I would like to thank the Committee of the Northern King Charles Spaniel Club for inviting me to judge their breed Club show and the exhibitors for the super entry which awaited me. I thoroughly enjoyed my day and the challenging task which awaited me. In judging the breed I look for a Toy Spaniel, not coarse in any way, yet with sufficient bone and substance to give the required cobby body, and sturdy well muscled legs to give the essential free active movement. I did not forget head type in search for the perfect "Charlie", and although these remain diverse, I was more than happy with my winners, who I felt met my interpretation of the breed standard well.

1. Kean & Thorn’s Evandale Remus, I judged this dog as a youngster, and found him to be a sound moving dog then. My opinion of him remains unchanged, despite the passing of years. Excels in bone, with well sprung ribs, large head with well rounded skull, lots of cushioning to muzzle. He is a happy dog with excellent temperament, just unfortunate to have lost an eye, which detracted when it came to the award for Best Veteran.

1. East’s Nastane Patsy Please, Lovely blen bitch who melted my heart as she came in the ring, although she would benefit from loosing a little weight, she is in excellent condition for her 10 years. So feminine in head, although greying a little, her glorious dark round eyes demand attention, so well cushioned and full in muzzle, upstanding in body, with well sprung rib. Well coated, with full bib she really looked a picture standing. Best Veteran

2. Phillips Gayhalo Simply Red, 9 year old ruby bitch, lacking the coat of winner, built on slighter lines, yet with adequate rib, moved well.

1. Mochrie’s Downsbank Boule de Neige, raw youngster, who has all the essentials, loved his size, just lacking the confidence to show off his virtues. Pleasing to go over on the table, so well balanced, short coupled in body, which is well ribbed for age, good angulation to front and rear, with laid back shoulders. Promising head, with well rounded skull, and large dark eyes, coat coming in well, and of a good rich colour. Best Minor Puppy

2. Gillhespy’s Corrinwood Columbo, Black & tan dog, with silky black coat and rich tan markings. Lovely head, with large dark round eyes, well rounded skull and plenty of cushioning, giving soft gentle expression. Well constructed body, with ample neck and good ribcage. Thought he may have been my class winner but sadly would not co-operate with his handler, making it impossible for me to assess his movement on the day.

3. Gimenes Corrinwood Calypso, I see this ruby dog is litter brother to 2^nd. Appears up to size at present, hopefully he has done all his growing, and will now just gain the maturity required for higher placing. Well boned all through, with good rib and firm level topline, large rounded skull, well cushioned giving gentle expression.

1. Naylor’s Maenan Moon Blaze, won the class on his maturity, well balanced with correct bone for size, Large domed skull, with expressive round dark eyes, good nose placement, full muzzle with lots of cushioning. Well broken coat of good length and texture, enhanced by rich tan markings. Stood out when moving with confidence in a group circle and stood well on table, just not so sure when going solo as yet! When relaxed presented a balanced picture standing, could do well given the opportunity.

2. Water’s & Robins Maibee Debonaire, Nicely balanced, short coupled youngster, lacking the body and confidence of winner as yet. Still immature in head, has good neck, and soundly constructed body.

3. Quatermain’s Downsbank Mr Bo Jangles with Cutel, Tricolour with clear markings with rich tan, good bone for size, nothing weedy or lacking about this dog, again just needs to gain in confidence and mature.

1. Gillhespy’s Lorphil Copper Sunrise, Quality ruby youngster, loved his size and conformation, excellent bone, short coupled body, and level topline. Good angulation to front and rear, moved steadily, with plenty of drive from the rear. He has a quality head with large dark round eyes, well cushioned with full muzzle. Well coated of rich chestnut colour, so well balanced both standing and on the move, would just like a little more depth to body to finish him off, which should come with time. Best ruby

2. Atkin’s Headras Chocolate D’Lite, Super temperament, so happy, pleasing to handle on the table, Short coupled tricolour, with good neck set into well laid back shoulders, and short level topline. Appears a little leggy at present, but once fully coated and the body and rib develop, will give a more balanced appearance. Well domed skull, with large dark round eyes.

3. Maddison’s Alambra Rich Ruby, Well boned, quality ruby, firm in body with good depth of chest, well sprung rib, good angulation to front and rear. Large rounded skull, dark round eyes, full muzzle and wide open nostrils. Once moving at a pace, he moves soundly, just wish he would make more of his chances, to show off his true quality.

1. Leach’s Amantra Carte Blanche, well broken blen of good rich colour, still needs to mature in body and head, his length of coat and feathering is beginning to come. Given another year should look the picture, he is soundly constructed, with good topline, which showed in his movement, which won him this class.

2. Atkin’s Headras Chocolate D’Lite

3. Mochrie’s Downsbank Algenon, had difficulty handling this dog, but once settled I found him to have a good body with well rounded ribcage, level topline, well boned legs for size. He is a richly marked well broken blen, hope he gets his confidence back.

1. Waters & Robins Maibee Simply Dashing. What a lovely class of quality dogs, it was hard to believe that it was Novice. I would have been happy to have given anyone of those placed a first, but decisions have to be made, and I eventually chose this young tri dog. At only 10 months he is still lacking a little in confidence, but full of quality when handled. Excels in head, well domed skull, dark round eyes, so well cushioned by plush muzzle of good width, good nose placement. Well arched neck, firm body for age, with correct bone to legs, well angulated to front and rear. Best Puppy in Show

2. Water’s & Robins Maibee Teddie, Well broken tri with rich tan markings, kennel mate to winner, a close decision between these two. Loved the confident movement, and sound conformation of this dog. Well bodied for age, just preferred the overall breed type and head qualities of the winner.

3. Gillhespy’s Lorphil Copper Sunrise

1. Hopkins Cofton’s Dancing in the Street, 2 year old, black & tan, previously unknown to me. A real cobby little dog, sturdy in body with good bone, large domed skull, round dark eyes, good nostrils, with well cushioned muzzle giving gentle expression. Perhaps a little over done with tan facial markings, but I loved his confident attitude strutting around the ring, with a happy disposition.

2. Mochrie’s Downsbank Joshua. Should have been the class winner for quality, I love this smart little tri dog. He is the ideal size, with good bone, super body and conformation, with classic domed skull, large dark eyes, so well cushioned. Well broken coat with clear markings and rich tan. Just refused to co-operate with handler. At 2 years of age, I felt he really should be getting his act together if he is to take the top honours which he so deserves.

3. Leach’s Amantra Carte Blanche

1. Gillhespy & Mallow’s Tucherish Jolyon JW ShCM, although I would still like to see this short coupled little dog with more body weight, I love his size and type. He screams "Toy Spaniel" at me, he is so well proportioned, with quality long silky coat and furnishings. Typical in head, large dark round eyes giving soft gentle expression, domed in skull with plenty of cushioning to muzzle, correct nose placement, with wide open nostrils and just enough turn up of lower jaw. Best Dog and Reserve Best in Show.

2. Smith’s Justacharma Now he is Magic, A real cobby little blenheim dog who knows how to strut his stuff. Small in stature, yet well boned, super ribcage, a little longer cast than winner. Pleasing head, with rounded skull and large dark round eyes. Super temperament, so confident and happy, demands attention.

3. Goodwin’s Tucherish Stanley Diggle, So soundly constructed with strong rear quarters, good turn of stifle and well toned muscle. This dog really knows how to move out with reach and drive, keeping a level topline. He will always look better in a big ring, where he can show off his virtues fully. He is outgoing in temperament and attentive to his skilled handler who makes the most of this dog.

1. Smith’s Ageancourt Magic once More is Justacharma, Well broken tri dog I feel is only just reaching maturity. Strong well boned legs, with good angulation, firm topline. Well coated and shown in good condition. Large dark round eyes set in well domed skull, large nostrils and cushioned muzzle.

2. Rushton’s Tiflin Tudor Royal JW, heavier marked tri dog, with super laid back temperament, well boned with good spring of rib and level topline, flowing into desired, correctly carried level tail carriage.

3. Maddison’s Tucherish Angelo, soundly made, lightly marked blen dog, well constructed all through, who really needs a big ring, where he can move out with his handler to show to advantage,

1. Phillips Nastane Henry, Tri dog I have often admired from the ringside, well broken with classic tricolour markings, super rich tan in all the correct places. Excels in head, good rise of skull over eyes, which are large and dark, with correct nose placement, with wide open nostrils and well cushioned muzzle.

1. Stewart’s Marchog MacFlannel, Love this well balanced ruby dog, who unfortunately had a sore eye on the day, otherwise my final placings may have been different. I have watched him mature from a raw baby into the quality dog which he is now. He has developed in body, with good spring rib and well angulated rear quarters. His head is well rounded in skull, with plenty of width and correct turn up of underjaw, good neck, well laid back shoulders, firm level topline. His adult coat is coming in well and of a good rich colour, movement is sound and steady, should prove a very useful dog for this breed.

1. Smith’s Justacharma he is our Magic JW, Eyecatching blenheim who excels in rich chestnut markings, so well broken and shown in full coat, with full bib and long feathering. A confident showdog, who looks a picture both standing and on the move. Short and cobby, with just enough neck and firm level topline to give the classic outline. I was pleased to award him Reserve Best Dog, & Best Blenheim

2. Stewart’s Kasamanda Celtic Connexion to Marchog, Well broken tri dog, just not quite as mature as winner, in body or coat, hopefully given time this will come. A sound mover with good temperament one that cannot be overlooked.

3. Morris Palandro Winter Robin at Raytrix, Another that I have often admired from ringside, mature in body with good bone, super head. large rounded skull, good width of under jaw, large dark round eyes, well cushioned muzzle. Good body with well broken markings, unlucky to meet the winners in this class.

1. Mochrie’s Downsbank Glimpse of Jet, Heading a very challenging class, from the wild and unruly, to the shy and retiring. This pretty tricolour bitch, was lovely to handle on the table, so well balanced, with well sprung rib for age, square in outline, rounded skull with large dark eyes, good neck, just lacking in confidence.

2. Mallows Binglui Ruby Rosella, Well bodied, ruby bitch with excellent bone and well sprung rib, Large head with rounded skull, large dark eyes, good nose placement, wide open nostrils. I found it difficult to asses her movement as she was totally unsettled on the move, once she gets her act together should do well.

3. Phillips Kasamanda Waltzing Matilda, Blenheim, not as mature in head as winners, but good neck and shoulders, balanced body with good substance for age, well sprung rib, pleasing size. Steady temperament, moved and showed well, one I shall follow with interest.

1. Harvey’s Lankcombe Gabriella at Rivermoor, Love the cheeky, exuberant temperament of this smart little bitch. She demands attention, both standing and moving. Love her compact size and balance, ample bone and good rib for age, correct rear angulation to give plenty of drive on the move. Well broken markings, with good tan, just needs to gain her adult clothes to complete the picture.

2. Waters & Robins Maibee Starstruck, Quality, tri with clear markings excelling in rich tan. Not as compact as winner, but so soundly constructed, with good bone, firm level topline, she moved straight both coming and going, with good drive from the rear. Still needs to mature in head, when I am sure she will come into her own.

3. Naylor’s Maenan Moon Angel, Tricolour.sister to PD winner and very similar in type. Large domed skull, good neck and shoulders with well sprung rib, firm topline, good angulation to rear. Happy temperament.

1. Smith’s Justacharma Something Magic, A close decision between first two here, both are compactly made, with good bone, this blen bitch just demands attention, she is full of personality. Firm in body with good rib, just had the edge on maturity on the day.

2. Harvey’s Lankcombe Gabriella at Rivermoor

3. Wadsworth’s Justacharma Magic of Kathy, sister to winner and very similar in type. Lovely to handle on the table, good body and conformation. Once settled she moved sound and true, showing off her happy temperament. Given the correct ring training, I’m sure would be of benefit. She just shows a little white of eye which slightly detracts from the head features, otherwise a very nice bitch.

1. Smith’s Justacharma Something Magic

2. Mochrie’s Downsbank Clarice Cliff, black and tan, with good rich tan, cobby in body, with good bone for size, well angulated all through. Rounded skull with large dark round eyes, just lacking confidence.

3. Martin’s Maynorth Inspiration for Normanslea, Well broken tricolour with bright tan markings, Built on finer lines, yet with enough substance for her size, happy carefree personality, always gives the impression she wants to speak to everyone in the hall, instead of showing off.

1. Willey & Siddle’s Maibee Charlotte Rose of Penemma, Tri bitch, so squarely made, with good neck, would like a little more depth and width, which should come with maturity. Well bodied for age, with good rib, short level back, and well angulated rear. Has all the essentials in head, just needs to develop fully to complete the picture. Loved her domed skull, large dark eyes, good nose placement, with well cushioned muzzle, Reserve Best Bitch

2. Smith’s Justacharma Something Magic

3. Harvey’s Rocquencourt Rosetta at Rivermoor, Nicely balanced black & tan bitch, good length of leg, good neck and shoulders, with level topline. Well rounded skull, with correct dark round eyes, and plenty of cushioning to muzzle, giving pleasing expression.

1. Askins Amantra Charmful at Headra, Well broken tri bitch with lovely large round dark eyes, pleasing size and shape, good angulation, and level topline although not in full coat, her sound movement and happy disposition made her a worthy winner here.

2. Johnson’s Alambra Isa Bella, extremely feminine ruby bitch, with large dark eyes, shown in full coat, with long feathering, small in stature, yet with ample rib and bone for size, presents a balanced picture standing.

3. Mallows Lorphil Copper Delight Binglui, Ruby bitch, domed in skull, with large dark round eyes, well boned with good spring of rib, a little longer in loin than 2^nd. Thought she may have been my winner here, but would not settle on the move.

1. Waters Maibee Layla, From the minute I handled this bitch on the table I knew that she was going to be hard to beat. Loved her exquisite head, domed skull, with low set ears, dark round eyes, good nose placement, with large open nostrils, well cushioned muzzle. Good length of neck, with soundly constructed body, ample bone and well sprung rib, at 18 months coat and feathering coming in well to complete the picture. Best Bitch and Best in Show.

2. Martin’s Maynorth Inspiration for Normanslea

1. Willey & Siddle’s Rytonian Snowdrop of Penemma, , lightly marked blen bitch, compactly made, so short in back, with good body and well sprung rib, Pleasing head, with lovely round dark eyes, would benefit from gaining some furnishings to ears, and length to coat to complete the picture.

2. Keane & Thorn’s Inixia Against all Odds, Compactly made well broken tri bitch with good neck well laid back shoulders, short in back with good bone for size, well angulated rear quarters, moved well for her young handler. Staining to legs and feet detracted from the overall picture of this dog, but this is surmountable with a little hard work. She has a lovely domed head, well cushioned full muzzle and large dark eyes, one to be proud of.

3. Loynd’s Crimbledale Solitaire, heavily marked tri bitch with exuberant personality, excellent rib and body, strong well muscled rear quarters. Domed skull, with round dark eyes and well cushioned muzzle, Difficult to assess movement on the day.

1. Askins Amantra Chocolate Divine with Headra, I was very impressed with this bitch, she has matured from a raw baby into a well bodied, quality bitch. Love her richly marked, well broken coat, She is a lovely size, with good bone, domed in skull with round dark eyes, good crested neck and level topline. She has the personality to carry her through to the top, was close to top honours on the day.

1. Waters & Robins Maibee Lynette, I loved the make and shape of this b&t bitch, she is a pleasure to handle on the table, oozing elegance, both standing and on the move. She is so well constructed, good neck, well laid back shoulders, level in topline, with good turn of stifle, as expected she moved effortlessly around the ring, with good reach and drive. So feminine in head, with large dark round eyes, so well cushioned, and plush muzzle. Considered her for Res. Best bitch but just felt she needed a little more substance, which I am sure will come with maturity. Best Black & Tan

2. Mallows Lorphil Copper Cobana Binglui, Ruby bitch, lacking enthusiasm on the day, but is well bodied with good rib and topline, large dark round eyes to head.

3. Rushton’s Justacharma my Girls Magic at Tiflin, quality black & tan bitch, with glorious long flat, silky coat. Compactly made with well barreled rib, would prefer more neck, but this was accentuated by the fact that she was somewhat overweight, which in turn affected her movement. Would love to see her with a trim figure, as she is a lovely bitch.

1. Smith’s Justacharma She’s Magic, I enjoyed being given the opportunity to assess this bitch again, having judged her as a puppy, I was pleased to see how she has matured both mentally and physically, from a raw youngster, into compactly made, cobby, bitch, with ample neck, and rounded skull, with large dark round eyes.