JUDGING THE
WELSH SPRINGER SPANIEL BREEDER-JUDGES DISCUSS THEIR PRIORITIES
BY MEGHEN RIESE-BASSEL
I n my experience, the best way to become truly familiar with a breed is to speak 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 breed- ing. 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
SUSAN RIESE STATESMAN WELSH SPRINGER SPANIELS, UNITED STATES
Susan has owned Welsh Springer Spaniels since 1975. She has bred/owned over 100 cham- pion 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 Ken- nel Club to judge 16 Sporting breeds and has judged the breed in the US and internationally.
MARJO JAAKKOLA BENTON WELSH SPRINGER SPANIELS, FINLAND
Marjo Jaakolae
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.
Frank Bjerklund
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 Wire- haired 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.
Christine McDonald
280 | SHOWSIGHT MAGAZINE, JUNE 2021
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