Springerspanielit ry

Christine House

”I was born and brought up in Cheshire where my parents ran a commercial dairy farm. Following my first degree in Geography I worked in agriculture for the UK Milk Marketing Board but after a couple of years I went back to University to study Landscape Architecture. I initially worked in Local Government before joining Wardell Armstrong, a multi-disciplinary engineering and environmental consultancy. I spent 26 years with the company the majority of which time I was a Director of the business.

I retired in 2018 and set up my own small environmental and planning consultancy with my husband. I stilll live in Cheshire on a small holding which provides the perfect environment to maintain my small kennel of English Springers.

I acquired my first dog, a Border Collie, in 1970 which was a gift from my uncle who had several working Collies. She was joined by a Pembroke Corgi when my grandfather came to live with us. She was a full pedigree carrying the Moorcliff prefix of June Froggat! In my early teens I set my heart on acquiring an English Springer Spaniel. My first English Springer arrived in 1977, a black and white bitch called Tiger Lily of Cleavehill. Once I passed my driving test, I was off to the shows! 

Lily was not the most outgoing showdog and at one of the early shows I attended I met Mrs Kay Hannah who suggested that I should have litter. The first litter arrived in 1979, by Woodboy Dilly Jay from which I kept a liver and white bitch, Gleadsbury Rare Jewel. I had a further litter in 1981 this time using Ch Cliffhill Julius from which I kept a black and white bitch Gleadsbury Clarissa (Topic) from which all my current Springers can be traced.

I have had numerous litters over the years, but never have more than three litters per bitch. I normally only breed when I wish to keep something. Initially, my blood lines were Cleavehill/Tees view in origin but this changed in the late 1980’s when I used Sh Ch Raestor Countryboy of Mompesson who I liked because of her type and confirmation. I kept a dog from the litter, Gleadsbury Just Basil. His sister Gleadsbury Just So of Mompesson went on to be best brood bitch in the breed for two consecutive years. She is the grand dam of Sh Ch Mompessson Royal Destiny. Destiny was an exceptional sire, bringing type and consistency to many lines. I mated Gleadsbury Just Jasmin to Destiny which produced Sh Ch Gleadsbury Whatadestiny. She in turn produced some lovely pups with one of my all time favourites being Gleadsbury Whataliberty JW and 2 Res CC’s. Whilst she didn’t gain her title, her confirmation was perfection and her temperament a joy to live with. 

I think my first judging appointment was in 1983, judging ESS at Lincoln CS. I have judged over a long period of time, eventually awarding CC’s for the first time in 2012. In addition to Springers I also award CC’s in Sussex Spaniels. All my judging appointments thus far have been in the UK. I enjoy judging all gundog breeds and in addition to English Springers I have also owned, bred and owned German Short Haired Pointers and Mini Smooth Dachshunds under the Gleadsbury prefix.

When judging English Springers, the most important factors are confirmation and balance – if it’s made right it will move right. The defining glory of any English Springer is its head. I like to see a well defined head with chiselling and a kind almond shaped eye. 

I have had the pleasure of seeing some wonderful examples of the breed over the years so it is very difficult to choose one dog as the best. The following from the Mompesson Kennel are all dogs I particularly admired: 

Sh Ch Trimere Time to Remember from Mompesson 

Sh Ch Mompesson Royal Destiny 

Sh Ch Mompesson Mixed Emotion 

In terms of dogs which I have judged, it would be Sh Ch Melverly Sublimity. This bitch was so well balanced of excellent breed type and so sound on the move – a truly lovely Springer.

Having bred and shown Springers over 47 years, I have met many great characters in the breed, many of whom are sadly no longer with us. Kay Hannah, Jean Taylor and Dorothy and Tom Bury to name but a few. I don’t believe you ever stop learning and it is always good to hear well informed opinions. My dear old friend Mavis Lancaster deserves a special mention. I spent many happy hours talking to Mavis on all aspects of gundogs and she is sadly missed around the dog showing world. 

I am very much looking forward to visiting Finland. Whilst I have seen a lot of Europe but have never visited any of the Scandinavian countries. Hopefully the weather will be kind so we can see it at its best.”