Welsh Springer

THE STORY

Nigel Worth has been exhibiting dogs since the early 1960’s and together with his wife Anne since the 1970’s, recently an article was published in the Bichon Frise feature where the Sarabande kennel had campaigned the first Bichon to its UK title.

Having reached many heights within the canine world over these sixty years, the most recent success and breed history moment is with their beloved Welsh Springer Spaniels.

SH CH / AM GCH Sarabande Sweet Nothings (Ai) ( RE-IMP USA) ‘Rose’ was born near to the original birthpace of the Welsh Springer Spaniel and exported in early 2016 to the Statesmans kennels, in Atlanta, Georgia. No one could of known at this point of her extraordinarily successful show career culminating in not only gaining her American Championship title but also Grand Champion title before returning home to the Welsh hills of her birth.

Rose’s debut in the American show ring came when she was exhibited as a puppy at the American spaniel club show where she awarded Best Puppy Sweepstakes.

The following year she attended the same show as a young adult and was Winners Bitch (like a CC winner) at the Welsh Springer Spaniel Club of America Specialty under Mr Sam Houston Macdonald. By the end of that same month, Rose had gained all that was needed for her American championship title, including Best of Breed wins over established champions.

Plans were made to have Rose attend the 2019 Crufts show, with temperature considerations as well as the rigid UK import requirements considered, “Team Rose” hoped to try for her Grand Championship title before having her cross the pond.

 

Rose amazingly completed this title in five straight shows, each with 5-point majors (the most points that can be gained at a single show)

 

Rose returned to the UK on the 8th Nov 2018, now matured and looking the part she made her first appearance in the UK show ring as planned at Crufts 2019, the breed was judged by Miss C Dods, whom awarded her, her first Bitch challenge certificate with best of breed.

Rose was awarded her second challenge certificate at The National Gundog Association 2019 under Mrs H Leary, her all-important third came at Gundog breeds of Scotland 2019 under Mrs J Jackson, giving her UK show champion title, and thus making breed history.

Lightly shown during the year, she finished as Res Top Bitch to her full sister Sh Ch Sarabande Eternity At Slapestones JW (AI) owned by Mr & Mrs Ritchie & Miss D Ritchie.

Meghan Reise Bassel is scheduled to Judge the Welsh Springer spaniel and American Cocker spaniel this year at Gundog Breeds of Scotland, Naturally with the close connection between Statesmans and Sarabande, Nigel and Anne will not be exhibiting at the show.

Rose is the only welsh springer spaniel to be re-imported as an American Grand Champion to become UK Show Champion. 

NIGEL AND ANNE WORTH