Independent Specialty Critiques 2026

Heidi Mohn
ACKCSC Independent Specialty

April 17, 2026 – Kingsport, Tennessee
4-6 Puppies, Dogs, Intersex, Non-Regulars, Junior Showmanship

I would like to thank the ACKCSC Judges Committee along with the membership for voting for me to judge your Independent Specialty associated with the ACKCSC National Specialty week. It was one of the most humbling honors of my life and the experience was priceless. Thank you for providing me a ring steward in Mia Lawson who was beyond amazing in her role and anyone who gets the good fortune to have her as their steward will have a ring that runs flawlessly. Thank you Mia. I actually learned a lot from your methods. Mia is a gem to work with, I hope the club takes good care of her . To the exhibitors, It was a long week with people and dogs tired by the day of the Independent Specialty . Thank you so much for powering through and showing your beautiful dogs to me. Energy, patience & sportsmanship in exhibitors and dogs remained steadfast. A tribute to the enthusiasm and love of breed by the exhibitors and the physical and mental conditioning of their dogs. The quality of dogs was outstanding but the depth of that quality was breathtaking. It was a pleasure to watch and go over every single dog shown that day. Without a methodical process, one would have a very difficult time working though all those amazing specimens to find those final winners. Final winners, all of which I was proud to award, that said, there were so many amazing choices it would be hard to go wrong. With that, on to my winners

BEST OF BREED: #241 GCHB CH BROOKHAVEN I BELIEVE IN ANGELS (Ayers)
I found this dog to be striking with his sound purposeful movement and beautiful correct silky coat as he powered himself into the ring. An up to size dog yet short coupled and well proportioned. More heavily marked and as honest as they come, hard to overlook his ideal physique . The length and angles of all his bones flowed into each other like melting butter, as if they were one. All of which he used along with his short hocks to move like a well-oiled machine. To go over him with my hands was an absolute pleasure, nothing out of place. A handsome boy with a pleasing yet masculine head. Lovey dark round eyes set correctly and a well-proportioned muzzle. His rich pigment highlighted by his striking white made him stand out along with never putting a foot wrong. Wish he was a touch smaller but could not deny the perfection of motion on this one. Happy to award him BOB in amazing competition.

BEST OF WINNERS & WINNERS DOG # 101 SHEEBA CASANOVA (Ostmann/Cahn)
This compact, correctly sized, representation of a toy spaniel, could not be missed or denied. Beautiful head with large dark eyes framed by well set ears, which made for his scrumptious soft expression. He showed his heart out . Presented to perfection in ideal condition, well-muscled and in good weight. A well balance, short coupled dog with a lovely long neck flowing into his nice shoulder layback, beautifully conditioned well broken coat. A good topline & tail carriage. Plenty of angulation, although I would have loved a little more, especially with his reach which was his challenge for BOB. In the end, in my opinion, he was the most ideal toy spaniel when compared to our breed standard to be awarded WD from the classes and earn the right to move forward to compete for Best of Breed.

BEST OF OPPOSITE SEX: # 266 CH ALMERARA LOVE HER MADLY (Whitmire)
She took my breath away when she gaited with her proud carriage into the ring. A stunning specimen. Shown to perfection, in great condition. Well broken, well marked coat. Lovely proportions, good round bone. Beautiful neck flowing into an incredible shoulder layback. All of which she used to her advantage on the move. Well angulated all around and with good balance which allowed her to move with such effortless ease. Good coming & going. Beautiful head piece with large dark round eyes & ideal pigment. Happy to show, lovely temperament. I heard later that I had judged her Grandmother back in 2013 at a specialty and strongly considered her for top honors. I remember her well. This lovely girl was considered for BOB, splitting hairs I ultimately was happy to award her BOS today in a hot lineup of bitches.

SELECT DOG: #297 GCHS CH PROMONTORY HERE COMES HUDSON (Orns/Solomon)
This dog was similar to my BOB in style. Another up to size more heavily marked dog. Well balanced , with plenty of angulation. Another with power in his movement, just not quite that of the BOB winner. Lovely to go over with his nice round bone. Long well crested neck flowed smoothly into well laid back shoulders. A little longer cast than the BOB. Pretty head with lovely dark round eyes and super pigment. Shown to perfection.

SELECT BITCH: #282 GCH FIELDS EDGE OFF TO SEE THE WIZARD (Slusher/Slusher/Smith)
I had no idea until reading the catalogue that I have awarded this little bitch top honors at a very competitive specialty as a puppy. I’m so glad my eye found her in this mass of quality again today. Says something for consistency but also the deep quality bred into this bitch. A true toy spaniel blanketed in a beautiful well broken coat. Ideal size, short coupled with short little hocks. Stunningly feminine, yet plenty of nice round bone. Moves effortlessly around the ring. Good coming & going. Shown in excellent condition and to perfection.

1^st AOM: #277 GCHG CH SHEEBA SIRIUS BLACK (Osmann/Cahn)
This stunning tri-color was a super show boy. A beautifully made dog exhibiting excellent balance and angulation all of which he used well on the move. Good round bone & plenty of it. Lovely well marked and conditioned coat. Was quite a standout among so many quality dogs. Shown to perfection.

2^nd AOM & BEST VETERAN: #195 GCHG CH AVATAR MADE TO BE IN PICTURES (Robertston)
Hard to deny this quality veteran tri-color dog. At nearly 12 years this dog was in such excellent condition with excellent stamina and attitude. Beautiful dog, shown to perfection. Stunning head with beautiful dark round eyes. Well proportioned with good angulation & balance, moved well with forward purpose maintaining a strong topline and good tail carriage at all times. A lovely long correct, silky well marked coat. He Made my heart sing

3^rd AOM: #247 GCHB CH CROWNHEIR DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER (Fadel)
Just a young lad in a sea of experience and maturity, A true toy spaniel with the sweetest face & softest expression moderate all around. Pretty, pretty yet masculine enough expression. Super dark round eyes. Lovely shape with plenty of bone for his size. Good angulation, well balanced short little hawks. Beautiful pigment all around, including his quality coat. Used himself well on the move. A real combination of a typy toy spaniel paired with athleticism. Loved so much about him

4^th AOM: #264 GCHS CH IVYLINE HONOLULU LULU (Eubank/Giampapa)

One of the few bitches I’ve seen from the ringside before and always thought was so beautifully feminine. The prettiest head and softest expression. Beautiful eyes framed by well set on ears. Shown in excellent condition & to perfection this pretty little thing had lovely proportions, short coupled with short hocks. She wasas very well balanced. Splitting hairs in this competition, she was slighter on bone and angulation than her challengers. She moved well with good topline & tail set. A lovely, very deserving pretty toy spaniel.

BEST BEGINNER PUPPY #505: SARANADE MAKE IT RAIN (Freberg)
I find out later these two Beginner puppy winners are littermates. Loved them both .

The dog puppy was quite striking in his shape & balanced movement. On table observation. Proportions were so nice and everything was just where it should be and flowed together nicely from neck into shoulder to upper arm. All balanced with good front & rear angulation. Stunning head with gorgeous large dark round well set eyes, placed on top of a long well crested neck that flowed smoothly into well laid back shoulders. Striking pigment face & coat.

BEST OPPOSITE SEX BEGINNER PUPPY#506 SARANADE A LITTLE BIT OF HEAVEN (Freberg)

Just a feminine version of her brother. Beautifully balanced with good angulation. Moved with purpose. Another stunning head. Lovely large dark round eyes an dark pigment throughout. It was splitting hairs but her brother out shined her only slightly, on his overall carriage in motion around the ring.

Puppy Dogs 6-9 Months

1 # 9 KPRIDE GINGER’S THROWIN COPPER (Reardon)

A stand out Ruby puppy . Lovely head & breed type, a true toy spaniel with excellent proportions. Short coupled, well angulated, well balanced allowing free movement reach & drive. Quality coat and pigment. My favorite Ruby of the day

2 # 13 IVYLINE BRUNO MARS (Giampapa)

A very well balanced and well angulated blenheim boy exhibiting impressive reach & drive. Not quite as much overall breed type as #1. Would have liked a softer expression.

3 # 5 PINNACLE PLAY IT AGAIN AT STORYLAND (Gallagher/Glisson)

This blenheim boy is cute & in good condition, unfortunately very difficult to assess with all his exuberance. Hard to catch him with all 4 feet on the ground.

4 #11 SWEET SPRING UNIQUELY PORTABLE MAGIC (Vidler)

This pretty headed tri color boy is very happy in the ring. His overall balance and tail carriage let him down.

Puppy Dogs 9-12 Months

1 #35 FIELDS EDGE IAN (Seidman/ Seidman)

This dog is a solid honest dog hard to deny his presence. Presented in great condition. Very moderate, with nothing to hide. Incredible proportions, excellent overall structure with great angulation & balance. A well muscled free mover, moving with purpose.

2 #29 KAMEO DEVINE UNSCRIPTED HERES JOHNNY (Adair)

A well presented blenheim dog with a very nice coat. Shown in good condition. Pretty head with well placed & pigmented eyes. Not quite the balance & movement as the class winner

3 #31 CAPAL LOVE STORY AT ALDER CREEK (Cromwell/Barajas)

Another pretty blenheim. Nicely balanced with good angulation, moves freely around the ring. His body is still a little immature in comparison to the others but time will be on his side.

4 #33 FAIR OAKS LET THE GAMES BEGIN AT TOPHATS (Meagar/Schlott)

This Tri boy was beautifully presented and in excellent condition. He is lacking in neck causing him to fall short of the strong reach & smooth movement of the ones before him.

Dogs 12-15 Months

1 #51 BELLAROSE MATEO (Becker)

A lovely blenheim with a beautiful head and dark round eyes. He is well balanced with good angulation. allowing him to move freely with purpose. Nice round bone blanketed with a correct silky coat.

3 #41 ONTHMARK PETAL TO THE METAL (Chan/Mitchell)

Similar to #2. Shown in great condition but not quite the softness of expression but it is his high tail carriage that let him down today.

3 #31 CAPAL LOVE STORY AT ALDER CREEK (Cromwell/Barajas)

Another pretty blenheim. Nicely balanced with good angulation, moves freely around the ring. His body is still a little immature in comparison to the others but time will be on his side.

Dogs 15-18 Months

1 #59 CROWNROSE AS YOU WISH (Rosenberg DVM/Rosenberg)

A well presented dog with a lovely coat & dark pigment. Beautiful double pigmented well placed eyes
framed by well set ears. Moved purposely exhibiting good balance & angulation. In good condition with
good muscle tone but needs to mature a bit and put on some weight to finish the picture. Time is on
this young dogs side.

2 #55 KINGSLEE’S HAUSE OF FIRE (Ely/Ely/Lee)

Another nice boy, also well presented. Striking coat with rich red on his white background. Sporting a
perfect Blenheim spot. A very pretty yet plenty masculine head, with lovely dark eyes’. His balance
wasn’t quite as good as #1, lacking in shoulder layback with more significant rear angulation. A nice boy
overall.

3 #61 WELMFOURTH GOOD TROUBLE (Lasser)

This is a cute little dog with a pretty headpiece. He could use more body conditioning and round bone.
He lost out to the ones before him primarily due to his overall lack of balance, another with more rear
angulation & lack of shoulder.

Novice Dogs

1#67 BONITOS COMPANEROS GOLD DIGGER (Stang)

This up to size, short coupled dog was curious and interested in everything going on today. It was fun
to watch him taking it all in as he challenged his handler with his enthusiasum, He has a nice head &
lovely dark round eyes, yet sports incredible body condition. Good muscle and balance, maybe one of
the best of the day. Beautiful crest of neck that laid back into nice shoulders. Good pigment great coat
condition. One of the best movers from the classes. I liked him a lot.His size challenged him for Winners
dog.

Bred By Exhibitor Puppy Dogs

1 #81 SHEEBA MASTER REUBEN (Ostmann/Robinson-Saathoff/Robinson)

Loved the proportions on this little boy. Lovely correct, well broken coat. Long crested neck that flowed
into well laid back shoulders. Pretty yet masculine head and beautiful eyes and overall pigment. Good
coming and going. Good angulation & very well balanced making him nice to watch move effortlessly
around the ring.

2 # 77 CROWNHEIR HALLELUJAH, AMEN (Fadel)

Another promising young blenheim with the such nice short hocks. Needs a bit more maturing and
conditioning to beat #1 but is sure to have future success. Lovely outline and proportions, moves well,
pretty head and eye’s

3 #75 CROWNROSE KIND OF A BIG DILL (Rosenberg, DVM/Rosenberg)

Lovey nicely marked tri-color. Very Masculine with a longer muzzle. Nice round dark eyes. Good
proportions & outline. Good angles and balance all of which he uses well on the move.

4#71 STARMAC THE HEART OF TEXAS (Hooper)

Another nicely marked Tri-color. He has good round bone. Good outline with lovely long neck that falls
into nicely laid back shoulders . Not the balance of the others, yet drives with good forward motion. His
high tail carriage let him down today.

Bred By Exhibitor Adult Dogs

1 #101 (WD/BOW) SHEEBA CASANOVA (Ostmann/Cahn)

This compact, correctly sized excellent reprentation of a toy spaniel, could not be missed or denied.
Beautiful head with large dark eyes framed by well set ears. Very soft expression. He showed his heart
out. Presented to perfection in ideal condition, well muscled and in good weight. A well balance, short
coupled dog with a lovely long neck flowing into his nice shoulder layback, beautifully conditioned well
broken coat. A good topline & tail carriage. Plenty of angulation, although I would have liked a little
more, especially with his reach which was his challenge competing for BOB later in the day. In the end,
he was, in my opinion, the most ideal toy spaniel when compared to our breed standard from the
classes to move forward into the BOB ring.

2 #105 TASSAJARA HIGH LIFE (Seidman/Seidman)

Shown in great condition & handled to perfection. He has a pretty yet masculine head with lovely
double pigmented eyes. Good structure and nice round bone. Lovely coat with excellent pigment. Well
balanced and moved well with purpose around the ring. His overall breed type along with his topline &
tail carriage was not as ideal as the winner yet, it was splitting hairs on this one. A good contender
without question, just unfortunate to come up against the class winner

3 # 99 BROOKHAVEN HOMEGROWN (Ayers)

Very similar to the 2 nd place winner, lovely head, eyes, good bone overall with good outline &
proportions. He was nicely balanced but lacking the angulation of the others in the class.

4 #89 ALMEARA BLADE RUNNER (Whitmire)

This heavily marked and pretty Tri-Color dog was enjoying his time in the ring. Very happy to be
showing. Would have liked a little softer expression and eye on this dog. He has a lovely coat and was
shown in excellent condition. Good bone, well muscled. Beomg longer cast along with his overall
balance, resulting in his topline & tail carriage challenging him against the others in the class.

American Bred Dogs

1 # 123 SHEEBA JO JO MCDODD (Rogers)

A really really pretty blenheim with lots of breed type stunning head with beautiful and correctly set
dark round eyes. He is a well balanced, short coupled, nicely proportioned dog with good round bone.
Good front angulation but not ideally balanced causing him to carry his tail high today.

2 # 113 COBBHILL POLISHED ROSEWOOD DCAT CGC ATT (MacLean)

This dog has a very pretty yet masculine head with nice dark round eyes. Incredible long neck falling
into a nice shoulder layback. Fair angulation and balance overall. He was presented in very lean
condition. Maturity and conditioning in time will help as he has potential.

3 # 119 BURWYNS N BEIJING JOHNATHON FDC CGC TKN ATT VHMA FITB (Martello/ Nutz)

A nice looking dog with pretty dark round eyes. A nice expression with good ear set. Striking with his
dark red pigment on his white background. Looks the part when standing but lacks balance with a
straighter front than rear. He moves with drive but yet not efficiently due to lack of reach.

4 # 115 FAIR OAKS OCEANUS BN RN CGCA TKN (LaRoza)

This is a sweet little guy who did his best for his handler. Nice temperament , enjoying all the attention.
Needs both body & coat conditioning. His lack of both sternum, & overall angulation resulted in rather
erratic movement.

Open Dogs Black & Tan

1 # 135 WOODHAVEN SNOWOOD 24K MAGIC AT CADE (Hennessey/Liston/Massey)

Not knowing this dog or his name, my notes say “Moves like MAGIC”. This dog is a well put together up
to size boy with great angulation and well balanced which allows him to use himself well on the move,
showing off his long neck & good topline. He has very nice pigment all around, would have liked a
softer eye and expression. He is an up to size dog with a nice coat and good balance and apparently
“MAGIC” in motion.

2 # 133 LORANKA LIMITED EDITION (Seidmen/Seidmen)

A pretty headed dog with lots going for him in proportions and coat. Lovely neck, beautiful headpiece
with lovely dark round eyes. Shown in excellent condition. Unfortunately he was not wanting to show
himself off today .

Open Dogs Blenheim

1 # 153 BELLAFLEUR AMERICAN EAGLE MARJO (Merians/Johnson)

An up to size dog with nothing to hide, very sound. Good proportions, correct length of bones
connecting at correct angles, beautiful to watch on the move. Lovely correct silky coat. Pretty yet
masculine head . Nice dark pigment on beautiful white background. Could not deny this dog soon as he
came in the ring with his powerful movement & stunning carriage. His size challenged him for WD
Happy to award him RWD

2 # 157 TAUTUNUM ANGEL’S LIMITED EDITION (Murphy)

Another dog, similar in style to the winner. A nicely sized dog who is a lovely mover but not as strong in
purpose in his forward movement A very pretty yet masculine dog with a lovely coat & pigment . Well
balanced with lovely round bone, good proportions , balance & angulation. Was tough to come up
against the class winner today.

3 #151 BROOKHAVEN SEARCHIN FOR A RAINBOW (Gregory)

Shown to perfection in excellent body & coat condition. Silky shiny correct coat. Lovely proportions,
plenty of neck, well balanced, a great free mover. Quite the showy dog. Would have preferred more
muzzle and a softer eye for head expression.

4 # 149 FIELDS EDGE NO EXCEPTIONS (Slusher/Slusher)

A nice dog shown in good condition. This is another pretty dog with nice large double pigmented eyes,
well framed by a good ear set . Although he had what he needed in general regarding balance and
proportions, he came up short against the other dogs in the class.

Open Dogs Ruby

1 # 165 KPRPIDE SUNDANCE KID (Reardon)

Nice Ruby dog, presented to perfection and in excellent condition. Lovely coat and pigment on an
exceptionally well balanced dog who was a pleasure to watch move around the ring. I’ve no doubt he
would have done well even against more competition in his class.

Open Dogs Tri-Color

1 # 167 EVESHAM FOOL ME ONCE AT STORYLAND (Gallagher/Glisson)

Very showy dog . This heavily marked Tri-Color overall is a lovely dog. Shown in great condition. Moves
powerfully around the ring with a good topline & tail carriage. Pretty head with long well set ears to
frame it. Nice eyes which are set well on his head.

2 # 169 TRIBEO WISH GRANTED (Barkow/Smith)

Really liked a lot about this dog but he was hard to assess as he wouldn’t stand/stack on the table or the
ground. He looked fabulous on the move.