Second Place in Junior - Dog, Judge: Mrs Karen Stockley (Foxfactor)
My thanks to the Officers and Committee for giving me the opportunity to undertake my first Breed Club judging appointment and my stewards Ken Mackenzie and Margaret Warren for their assistance in the ring.
My enjoyable day started with the picturesque drive to the venue, in the sunshine, a rarity lately! Grateful thanks also to the competitors for an entry of 111 (5 NFC) making 141 entries affording me the opportunity to go over some lovely dogs and sportingly accepting my choices.
The majority were in good coat and condition, a couple difficult to span, due more to being a little plump rather than in construction. All males were entire (a few would have benefited from a hygienic wipe for better presentation !), no kinked tails, one incorrect mouth and a couple of ‘acceptable’ level bites and some teeth really needed cleaning. I was surprised by the amount of untidy feet and overlong claws considering how claws can ultimately affect posture, balance and movement. I was pleased with both my line ups and had some close decisions to make.
12 mths grizzle,another dog with an ottery head,good breadth of foreface,shallow stop leading to moderately broad flat skull with neat well shaped ears laying close to cheeks,good reach of neck,narrow straight front,spans easily,well ribbed back with a good top line ,shown with good harsh coat although he looked as though his sides and belly had been recently tidied giving a ‘half and half’ look in profile appearance,moved well both ways,unlucky to meet 1 in such good form.