |
| 3rd |
Street & Page’s |
Heartfriend Highlander at Pipaddie |
| Res |
McGill’s |
Toraylac Cosmopolitan |
| Yearling |
(2, 0) |
|
| 1st |
Spall & Clark’s |
Llapsttam Luther Vandross JW
Ruby, bigger dog of excellent type, so very sound, lovely eyes, excellent bite, excellent shape of muzzle, excellent mover, beautiful colour, in full coat. He would benefit from a bit more weight. Clearly one of the very best today! |
| 2nd |
Stoilkova-Stoyanova’s |
Mecho From Pirin
Black & Tan, correct type, good proportions, overall sound, lovely eyes, muzzle could be a bit longer, sound mover, not in best coat today. |
| Novice |
(3, 1) |
|
| 1st |
Stonebridge’s |
Carsan Double Agent with Toseland
Puppy seen in Puppy Class. |
| 2nd |
Lock’s |
Bowfort Sea The Fire
Very smart tricolor with perfect markings, so rare in this colour and absolute joy to see! Excellent true toy size, medium bone and lovely proportions, pretty head still needing more time to mature, good front, topline and rear movement needs to get stronger, lovely coat, excellent temperament. |
| Graduate |
(4, 0) |
|
| 1st |
Morgan’s |
Hearthfriend Trafalgar
Blen, handsome head, lovely eyes, excellent pigment, ears and ear set, excellent colour, good balance, topline needs to get stronger. |
| 2nd |
Barwell’s |
Charlottetown Jonbon
Tricolour, balanced dog with classic head shape, lovely to see his good length of muzzle, correct medium stop, correct ear set and skull not overdone in any way, excellent colour and markings, sound mover. Unfortunately not in the best coat condition today. |
| 3rd |
Hartill-Speak’s |
Verheyen Woody under Gracewincavs JW |
| Res |
Rhodes’ |
Calonlan Zeus JW |
| Post Graduate |
(3, 1) |
|
| 1st |
Mackenzie’s |
Carsan In Your Dreams
Black & Tan, larger dog with good balance, sound, correct medium stop and length of muzzle, excellent bite, moves well but topline could be firmer, lovely wagging tail, coat could be silkier. |
| 2nd |
Morgan’s |
Hearthfriend Trafalgar
See previous class. |
| Special Mid-Limit Blen or Tri |
(5, 0) |
|
| 1st |
Riis-White’s |
Tamyse Bear With Us at Cerneyleaze
Classic head with correct length of skull and muzzle, excellent skull and head profile, excellent pigment, correct lips, lovely eyes, could be more compact in shape, sound and steady mover, correct coat. |
| 2nd |
Searle’s |
Stonepit Into The Blue
Stronger head, compact shape but could have a bit more leg length, good neck, excellent size, good mover. |
| 3rd |
Biddle’s |
Theodore James Castellum |
| Res |
Dawson’s |
Luphenex Highland Fling |
| VHC |
Wragg’s |
Jomali Gospel Bill |
| Special Mid-Limit B/T or Ruby |
(1, 1) |
|
| Limit |
(8, 4) |
|
| 1st |
Walker’s |
Carsan Richie Rich
Tricolour, excellent shape and size, excellent colour with perfect markings, so rare! Lovely eyes, balanced head, correct bite, in top condition, moves quite well. |
| 2nd |
Stoilkova-Stoyanova’s |
Mecho From Pirin
Seen in yearling. Moved now much better. |
| 3rd |
Willis’ |
Dinitro’s Rock Steady Eddie JW |
| Res |
Lock & Thomas’ |
Bowfort Bo Jo |
| Open |
(6, 2) |
Class of only four dogs but not lacking quality! |
| 1st |
Chapman & Ireland’s |
Ch Ellemich American Express
This was the second time I met ‘Dublin’. The first was three years ago at the famous main ring of Crufts where I awarded him Best in Group. Then still just a youngster but as a breed specialist I had the confidence and delight to appreciate him. Now fully matured, he looks even better andis a clear star! I love his shape, so compact and sound, has got best of eyes — truly melting expression — Blenheim colour and markings could not be better, and the sound, brisk yet elastic movement with natural drive is unique. Showing the happy cavalier temperament made him unbeatable today. CC and Best in Show. |
| 2nd |
Rix’s |
Ricksbury Elite JW
classic dog still needing to mature for his full potential, classic head with the desired medium stop and correct balance of skull and muzzle, lovely true cavalier eyes and expression, nothing in excess, touch longer is shape, excellent front and neck, sound mover but would have liked to see him moving in a bigger ring outdoors to let him show his full range. Delightful, quality dog that is in his way to bigger awards, today Reserve CC. |
| 3rd |
Barwell’s |
Charlottetown Golden Touch |
| Res |
Mackenzie’s |
Carsan Hot An Tasty JW |
| Special Open Bred By Exhibitor |
(0, 0) |
|
Back to Top
| Bitches |
Ms S Maclaine (Pennygown) |
This was an appointment that I had very much looked forward to judging at this level having judged this Society’s Limited Show with an entry of I believe 147 some 45 years ago and I would like to thank the Society for the opportunity and the exhibitors for their support on the day particularly. To the disappointed exhibitor who sent me a rude Facebook message because they expected a better placing because they had given me a CC – shame on you – you need to bring me something worthy!
New for judges from Crufts onwards this year are some additional requirements to report back to the RKC and a few people asked why I was looking in the ears (a task which adds time to the job in hand, particularly for either wriggly puppies or the more mature heavily coated specimens). I was merely following instructions. The requirement being that whatever the breed every dog must be able to see, hear, breathe, move freely, express natural behaviours, and be free from distress, pain, irritation, and discomfort. As a judge, we are required to penalise any dog with features or exaggerations which could be detrimental to the soundness, health or welfare of the dog.
This is based on the judge’s experience and knowledge of a breed to make a considered decision and is not an assessment as a vet would. Their guidelines include not rewarding Body Condition Scores of 1-2 or 7-9 and thankfully in my 40 years of awarding CC’s I have never seen any of these in our breed!
However they are quite correctly clear that all dogs should have clean ears free from infection and irritation with no sign of redness, discharge, irritation or discomfort. Imagine my surprise to find several exhibits from as young as Minor Puppy Class through to Puppy and beyond with what could only be described as filthy, smelly and black!
Whilst I didn’t find any conformational issues with eyes there were a few that I had to put on my report with excessive tear staining.
The three remaining categories: Movement, Respiratory and Skin left me with nothing to report. Certainly there were some that did not have the best movement or breed typical movement however every exhibit appeared sound; nobody was struggling to breathe or making snorting noises nor were any showing signs of any skin issue!
Please don’t let the breed down, check those ears and any tear staining!
I have to concur with my co-judge’s views having been showing in my own right since 1972 and seen massive entries that will likely not be seen again. I do believe that we are very much at the stage where the only way forward is to look to our overseas friends and think about removing Champions from the Open Class and the opportunity to win another Challenge Certificate that is not required. Of course we will get more Champions and some will clearly not be of sufficient merit by standards of the past however the idea of existing Champions being able to then compete for Best of Breed ensures there is still quality to aspire to and some countries have the title of Grand Champion which stands them apart as being something "extra special". Annukka is quite correct that a star is a star but those with well deserving good dogs will stop competing as our sport gets more and more expensive and outcomes can be more predictable!
I was delighted that Annukka and I were able to agree on all our challenges and that Best in Show be awarded to the dog who is currently in the peak of condition, oozes breed type and has matured without going over the top.
|
| Bitch CC |
Chapman & Ireland’s |
Ellemich Pure Passion |
| Reserve CC |
Hazeltine’s |
Juzandia Relight My Fire |
| Best Bitch Puppy |
Towse’s |
Arrowbien Audrey Hepburn at Miletree |
| |
|
|
| Veteran |
(4 Entries, 0 Absent) |
What a quality class to start the day – not one giving way to age in their movement. |
| 1st |
Colavecchia’s |
Carolus Miss Elsie VW
Best Veteran Bitch and Best Veteran in Show, so glamorous well broken Blenheim in full coat. Sweetest of heads, lustrous dark eyes and melting expression. Good reach of neck leading into level topline, she moved out with purpose, sound in front and behind. Her tail comes straight off the topline, beautifully feathered and wagging with great enthusiasm. |
| 2nd |
Long’s |
Ch Arroline Eclipse JW
This Tricolour is a favourite of mine who was unlucky to meet the winner today who was absolutely on fire. Attractive head with lovely dark eyes totally fixed adoringly on her owner, another that didn’t stop wagging for a minute. Good reach and crest of neck, correct lay of shoulder and balanced at rear, she moved out soundly. |
| 3rd |
Loade’s |
Rosirius Bluebell VW |
| Res |
Danks’ |
Turretbank Fairytale |
| Special Veteran (10 yrs and Over) |
(2, 1) |
|
| 1st |
Colavecchia’s |
Carolus Miss Liberty VW
Another super feminine Blenheim girl of almost 13, put down in superb condition both in body and coat. Sweet head with dark eye and pigment. Lovely reach of neck and good angles at shoulder and rear. She moved out with drive and was totally unaware she was on her own – she just smashed it! |
| Baby Puppy |
(6, 0) |
From veterans to babies what a pleasure to go over, all of which were thoroughly enjoying their experience. I am quite sure that 1 and 2 will change places many times, Ruby litter sisters of different head types with the same exhuberant temperament, dark eyes and attentiveness to their handlers. |
| 1st |
Willis’ |
Dinitro’s Precious Moments
Best Baby Puppy in Show, I preferred the cobbier body shape, set and carriage of tail at this stage. Good neck and shoulders, kept a level topline on the move. |
| 2nd |
Willis’ |
Dinitro’s Opalite Sky
I preferred her flatter top skull but found her a little longer over the loin. Very expressive eyes and good pigment. On the move she was just a little bum high at the moment. |
| 3rd |
Spall & Clark’s |
Llapsttam Victoria |
| Res |
Richardson’s |
Kringleholme Mystere |
| VHC |
McGill’s |
Bjulaseta’s Casandra |
| Minor Puppy |
(7, 1) |
|
| 1st |
Searle’s |
Stonepit Flora Bunda
Lightly marked rich chestnut Blenheim girl with a lovely feminine head with dark eyes and pigment and so soft expression. She has a lovely neck and shoulders, a little longer than tall for balance, she moved out soundly. Would prefer a little more daylight. |
| 2nd |
Kilcoyne’s |
Granasil Incantations
This Ruby girl draws the eye with a great body shape and balanced at shoulder and rear, a sound mover. Her head was a little stronger than 1 for a baby with good width and fill to muzzle. I hope her nose pigment completes. |
| 3rd |
Hubert’s |
Asilwillben You Remind Me |
| Res |
Liverton-Ovey’s |
Halosey All The Stars Align |
| VHC |
Danks & Price’s |
Alsidewood Burlesque |
| Puppy |
(4, 0) |
|
| 1st |
Towse’s |
Arrowbien Audrey Hepburn at Miletree
Best Puppy Bitch, so much to like about this 11 ½ month Blenheim girl starting with ideal size and lovely type. All the cuteness in a feminine, gentle head with dark eyes and sweetest of expression. Lovely neck, shoulders and topline and balanced for movement. Good luck with the coat, you will be relieved when the puppy fluff has moulted out...eventually! |
| 2nd |
Riis-White’s |
Cerneyleaze Lillibridge
Heavily marked Tricolour, lovely rich tan and a quality coat in great condition. Classic head with dark eyes and very gentle expression. Good neck leading into well laid shoulders. She moved better in front than behind but kept her top line and tail on the move. |
| 3rd |
Watts’ |
Jamesbonny Becci Boo |
| Res |
Watts’ |
Jamesbonny Adelaide |
| Junior |
(4, 2) |
A class of two, both from the top draw, I knew if nothing else came in the later classes I had been spoiled here. |
| 1st |
Chapman & Ireland’s |
Ellemich Pure Passion
Bitch CC, Reserve Best in Show and Best Opposite Sex, what a cracker! A rich chestnut Blenheim wearing a beautiful quality coat so attractively marked. Ideal for size with a good neck, lovely lay of shoulder into level topline, angles balancing at rear. Then there is the head, just so feminine leaving no doubt she is all girl with nothing extreme about her. On the move she owned the ring and I am sure she will gain a crown in no time! |
| 2nd |
Long’s |
Arroline Iridescent JW
Another feminine Blenheim bitch of top quality so unlucky to meet in the same class. There is much to like about this girl – I loved her overall shape and size reach of neck, angles matching front and rear. Also appealing in head with dark eye and sweet expression, slightly deeper in stop than 1 but does not detract. Today I preferred the tighter front of 1. |
| Yearling |
(5, 1) |
|
| 1st |
Chapman & Ireland’s |
Ch Kiss Kiss Du Chateau Noblesse at Ellemich (Imp Deu)
A full on go-getter that just drives out, keeping topline as she covers ground. She has all the show personality that my 2nd would benefit. In full quality coat of bright chestnut and sparkly white, well broken. Delightful head with almost flat top skull and pretty ears to frame, darkest of eyes to enhance the package. |
| 2nd |
Welch’s |
Fennyfare Siren for Toraylac
A very pretty girl with the dearest face. Large round, dark eyes that are quite soulful. Excellent neck and topline, a little longer over loin but a very sound mover. She just needs to find shows “fun” to have that extra scene stealing quality that my winner just oozed. |
| 3rd |
Bloice’s |
Scotlass Roses In Bloom |
| Res |
Lenihan’s |
Fennyfare Little Paris |
| Novice |
(7, 1) |
|
| 1st |
Chapman & Ireland’s |
Ellemich You Make Me Blush
A slightly smaller bitch from this kennel; a lovely shape and so well balanced in height to length. Another kissable face – gentle in head with sweetest expression enhanced by her dark eyes and pigment so important in our breed. Well broken Blenheim with rich chestnut markings. Moving out well, tail getting excited when moving around with others. |
| 2nd |
Rhodes’ |
Calonlan Bianca
a naked 12½ month B/T. Cuts a lovely shape with great lay of shoulders and well muscled hindquarters that match for angles. Not quite so soft in head as my first but not unattractive with darkest of eyes. On the move she covers the ground accurately and with determination! Completely at one with her handler. |
| 3rd |
Thomas’ |
Tamyse Georgette at Pepyswood |
| Res |
Bennett’s |
Granasil Humbug at Remmya |
| VHC |
Bloice’s |
Scotlass Roses In Bloom |
| Graduate |
(5, 2) |
|
| 1st |
Loades’ |
Brymarden Gentle Breeze at Rosirius
Shown today about as naked as you can be without being indecent! However minus the wardrobe just shows off her beautiful crest to neck, clean line of well laid shoulders and level topline and balanced at rear. She couldn’t fail to move well. Pretty in head with lovely pigment and melting dark eyes. |
| 2nd |
Jaramillo & Chadwick’s |
Conabec Causing Chaos
A slightly longer cast bitch that also excelled in neck with great shoulder angulation and balanced at rear. Beautiful coat presented in lovely condition. Sweet soulful face with lovely dark eye giving gentle expression. |
| 3rd |
McGill’s |
Milbu Just Harmony at Bjulaseta |
| Post Graduate |
(8, 1) |
|
| 1st |
Hazeltine’s |
Juzandia Relight My Fire
This little ruby girl could relight any fire! I loved her head properties from top skull to gentle fill under the eye. Large round and dark eyes, good pigment. Graceful neck with correct lay of shoulders leading into level topline that balanced at rear. She just drove around the ring with effortless faultless movement and a delight to see her black pads as she moved away. Pushed hard in the challenge with her competent handler. Reserve Bitch CC |
| 2nd |
Jackson’s |
Applebroad Candy Spice via Fortunamajor JW
lightly marked Blenheim in a larger mould than my 1st. Beautiful crest to neck, level topline and balanced for angles front and rear. Feminine in head with exquisite dark eyes and so sweet expression. She moved out well when she settled. |
| 3rd |
Spall & Clark’s |
Llapsttam’s Vanessa |
| Res |
Mackenzie’s |
Carsan Struck Rich |
| VHC |
Colavecchia’s |
Carolus Camilla |
| Special Mid-Limit Blen or Tri |
(7, 2) |
|
| 1st |
Searle’s |
Stonepit Dominique
An attractively marked Blenheim I have admired from the ringside and today she was looking happier and more relaxed in her movement. There is just so much to like – she has a lovely neck that flows into shoulder and on into top line. A fabulous rib and short coupled. She is perfectly balanced at rear. Her head is so gentle with dark expressive eyes. For the top draw, like my 2nd in Yearling, she just needs even more sparkle, getting her ears up would help. |
| 2nd |
Jaramillo’s |
Conabec Lady Madonna
Quite difficult for her owner to keep up with this girl who was on a mission to move at a faster pace! Good neck and shoulders, a little long over the loin but good angles at shoulders and rear and so very sound! A very pretty face with large, melting dark eyes that she focussed on her owner adoringly. |
| 3rd |
Atkins’ |
Lacerta Luisa |
| Res |
Corner’s |
Delaby Yorkshire Rose |
| VHC |
Bloice’s |
Scotlass Scarlet Ribbons |
| Special Mid-Limit B/T or Ruby |
(3, 0) |
|
| 1st |
Wilkins & Wilcock’s |
Llapsttam Four Tea Love at Tebaldi JW
Lots to like about this feminine B/T girl. I admired the preparation of her beautiful silky wardrobe – immaculate in full coat that sashayed with her driving movement. My notes tell me there was so much to like from her feminine head with large dark eyes, with fill underneath to her shoulders, balanced at rear and a faultless top line on the move. Completely at one with her handler. |
| 2nd |
Sedgbeer’s |
Russmic Olivia Rose
This pretty ruby girl looked somewhat naked standing next to the B/T. She doesn’t wait for her handler, she marches round the ring with pick me attitude and really the handler is superfluous – she knows just how good she looks. Feminine in head with lovely eyes giving kind expression. Compact in shape, small package with plenty of daylight, she excels in neck with good shoulders and topline. In another month or so the nose pigment will be back to black. |
| 3rd |
Corner’s |
Toyswood Magic Dance at Delaby |
| Limit |
(12, 3) |
|
| 1st |
Bennett’s |
Rishtte I’m Tanisha of Remmya JW
This bitch is ultra feminine and her head won her the class. Good neck, shoulders and top line. She has lovely front movement, slightly closer behind than perfection. Carrying a quality coat, just enough of it and beautifully presented. |
| 2nd |
O’Grady’s |
Bevelmount Rose Maria of Culverhill
This ruby girl I have admired on numerous occasions. She excels in angles at shoulder and rear ensuring that she then moves with drive. Slightly longer over loin which doesn’t give the same strength to her topline. A very gentle head with dark eye, would like a little more fill for ultimate softness. |
| 3rd |
Corner’s |
Delaby Miss Daisy |
| Res |
Wilkins & Wilcock’s |
Llapsttam’s Phil Me In for Tebaldi |
| VHC |
Welch’s |
Fennyfare Siren for Toraylac |
| Open |
(4, 1) |
|
| 1st |
Chadwick’s |
Juzandia Lady Bug at Chadlia
Lightly marked Blenheim with the most feminine of heads, large dark eyes and captivating expression. Adequate neck, good topline this small, compact package was the best mover in this class. Moved at just the right speed by her competent young handler. |
| 2nd |
Knight’s |
Carolus Miss Chloe |
| 3rd |
Street & Page’s |
Hearthfriend Black Magic at Pipaddie |
| Special Open Bred By Exhibitor |
(2, 1) |
|
| 1st |
Welch’s |
Fennyfare Siren for Toraylac
See 2nd in Yearling |
|