First Place in Puppy - Bitch, 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
10 months old grizzle & tan quality puppy excelling in breed type. Delightful feminine head with shallow stop, correct scissor bite and neat ears. Good reach of neck flowing into well angulated shoulders with good length of rib, carried well back. She has a straight narrow front with strong tight feet, excellent topline with a short carrot tail. Came easy to hand. Well angulated both front and back, Good harsh wire coat with a loose thick pelt. Moved impressively around the ring in her class but in the challenge for Best Puppy seemed to have decided that she had had enough for one day. Will watch her progress with interest.