First Place in Minor Puppy - Dog, Judge: Mrs E Cuthbertson (Ashbrae)
My thanks to Darlington Committee for the invitation to my ring stewards and the exhibitors for your entries. Not having attended a show since they started up again it was quite a surprize and worry to handle some very big dogs. I know size has always been a talking point in the breed but today it was a problem with some of the dogs, bitches were a much better size with some close decisions in their classes.
Another noticeable difference is some exhibitors deciding to run with their dogs, why I don’t know it’s something never seen or needed in the border ring. With some handlers in a class walking around and others deciding to run its not what is expected. Watching a dog and handler move in unison on a good, collected pace is much more acceptable.
1st & 2nd litter brothers both good type and nice body lines, with harsh coats. Preferred the head of 1 with less stop. Both needing plenty of show training but still raw youngsters, feeding on the table doesn’t help making them fidget. Preferred their size to 3.