Coventry and Foleshill Canine Association Sunday 4th November 2018
My critiques will be split into two parts firstly the Junior and Adult Handling Classes followed by my first breed appointment for Canadian Eskimo Dogs. Firstly a huge thank you to the Show committee for inviting me to judge at the show and secondly their hospitality on the day. I thoroughly enjoyed judging all the handlers and exhibits. Thank you also to my stewards for keeping everything running smoothly in the ring, most efficient.
Junior Handling Association
All handlers dressed extremely well all with well-presented dogs.
6-11 years (5 from 7 in attendance)
1st – Miss Lauren Bridges a very polite and confident young lady with a real rapport with her chosen breed the black and white border collie. Knowledgeable about the breed and use. Excellent shadowing whilst I made my way among the line-up and on the individual inspection. Showed the teeth precisely and was aware of the dogs position at all times. Wonderful to watch her move the dog around the ring and again knew exactly where she needed to be whilst talking to the dog. A clear class winner.
2nd – Miss Charlotte Wilson again another polite young lady handling a Schipperke. Although one of the clearly younger exhibitors and choosing a table dog this didn’t stop her asking me if she could have assistance lifting the dog safely up. Once on the table confident with teeth and standing and although she knew the breed wasn’t aware of the use so maybe a little doggie knowledge might be useful. Listened to instructions and carried it through with tidy use of the ring.
3rd – Miss Evie Parks with her chosen partner the Labrador had the biggest dog in the line-up. A friendly young lady with both myself and the dog and clearly enjoyed being with him. Not the easiest of dogs to keep still with his happy tail but she kept eye contact with him and yet was aware of my placing and the room within the ring. Again could do with more doggie knowledge on breed use.
Res – Miss Paige Wells chose the most unusual breed the Canadian Eskimo Dog and only a 6 month old puppy! Despite his young age and his lack of ring/handling experience she tried from beginning to end to keep him focused and still. She was a little untidy on her lines for the out and back and triangle as her focus was on the dog listening and getting around the ring which I admit she made great use. With more practise she will certainly do very well as the dog was indeed “handled”.
VHC – Master Ryan Hook handled a gleaming Japanese Spitz and he looked the part in his smart suit. Shadowing was well coordinated and movement was straight. I just felt there was no rapport or flair with the dog and what was requested was completed. I would like to see more engagement with the chosen dog.
12-16 years (2 from 4 in attendance)
1st – Miss Gabriele Bojaroviciute clearly the younger of the two handlers and with her choice of the Miniature Poodle knew the breed and the use quite confidently telling me in great detail. Shadowed well whilst standing on the table and straight in to show the teeth concisely. Seemingly an easier choice to handle wasn’t the case and she worked with the dog at all times keeping lines tidy, encouragement to get the tail up on the move and placed and still on the stand.
2nd – Miss Greta Bojaroviciute and her Standard Poodle seemed to struggle from the start! He certainly had other things on his mind but the handler didn’t give in and although very unwilling she still managed to show teeth and shadow and complete the up and back although didn’t move her position for the triangle.
Adult Handling
All handlers were smartly dressed and although an unusual mix of breeds used all were well presented.
17-35 years
1st – Kelly L Bailey with a friendly faced Estrella Mountain Dog. Clearly knows her breed and her dog keeping him stood in good position or correcting him the whole time. On the move her lines were straight and made excellent use of the ring having a larger dog. Up and back was direct and kept her eye on my position the whole time just on the triangle passed in front but clearly to keep him going steady around the ring. A lovely handler to watch with a lovely rapport with her dog.
36 years + (3 from 5 in attendance)
1st – Michelle Jones and her chosen breed the Hungarian Puli seemed a great team. Confident with him every step of the way and in the line-up was the first to be in the right position when being shadowed. Did all that was asked in a calm and confident manner but in the correct pace for the dog.
2nd – Tracy Cronin sporting a bright red suit which was very smart chose a Siberian Husky which stood out with her. Knew the breed and use. Kept eye contact and charge of her dog at all times and although a little slow on the shadowing did manage to keep the dog stood or corrected when moving her around. Lines could do with being a little straighter but moved at the correct pace.
3rd – Sandra Evans chose the Rottweiler and a nice male. She had a good rapport with the dog and handled him at a good pace on the move, confidently on the stand and whilst showing bite. I learnt
afterwards this was her first time ever in a handling class which explains why she placed herself between the dog and myself on the manoeuvres. With more handling this will change as clearly handling a dog of this type was no challenge.
Canadian Eskimo Dogs
This breed is my passion and I felt so excited to be judging them for the very first time. It’s difficult to be able to judge a breed that is generically small but also that one is so heavily involved in. So I would like to say thank you to all those that exhibited under me. I was thrilled to see an entry of 8 dogs. All of the dogs exhibited were absolutely pristine and presented well, a real credit to all the exhibitors. I would also like to comment on the temperament of all the dogs too. Each and every single one was friendly and happy and I think I gained a kiss from every one of them. Fantastic to see such joyful dogs in the ring and also so good with each other. Keep up the good work breeders and owners.
Junior Dog and Bitch
A fabulous first class with four lovely youngsters. Two dogs and two bitches of varying colours and markings.
1st – Harpan Wilson Bay a red and white male that really stood out from the four when he entered the ring. A gentle but cheeky expression with yellow eyes that were set obliquely and surrounded by the warming brown pigment. Strong jaws and white dentition with scissor bite. Well furred ears and masculine head. Strong neck with already a good covering of mane and cape over the withers of harsh type. His chest is still developing but nice depth leading to strong front leg assembly with good bone and length of leg. Carrying even weight overall with a nice length of loin. Rear was at first a little untidy on the stand but showed straight and true on the move. A good development of muscle on the inner and outer thigh, fabulous for a young dog. With a lovely tail up and over the back and wagging when stood. Best Puppy in breed.
2nd – Harpan Galena Bay also red and white but a much darker red than first. A feminine bitch with the same qualities of number one although darker pigment and less coat as one would expect of a female. She stood and moved with ease although needs to settle more so a better view of her lovely gait and profile can be viewed. Ample leg length, moderate bone and again that cheeky expression. She and number one could easily swap places depending on mood.
3rd- Harpan Charlotte Bay stunningly striking grey and white bitch with black markings. Oblique and dark eye with black pigment. Beautiful face and head with lovely furred ears and stands in a confident stance. Slightly heavier in weight all over than two giving the impression of being shorter in leg and loin. Not as light as two on the move. This one is maybe not at the same growth stage as two but will watch her with interest as she grows.
Res – Harpan Pelly Bay a male with grey and black patches of colour over his head and body. He’s a lovely friendly boy beautifully marked and with a lovely harsh coat. Dark eyes and pigment with thick well furred ears. Another calm and well behaved boy but he’s carrying a little too much puppy fat right now. Had a level topline on the stand and on the move although the extra weight gave him some roll.
Post Graduate
1st – Gerifreki Lysanders Love ** a buff female in nice condition. Lovely ear and eye placement giving a pleasant expression with those lovely yellow eyes and brown pigment. Moderate in bone, with good leg length and slightly longer than tall. Chest deep enough and broad enough and excellent spring of rib. This girl really looks like she can pull and work with the attention and confidence in her expression that shows she has intelligence. Nice tuck up to an angulated rear with excellent muscular condition to inner and outer thigh. Bang on level topline on the move and carried tail up all the time even on the stand showing she’s boss in the ring. My best of breed on the day.
2nd – Gerifeki Oberons Jester ** a white male with buff areas also in nice condition. I loved everything about this male in fact more so than the female. Everything he has as her just in a more masculine way. A stunning mane and cape over withers too showing he’s a truly impressive male. On the stand he stood wide but on close inspection I found his rear construction sound to touch, lovely angles and with excellent muscle. I feel the small ring and handler did him no favours today as he paced on the move at every chance. Truly one with experience can see a working dog in this paced gait but this no change in movement gave me no choice.
Open
1st – Gerifreki Duke Of Athens ** – Standing alone in this class he certainly stands out. A large white male with grey head markings. Everything about this boy is on the larger scale but not all to his advantage! Good bone for his size across the board. He certainly has an excellent coat with a really impressive mane and cape which reached down his back to a super tail. For me his head is a little overdone in width giving a slightly rounder eye but the colour and pigment is fitting. More depth of rib than I would like and little spring and also somewhat narrow. On the stand his topline slightly sloped and on the move although that improved it was still slightly off level. He handled the small ring and floor well on the move and was very focused on his handler. His muscle tone and body condition was very good and even on close inspection of his front and rear he was a very happy boy.
Racheal Bailey (Akna)
