Judging the Welsh Springer Spaniel

Walking into the ring to judge the Welsh Springer Spaniel should be a simple pleasure. Here is a breed that has managed to maintain its form and function for hundreds of years. A Welsh is a simple dog; there is nothing exaggerated about it. There is no separation of type between working and showing, nor from country to country. Temperament reflects a dog comfortable with people and amiable with other dogs. And, to make things even more pleasurable, the Welsh Springer, as a whole, has continued to improve in quality over the past 36+ years that I have personally known the breed. This is how I recommend judging the breed so that it will be a simple pleasure for the reader, as well.

When the dog enters the ring, what is the first thing I want to see? A working spaniel. I want a medium-sized, functional, unexaggerated dog. If that picture isn’t there, I consider it a serious deviation from the general appearance desired for the Welsh Springer Spaniel.

I then move on to outline and proportion. Do I have a rectangular silhouette of a dog with a balanced head that blends into a slightly arched neck, which flows into a level back with a slightly arched loin and continues to a slightly rounded croup finished off by a tail (regardless of length) set as a continuation of the topline? The length of the dog comes from the properly angled fore and rear quarters and in the length of ribbing. I use the square within the rectangle as a high-level guide. The square comes from drawing an imaginary line up the back of the front feet, through the elbows to the withers (height) and from the withers to the set of the tail (length). The rectangle comes from drawing a line from the point of shoulder to the point of buttock (length). When that length is compared to the height, the Welsh is longer than tall, hence rectangular. If any aspect of my desired picture for outline and proportion isn’t there, I need to find out why when I do my examination.

Next, I want a glimpse into movement. A simple trot around the ring will tell me if I have a dog that moves efficiently and effortlessly with drive from the rear. This is not a test of speed, but of endurance. Do I have a dog that will be able to last in the field one day, enjoy the outing and be physically fit and able to do it again the following day and the day after that and the day after that? If I don’t see this on the first go-around, but I like the overall impression of the dog, I wait until the individual movement to determine if it was the dog or the handler causing the off-picture.

I now move to the front of the dog and take my first glance at, what I consider, breed essence—the head and expression. Our standard states: “…head is unique and should in no way approximate that of other spaniel breeds. Its overall balance is of primary importance.” This is an aspect that makes a Welsh a Welsh and not a red & white English Cocker, Beagle, or Setter. Primarily, there is no exaggeration anywhere. The head should never be broad and massive nor opposite long and lean; there is no pronounced stop, no deep, pendulous flews, no round eyes, nor pronounced eyebrows, no long, low set heavily leathered/feathered ears. There is no excessive skin. Even though there is a bit of loose skin on the body of the Welsh to prevent tearing and pulling while working in and amongst heavy brush, the skin of the head is relatively clean fitting. The ears, in repose, are set on a line with the corner of the eye and gently taper to the tip. They do not hang straight down, but at an angle and hanging close to the cheek. The flews/lips also gently taper as they move towards the well-developed nostrils; the throat is clean. And the eyes, those eyes must be set in tight, darkly pigmented, oval rims and must have an expression that is kindly, friendly. No sclera or haw showing. There must be chiseling under the eye, lovely definition of bone that underlines the beauty of the Welsh head and expression.

As to balance and its importance; the foreface is equal in length or only slightly shorter than the back skull. This is very easily measured by taking your hand and placing it, palm down, on the back skull, determining the length by opening/closing your fingers and then placing that same hand on the foreface. Does the nose extend beyond your hand or fit within the same measurements? On the contrary—do you have a short, chubby head? Is the foreface noticeably shorter than the back skull? No matter how cute a “cockery” head may be, it is definitely an objectionable feature for a Welsh. Teeth should be large and useful for gripping game.

The slightly divergent planes of the Welsh Springer head are easily determined by looking at the head in profile and using your hand. The top of the muzzle is straight, e.g. no roman nose, and leads into a clearly defined stop which goes up to a slightly domed back skull. When measuring for length of back skull to length of foreface, you can also use the palm of your hand to feel for the slight dome (front to back) of the skull cap.

As I move from the head to the body, I want a head to neck in proportion of about 1:1 and I want the neck to blend smoothly into the shoulders. I don’t expect Welsh shoulders to be as close at the tips as some of the other spaniels, but they should be long, sloping shoulders, and I want a well-set back upper arm with a prominent forechest. These are problem areas in the breed—upright shoulders, short upper arms and/or lack of forechest, and these areas will alter the desired silhouette.

Moving along the dog, I want a long ribcage with well-sprung ribs. A young dog may not yet have the spring of rib that comes with maturity—ask the steward the age. If less than three years and you like the dog, you may forgive the fault depending on what you feel under your hands; is it immaturity or is it slabsided? Any older than three years and I would probably leave the dog out of contention. The loin is slightly arched, muscular and close-coupled. I like a rib to be about 2½ to 1. The body of the Welsh is compact, but length of ribbing should never be compromised. I can forgive a slightly longer dog with a longer loin with a long rib cage and will always consider it above the Welsh that appears to be more compact but is in fact 50/50 rib to loin. The proportion of the rib to loin is one of the major contributors to the correct Welsh outline and its length of body. Depth of body should reach to the elbows or very slightly beyond; I do not want a shallow body.

The topline is level in that it does not slope as stated in several other spaniel standards. Stating that the topline is level does not mean it is flat; one can’t describe a topline as having a slightly arched loin and slightly rounded croup without having some flow to the picture.

The hindquarters should be well-developed with good wide thighs and second thighs. Hocks should be well let down. Remember: This is a breed where nothing is exaggerated. I shouldn’t see long sweeping rear ends with hind toes standing far behind where the point of buttocks end. Feet are round, tight, with good arches and thick pads. These are feet that need to work on all sorts of terrain as well as swim. Flat feet, paper-thin pads, loose feet all contribute to injury for a working spaniel.

As I am going over the dog, I am also evaluating coat and texture. Markings are easy—they don’t matter as long as I have a dog that is a rich chestnut red and pearly white. The coat is straight, flat and soft. Silky, not woolly. No obvious barbering and not dripping in feathering either.

I end the exam with movement. I want to see a dog moved at an easy trot. Think of it this way… how much effort does it take to trot around a show ring on level ground, usually on matting and in a climate-controlled building? Even if outside on a hot day on poorly mowed grass with gopher holes, there shouldn’t be much effort made to trot. I want to see a dog light on his feet, covering ground smoothly and with purpose. I definitely do not want to see a dog raced around the ring. When a Welsh is in the field, he is an endurance trotter with frequent bursts of running. He doesn’t trot in the field at breakneck speeds; if he is going to trot that fast, he will break into a run.

Currently, there are two movement problems I see occurring more frequently. The first is lack of convergence of the front legs as the dog is moving towards you. Although the Welsh does not single track, the legs definitely do converge as speed increases. Too many Welsh are moving in a side-to-side, wide, plodding movement. The other problem is lack of convergence of the front leg with the hind leg underneath the body. This can be attributed to several things, but primarily it follows the course of the incorrect front end as I stated earlier.

As for temperament, I expect the dog to accept my hands for examination. The tail may be wagging furiously or maybe just a gentle waft, but except for obvious novices or very young puppies that may be a bit overwhelmed by their surroundings, I want my Welsh to exhibit a friendly and confident character. To do otherwise is anathema to the breed.

I would like to end this article with a statement from A.T. Williams, as quoted from The Twentieth Century Dog, ed. Herbert Compton, London, 1904:

“The ideal Welsh Spaniel must be exceedingly active and strong, able to negotiate the most difficult as well as the thickest places, and to last out the longest day. His color must always be red and white, the red deepening with age. His head is fairly long and strong, but not settery type. Ears should be small, offering a minimum of resistance to gorse and briars; eyes dark and full of spaniel expression; body very muscular, not long on any account, with thick coat, not curly, stern down, never above the line of his back, with plenty of movement; legs medium length with plenty of bone and good round feet. And for disposition, he must possess utter devotion to his master, high courage and not afraid of a fight if imposed upon him, but not quarrelsome.”

That quote holds true over 100 years later. It is our responsibility as breeders, owners, and judges to ensure that it holds true 100 years from now. In the meantime, I hope you too enjoy the simple pleasures of judging this delightful breed, the Welsh Springer Spaniel.

The post Judging the Welsh Springer Spaniel appeared first on Showsight Magazine.

1. Please tell us a little bit about yourself. Where do you live? How many years in dogs? How many years as a breeder? What is your kennel name?
2. What is your “process” for selecting show puppies? Performance puppies?
3. In your opinion, is your breed in good condition overall? Any trends that warrant concern?
4. As a Preservation Breeder, can you share your thoughts on the sport today? How’s the judging these days? What do you think about the number of shows?
5. In your opinion, is social media good for the sport? Is it harmful?
6. What are the biggest challenges facing the dog show community as a whole today and how can these be addressed?
7. What are some of the positive changes you’ve seen in the sport over the past decade?

Doug Johnson

1. I’ve been in the sport of purebred dogs for 40 years and I breed English Toy Spaniels, Clumber Spaniel, Sussex Spaniels, Welsh Springer Spaniels, and most recently, Nederlandse Kooikerhondje. I live in Bloomington, Indiana, and I am a breeder, judge, and exhibitor. And I’ve been breeding since the late 1980s.

2. In Toy breeds, you’re always looking for a dog that has a great temperament. That’s paramount in selecting a show animal or a companion animal. That would ALWAYS be number one, especially in English Toys who tend to be a little introverted. It’s very important that they have a rock-solid temperament. I’m not a big one to talk about a Performance puppy versus a Conformation puppy, because really, they should be able to do it all. You don’t see a lot of type differences in a Performance puppy bred to perform for a certain venue, Agility or Obedience, for example, in the Toy breeds. A Papillon, for example, could do both of those things very easily. They can be a Best in Show winner, but they can also have a Rally title and an Obedience title and still look the part of a show animal. So, I don’t think there are big distinguishing features. That is the beauty of sharing time with Toy breeds.

Once you have passed the temperament testing in a litter, you would then move on to looking for very specific breed details of your breed. We grow them up a little bit longer than most breeders in the breed. We believe our kennel has a bit of an advantage because they’re raised with other breeds that aren’t Toy breeds. So, they’re more empowered and braver than a lot of Toys Spaniels we meet in the ring. Toy breeds need to be brave, and sometimes when they live amongst dogs that are the same stature they don’t become as brave as they could. So that’s one of our advantages. All of this said, if looking for a structural concern in Toys, you must look at knees for fitness and strength to ensure functional soundness to perform in these venues as well. But for the most part, I think the aesthetic of the animal is the same.

3. I think the English Toy breed in the United States is varied in quality. I think we have a range of breeders who are not as progressive as others. I don’t think they see forward motion and movement in their kennels like some others, meaning there are several breeders who are very content with the dogs they have reproducing themselves, looking like what they have, retaining the qualities they have but not looking to improve or advance the breed in any certain way. I think that we have seen the profile of the breed elevated in the last 15 to 20 years. From the advent of someone like Karen Miller, who got involved and had a high-profile animal do some winning, it assisted in getting judges to recognize the breed as competitive within the Toy Group. From that, you’ve had people, including us, get involved who have produced a lot of puppies over a period that have been rather successful in the last two decades. So, there is movement for improvement in a faction of breeders, but I don’t know that it’s shared across the English Toy Spaniel community who are still very satisfied with retaining the certain type of dog that they have and perhaps is less competitive when exhibited outside of its littermates of the same quality. Of course, there are areas of concern in the current state of the breed in our country. We continue to see dogs exhibited and rewarded with their tails down in the ring. (Would you award a Cavalier a major with its tail clamped down? Crawling around the ring?) Every breeder in the country knows how I feel about this. I’m made fun of because I don’t tolerate a dog with its tail down, where most breeders don’t care about that. I see this breed’s mentality to be the exact same as the Cavalier. You would never show or reward a Cavalier that had its tail down, and I don’t think you should do the same in English Toys. So, we have great concerns about that. Knees are also an area of concern, as we see this at each National being ignored by judges as the exhibits gait around the rings with slipping patellas. That’s a problem, and that should be addressed in the whelping box and then assessed in the show ring, and judges should be less forgiving of it. And finally, one of the breed’s biggest challenges is the closed membership of the parent club. It has been unquestioned and unchecked for decades. This is a club that does not let people in who might not agree with the powers that be. I know of eight people turned down in the past year. I can’t imagine that is happening in other parent clubs. They have turned down our membership twice now. This restrictive behavior only fuels our passion to continue our successful path. We know the actions of the few hurt the club and the breed. We rise above to continue to advance without the small-mindedness of those who don’t know us but see the progress and run scared of competition. It is a sad state when a small club is so exclusive to the point of self-harm. It is unfortunate for the club but not for the breed, as we continue to support it with quality dogs

4. I think we have plenty of shows. I think there are perhaps too many shows to keep quality high. It’s nice to have maybe fewer shows where there’s more concentration of animals so that there’s direct competition rather than making something we call a kennel champion. (A kennel champion is a dog that has shown only against its kennelmates and isolated in its exposure to other breeders.) You can run away and take four bitches and one dog and get a major on a bitch and a crossover major on the dog. And before you know it, that dog is a new champion, and no one’s ever seen him. Well, that, to me, is not the point of the sport. The showcase of animals at a dog show is breeder-to-breeder competition so that you know where you stack up amongst those also breeding your breed. To me, that’s more important. The state of the sport is strong. The entries across the board are reasonable, but for a minor breed there’s not a lot of opportunity for breeder-to-breeder competition. I would like to see more of that.

5. In my opinion, social media has benefited the English Toy Spaniel greatly. Were it not for social media, the global exchange of quality animals across country borders and barriers would not be happening. Our kennel has certainly had a direct impact on the global community because of exposure from Facebook or Instagram. They allow you to showcase your dogs, and people acknowledge them who may not speak your language. Yet, on Facebook, you can communicate back and forth about your common passion for a breed. We’ve certainly benefited from a wonderful exchange with breeders in Russia who had bred to a dog of ours that we placed in Germany for a short period of time. That has led to a cooperation that has really brought to the fore some great English Toy Spaniels. The top-winning English Toy Spaniel of all time is a direct result of the influence of social media. Were it not for the fact that I was on Facebook and saw some dogs in Russia and reached out to a breeder in Russia, none of that would have happened because we didn’t know each other. I didn’t even know she existed! And despite a language barrier, we were able to communicate about animals and work to advance the breed, advance our kennels, and exchange genetic populations. We are still doing this and communicating about our breed. We share a common goal of advancement, improvement, and viability as well as working to increase the breed’s profile in the competitive Group that is the TOY Group!

6. The biggest issue facing the dog show community today is probably the cultural shift against purebred dogs. With that in mind, dog shows are a safe place to be a breeder, a safe place to display what you’ve bred. I think that we’re faced with a cultural shift where the “adopt don’t shop” mentality has taken over. This is sort of a tired mantra that we’ve been hearing. I think breeder-on-breeder drama is detrimental to the sport. I am probably one of the few who are not anti-doodle. I am pro-breeder. I don’t think you can be pro-breeder and anti-someone who breeds. I’m not an anti-high-volume breeder. I am a pro-responsible breeder. I’m actually pro-accountable breeder. So, if you’re accountable for your animals, if you have 100 litters a year or one, all power to you. If you have 100 litters a year and you take great care of them, super. If you have one disastrous litter and you throw your hands up in the air and ignore all of the problems, that doesn’t make you a better breeder than the high-volume breeder because you only had one litter. We have to support breeders across the board. We have to educate people on how we want breeders to breed. How we want them to be accountable for dogs, what are the methods in place to ensure the health and wellness of animals that we create, the welfare of the animals we create, and good positive relationships with those people who have dogs from us. Without those relationships, everything falls apart. So, keeping those relationships would be the biggest challenge we face as a collective group of individuals sharing the same sport.

7. I think, over the past decade, people have grown to realize how important the social aspect of dog shows has become. A growing family of dog friends means that you are reaching people socially. There’s a social aspect to dogs and dog showing that is very important, especially with Toy breeds where they become part of families. That’s a little different than some of these other Groups within the American Kennel Club system. These are dogs that sleep on your bed, watch TV with you, and share your life. We certainly have recognized the importance of the Toy breeds from day-to-day life. That’s one of the most important things about dog showing now, the community of dogs that we have, the aspect of dogs, all of which is positive, is where we all share in the companionship of an animal. It’s an integral part of the human experience.

Additionally, there have been several positive changes in the sport. I think that we are seeing a focus on a lot of testing to produce quality dogs. There are lots of advances in the medical field for animals to help our dogs live longer. There is a concentration of quality breeders still breeding dogs. Another big challenge is the fact that we don’t have a lot of breeders, so without them, you rely on a mass population to breed dogs. We want people to focus on breeding quality animals that are healthy. Fortunately, we do have several mechanisms in place to test animals for health, DNA testing to make sure that what you’re putting together is good. Then, there’s even something as simple as the microchip and utilizing that to track your dog and put that in place for the lifetime of the dog. These are medical advances that we didn’t have when I started. This type of thing is huge when it comes to the canine population.

The post Doug Johnson | Clussexx English Toy Spaniels and Clumber Spaniels, Sussex Spaniels, Welsh Springer Spaniels & Nederlandse Kooikerhondje appeared first on Showsight Magazine.

The outline of the Welsh Springer Spaniel is unique within the world of spaniels. This is a breed that should be rectangular in appearance, with the length being created by front and rear angulation. We often describe the breed as being “a square within the rectangle.” The square is created by dropping a line from the withers to the ground and dropping a line from the tail set. The rectangle is then created by adding the front and rear angulation to that square. A Welsh Springer Spaniel cannot have a correct outline without correct angulation. Dogs that are straight in the front and rear, while balanced (and possibly moving well), lack a key part of the correct outline. The outline is referenced three times in our Breed Standard, giving weight to just how important it is. To assist judges in visualizing proportions, the Welsh Springer Spaniel Club of America worked very hard to create a wonderful Illustrated Standard, available in print and on the parent club website. Within this document, many questions can be answered and the Standard is expanded upon. I encourage anyone interested in judging the breed to look.

All things about the Welsh Springer should be moderate. The eye should never be drawn to a specific part of the dog. Instead, the entire dog should appear to be carved from one piece. There should be a harmony among the pieces, and, like a puzzle, all the pieces should fit together. While they are rectangular in silhouette, they should never appear long and low. It is a delicate balance that is kept in check by a compact body and short loin. I often tell judges that if they are concerned about a dog being long and low—look at the underline. Typically, you will see a long underline on dogs that are truly long. Along the same lines, when the word compact is used in describing the Welsh Springer Spaniel it means “tightly knit” rather than square.

I feel it is beneficial to have a comparison with other spaniel breeds when discussing Welsh Springer proportions. This breed is not a red and white version of the English Springer Spaniel. These are two distinct breeds. While the two have several things in common, they have quite different outlines. A truly educated judge will be able to immediately share what those differences are. The Welsh Springer Spaniel’s outline should be rectangular. The English Springer Spaniel should be slightly longer than tall. In addition to this, the Welsh Springer can often appear “relatively low-stationed,” whereas the English Springer is described as “upstanding.” Let us also not forget that the English Springer is described as the “raciest of the British land spaniels” by multiple kennel clubs around the world. Once you begin digging, you should easily begin seeing just how different these cousins are.

“Length of body from the withers to the base of the tail is very slightly greater than the distance from the withers to the ground. This body length may be the same as the height but never shorter, thus preserving the rectangular silhouette of the Welsh Springer Spaniel.” —Welsh Springer Spaniel AKC Breed Standard

“The length of the body (measured from point of shoulder to point of buttocks) is slightly greater than the height at the withers.” —English Springer Spaniel AKC Breed Standard

When compared with other breeds, the Welsh Springer may seem plain. Yet, our breeders celebrate the workmanlike appearance, the athleticism, and the variety of style that exists within the realm of correct. We are thankful that the breed is unspoiled and functional!

The breed does have some interesting markings and optical illusions. When judging the Welsh Springer, especially if you come from a breed without markings, you will have to train your eye to see past the variety of marking you will encounter. Heavy ticking can cause a dog to have less bone than it does. Red markings that come past the elbow can cause a dog with a correct length of leg to appear low on leg. White spots in the middle of the back can cause a topline to look weak when it is correct. A dog with a large amount of red can appear longer than it actually is. Undocked tails can also play tricks on the eye, causing the proportions of the dog to appear longer. I like to encourage judges to trust their hands. Additionally, most exhibitors are open to stacking their dog on the opposite side to allow you a look past what are possibly deceiving markings. It is important for the breed to retain its diversity of markings and ticking. We do not want it to become a “cookie cutter” marking breed.

I feel it is important to discuss bone and leg length for the breed. Our bone should be of an oval shape consistent with the stamina needed to work all day. The General Appearance section of the Standard states that the breed is “not leggy.” I would like to scream this from the mountaintops! The breeders have done a great job recently of keeping leg length at bay—instead, producing approximately the same leg length as from the withers to the elbow.

Finally, the topline of the Welsh Springer Spaniel is level. It should not slope, roach, or dip. While the topline is level, there should be a layer of muscling over the loin on a mature dog. This is not extreme and is typically seen with the hands rather than the eye. A puppy or young adult may not have yet developed the layer of muscling over the loin and should not be penalized. Most spaniel breeds have this muscling, giving them the curves that we associate with these breeds. One should never look at a Welsh Springer Spaniel and get the impression of a setter. Remember, the Welsh Springer Spaniel should have a rectangular outline, level topline, and should NEVER appear leggy or settery.

The post The Welsh Springer Spaniel Outline appeared first on Showsight Magazine.

Originally from Michigan, we made Colorado our home 30 years ago, and that’s when I started showing in Conformation. I’ve had plenty of incredible jobs over the years, including almost 10 years with a local Chamber of Commerce, managing a full-service pet supply store, dog daycare and training center, but never did I think that my two loves would collide until I took my position at CuraCore VET. We teach veterinarian’s integrative medicine. It marries my love of dogs and the purebred dog community, with helping veterinarians learn to provide better care for their patients all around the world.

1. How were you first introduced to the sport of purebred dogs? To your breed?

Sharon Sherwood: I’ve owned purebred dogs since I was a young child. My first was a Shetland Sheepdog, but we started showing Golden Retrievers in 1994. In 2010, we got our first Welsh Springer Spaniel and we’ve been smitten with the breed ever since.

2. How many years in dogs? In your breed?

Sharon Sherwood: Thirty years showing dogs, mostly in Goldens, but exclusively Welsh since 2011.

3. Do you attend show handling classes? Have you attended in-person handling seminars?

Sharon Sherwood: I have attended seminars in the past, and we always take young hopefuls to classes—it’s good to never stop learning!

4. Have you found virtual learning tools to be helpful? Videos? Websites? Social Media? AKC Canine College?

Sharon Sherwood: Nothing beats learning in person. While all avenues give good tidbits here and there, having a real person mentor you is absolutely the best.

5. Do you compete in the National Owner-Handled Series? Are rankings important to you?

Sharon Sherwood: Yes, “Captain” has been the No. 1 NOHS WSS multiple years, five consecutive years as the top owner-handled Welsh (Welsh Springer Spaniel Club of America), and he was the 2022 AKC NOHS National Champion. Having a ranked dog shows that it’s not just a single judge who feels you have a good dog, it’s a great many judges who feel that way.

6. In which class(es) are you most likely to enter your dog(s)?

Sharon Sherwood: Bred-By, and of course, Breed.

7. Who have been your mentor(s) as an Owner Handler?

Sharon Sherwood: Bill Lauderdale, who sadly is no longer with us, started me and was a great source of wisdom. Shaun and Donna Jordan, Country Squire English Setters, are now the best friends, mentors, and cheerleaders I could ever ask for. Again, never stop learning!

8. What are the benefits of competing with your breed(s) as an Owner Handler?

Sharon Sherwood: I compete to compete—I just happen to also be an Owner Handler. I don’t enter a show JUST to compete in OH. Captain has three Bests in Show and five Reserve Bests in Show, along with the 11 NOHS Bests in Show.

9. How are you encouraging new exhibitors to participate in the sport?

Sharon Sherwood: Conformation shows are not for everyone, but should someone want to head down this crazy road, I help in any way I can. It’s a lot, learning all the nuances of the show world along with everything it takes to have a competitive dog, starting with knowing you have a dog that has type, structure, movement, etc. The only way this sport will continue is if we ALL choose to mentor new exhibitors.

10. Are there any suggestions you’d like to pass along about the presentation of your breed(s).

Sharon Sherwood: Understand that not every judge will know the Standard as well as you—and you should be able to speak to, and present your dog to, that Breed Standard. If you’ve done that, win or lose, you still take home the best dog, so leave the ring happy!

11. What are your goals as an Owner Handler? Is there a victory that has eluded you?

Sharon Sherwood: I’ve been on an incredible journey with my dogs, and probably the only thing that has eluded me is going both Best in Show along with an NOHS Best in Show on the same day.

12. Is there a funny story that you can share about your experiences as an Owner Handler?

Sharon Sherwood: Captain went NOHS BIS at the 2023 International Kennel Club show in Schaumburg, Illinois. It was also the day of the NOHS Gala. When we were done taking photos, it was a race to get changed and get to the event, as in, actually running to get there—we arrived after everyone had already finished their dinner, just in time for the incredible IKC hosts to say a few words. We got a good chuckle about being the only ones not present at the NOHS Gala, because we went NOHS BIS!

The post The Owner Handler: Sharon Sherwood – Painted Sky Farms Welsh Springer Spaniels appeared first on Showsight Magazine.

1. Please tell us a little bit about yourself. Where do you live? How many years in dogs? How many years as a breeder? What is your kennel name?
2. What is your “process” for selecting show puppies? Performance puppies?
3. In your opinion, is your breed in good condition overall? Any trends that warrant concern?
4. As a Preservation Breeder, can you share your thoughts on the sport today? How’s the judging these days? What do you think about the number of shows?
5. In your opinion, is social media good for the sport? Is it harmful?
6. What are the biggest challenges facing the dog show community as a whole today and how can these be addressed?
7. What are some of the positive changes you’ve seen in the sport over the past decade?

1. My name is Sharon Sherwood and I live in Greeley, Colorado, with my husband, David, and our animals. We’ve always owned dogs, but we’ve been IN dogs, and the sport of purebred dogs, for just over 30 years. We started in Golden Retrievers but found our passion in Welsh Springer Spaniels 12 years ago. Our kennel name, Painted Sky Farms, comes from the stunning sunrises and sunsets we have here.

2. While we still like to get together with like-minded breeders to stack, go over, and watch puppies move, we have often made up our minds weeks prior on what we are keeping, or on deciding which may be show dogs. When a litter lives in the middle of everything in your life, and you study, watch, and interact with them for eight-plus weeks, a good breeder should have a keen enough eye to know what’s rising to the top. As for performance puppies, while I think any and all could be such, the puppies that study things—figure things out quickly—those are my picks, with the caveat that they also might be strong-minded and harder to train. It’s a trade-off, but it often pays off.

3. I would say fair. I’ve heard someone say, “If it looks like a Welsh, it’s a Welsh,’’ but what does that do for maintaining breed type? We’re seeing less leg in the breed, giving them a low and long profile. We still see toplines that are less than desirable, which, in my opinion, leads to dogs that have less than desirable movement. These are still hunting dogs, and they should be able to move like they could do their job effortlessly all day. They also should not be dripping in coat that is so long it has to be severely trimmed up. It may be pretty, but it’s not correct.

4. The sport of Conformation is a bit of a mixed bag these days. We seem to have plenty of shows to choose from, though for some of us, that means six months of the year we’re traveling great distances to get to them, but we’re also seeing the same group of judges over and over. When looking at shows back East, there are many judges being used who we simply never see out West. Is it that they are not being asked to judge by clubs or is there something else at work? I know that AKC relaxed its rules for where judges accepted judging assignments during COVID, as it was simply hard to get the numbers of judges needed, but has that become the new norm? It’s GREAT if these judges choose your dog, as you can go to them multiple times, but what if they don’t? I guess one just travels farther and farther to find new judges to show to. I still believe, overall, judges in our sport do a great job, and in areas where the competition is tough it’s no easy task!

5. It’s the good, the bad, and the ugly. Good for seeing everyone’s successes, as nothing makes me happier than having to type “CONGRATULATIONS” over and over after a weekend. It’s also good to see that several of the superintendents are utilizing it and making announcements via social media. Bad because I think we all want to stack up to what’s out there showing, or if you are like me, sad when you’re not at shows showing too, and just plain ugly when people become keyboard warriors and say mean or hurtful things about fellow competitors, their dogs, the judging, the venue, etc. There are some who need to just think twice before hitting send.

6. I think the biggest challenge is that our pool of exceptional judges is getting smaller and smaller, and while we do have new judges, it’s that level of knowledge, of seeing hundreds of the same breed, that’s also getting smaller. I don’t have a good solution other than I hope that the great judges we have currently help those who are new to the sport—lend their expertise, their wisdom, so they too can become a great judge.

7. Matches seem to be making a comeback, which is good for all of us. There also seems to be something for everyone, from Scent Work to Fit Dog, so even those who are not interested in Conformation can do fun things with the dogs—and that’s always a good thing! The other very positive aspect is the ability to gain points on a Reserve at a National Specialty, etc. For those of us in a breed with low entries, that’s very much appreciated.

The post Sharon Sherwood | Painted Sky Farms Welsh Springer Spaniels appeared first on Showsight Magazine.

Interview with Sandra Holmes, Breeder of Trystyn Welsh Springer Spaniels

Where do I live? How many years in dogs? How many years as a breeder?

Sandra Holmes: I live in Chelsea, Michigan, on several acres that border state land on three sides. I have been in dogs for 48 years, starting with a Golden Retriever that I competed and did well with at Obedience Trials. I bred my first litter of Welsh Springer Spaniels 25 years ago, in 1998.

What is my kennel name? How many dogs do I currently keep?

Sandra Holmes: My Kennel name is Trystyn, a name I took from Tristan, one of the characters from the book All Creatures Great and Small. I altered the spelling so that it looked a bit more Welsh.

I currently have three lovely bitches in my breeding program and just recently kept a male show/breeding prospect. The male, “Forde,” is from a special, frozen semen breeding I did in collaboration with Kennel Westaway (Norway).

Which show dogs from the past have been my noteworthy winners?

CH Trystyn’s Hula Popper (Janvier)

• National Specialty Best in Sweeps
• National Specialty Winners Bitch
• National Specialty Best of Opposite Sex
• American Spaniel Club Best of Breed
• Seven Group Placements

GCHS Trystyn Statesman Cactus Blue (Maddux)

• National Specialty Best of Winners
• National Specialty Best of Opposite Sex
• Three Times National Specialty Best of Breed
• Two Times American Spaniel Club Best of Breed
• Five Times Best in Show
• Three Times Reserve Best in Show
• Westminster Best of Breed

AM CH INT NORD CH HeJW-13 NordJW-13 FinJW-13 WW-14 HeW-14, -15 FinW-14, -15 SeW-14, -15 NordW-15 Trystyn Gives Benton Goose Bumps (Chesney)

• This American-bred Welsh Springer achieved her FIN CH title at two years of age (youngest age to be allowed to finish).
• Shown nineteen times in Finland, winning 18 CCs and one Reserve CC.
• She won Sixteen CACIBs in Finland plus several CCs and CACIBs abroad.
• Shown as an adult five times at the large Helsinki shows, including the World Winner Show, and took BOB each time. Chesney was owned/co-owned and shown by Marjo Jaakkola (Kennel Benton).

CH Benton Loves Duckaholics (Maija) (Finnish Import, Kennel Benton)

• American Spaniel Club Best in Sweeps
• National Specialty Winners Bitch
• American Spaniel Club Best of Breed and Best Owner-Handled in Show (from the Classes)
• National Specialty Award of Merit
• American Spaniel Club Award of Merit
• American Spaniel Club Select Bitch

Which have been my most influential sires and dams?

CCH Trystyn Gives Benton Goose Bumps (Chesney)

Chesney only had one litter while she was in Finland. You can still see the influence she had on the one bitch puppy that was shown and bred along with the offspring of her get (beautiful front structure and amazing movement). Chesney returned to me in the US and produced several beautiful puppies with the same qualities.

CH Trystyn’s Country Cabernet CD RN (Walker)

Walker, who was the sire to Chesney, has been quite influential in this breed both here in the US and through one of his sons that was exported to Sweden. Walker produced correct fronts, beautiful side movement, and lovely outgoing temperaments.

CH Trystyn’s Blue Rodeo (Filson)

Along with nine American Champion offspring, Filson produced one Norwegian CH, one Swedish CH, eight Finnish Champions, and five International Champions. One of his son’s in Finland was the top Welsh Springer male as a nine-year-old veteran in 2022. He is the sire to one of the top-winning Welsh Springers in the history of the breed in the US. Included in these offspring are four different Best in Show winners in three different countries.

Can I talk a bit about my facilities? Where are my puppies whelped? How are they raised?

Sandra Holmes: My significant other, Greg, is a veterinarian and I am a veterinary technician, so the puppies get great veterinary care at home. I’m fortunate to have access to some of the best reproduction vets in the country. This allows me to plan for breedings from some of the best dogs in the world or on ice, so to speak, rather than only the dogs I can use locally and currently.

The puppies are born and raised in our home. My goal is to raise puppies that have had stable and healthy experiences with as many people and situations as possible before they go to their new homes. A confident amiable temperament is very important to me.

What is my “process” for selecting Show Puppies? Performance Puppies? Field Puppies?

Sandra Holmes: My process for selecting show puppies starts at about six weeks of age when the puppies are up on their feet and getting coordinated. I spend hours on end watching them move about with their littermates. I take stacked photos of the puppies at 6, 7, and 8 weeks of age. I find looking at these photos is one of the best ways to evaluate the structure of each puppy. Of course, other things come into play such as bites and movement. I never pick the show puppies until after the 8 week photos. I have learned over the years that they change quite a bit between 6 and 8 weeks of age, so it is never a good idea to make a choice before that.

If I have puppies going to Performance homes, I look for the pup that does things first (like climbing on top of objects, or going through or around different obstacles). Good eye contact, biddability, and proper structure are also a priority.

I like to see Field prospects carry things in their mouths and have similar attributes as a Performance puppy. Correct structure is also needed in a Field prospect. A Field prospect should be quite biddable and very slightly independent, but not to the point of wanting to wander off and hunt on its own.

Of course, it’s easy with Welsh Springers because we have no split of show/performance/field. I just like to watch for those minor nuances when I know the new owner has certain preferences.

Do I compete in Companion Events? Performance Events?

Sandra Holmes: Although I did participate some in Obedience, years ago, I do not compete in Performance Events at this time. I tend to focus almost all of my time on my breeding program. Many of the dogs I breed go on to participate and do well in Conformation, Obedience, Hunt Tests and many other Performance Events.

Are Field Trials or parent club Hunt Tests important to me?

Sandra Holmes: Hunt Tests are very important to me. The very reason I got a Welsh Springer was because Greg wanted me to get a dog that he could hunt with and I could show in Conformation. At this time, there is no split between show and hunting type in our breed. I would like this to remain true in the future.

The Welsh Springer was bred to be a hunting dog, above all else. Hunt Tests are a wonderful way to highlight their talent in the field. The purpose of a Hunt Test is to validate the ability to do that for which the dog was bred. The Conformation show is to evaluate the structure that allows the dog to do what it is bred for all day long.

That being said, the Welsh, no matter how poorly built, will work in the Field to the very best of his/her ability. Our goal is to breed, a dog that can work in the field to the very best that the breed was meant to do.

How would I define “conditioning” as it relates to my breed?

Sandra Holmes: Proper physical conditioning would be to daily give your Welsh Springer plenty of room to romp in an enclosed area (preferably with another dog), along with walks/runs in the woods/fields when possible. Keep proper weight, the coat clean, trimmed, and mat-free, along with proper veterinary care, and nail trims, when needed. Be sure to keep your dog healthy mentally by continuing to expose him/her to people and different places throughout its lifetime.

It is not unusual for properly conditioned Welsh to live long lives, and many continue to do well in the show ring, Obedience, Agility, and in the Field when they are 10, 12, and 14 years of age.

Are there any health-related concerns in my breed? Any special nutritional needs?

Sandra Holmes: Overall, the Welsh Springer is a healthy breed, but there are a few health problems such as epilepsy (not as common as in the past), hip dysplasia, entropion, and hypothyroidism. It does seem that, recently, there has been some increase in the incidence of glaucoma.

CHIC requirements for the Welsh Springer are currently OFA hip, elbow, thyroid, and eye evaluations.

The Welsh Springer does not have any special nutritional needs except a dog food that is complete and balanced for his/her life stage or all life stages. Be sure to feed dog food that is AAFCO approved.

Do I think my breed is supported by a sufficient number of preservation breeders?

Sandra Holmes: Although there are several preservation breeders doing their best, I don’t believe we have as many as we should have.

Is my breed well suited to be a family dog? Who are the best candidates to own my breed?

Sandra Holmes: I do believe our breed is well suited to be a family dog, with a few exceptions. The family situation should have children over the age of six and a fenced yard for the dog to play/exercise in. The adults should be willing to take the time to provide the proper training and socialization the puppy needs.

I don’t really have what I would call the best candidates because each individual situation is different. I will say that this breed does well with active families/people that like to walk and do outdoor activities on a regular basis.

What is the biggest misconception about my breed? What is my breed’s best-kept secret?

Sandra Holmes: I get a lot of calls from puppy people looking for what they think is a smaller, red and white English Springer. Size-wise, there isn’t that much difference between the two, but the look of each is totally different.

The breed’s best-kept secret is the breed itself. Not many people have heard of the Welsh Springer or know much about them.

If I could share a comment or two with judges of my breed, what would I like to say to them?

Sandra Holmes: For general appearance, the Welsh should have substance, without coarseness, and be compact.

Current problems to watch for in our breed: Upright fronts (short upper arms), lack of forechest, not converging when coming towards you, or underneath when viewing side movement. Too much emphasis is also being put on hair these days.

Do I have any words of wisdom to pass along to newer breeders?

Sandra Holmes: If possible, please get another knowledgeable breeder to mentor you. Make a point of educating yourself by going to a breed seminar(s). Read and learn the Breed Standard as well as the Illustrated Standard. Read as much as you can about the correct structure and movement in both Welsh Springers and other Sporting breeds. Learn what is right, so you can easily know when it isn’t.

Are you looking for a Welsh Springer Spaniel puppy?

The best way to ensure a long and happy relationship with a purebred dog is to purchase one from a responsible breeder. Not sure where to begin finding a breeder?

Contact the National Parent Club’s Breeder Referral person, which you can find on the AKC Breeder Referral Contacts page.

Want to help rescue and re-home a Welsh Springer Spaniel dog?

Did you know nearly every recognized AKC purebred has a dedicated rescue group? Find your new best friend on the AKC Rescue Network Listing.

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The post Sandra Holmes | Trystyn Welsh Springer Spaniels appeared first on Showsight Magazine.

Susan Riese
Statesman Welsh Springer Spaniels, United States

Susan has owned Welsh Springer Spaniels since 1975. She has bred/owned over 100 champion Welsh Springer Spaniels, including multiple National Specialty winners, all-breed Best in Show winners, and OFA Champion of Health winners. Susan is approved by the American Kennel Club to judge 16 Sporting breeds and has judged the breed in the US and internationally.

Marjo Jaakkola
Benton Welsh Springer Spaniels, Finland

Marjo has owned Welsh Springer Spaniels for 32 years and has been breeding under the Benton prefix since 1992. She has produced many champions worldwide, including the first undocked Welsh Springer Spaniel to win an all-breed Best in Show and National Specialty in the US. Marjo has judged Welsh Springer Spaniels, and other Sporting breeds, in Scandinavia, Europe, Australia, and the US.

Frank Bjerklund
Westaway English and Welsh Springer SpaNiels, Norway

Frank imported his first Welsh Springer Spaniel in the early 1980s and has since bred 17 Norwegian Champions under the kennel names Inu-Goya and Westaway. He has been approved to judge the breed since 1993 and has judged in Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Norway, England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, and the Czech Republic.

Christine McDonald
Northey Welsh Springer Spaniels and Vizslas, England

Christine has owned and bred Welsh Springer Spaniels since 1976. She first judged the breed in 1983 and awarded CCs for first time in 1989. Christine has bred eight Show Champions, including four with their working qualifier. She has awarded CCs in Breed ten times, and awards CCs in: WSS, Large Munsterlanders, Brittany, Hungarian Vizslas, Hungarian Wirehaired Vizslas, and Chesapeake Bay Retrievers. She is approved to judge the Gundog Group at Championship shows, and judged this at the Scottish Kennel Club in 2011.

What are your priorities when judging the Welsh Springer Spaniel?

Christine McDonald: “I look for a strong, merry and active dog, flowing from tip of nose to end of tail and balanced throughout. Even in the show ring, I like to see evidence of a biddable, merry temperament displayed, certainly with no aggression or nervousness. I like to see substance but also a degree of classiness. The exhibit to be of standard size, or within an inch either way, with strong bone and no cloddiness. Rounded, well-padded feet to protect against thorns and rough terrain. I like to see a well-balanced head with nicely rounded, not too heavy flews, and adequate stop with chiseling below the eyes, which should have a kind, biddable expression. I like neat ears, not set too low. Well-laid shoulders are necessary to enable the dog to run at speed with his nose to the ground, twisting and turning to scent, and well-developed ribbing to give plenty of heart and lung room. I like to see generous hindquarters with good width and depth of first and second thighs, to push the body through heavy cover. The arch of the muscular loin and a generous ‘bum’ is necessary to display true type, and aid propulsion. The coat should be within the parameters of ‘rich red and white’ and the exhibit should ideally be presented to best advantage in terms of condition, trimming, and showmanship. I like to see a feminine bitch and a masculine dog, with neither giving the excuse for coarseness or fineness.”

Susan Riese: “I look for a rectangular red and white Spaniel, free from extremes and who moves in a coordinated and effortless manner.”

What faults are you willing to accept and in what situations are you willing to accept them?

Marjo Jaakkola: “Although I think a good head is important, I would select a Welsh Springer Spaniel with good body structure and movement with a small head fault over a less than average dog with a beautiful head. In young dogs, I can accept differences in toplines because I have found, in most cases, it will improve with age. I can also tolerate a youngster who is a little unsure about being examined by a judge, as long as it is confident when gaiting around the ring.”

Susan Riese: “I will tolerate a soft topline in bitches with otherwise good qualities, but I will not accept a dog with a soft topline. I believe that there is a genetic link between soft toplines in females in the breed. Maybe it is just the hormones! I need to stress that my tolerance is for a soft topline, not a swaybacked topline.”

Frank Bjerklund: “A little shyness in a young dog or bitch, because the history says that they can be a little reserved towards strangers. When it comes to constructional faults, it is always a matter of degree and seriousness. We know that all dogs have faults, but some are only of minor importance to us. Others are more serious, affecting the dogs’ health and, therefore, should be judged accordingly. We are also not teeth fanatics, as some judges are—a correct bite is more important than one or two lacking teeth. A greying coat in a senior dog is also something that I would look past.”

What faults are you never willing to accept?

Marjo Jaakkola: “I am not willing to accept an adult dog who does not display a confident temperament in the show ring. I will not tolerate a dog whose proportions are tall, leggy, and square. This is totally untypical for the breed.”

Susan Riese: “The drags of the breed should not be tolerated. In Welsh Springer Spaniels, these are: Fiddle fronts/bent front legs, leggy or Settery examples, and weak hocks that allow for hyperextension (luxating hocks).”

When examining the Welsh Springer Spaniel, what areas must be felt with hands for a complete examination?

Christine McDonald: “The hands should glide over the dog to feel its symmetry; a smoothness from occiput to base of tail with very gentle curves, NOT a pronounced ‘S’ shape. The neck should be handled when the dog is not strung up, to check for natural length, strength, and lack of throatiness. Although the breed standard states, ‘long,’ it must be understood that this should be in proportion to the dog. The length of neck is necessary for the dog to scent the ground and retrieve; strength is as important as length—all should be in balance. When the breed was first introduced to the ring, they were known as ‘Welsh Cockers.’ It could be the case that the requirement for a ‘long neck’ in the WSS was one part that distinguished it from the ‘moderate’ neck required in the Cocker. Or it could have been the case that there were a predominance of short-necked dogs at the time, and the phrase in the standard may have been inserted to steer breeders away from this fault. Muscle quality, particularly in buttocks, and first and second thighs. Coat texture; silky look and feel, yet dense and weather-resistant.”

Marjo Jaakkola: “Definitely forechest, depth of chest, and length of loin. It is important to feel the length of the ribcage to loin. A correct dog will be long in the rib and fairly short in the loin. The breed experiences a number of problems with length of ribcage to loin. Oftentimes, a dog may appear to have correct proportions, but in reality, the ribcage may be short and the loin may be long.”

Susan Riese: “Working from head to tail, be sure to evaluate the chest and prosternum. Check that the prosternum is not sunken between the front legs, and the chest has a layer of muscling. Feel shoulders to determine layback. Because the breed creeps through brush, the tips of the shoulder blades should not be too close together; two fingers is fine, but should still be smooth. When examining the body, feel and look for Spaniel roundness, finished off with wide thighs and well-developed second thighs. Because of the amount of coat and skillful grooming, be sure to feel the width and muscling of the upper and lower thigh as well as the length and strength of the hock.”

What areas do you feel the breed could use improvement in?

Susan Riese: “I believe the overall quality of the breed has improved over the last few years. I feel current breeders are making an effort to learn more about type, function, and structure, and are incorporating this knowledge into their breeding plans. I am still shocked to see the occasional bad-fronted dog, with elbows out and bent forearms, winning top honors. A bent leg can break down from repeated impact, which could deem a dog worthless in the field.”

At what age do you consider the breed to be fully mature, and what areas do you feel are affected by maturity?

Marjo Jaakkola: “The Welsh Springer can be a slow maturing breed. I prefer to see young dogs that look their age. In my experience, many puppies that mature too quickly often become overdone. I do not heavily penalize an immature youngster who has the right essentials. The topline is one area that often changes as the dog matures. I would say that by the of age 4 to 5, they should be fully mature and looking their best.”

Susan Riese: “I feel the breed takes longer to mature than some of the other Sporting breeds. What changes over time is that the ribs gain more spring. Heads can mature and become more masculine on males. Welsh can look nice at 2 to 3 years and can be specialed at this time, but they usually reach their peak of maturity at 4 to 5 years of age. The word ‘peak’ can cause the image of this being their ‘best’ time in life, when in reality, the good ones keep getting better into veteran classes. Several veterans have won at WSSCA National Specialties over the years. They don’t get older, they just get better.”

Please share your approach to judging a mixture of docked and undocked dogs.

Frank Bjerklund: “We never think about tails when thinking about how is Welsh Springer Spaniel judged. The important thing is that the breed should carry it in accordance with the standard: ‘Low set, never carried above the level of the back.’ (It never stops puzzling us, why some handlers in the US stack their dogs and push the (docked) tail up/forwards, like a Terrier—it is alien to the breed and should be discouraged.”)

Marjo Jaakkola: “Because I come from a country where docking has not been allowed since 1996, I am very used to tails. When judging the breed, I often do not remember if a dog was docked or undocked. It does not make a difference as long as the tail is carried correctly. I feel the most important thing is that you don’t penalize the dog for having an undocked tail.”

What do you feel is commonly misunderstood about evaluating/judging the breed?

Christine McDonald: “Topline springs to mind. The UK breed
standard calls for, ‘Loin muscular and slightly arched. Well coupled.’ This is NOT the same as the oft-quoted, ‘rise over the loin’—it is the muscular loin that gives it a slight arch. The muscular structure gives the Spaniel the pushing power to penetrate tough cover where birds may lay.”

Frank Bjerklund: “Some say that a Welsh Springer should have an S-shaped topline; however, this is incorrect. The standard asks for a strong back that is slightly arched over the loin; the same wording that is in the English Springer Spaniel standard. If a dog has an S-shaped back, it most often means it has a weak back.”

Marjo Jaakkola: “I feel the topline is the most misunderstood aspect in this breed. The topline should not be flat; it should be level, with a slight rise over the loin. There should be no evidence of sloping or dipping.”

Do you have any words of advice for those interested in pursuing their judging license for the Welsh Springer Spaniel?

Marjo Jaakkola: “When discussing how is Welsh Springer Spaniel judged, don’t be fooled by presentation, excessive coat, and fast (not always correct) movement. A Welsh Springer should display workmanlike movement with good reach and drive. When you are judging the dog, a good judge should be able to see a good dog that is not necessarily handled well by an amateur. Similarly, but in converse, a mediocre dog handled professionally should not cloud your judgment. If you have an overly barbered dog enter your ring, please judge the dog but encourage the exhibitor to present the breed in a more natural way in the future.”

Susan Riese: “Judges and exhibitors need to remember that this is a working Spaniel and that tremendous reach and drive, while flashy in the show ring, is not correct. A good all-day working dog in the field needs to have coordinated, athletic, and effortless movement with adequate reach and drive.”

The post How a Breeder Judge Evaluates Welsh Springer Spaniels appeared first on Showsight Magazine.

Judging the Welsh Springer Spaniel and any breed for that  matter in my experience requires you to get to know the breed by speaking with longtime breeders who have not only bred a number of exceptional dogs, but who have also had the opportunity to judge quality dogs not of their breeding. Much knowledge can be gained from these two important areas, as it gives a rare understanding of a breed as a whole. Because the Welsh Springer Spaniel does not have separate styles worldwide or a field/show separation, understandable and productive discussions can freely flow between breeders near and far. I am pleased to introduce four very accomplished Welsh Springer Breeder-Judges from across the globe and share their discussions on the breed with you. Meet the Breeder-Judges:

Susan Riese
Statesman Welsh Springer Spaniels, United States

Susan has owned Welsh Springer Spaniels since 1975. She has bred/owned over 100 champion Welsh Springer Spaniels, including multiple National Specialty winners, all-breed Best in Show winners, and OFA Champion of Health winners. Susan is approved by the American Kennel Club to judge 16 Sporting breeds and has judged the breed in the US and internationally.

Marjo Jaakkola
Benton Welsh Springer Spaniels, Finland

Marjo has owned Welsh Springer Spaniels for 32 years and has been breeding under the Benton prefix since 1992. She has produced many champions worldwide, including the first undocked Welsh Springer Spaniel to win an all-breed Best in Show and National Specialty in the US. Marjo has judged Welsh Springer Spaniels, and other Sporting breeds, in Scandinavia, Europe, Australia, and the US.

Frank Bjerklund
Westaway English and Welsh Springer SpaNiels, Norway

Frank imported his first Welsh Springer Spaniel in the early 1980s and has since bred 17 Norwegian Champions under the kennel names Inu-Goya and Westaway. He has been approved to judge the breed since 1993 and has judged in Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Norway, England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, and the Czech Republic.

Christine McDonald
Northey Welsh Springer Spaniels and Vizslas, England

Christine has owned and bred Welsh Springer Spaniels since 1976. She first judged the breed in 1983 and awarded CCs for first time in 1989. Christine has bred eight Show Champions, including four with their working qualifier. She has awarded CCs in Breed ten times, and awards CCs in: WSS, Large Munsterlanders, Brittany, Hungarian Vizslas, Hungarian Wirehaired Vizslas, and Chesapeake Bay Retrievers. She is approved to judge the Gundog Group at Championship shows, and judged this at the Scottish Kennel Club in 2011.

What are your priorities when judging the Welsh Springer Spaniel?

Christine McDonald: “I look for a strong, merry and active dog, flowing from tip of nose to end of tail and balanced throughout. Even in the show ring, I like to see evidence of a biddable, merry temperament displayed, certainly with no aggression or nervousness. I like to see substance but also a degree of classiness. The exhibit to be of standard size, or within an inch either way, with strong bone and no cloddiness. Rounded, well-padded feet to protect against thorns and rough terrain. I like to see a well-balanced head with nicely rounded, not too heavy flews, and adequate stop with chiseling below the eyes, which should have a kind, biddable expression. I like neat ears, not set too low. Well-laid shoulders are necessary to enable the dog to run at speed with his nose to the ground, twisting and turning to scent, and well-developed ribbing to give plenty of heart and lung room. I like to see generous hindquarters with good width and depth of first and second thighs, to push the body through heavy cover. The arch of the muscular loin and a generous ‘bum’ is necessary to display true type, and aid propulsion. The coat should be within the parameters of ‘rich red and white’ and the exhibit should ideally be presented to best advantage in terms of condition, trimming, and showmanship. I like to see a feminine bitch and a masculine dog, with neither giving the excuse for coarseness or fineness.”

Susan Riese: “I look for a rectangular red and white Spaniel, free from extremes and who moves in a coordinated and effortless manner.”

What faults are you willing to accept and in what situations are you willing to accept them?

Marjo Jaakkola: “Although I think a good head is important, I would select a Welsh Springer Spaniel with good body structure and movement with a small head fault over a less than average dog with a beautiful head. In young dogs, I can accept differences in toplines because I have found, in most cases, it will improve with age. I can also tolerate a youngster who is a little unsure about being examined by a judge, as long as it is confident when gaiting around the ring.”

Susan Riese: “When judging the Welsh Springer Spaniel I will tolerate a soft topline in bitches with otherwise good qualities, but I will not accept a dog with a soft topline. I believe that there is a genetic link between soft toplines in females in the breed. Maybe it is just the hormones! I need to stress that my tolerance is for a soft topline, not a swaybacked topline.”

Frank Bjerklund: “A little shyness in a young dog or bitch, because the history says that they can be a little reserved towards strangers. When it comes to constructional faults, it is always a matter of degree and seriousness. We know that all dogs have faults, but some are only of minor importance to us. Others are more serious, affecting the dogs’ health and, therefore, should be judged accordingly. We are also not teeth fanatics, as some judges are—a correct bite is more important than one or two lacking teeth. A greying coat in a senior dog is also something that I would look past.”

What faults are you never willing to accept when judging the Welsh Springer Spaniel?

Marjo Jaakkola: “I am not willing to accept an adult dog who does not display a confident temperament in the show ring. I will not tolerate a dog whose proportions are tall, leggy, and square. This is totally untypical for the breed.”

Susan Riese: “The drags of the breed should not be tolerated. In Welsh Springer Spaniels, these are: Fiddle fronts/bent front legs, leggy or Settery examples, and weak hocks that allow for hyperextension (luxating hocks).”

When examining the Welsh Springer Spaniel, what areas must be felt with hands for a complete examination?

Christine McDonald: “The hands should glide over the dog to feel its symmetry; a smoothness from occiput to base of tail with very gentle curves, NOT a pronounced ‘S’ shape. The neck should be handled when the dog is not strung up, to check for natural length, strength, and lack of throatiness. Although the breed standard states, ‘long,’ it must be understood that this should be in proportion to the dog. The length of neck is necessary for the dog to scent the ground and retrieve; strength is as important as length—all should be in balance. When the breed was first introduced to the ring, they were known as ‘Welsh Cockers.’ It could be the case that the requirement for a ‘long neck’ in the WSS was one part that distinguished it from the ‘moderate’ neck required in the Cocker. Or it could have been the case that there were a predominance of short-necked dogs at the time, and the phrase in the standard may have been inserted to steer breeders away from this fault. Muscle quality, particularly in buttocks, and first and second thighs. Coat texture; silky look and feel, yet dense and weather-resistant.”

Marjo Jaakkola: “Definitely forechest, depth of chest, and length of loin. It is important to feel the length of the ribcage to loin. A correct dog will be long in the rib and fairly short in the loin. The breed experiences a number of problems with length of ribcage to loin. Oftentimes, a dog may appear to have correct proportions, but in reality, the ribcage may be short and the loin may be long.”

Susan Riese: “Working from head to tail, be sure to evaluate the chest and prosternum. Check that the prosternum is not sunken between the front legs, and the chest has a layer of muscling. Feel shoulders to determine layback. Because the breed creeps through brush, the tips of the shoulder blades should not be too close together; two fingers is fine, but should still be smooth. When examining the body, feel and look for Spaniel roundness, finished off with wide thighs and well-developed second thighs. Because of the amount of coat and skillful grooming, be sure to feel the width and muscling of the upper and lower thigh as well as the length and strength of the hock.”

What areas do you feel the breed could use improvement in?

Susan Riese: “I believe the overall quality of the breed has improved over the last few years. I feel current breeders are making an effort to learn more about type, function, and structure, and are incorporating this knowledge into their breeding plans. I am still shocked to see the occasional bad-fronted dog, with elbows out and bent forearms, winning top honors. A bent leg can break down from repeated impact, which could deem a dog worthless in the field.”

At what age do you consider the breed to be fully mature, and what areas do you feel are affected by maturity?

Marjo Jaakkola: “The Welsh Springer can be a slow maturing breed. I prefer to see young dogs that look their age. In my experience, many puppies that mature too quickly often become overdone. I do not heavily penalize an immature youngster who has the right essentials. The topline is one area that often changes as the dog matures. I would say that by the of age 4 to 5, they should be fully mature and looking their best.”

Susan Riese: “I feel the breed takes longer to mature than some of the other Sporting breeds. What changes over time is that the ribs gain more spring. Heads can mature and become more masculine on males. Welsh can look nice at 2 to 3 years and can be specialed at this time, but they usually reach their peak of maturity at 4 to 5 years of age. The word ‘peak’ can cause the image of this being their ‘best’ time in life, when in reality, the good ones keep getting better into veteran classes. Several veterans have won at WSSCA National Specialties over the years. They don’t get older, they just get better.”

Please share your approach to judging a mixture of docked and undocked dogs.

Frank Bjerklund: “We never think about tails when judging. The important thing is that the breed should carry it in accordance with the standard: ‘Low set, never carried above the level of the back.’ (It never stops puzzling us, why some handlers in the US stack their dogs and push the (docked) tail up/forwards, like a Terrier—it is alien to the breed and should be discouraged.”)

Marjo Jaakkola: “Because I come from a country where docking has not been allowed since 1996, I am very used to tails. When judging the breed, I often do not remember if a dog was docked or undocked. It does not make a difference as long as the tail is carried correctly. I feel the most important thing is that you don’t penalize the dog for having an undocked tail.”

What do you feel is commonly misunderstood about evaluating/judging the breed?

Christine McDonald: “Topline springs to mind. The UK breed
standard calls for, ‘Loin muscular and slightly arched. Well coupled.’ This is NOT the same as the oft-quoted, ‘rise over the loin’—it is the muscular loin that gives it a slight arch. The muscular structure gives the Spaniel the pushing power to penetrate tough cover where birds may lay.”

Frank Bjerklund: “Some say that a Welsh Springer should have an S-shaped topline; however, this is incorrect. The standard asks for a strong back that is slightly arched over the loin; the same wording that is in the English Springer Spaniel standard. If a dog has an S-shaped back, it most often means it has a weak back.”

Marjo Jaakkola: “I feel the topline is the most misunderstood aspect in this breed. The topline should not be flat; it should be level, with a slight rise over the loin. There should be no evidence of sloping or dipping.”

Do you have any words of advice for those interested in pursuing their judging license for the Welsh Springer Spaniel?

Marjo Jaakkola: “Don’t be fooled by presentation, excessive coat, and fast (not always correct) movement. A Welsh Springer should display workmanlike movement with good reach and drive. When you are judging the dog, a good judge should be able to see a good dog that is not necessarily handled well by an amateur. Similarly, but in converse, a mediocre dog handled professionally should not cloud your judgment. If you have an overly barbered dog enter your ring, please judge the dog but encourage the exhibitor to present the breed in a more natural way in the future.”

Susan Riese: “When judging the Welsh Springer Spaniel judges and exhibitors need to remember that this is a working Spaniel and that tremendous reach and drive, while flashy in the show ring, is not correct. A good all-day working dog in the field needs to have coordinated, athletic, and effortless movement with adequate reach and drive.”

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