First Place in Junior - Dog, Judge: Mr Peter Armstrong (Atron)
I would first like to thank the Officers and Committee of Leeds City & District Canine Association Championship Show for inviting me to judge at their show, and for the hospitality shown to me on the day. However, most of all, thank you to all the exhibitors for providing me with such a quality entry to assess on this, my first appointment in the breed at this level. I had the privilege of going over so many quality dogs that difficult decisions often had to be made. As always, coats were at different stages, sometimes reflected in the placings, but coats come and go, construction does not. I did not discern any kinked tails and no bad temperaments were apparent. The adequately sized ring however was quite difficult for the exhibitors to circumnavigate, with varying gradients, going uphill away from the judge, coming back downhill but with another gradient across the ring to cope with as well. There were several bumps and hollows in the ring as well, in places which made standing your exhibit to best effect not quite so easy. Many astute exhibitors realising this changed their handling technique to cater for this, some did not
Lovely grizzle dog. Beautifully balanced dog who possesses a super otter like head with super dark eye and keen expression, strong muzzle and big teeth. Nice neck and forehand into narrow shoulders with firm level topline, easily spanned and correctly set on short carrot tail, which he carried well. Great rear hindquarters and short pasterns, which he used to advantage to stride out around the ring. Small neat feet. Presented and handled really well. To be critical, just lacking topcoat condition at present. Was considered for further honours, perhaps on another day.