Bedford & District Canine Society

Bedford & District Canine Society

21st September 2019

Firstly, I would like to thank the committee for inviting me to be a replacement judge for Carol Moore and also many thanks to the exhibitors for accepting me and bringing their lovely dogs under me.

YKC Members’ Handling 6-11 yrs

I was looking for the correct lines and patterns in these classes as well as what I feel is the more important part the repour with the dog and handler – a good handler in my opinion is one that really understands their dog and brings out the best in them even if they are being tested by a picklish dog in the ring! I was really impressed with all handlers and some classes I did find it hard to decide placings but in this case went with the repour that I could see.

1st Miah Jones – aged 9

A very sympathetic handler with her dog who tested her several times but she didn’t loose her nerve and showed him to the best of advantage.

2nd Emily Parry – aged 11

Another lovely handler who is quite expert at her patterns and lines but needs to remember to talk to her dog more and not just concentrate on her patterns.

YKC Members’ Handling 12-17yrs

1st Edward Eddery – aged 13yrs

A handler who really understood his dog well – he didn’t over complicate the handling so that it showed his dog off to the best he could – the hand changes for the T were clean and precise never faltering the flow of the dog on the move – well done.

2nd Tamsin Blyton – aged 15yrs

A nice tidy handler who did get the best out of her dog but unfortunately did her T the wrong way round so was marked down for this – but a very lovely handler indeed.

YKC Handling (18-24yrs)

1st Isobel West – 18yrs

Such a soft careful handler with her dog – really understood her dog and I particularly liked how she followed the body down to the legs to move the legs and feet – never just moving individual parts but the whole and gave such confidence to the dog. She did not over-shadow her dog in anyway with over handling. Well done indeed.

2nd Tye Kitchen – aged 18yrs

Lovely combination of handler and dog, however, lost attention a few times on the stack but lovely neat lines – well done .

English Setters

Thank you for accepting me as a replacement judge, I understand there was a breed day on the same day so understand the absentees. But thank you for your entries and was pleased with the dogs that I had on the day.

Puppy – 1 Absent

Junior – 3 entries – 2 absent

1st Bryant & Hollis Silvamoon Storm Trooper for Phenset JW

16mths – lovely shape and outline. Good skull shape with a nice deep muzzle – really good dark eye and good expression. Lovely clean muscular neck leading into well set back shoulders. Nice rounded ribs with good spring just right for the age and maturity. When settled on the move really shone, but took a while to actually co-ordinate his body together, totally acceptable at this age and once he got it together a lovely flowing outline with powerful drive – in the challenge he just outshone on movement so was delighted to award him BOB.

Post Graduate – 4 entries – 3 absent

1st King Richecca Honey Buzzard at Grantastar

Heavier dog throughout and his neck could be firmer and more muscled, however, nice angles and leading into good shoulder placement and good length of back. Good hocks and tail set. Coat could do with some work to get the best out of him.

Open – 3 entries – 1 absent

A difficult class as both were so different and had differing qualities that I liked

1st King Dobbies Delight at Grantastar

Larger dog with more substance throughout, had loose movement which I would have preferred tighter, however, footfall was correct and precise, more muscle I am sure would sort it. Moderate length in back and good sprung ribs with good tail set. He had a lovely head and expression and eye. RBOB

2nd Bryant & Hollis Phenset Firefly

A nice girl who was smaller throughout. She had a lovely outline when stacked and a pretty head. However, on the day her movement let her down where she was close in front on the move and lacked the drive in the rear that I was looking for.

AV Vulnerable Native Breeds

Thank you for accepting me as a stand in judge and for your patience whilst we waited for some exhibits to finish their breed classes. Always difficult when judging order is changed on the day so wanted to make sure everyone that could was able to make the class.

I really enjoyed the class and learning and studying about the breeds before hand – so thank you all.

1st Mcdonald Roannora Montepulciano

Irish Red & White Setter - A nice 3yr old bitch who really used the ring to her advantage – couldn’t fault her movement as she really flowed round the ring on strong muscular body with such straight and true movement. Couldn’t deny her winning the class.

2nd Hayes Ragus Seven Jumps JW

Norwich Terrier – 18mths young girl – short compact body, lovely front assembly with true straight movement fore and aft. Happy little soul who just gave her all.

Judge Gretel Osborn - Elgert