A three-year-old English Springer Spaniel from Ashbourne in Derbyshire has won the Kennel Club Open Spaniel Gundog Working Test, held at Chatsworth House, Derbyshire by the gracious permission of the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire. The judges were Mr Malcolm Taylor and Mr Terry Frost. The event is kindly sponsored by Eukanuba.
Deepfleet Deni of Moonreed, owned and handled by Alastair Ross, was awarded first place at the test which saw talented Spaniels tested on hunting, quartering and retrieving to hand.
Caroline Kisko, Kennel Club Secretary, said: ““The Open Spaniel Gundog Working Test saw some exceptionally talented dogs and handlers and we were impressed by the high level of work carried out throughout the competition.
“English Springers and Cocker Spaniels are both very attentive, intelligent breeds which lends well to their ability to use their natural working instincts to perform for their handlers in the field.
“A big congratulations goes out to Alastair and Deni for their victory against such tough competition and we wish them much continued success in the sport in the future.”
The results for the day were as follows:
- 1st Deepfleet Deni of Moonreed (English Springer Spaniel), owned and handled by Alastair Ross
- 2nd Abiann Flawless (Cocker Spaniel), owned and handled by Jamie Smith
- 3rd Morskye Andromeda (English Springer Spaniel), owned and handled by Anne Austin
- 4th Shalloakwest Shadey (English Springer Spaniel), owned and handled by Julie Thatcher