First Place in Junior - Bitch, Judge: Mrs Lesley Gosling (Akinside)
Showers, wind and sunshine made for a tactically difficult day for my solo steward, Elaine Waddington, who managed to keep the paperwork dry and get dogs moving in and out of the ring very smoothly. My grateful thanks to her and to all the exhibitors who stoically remained outside as the rain continued to plague us throughout the judging. Not weather the dogs enjoyed much either while standing about.
The entry was very mixed. The dog classes were marginally better and more consistent than the bitches. Fronts are improving but movement still needs attention, both fore and aft, with some hackney front action creeping in. Most heads were breed typical with one or two exceptions which were rather boxy and out of proportion. I was surprised and dismayed to find a large number of dentition problems in both puppies and adults. There were very small teeth, dirty teeth, teeth misaligned and one undershot mouth. Several lacked any depth of coat and were in their undercoats or single coated, with no undercoat at all. Feet were mostly good, but a couple of exhibits were down on their pasterns; claws were in need of attention on one or two exhibits.
I first saw this young bitch at the BTC Ch Show in March this year at Low Hesket and was struck by her outline, overall type and femininity. I was delighted to get my hands on her today and she didn’t disappoint. Beautiful outline and the sweetest of heads, dark eye, well set ears, very little stop, broad skull on good reach of neck. She balances well, has everything in proportion and moves out steadily – easily spanned. Sadly, her coat is on the way out, spoiling the overall picture but it is of good texture and depth. ResBCC.