Cavaliers of the Northeast 11/12/10, York, PA Judge: David Kirkland (Rokirk)

Cavaliers of the Northeast 11/12/10, York, PA Judge: David Kirkland (Rokirk) Many thanks to the members of CNE for inviting me to judge your show in York, PA. The Show Committee was most hospitable and I am appreciative of their efforts on my behalf. Special thanks are also extended to my ring stewards who did such a great job throughout the day. Many of you know that I was a bit under- the- weather; however the camaraderie of the exhibitors, the kindness of the Show Committee, and a ring full of Cavaliers lifted my spirits! Thanks to all of the exhibitors for accepting my placements with the highest level of sportsmanship. I trust you will accept my comments below in the same spirit. The overall quality of both dogs and bitches was quite good; far superior to most of the shows I judge annually. As you will see below, I thought quite a few of the exhibits were outstanding and this quality spanned the different age classes which bodes well for the future of our breed. Presentation was excellent and I did not see any overly trimmed coats. Exhibitors are to be commended in this regard. One area requires special mention as it stood out in this entry as one that needs improvement. Poor tailsets from overly steep croups are an issue that demands our attention as breeders. Again, many thanks for allowing me the privilege of spending the day with you and your wonderful Cavaliers! Junior Puppy Dog (4) 1. Dreamvale Smart As Th Dickens (Warshaw) Well-broken Tri with a lovely made head and nice eyes giving a softer, sweeter expression than the second placed dog. Balanced body proportions with good bone and short, neat hocks. Firm topline and correct tail carriage as he moved properly round the ring sporting a beautifully presented silky coat and happy Cavalier attitude. 2. Merseyport Magical Mystery Tour Of Chadwick (Eckersley) Well-marked Blenheim of high quality. Pleasing head with nice dark, round eyes. Firm topline and correct bone on a balanced, short-coupled body. He moved and showed happily with seasoned confidence. 3. Lynsfaire Country Gentleman (Hallsted) B/T youngster with an attractive outline standing, but a bit off in topline when moving. Pleasing head that could use a bit more muzzle cushioning. Hopefully, his bite will correct with age. 4. Mileslip Colour My World (Skidmore) Heavier marked Tri who was not having the best of days moving. He wanted to be elsewhere! Nice body shape standing, but lost his topline on the go. Senior Puppy Dog (2) 1. Mimric Monogram, JW (Hodges/Perkins) Top quality richly-marked Blenheim. Masculine head with dark eyes and pigmentation. He makes a stunning picture standing due to his well-constructed body, reach of neck, firm topline, good bone and short hocks. Quite the show-off! He moved well from all angles. A very promising youngster! I look forward to seeing him again as he matures. Best Puppy Dog 2. Darane Smooth Criminal At Nightingale (Mulligan) B/T with a sweet expression and round, dark, expressive eyes. A pleasing head overall, but I would prefer a tad more muzzle cushioning to give the ideal soft look. Needs a better-moving rear. Presented in beautiful silky coat. Graduate Puppy Dog (4) 1. Byermoor Queens Orb (O'Brien) A top quality blenheim. Stunning, masculine head with large dark eyes, good pigment, and a very sweet expression. Balanced body proportions give rise to sound, true and confident movement. His showy, happy temperament was evident as he stared adoringly at his owner with a constantly wagging tail. I greatly admired this young dog. 2. Tanglewood Rebellion (Saban/Fairchild) Ruby with lovely rich color. Large dark eyes and great pigment. A pretty picture as he sailed around the ring. The first-placed dog edged him out on maturity, head shape, and expression. 3. Kavalor Home Run For Windham (Hashagen) Well-marked Blenheim. Soft expression with large dark eyes. Moved well, but not so happy to be at the show. 4. Aubinwood Griffin (Gibson/Burke) Tri dog with a pleasing head shape. He shows white in his eye which detracts from an otherwise soft expression. He was not moving well on the day. Bred By Exhibitor Dog (3) 1. Ch Jayba Pucker Up, JW (Lander) A stylish, richly-marked blenheim of exceptional quality. He was presented in superior condition and showed himself off admirably. Nice reach of neck, great bone and body substance, properly angulated both front and rear boasting of correct bend to his stifles and short hocks. His head exuded breed type with dense pigment, large, round, dark eyes and a well-cushioned muzzle. One could not ask for a softer and sweeter expression. When I entered the Winners Class, I thought this would be his day. Unfortunately, he was not shown by his owner and let down in the challenge. Although a

difficult decision between both dogs, this gave his full litter brother and my eventual BIS show winner the slight edge. Reserve Winners Dog 2. Ch Silverspoon Nutcracker (Silverman) A high-quality Cavalier presented in a luxurious, silky coat with rich tans. Moved and showed to perfection. He has the sweetest expression and beautiful, large, expressive eyes. Compact body with a pleasing shape both standing and moving. He is one of the nicest B/T males I have judged in a long time. 3. Kilbrook Oxalis (Opel) Blenheim dog with a good topline and beautiful, well-marked silky coat. His head is more extreme and his expression is harsher than I prefer. A proud and happy dog, he carried his tail higher than ideal on the go. Junior American Bred Dog (8) 1. Chadwick Scotch On The Rocks At Hudsonview (Yassky/Eckersley) Quality blenheim presented in beautiful coat. Lovely eye, head shape and soft expression. A tad too long in the body for my taste. Showed and moved with well-schooled confidence. 2. Chadwick Spoken In Jest (Eckersley) Immature Tri dog with a pleasing head shape, well-placed dark eyes, and a beautiful silky coat. Placed second as he needs more development. 3. Parkbury Sole Mate (Parker) A blenheim youngster who edged out his competition due his exuberant and happy personality. 4. Kellene Barnaby Jones (Carter) This class would have been placed differently had this very nice Ruby dog exhibited a proper happy temperament. He was not having a good day, but nonetheless his overall quality was very evident. Lovely in head with round dark eyes, soft expression, and dark pigment. Good bone, proper tailset and a well-constructed body enabled him to move well. Hopefully, he will decide that dog shows are fun! American Bred Dog (8) 1. Orchardhill Home By Dark (Sage/Venier) High-quality blenheim dog with an exuberant and sporting character. Balanced body with great bone and substance. Large, round, dark, wide-set eyes, sound pigment, good cushioning and melting expression are among the virtues of his lovely head. Sound mover, holds a strong topline through to his well-carried tail. 2. Darane Jon Bon Jovi (Kates) Good bone and body substance on this well-marked blenheim dog complete with lozenge. Large, dark, well-placed eyes with the sweetest expression. Short-coupled body with a level topline evident on the move. 3. Castlekeep Cimaron At Triplecrown Panache (Keane/Brouck) Blenheim who was not enjoying himself today. Sweet expression on a well-made head, proper silky coat, and a well-proportioned body complete the picture. 4. Nightingale Arlo (Birmingham) Well-marked blenheim with proper head shape and eye size. A little long in the body and shows some white in his eyes. Health and Conformation Dog (1) 1. Brookhaven Bear With Me At Lynsfaire (Fairchild) 6 ½ year old richly-colored blenheim with balanced body proportions and an outgoing personality. Special Limit Blenheim Dog (4) 1. EngCh Cinderlace Cromwell At Jayba (Lander) Top quality, richly-marked exhibit with a rock-solid topline and tail carried right off his back. Stunning carriage on the move. One could not ask for more correct or sounder movement. Nicely balanced outline standing with excellent bone, substance, and short neat hocks. Very masculine head shape, cushioning, dark pigment and eyes although his head overall is stronger than I prefer. Despite this, he is a dog of exceptional quality and was considered in the Winners Class. 2. Mozart Vom Welfenhof At Woodbury (Redniss) High-quality dog with a pleasing head shape, sweet face, and properly-placed dark eyes. Well-constructed, short-coupled and balanced body sporting a beautiful silky coat. Great mover who sailed around the ring as if he owned it. 3. Astarring Elliot If I Know (O'Brien/Flowers Foster) Lovely head shape, sweet and gentle expression, huge dark eyes and great pigment. Presented himself well standing and moving. He is a little too long in the body for me. 4. Millhill Le Tigious (Rychlik) Nicely marked dog with a well-constructed, balanced body. Nice shape and set to his eyes. Moved and showed with confidence and aplomb. His head and expression are stronger than I prefer. Special Limit Tricolor Dog (5) 1. Nightingale Endless Summer (Mulligan) Happy and outgoing personality. Well-constructed and balanced body shape. Lovely soft expression due to large, dark eyes. Nice size, bone and movement. 2. Westwind ME N MY KC (Koehring) Stronger headed boy with an outgoing temperament and nice large dark eyes. Sound mover. 3. Chadwick Edinburgh (Carter/Eckersley) Not having the best of days, but has a balanced body and a sweet head. 4. Darane Boys Dont Cry (DePhillip) Nice coat and happy temperament. Could use less slope in the croup and more muzzle cushioning to be ideal. Special Limit Ruby Dog (5) 1. Windham Lost Sailor (McCauley/Hashagen) Gorgeous rich ruby color. Nice head with large, dark eyes and a sweet expression. Moved with purpose and held a good topline. Best Ruby in Show 2. Elyzian

Prime Mover (Davis) Pleasing head and expression. Ever so happy and proud to show it, he carries a nice topline but is a tad larger and longer than I prefer. 3. Blackfire Aquavit N Bordeaux (Lauve) Nice head and eye, but acted a bit tentative on the day. 4. Stellar Fireball at Tycwn (Knauss/Gregg) Lovely, rich color and big eyes. Special Limit Black-and-Tan Dog (4) 1. Kaceem Jonathan (Ames) Sweet-faced, happy dog that holds a firm topline and carries a lovely coat with rich tan markings. 2. Mileslip Derby Favorite (Skidmore) Pleasing head and expression on this wellmoving dog. I preferred the tail carriage of the first-placed dog. 3. Windham Innocent Bystander (Maxwell/Hashagen) Lovely coat on this confident moving dog. He has a slightly longer muzzle than I prefer. 4. Stellar You Are Everything at Tycwn (Knauss) Also, longer in muzzle than I prefer. Open Dog (7) An outstanding class, full of quality, and a pleasure to judge. Dogs left the ring unplaced that in different competition I would be more than proud to award a first! 1. Ch Jayba Don Juan, JW (Lander) A striking dog of superior breed type. His richly-marked, silky coat was presented in perfect bloom and condition. Capably handled and showing off at all times, he owned the ring as he moved with soundness, confidence and purpose. A smashing dog in all respects, stunning head shape, dark pigment, well-placed large melting eyes all combine to give the desired sweet expression. With good reach of neck, a firm level topline, and a well-set on tail, his well-conditioned, solid body is properly angulated at both ends with nice short hocks. What more could I ask for! I was happy to award him Winners Dog, Best in Show, Best American-Bred in Show, Best Bred by Exhibitor in Show, Best Blenheim in Show. 2. Ch Kilbrook Kiefer At Woodbury (Redniss) A top-quality dog that I have admired in the past. Balanced body proportions, a rock solid topline, and outstanding movement won him a high placement in this class. Although his overall head shape is quite pleasing, his expression is not as sweet as the firstplaced dog. 3. Nightingale Golden Ticket At Merrychase, JW (Gordon) Beautifully-marked boy with the sweetest of faces due to big dark eyes. Masculine head shape on a well-constructed body with great bone. On the move he was a bit wobbly in the topline indicating the need for more exercise. 4. Ch Charnell Cosmopolitan, JW (Herring) Dark eyes and pigment, well-marked complete with lozenge, short coupled and sound body construction ensures his free and fluid movement. Not as appealing in head as the higher placed dogs and would benefit from a less steep croup. Senior Open Dog (1) 1. Langford Set The Sails (Clement) The condition of this 8 ½ year old gentleman rivals those half his age. Nicely balanced body shape, excellent bend of stifle, and huge dark eyes are among his virtues. Junior Puppy Bitch (18) 1. Brookhaven Enchanting Dawn (Ayers, Martz) Winner of the largest class of the day! This richlymarked blenheim gal caught my eye immediately despite the fully-packed ring. Top-quality youngster with the sweetest, feminine expression enhanced by great pigment. Good head proportions and nice-sized, round, dark eyes. Well-made and balanced outline. Quite ring savvy for her age with tail-wagging confidence and determined purpose on the move which won her the class. 2. Jayba Love Bite (Lander) Another top-quality blenheim baby with a sweet and soft expression and a well-constructed body with nice bone for her size. Possessing all of the same virtues of breed type as the first placed youngster, she lacked the ring experience that age will bring and this affected her movement. A bright future indeed for both of these lovely bitches. 3. Clentview Peaches (O Brien) Blenheim of lovely quality with a well-proportioned outline, nice bone and substance. Larger in size than the first two placed gals, but still has a well-balanced outline. Beautiful large, dark eyes although I preferred the overall expression of the higher placed bitches. 4. Mileslip Make Me Smile (Skidmore) B/T with pretty color and rich tans. Well-constructed body outline, soft and sweet expression on a well-shaped head. Of a lovely overall quality to have placed in this large class, but was slightly edged out by the others on the day. Senior Puppy Bitch (7) 1. Mimric Marilyn Moonroe (Hodges/Perkins) Stunning young lady of the highest quality. Aptly named with the classic beauty and elegance of her namesake. Large, dark eyes, dense pigment, soft, sweet and feminine expression which just melted my heart. Beautifully balanced body shape, good bone, wellconstructed fore and aft enabling her to move well with a steady, level topline and a well-set and carried tail. Plentiful coat for her age and sporting an exuberant tail-wagging attitude, she begged to be noticed. I was happy to oblige captivated by her endearing charm. She pushed hard for Winners Bitch, but in the end she was trumped by her rival in maturity. Nevertheless, I was thrilled to award her Best Puppy Bitch, Best Puppy in Show, Reserve Winners Bitch.

2. Autumnhill Nanny Sharon (Parente) Happy personality and great color on this B/T gal. Nice head proportions with a soft expression. Correct outline from nice arch of neck, good angulation front and rear, and a firm level topline. Gay and jaunty in movement. 3. Falling Springs Crazy Heart (Grimm Curley) Another B/T with a pleasing head, sweet feminine expression and a showy, happy personality. Moved well around the ring. 4. Jemanda Chateau LaTour (Weinstein) Big eyes on this happy, blenheim girl. She could use less slope to her croup which would enhance her tailset. Graduate Puppy Bitch (9) 1. Sunjays Georgia Peach (Hellman) Classic head, eye and expression on this well-made blenheim with a shapely outline and lovely arched neck. Solid, level topline, correct croup, and tailset on her wellconstructed, compact and balanced body. Nice movement and a pleasure to watch going around the ring. 2. Chesham A Minute Of Your Time, JW (Eckersley) Happy and sweet-faced blenheim. Lovely shaped head with nice, round, dark eyes. Correct and balanced body structure gives her an eye-pleasing outline. Very happy personality, but on this day she was not as steady on the go as the first-placed winner. 3. Charnell Monte Lucia, JW (Ayers/Martz) Richly-marked, feminine blenheim with the biggest and roundest eyes any breeder could ask for. Compact body and true toy spaniel size but still carrying good bone. Preferred the more classic look of head and expression on the first two. 4. Roseriver Elegance (Blazier) Attractive ruby of a good color. Her huge-sized eyes and good bone won her a placement in this class. Novice Bitch (4) 1. Sherah Fantasia (Crommett) Well-marked blenheim baby. Soft expression due to well-placed, round, dark eyes. Compact, balanced body outline. Moved well albeit tentatively at times due to her young age. 2. Nightingale Starlite (Kent) Lovely shaped Tri with many of the same positive virtues as the first-placed girl, but she showed some white in her eye which was the deciding factor during placement. 3. Krystle Petite Point (Newman) A little out of control on the day, but nevertheless I was able to catch sight of her soft, sweet expression, well-proportioned head and compact well-made outline. 4. Charnell Chorus Girl (Weinstein) Beautiful, untrimmed silky coat. Body is a tad long, topline could be stronger, and darker pigment would enhance an otherwise pleasing head and expression. Bred By Exhibitor Bitch (3) 1. Dreamvale Hands Down (Sage) Blenheim gal who won the class due to a steady, level topline and proper movement. She has nice, large, round, dark eyes, but could use a bit more muzzle cushioning to complete the overall head picture. 2. Krystle Benedictine N Brandy (Torgersen) Beautiful, silky coat and round, dark eyes on pleasing head. Compact, well-made body standing but lost a solid topline during movement. 3. Oggbrae Hannah Clarke (Bales) Happy and tail-wagging personality. Pleasing head but shows a bit of white in her eye. Nice outline standing but she could use a less sloping croup which would enhance her tail set and outline in movement. Junior American Bred Bitch (3) 1. Seneca Manor Morning Glory (Gerkin/Richmond) Sweet and soft expression with large, round, dark eyes. Compact and well-proportioned body outline. Exhuberant attitude and sound movement complete the picture of this nice quality blenheim lady. 2. Kellene Charlies Angel (Marshall) Eye-catching side movement from this Tri girl. Nice head proportions, but preferred the overall head style and expression of the first-placed winner. 3. Blackfire Shows Class (Weidig/Kennedy) Well-marked and happy Tri. Perhaps a bit too happy on the day as she carried her tail on the high side. Some white in her eye spoiled an otherwise pleasing head and expression. American Bred Bitch (6) 1. Karlee Gray Stone High Society (Brunson) Blenheim gal with a pleasing head and soft expression, she showed with tail-wagging enthusiasm. Well-made shape, sound movement, and short neat hocks won her the class. 2. Brookhaven Twilight (Ayers/Martz) Well-marked blenheim lady with a well-proportioned head and sweet expression from beautiful, large, dark eyes. Feminine in every way, she had a compact, well-balanced body. On the day, her rear movement was more restricted than ideal. 3. Jayba Buttons N Bows (Lander) High quality bitch that did absolutely nothing to show off her many virtues! I certainly hope she was just having an off day. If so, her future will be rosy. Well-made head with large, round, dark eyes and dense pigment give her the sweetest and most feminine expression. Lovely outline due to a compact and well-constructed body. Despite her lack of spark and confidence, I felt she deserved placement owing to her outstanding breed type. 4. Sheeba Discover Mona Lisa (Gross) Tri with a pleasing head, expression and well-made body. A bit out of control in movement. Hopefully, she will settle down with further ring experience.

Special Limit Blenheim Bitch (5) 1. Jayba Sweet Tea (Lander) Well-marked gal of a pleasing size. Shapely in outline, well-constructed front and rear with nice reach of neck and short hocks. Shown in pristine, full coat of an abundant and silky texture. Large, dark and expressive eyes on a well-proportioned head gives her a very melting expression. Feminine in every way. Moved and showed with seasoned confidence. Another high quality exhibit from this breeder. 2. Autumnhill New Kid In Town, JW (Parente) Appealing head and expression with nice round, dark eyes. Compact and well-balanced body shape. Very showy gal asking to be noticed, she would have made a more pleasing picture on the go with more fluid movement. 3. Windham Souvenir (Hashagen) Nice and substantial bitch in body and bone. Well-made head with large eyes and pleasing, sweet expression. Well-angulated both front and rear with good reach of neck, but appeared to be a tad too long in body. 4. Moorfields Bronte At Krystle (Torgerson) Exuberant and happy gal with a well-made body outline. Special Limit Tricolor Bitch (3) 1. Chadwick Winter Solstice (Eckersley) I have admired this well-marked bitch in the past. She won the class due to her stunning body shape, short hocks and well-made head. Ultra feminine with the sweetest and softest expression from large, dark, well-placed eyes. I would change the slope of her croup thereby permitting a better set-on of tail. All in all a top quality bitch who was considered for further awards. Best Tricolor in Show 2. Licketysplit Lady Of The Lake (Geoghegan) Correct head proportions and a sweetfaced melting expression. Pleasing shape overall, but a tad off in topline. 3. Chadwick Pickety (Taub) Another pretty head shape with a soft, feminine expression. Higher than ideal tail carriage on the day. Special Limit Ruby Bitch (2) 1. Darane Red Sonja (Kates) Richly colored and happy, showy girl. Well-constructed shape leading to sound movement. Large, dark eyes and nice short hocks. Moved with freedom and confidence. 2. Darane Lost In Emotion at Bryndael (Gear) Could be a richer color. Pretty eyes, but preferred the head and expression of the first-placed bitch. Special Limit Black-and-Tan Bitch (2) 1. Krystle Dont Bore Nina (Torgerson) Correct, well-balanced outline with short hocks. Very pleasing head and expression from correct proportions and lovely, large, dark eyes. Good color with rich tans. 2. Mileslip Walking On Sunshine (Skidmore) Jet black color with rich tans. Pleasing head, expression and body shape, but could use a more solid topline and less slope to her croup thereby showing a better tail set. Open Bitch (1) 1. Ch Aranel With Love, JW (Flowers Foster) A truly exceptional top-quality blenheim girl oozing breed type and feminine in every way. Stunning outline standing due to short-coupled and balanced body proportions with great bone and substance. In glorious, full, and silky-textured show coat, she moved confidently and showed beautifully with obvious adoration for her owner. Superior head shape and proportions with soulful, dark, round, well-placed, expressive eyes giving her the softest and sweetest expression. Mature and confident, she was a picture to behold. To be very picky, she might benefit from more exercise as her topline could have been steadier on the move. This was the deciding factor for Best in Show. I have liked her in the past and was proud to award her Winners Bitch, Reserve Best in Show, Best of Opposite Sex to Best in Show. Senior Open Bitch (3) 1. Chadwick September Song at Blackfire (Kennedy) B/T in full silky coat with beautiful tans. Pleasing body shape and superior carriage in movement keeping a solid, level topline with a well set-on tail. Nice head shape and beautiful eyes. Incredible condition for her 13 1/2 years. 2. Kilbrook Ginger Pye (Opel) Blenheim in great coat with a lovely head shape. 3. Aubinwood Ravin (Burke/Gibson) B/T gal with the largest of eyes. Lacking coat on the day. Veteran Dog (1) 1. Chadwick Rhumba (Eckersley/Lauve) Happy 12 year old blenheim with a fervently wagging tail. Pretty large eyes. Ever so happy to be in the ring again! Veteran Bitch (2) 1. Chadwick September Song at Blackfire (Kennedy) See Senior Open Bitch First. Best Veteran, Best Black-and-Tan in Show. 2. Chadwick Confederate Money (Taub) 11 year old well-marked Tri. Pleasing head and eye. Keeps a steady and firm topline in movement.