Windsor Dog Show Society

Windsor Championship Dog Show – Junior Handling Classes

Thank you to the Windsor committee for the invitation to judge the junior handling classes for the duration of the show. I had the opportunity to assess some exceptional handlers and all decisions were taken in a very sporting manner.

Day 1 – Utility and Terrier

JHA 6-11 (8,0)

1st: Olivia Mitchell, handled her Boston Terrier in a very sympathetic manner, using her voice to give gentle encouragement throughout. When I asked to see the dog’s teeth she did so gently and calmly with consideration for her dog, ensuring I had an unobstructed view. Pattern work was carried out well, with her Boston gaited at the correct speed. Ensured her dog was stood correctly for assessment and whenever I looked across. I particularly liked Olivia’s unobtrusive handling style.

2nd: Jessica Carter handled her Border Terrier and did all that was asked with efficiency. Presentation of teeth could have been clearer, but was done so gently. Lost out today as her pattern work wasn’t quite as neat as Olivia, but a very good performance, which with continued practice between shows will surely improve.

3rd: Madison Hatch handling a Eurasier. Madison did a good job with her free stood dog, who wasn’t giving her the easiest of tasks today. She did all that was asked competently, just lacked the polish of 1 & 2.

Res: Kiera Barbor - Shar Pei

VHC: Freyer Heart - Shih Tzu

JHA 12-16 (7, 0)

1st: Elise O'Connor handled her Tibetan Terrier with a quiet confidence and didn’t put a foot wrong. She used her voice to encourage her dog throughout and showed the teeth with precision and empathy. Pattern work was precise and flowing. Her TT was gaited at the correct pace at all times. She kept one eye on me and had her dog stood to advantage whenever I looked over.

2nd: Emily Morris also handling a Tibetan Terrier. I notice I awarded Emily the Richmond Utility 6-11 years semi-final in 2013 and she has continued to build on that good standard since then. She pushed Elise hard throughout this class and made it a very difficult decision for me. Emily didn’t put a foot wrong and carried out all that was asked precisely. I just felt she lacked that extra edge of confidence that would have seen her take this class. Emily has the potential to go to the top.

3rd: Abby Webb also handling a Tibetan Terrier. Completing a fabulous trio of handlers that the TT fraternity must be immensely proud of. Abby did a sterling job, but just lacked the polish of 1 & 2.

Res: Shania Bircham - Shar Pei

VHC: Harry New - Norfolk Terrier

Day 2 – Working and Pastoral

JHA 6-11 (6, 1)

1st: Stevie-Lou Norley handling her Siberian Husky. She presented her dog confidently in the stand, showed teeth clearly to me with kindness and empathy, and used her voice to offer gentle encouragement throughout. Pattern work was carried out to a high standard, gaiting her charge at the correct speed resulting in correct flowing movement.

 2nd: Paige Hughes also handling a Siberian Husky. Close up to one. She was clearly very aware of how her dog was standing, which resulted in it looking spot-on whenever I viewed her. They flowed round the ring as one, and pattern work was completed with precision and competence. I moved the dog’s leg on the stand, which Paige failed to move back, and teeth presentation could have been better, which saw her take 2nd behind Stevie-Lou.

3rd: Isobel Khawaja handling her Shetland Sheepdog. A very competent young handler, Isobel showed her Sheltie to a high standard, completing pattern work efficiently. When showing the teeth Isobel did so gently and with encouragement. She didn’t put a foot wrong, just needs a little more polish to contend with 1 & 2.

Res: Abbie Green - BMD

VHC: Chloe Green - BMD

JHA 12-16 (5, 1)

1st: Nicole Owles handling her Newfoundland. A flawless performance from Nicole. Completed all that was asked to a very high standard and stood out in this class. Used the space available to show her dog off to advantage, moving at the correct pace to demonstrate a lovely flowing movement. Teeth were presented efficiently with kindness and without obstruction. A very polished and professional performance.

2nd: Lucy Green handling a Border Collie. Lucy is a very competent handler that did all that was asked with efficiency and precision. She moved her dog at the correct pace and completed pattern work neatly with ease. Lost out to Nicole on teeth presentation; Lucy remember to direct the dogs head up towards the judge so they have an unobstructed view. Overall a very good performance and I loved Lucy’s quiet confident handling style.

3rd: Catherine Broaders handling a St Bernard. Pushed 1 & 2 hard and I’m sure that these three will often swap places. Catherine did a lovely job, completed all that was asked to a high standard, and used the ring available to really get her St Bernard moving out. Lost out on a higher placing as her dog was stood wide in front on the last set-up.

Res: Saffron Hughes - Border Collie

Day 3 – Gundog

JHA 6-11 (12, 0)

1st: Amelia Tatum handling a Weimaraner. A lovely job from Amelia, she had her dog stood to perfection at all the right times. Smartly dressed, she carried out pattern work with accuracy whilst maintaining the correct speed for her dog. Teeth were shown with sympathy and kindness, using her voice as gentle encouragement.

2nd: Sophie Bell handling a Hungarian Vizsla. Another very competent young handler, Sophie carried out all that was asked with ease and didn’t put a foot wrong. Pattern work was neat and teeth shown with empathy. For me, she just lacked the polish of Amelia.

3rd: Sacha Leigh also handling a Hungarian Vizsla. Did a competent job, and accurately presented teeth without obstruction. Pattern work was neatly carried out. However just needs a little more polish.

Res: Fleur Walker - SWD

VHC: Elizabeth Hodgkinson - SWD

JHA 12-16 (15, 0)

1st: Georgia Brown handling an English Springer Spaniel. A professional performance from Georgia who quietly handled her ESS to perfection. Pattern work was executed to the highest standard and she has a lovely rapport with her dog. Handling with a confident style, nothing was exaggerated or overdone, she was gentle & considerate & encouraged her dog throughout. Georgia & her dog where presented to perfection. Overall a natural performance from an impressive handler.

2nd: Bobbi Shepherd handling a Field Spaniel. Very close up to one, I was literally splitting hairs. Bobbi has done well under me in past judging appointments, and she keeps getting better. She has an elegant poise, and a quiet handling manner. She displayed some of the neatest pattern work I saw over the course of the show, and had her dog looking its best at all times. I am sure 1 & 2 must regularly swap places, for me Georgia just had the edge today.

3rd: Ellie Dudley handling a Hungarian Wirehaired Viszla. Ellie did a lovely job and completed all that was asked to a high standard. Her pattern work was neat and she showed nice rapport with her dog. I just felt she was not quite as polished as 1 & 2.

Res: Abigail Levene - ESS

VHC: Eleanor Black - NSDT

Day 4 –Hound and Toy

JHA 6-11 (9, 3)

1st: Isobel Perry handling an English Toy Terrier. Isobel carried out all that was asked to a good standard. Her pattern work was the neatest in the class. She had a notable rapport with her dog and was very patient when it was not co-operating on the table.

2nd: Caitlin Tree handling a Dachshund (Miniature Smooth Haired). Caitlin put in a lovely performance and had a good rapport with her dog. Presentation of teeth could have been slightly better, but she carried out her pattern work precisely and to a good standard.

3rd: Charlotte Freudenreich handling a Basset Hound. Charlotte showed good potential and handled her Basset to a good standard. Pattern work was competently completed, she just wasn’t as neat as 1 & 2 today.

Res: Alyssa Ellison - Bichon Frise

VHC: Laila-Mai Ogborn -Chih S/C

JHA 12-16 (6, 0)

This was one of the best classes in terms of quality and the handlers gave me some hard decisions to make.

1st: Robyn Arnall handling a Bichon Frise. I judged Robyn in 2011 at Crufts where I awarded her the class handling a Shetland Sheepdog. Pleased to see that she has continued to get better with experience. Smartly dressed to complement her Bichon, they put in a foot-perfect performance. Pattern work was executed precisely without losing momentum, and their rapport was second to none. Robyn has a confident handling style with nothing exaggerated or overdone which I really like. Such a natural handler, she is a pleasure to watch in the ring.

2nd: Abbeygail Longhurst handling a Whippet. Abbeygail pushed Robyn hard in this class, putting in a faultless performance. She had a good rapport with her dog and completed pattern work to an exceptionally high standard. She showed dogs teeth clearly and with empathy. Abbeygail and her Whippet were presented to perfection and make a great pairing. A great performance, I just felt that Abbeygail lacked a bit of confidence today that would have given an edge.

3rd: Jazmin Bellenie handling a Portuguese Pondengo. Another exceptional handler that pushed hard. Jazmin did all that was asked, to a very high standard. She demonstrated a good rapport with her dog and completed pattern work neatly. 1 & 2 just had a bit more polish on the day.

Res: Sophie Wildig - Affenpinscher

VHC: Brooke Murray - Australian Silky

Judge: Lisa J. Moir