First Place in Open - Dog, Judge: Tan Nagrecha (Chandimore)
My first time giving ccs in this lovely breed and an experience I enjoyed immensely .
To dig deep into such a numerically good entry and try find a pattern to type combined with condition and structure with good movement is always fruitful and I felt my line ups were good and uniform in general .
As a non specialist my intention was to find a specimen of good type but most importantly of the correct proportions and tail set and carriage . a dog in fit hard condition that can keep up with the horse and hounds on any terrain . short legs and deep chested dogs were not to my interpretation .
Dogs with good leg length and ground clearance with height at the withers being greater, a correct topline and underline ,a tail set off the back and at 45 degrees carriage were highly rewarded .
Expression is key and the otter head and expression is easily recognisable in the good ones .
Whilst most were spannable the correct flat ribs and loose pelting was few and far between .
there he stood nothing overdone or fancy totally correct to my eye ,today his body score conditioning and coat were right on the money and put down beautifully .
His profile is everything I consider correct for the breed, he has leg length , the required height at the withers , strong backline with well set ribs extending back , for me his rib shape with those flat ribs were exactly what makes him so functional and gives him that flexible pelt ,
His head is ok with enough detail ,some may find it perhaps a little old fashioned but it did not displease me in any way , I just loved him for size, outline and hands on a dream to go over, correct tail and carriage and he moves with purpose and I can see him go all day . loved him and pleased to give him the cc and best of breed .