First Place in Veteran - Dog, Judge: Ms Tina Jones (Otterholme)
My sincere thanks to the committee for the kind invitation to judge at my first club show, I enjoyed the day immensely. Thank you to my efficient stewards Tina Morgan, Rachel Larner and Wendy Mooney, show manager for keeping things running so smoothly.
My thanks must go to the exhibitors for bringing along their dogs today, and the sporting acceptance of my decisions.
I did note some untypical heads, which for me lacked for me the characterising feature of the breed, I found such heads to be somewhat exaggerated with too much stop, not the ‘moderately’ broad skull I was looking for.
On the whole, I found mouths were good, a couple of level bites, and one or two with misaligned teeth, but it was pleasing to find big strong teeth in most exhibits.
I was very pleased with my class winners; some decisions were very close especially in the bitch classes. In both sexes there were some promising youngsters coming through which can only auger well for the breed.
G & T, who belies his 9 years. Workmanlike dog, going over this dog you get to fully appreciate his many qualities. From nose to tail, he is so balanced and unexaggerated throughout. Typical in head, in total proportion with good strong muzzle and correct dentition. Good length of neck following into well placed shoulder, correct in upperarm, narrow front, lovely length of rib, level topline, that he held throughout. Racy and muscular hindquarters that were used to advantage, purposeful and sound on the move which was a reflection of his sound construction. Presented in a decent harsh jacket with ample pelt, which completed the picture. For me he presented a really pleasing picture of an sound and honest border fit for function, just what I was looking for, he looked capable of doing a day’s work and more, couldn’t deny him BV& Best Dog