First Place in Open - Bitch, 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.
on first glance at this one, everything looked so right, and she confirmed this on the table and move. She has the most beautiful otter shaped head which was so feminine, dark eye. Narrow throughout without losing any substance, correct in upper arm, that led into well laid back shoulders, good length of rib,firm topline, strong loin, into well muscled hindquarters. Her coat was the best I had felt of the day, so harsh and dense, with plenty of undercoat and ample pelt. Moved out so well, lovely action covering the ground with a free and easy stride. Balanced and unexaggerated throughout she had everything I was looking for in an earth dog. Best Bitch and Best in Show.