First Place in Open - 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
I have watched this dog many times from the ringside and admired his outstanding qualities and was not disappointed after going over him. Superb blue & tan epitomising breed type, well-proportioned skull with sufficient strength of foreface and possessing a lovely quizzical expression. Lovely straight, narrow front with neat feet. Correct width and depth of chest, good length of body and strength of loin, when asked stood effortlessly without any external influence completely balanced. Well presented in good harsh, dense coat with a thick pliable pelt. Moved well covering the ground soundly both in profile and fore and aft. Today just did not seem to have the ring presence of the eventual Dog C.C. winner in the challenge. Well deserved Reserve Dog CC.