Second Place in Veteran - Dog or Bitch, Judge: Mrs Elizabeth Barrett (Howthwaite)
Firstly, I would like to thank the committee for inviting me to judge their show, and thank you to the exhibitors for the lovely entry. Thank you also to my ring stewards Jem Thomas and Paul Brannan for their hard work and efficiency in keeping the classes running smoothly. I had some very pleasant surprises on the day when going over new dogs. Some dogs I found to be much lighter to handle than they appear from the ringside and also in the same vein, two or three were way over an acceptable departure from the standard weight. I found what I was looking for in so much as I believe we should be looking at the whole dog in balance. I sometimes think it is easy to get so hooked up on breed points that we lose sight of the whole picture. There were one or two difficult decisions on the day, but the dogs with balance, lightness and lack of exaggeration were generally rewarded and I do like to see a dog “active” as the standard calls for.
Grizzle and tan dog. One I have always admired both for type and balance in profile. He certainly hasn’t lost this with age. Lovely head and expression with dark eye, short strong muzzle, very little stop and well set ears. Lovely neck and shoulders with good return of upper arm. Just right for angulations both front and back. Nice bone and standing on good feet. Good topline and underline. Strong loin. Well set short strong tail. Excellent hindquarters free from exaggeration. Shown in a quality double coat with thick undercoat and pelt. At 11 ½ he is starting to look his age on the move so had to give way to a more youthful veteran today.