UNITED KINGDOM TOYDOG SOCIETY - Ch

Judges Critiques

Mr John BLEWETT

Judging: King Charles Spaniel, Toy Group

United Kingdom Toy Dog Society 

29th March 2025

It was an honor to be invited to judge a breed with which I have shared a lifelong connection spanning over 50 years. After not judging the breed for over three years, it is reassuring to see that quality exhibits remain strong among the entries before me. Fundamentally, this is a “head” breed, and I hope non-breed judges take this into account. While they may not walk on their heads, the distinctive head is a breed-specific hallmark that makes the King Charles Spaniel (KCS) so endearing.

Of course, KCS must also be well-constructed with sound movement. Correct markings are the finishing touch ’the cherry on the cake’ but I do not penalize for heavier or lighter markings. In the ring, exhibitors should showcase their dog or bitch to the fullest potential, and I have no objection to stacking, as the breed standard does not prohibit it. The breed standard serves as a valuable template for maintaining and celebrating the essence of KCS.

Thanks to my two efficient stewards who kept the ring flowing and all exhibitors for your entry. Judging was delayed by 30 minutes due to a traffic incident on the M6 and my sympathies go to exhibitors who missed their class(es)

I appreciate the two stewards who ensured the smooth operation of the ring and all exhibitors for their participation. Judging was delayed by 30 minutes due to a traffic incident on the M6, and I sympathise with those exhibitors who missed their classes.

BEST OF BREED : 815 BAKER, Mr R & KENDALL, Mrs M Headra's Jim Beam
Dog CC : 815 BAKER, Mr R & KENDALL, Mrs M Hendra’s Jim Beam
Res Dog CC : 846 TUESLEY, Mrs Marilyn & SWAINE, Mr James Ch & Am Ch Marsward My Masterpiece
Bitch CC : 833 LOVEL, Mr P Ch Lovetrac Kamilla
Res Bitch CC : 813 BAILEY, Mrs Dorothy May Aldoricka Sweet Victoria
Best Puppy : 823 CLARKE, Mrs Pauline Headra's Bohemian Rhapsody At Poltomic
Best Veteran : 847 TUESLEY, Mrs Marilyn & SWAINE, Mr James Ch & Am Ch Marsward Black Magic Woman
Best Special Beginner : 808 ABBOTT, Mrs H Helmajon Rhapsody In Blue

Class 209 SBD/B (2 Entries) Abs: 0
1st: 808 ABBOTT, Mrs H Helmajon Rhapsody In Blue  Tri with correct coat markings. Nice full head and large round dark eyes. Sufficient muscle to give positive driving movement.
2nd: 810 ABBOTT, Mrs H Helmajon Clara's Romance. Lightly marked Blen. Coat pearly white with chestnut red patches. Wide blaze between eyes with lozenge.

Class 210 VD (1 Entries) Abs: 0
1st: 824 GILLHESPY, Mrs Lorraine & KIRSCHBAUM, Mr. Marcus Ch Bonitos Companeros Deluxe Chardonnay Tri with lovely tan markings with wide white blaze between large dark eyes, set wide apart. Good length of arched neck giving proud head carriage. Long well feathered ears set low, hanging flat to cheeks. Well presented and handled. Good driving movement.

Class 212 PD (2 Entries) Abs: 0
1st: 823 CLARKE, Mrs Pauline Headra's Bohemian Rhapsody At Poltomic Tri with wide white blaze between eyes and up forehead. Skull in proportion to body size, well domed full over large dark eyes. Well defined stop, nose black with wide open nostrils. Level topline maintained on the move with drive from muscled hindquarters, well bent stifles. I feel it has a bright future.
2nd: 845 SMITH, Mr Stephen & SMITH, Mrs Gillian Justacharma Magic Retained Tri well presented with correct markings and wide white blaze between large dark eyes set wide apart. Preferred head of 1st.

Class 213 JD (4 Entries) Abs: 1

Three lovely exhibits.
1st: 831 JACKSON, Mrs T M Amantra Somerset Gold.  Rich chestnut red ruby with lovely glossy coat. Four square with a level topline. Well domed head on medium length arched neck giving a proud look. Nose black, large wide nostrils, well defined stop. Legs short and straight, well laid back shoulders. Moved with drive from behind. Well feathered compact well feathered feet.
2nd: 836 MATCHES, Miss J Baldragon French Conexion At Fochai Tri of heavy marking, with wide white blaze between large dark eyes and up forehead. Black nose with wide nostrils. Correct rich mahogany tan over eyes and under vent. Well constructed, hocks well let down and straight when viewed from behind, dense bone.
3rd: 839 MORLEY, Miss E Baldragon Dream Chaser At Lizlanmor JW

Class 214 GD (2 Entries) Abs: 1
1st: 809 ABBOTT, Mrs H Helmajon Sibelius Well marked Blenheim with lozenge, silky coat, rich chestnut red patches on pearly background. Nice long feathered ears lying close to cheeks. Muzzle well turned up, lower jaw wide; lips meeting to give a nice expression. Needs to settle.

Class 215 PGD (2 Entries) Abs: 0

1st Place: 825 GILLHESPY, Mrs Lorraine & KIRSCHBAUM, Mr. Marcus Lorphil Labyrinth. This well-defined Tri exhibits prominent tan markings and a broad white blaze extending over the forehead. The specimen features a good dome with long, well-feathered ears close to cushioned cheeks, presenting a compact and cobby physique.

2nd Place: 843 SMITH, Mr Stephen & SMITH, Mrs Gillian Chacombe Just Magical For Justacharma. This Tri has a very wide blaze and moves with drive from well-muscled hindquarters. However, its head does not match the quality of the first-place winner.

Class 216 LD (6 Entries) Abs: 0

1st Place: 815 BAKER, Mr R & KENDALL, Mrs M Headra's Jim Beam. A glossy, silky black and tan coat with distinct mahogany markings. It is a typical Toy Spaniel with a cobby and compact build. It has a medium arched neck, a well-carried head, and good pigment, including a black nose with wide-open nostrils. The square muzzle is deep and wide, well turned up with a wide lower jaw and precise lips. Cheeks are well cushioned, and legs are short and straight, complementing a well-barreled chest with elbows close to the rib cage.

2nd Place: 820 BOYER, Mr & Mrs P & S - David Ot Nevskogo Hobbita At Ellinghurst (imp Rus). This Tri boasts a pearly white coat with black patches. Its muscled hindquarters provide an active outline both in motion and when standing. The large skull relative to body size possesses a defined stop between the skull and nose. Black lips meet precisely, indicating a well-constructed dog.

Third: 808 ABBOTT, Mrs H - Helmajon Rhapsody In Blue

Reserve: 812 BAILEY, Mrs Dorothy May - Aldoricka The Hustler

Very Highly Commended: 834 MADDISON, Miss Sarah - Justacharma Northern Magic

Class 217 OD (3 Entries) Abs: 1

First: 846 TUESLEY, Mrs Marilyn & SWAINE, Mr James - Ch & Am Ch Marsward My Masterpiece. Rich red chestnut ruby profuse silky coat. Good skull with dark lustrous well set apart eyes; black nose with wide open nostrils, short and turned up, well cushioned under cheeks. Well feathered ears close to cheeks. Moved with drive from behind keeping topline and looking elegant. Compact feet, well padded and feathered, toes well knuckled, round cat shape feet, firm pasterns.

Second: 850 WHITMAN, Mr J & TARABAD, Miss L - Ch Cofton All I Have To Do Is Dream With Khatibi. Clearly defined Tri with tan markings above the eyes. White background with black patches. Long ears close to cheeks. Good pigment. Straight short legs with shoulders laid back and elbows close to rib cage. Stifle has a good turn on straight legs when viewed from behind. Hindquarters are well-muscled with efficient driving action. Presented to perfection.

Class 218 VB (2 Entries) Abs: 0

First: 847 TUESLEY, Mrs Marilyn & SWAINE, Mr James - Ch & Am Ch Marsward Black Magic Woman B&T exhibits a glossy black coat that nearly touches the floor, complemented by bright mahogany tan markings. A wide and deep chest, with a large skull proportionate to the body. The eyes are dark and lustrous, and the well-cushioned cheeks contribute to a pleasant expression. The feathered ears lie close to the cheeks. The movement is powered by strong hindquarters.

Second: 807 ABBOTT, Mrs H - Cofton Reach For The Stars. Lightly marked Tri with well-feathered ears kept close to cheeks and mounted on a reasonably sized skull. Overall, a stable dog that maintains its topline when standing and moving. In pristine condition.

Class 219 MPB NO ENTRIES

Class 220 PB (3 Entries) Abs: 1

Two excellent specimens that I am sure could change places on another day.

First: 828 HAYWARD, Mr D & WALKER, Ms S - Justacharma Magic Dance Dalshareon. Lightly marked Tri with a silky coat and wide white blaze over forehead, between large dark eyes. Stood foursquare, maintaining topline while moving and standing. Hindquarters straight from behind. Sweet expression and black nose. Exhibited well and in great condition.

Second: 832 KENDALL, Mrs. M - Headra's Killer Queen. Lightly marked Tri with well-cushioned cheeks and large dark eyes. Ears set on low, hanging flat to cheeks. Short, straight front legs and well-laid-back shoulders. Moved with elegance and drive.

Class 221 JB (3 Entries) Abs: 0

A nice class.

First: 849 WHITMAN, Mr J & TARABAD, Miss L - Yeshalomi. Notable for chestnut red patches on a pearly white background, with a clear blaze. The skull is large relative to the body, and it has large dark eyes and a black nose with wide open nostrils. Ears are close to the cheeks. It stands four square and moved with drive from well-muscled hindquarters, with straight legs when viewed from behind. In excellent condition, meticulously groomed and presented.

Second: 818 BOWLES-ROBINSON, Mrs C - Baldragon French Fancy. Heavy marked Tri with mahogany tan over eyes, wide blaze up over forehead. Large black eyes and black nose. From front view, short straight legs, shoulder set well back, chest with good width. Round cat-shaped feet, firm pasterns, toes knuckled. Handled efficiently and in good condition.

Third: 841 PARADISE, Mrs J L - Yeshalomi Jam And Jerusalem With Shardlow

Class 222 GB (7 Entries) Abs: 2

First: 848 TUESLEY, Mrs Marilyn & SWAINE, Mr James - Travtana Sound Of Thunder At Marsward (Imp USA). Rich red chestnut Ruby, shiny and in good condition. Proportionate to body size, large dome. Lovely dark eyes paired with a black nose. Ears well feathered. Compact and cobby body. Moved elegantly, showcasing the strength and grace of her physical structure. Well-muscled hindquarters. stifles well bent, defined hocks well let down. Thoroughly enjoying herself, suggesting confidence and a positive attitude.

Second: 819 BOWLES-ROBINSON, Mrs C - Lovetrac Katrina Baldragon. Tri coat with black patches on a pearly white background. There is a wide blaze between its black eyes, with tan markings over the eyes. The ears are set close to the cheeks and have feathering. The hindquarters show sufficient muscle for a positive drive and maintain the top line while moving and standing, presenting a defined outline.

Third: 844 SMITH, Mr Stephen & SMITH, Mrs Gillian - Chacombe Just Charming

Reserve: 841 PARADISE, Mrs J L - Yeshalomi Jam And Jerusalem With Shardlow

Very Highly Commended: 811 ABBOTT, Mrs H - Helmajon Smyth's Cadenza

Class 223 PGB (3 Entries) Abs: 1

First: 822 BOYER, Mrs Sandra - Evropa Ot Nevskogo Hobbita At Ellinghurst (Imp Rus). Well coated B&T with a long black glossy coat and mahogany tan markings. Medium length arched neck providing head carriage. Expression is balanced and masculine. Black eyes, paired with a black nose, good pigment. Chest width and barreled shape are adequate. Compact, well-feathered feet with knuckled toes and firm pasterns. Movement was elegant with positive drive. Well groomed and presented.

Second: 810 ABBOTT, Mrs H - Helmajon Clara's Romance

Class 224 LB (1 Entry) Abs: 0

First: 814 BAKER, Mr R & BAKER, Mrs R - Cofton Part Of Your World. Heavily marked, black patches on a pearly white coat with a full skull and large dark eyes. Feminine expression, arched neck, proud head. Well bent stifles, low hocks, compact cat-shaped feet. Pleasing outline. Stood alone but worthy of placing.

Class 225 OB (4 Entries) Abs: 1

First: 833 LOVEL, Mr P - Ch Lovetrac Kamilla. A well-groomed and handled Tri with black patches on a pearly white background. Tan markings on cheeks, ear linings, under vent, and spots over dark eyes with a black nose. A white blaze over the forehead. Moved elegantly from strong hindquarters. Compact, well-cushioned feet, firm pasterns, and straight, short front legs.

Second: 813 BAILEY, Mrs Dorothy May - Aldoricka Sweet Victoria. A feminine Tri with a sweet expression and captivating dark eyes. The head is carried proudly on a well-arched neck, complemented by a white blaze between the eyes extending over the forehead. The dog features lovely, long, and well-feathered ears. While standing pose could be more composed, the movement is effortless, driven by well-muscled hindquarters, presenting a pleasing outline.

Third: 821 BOYER, Mr & Mrs P & S - Ellinghurst Kiki Dee

John Blewett [Judge]