Hampshire Gundog Society

Lagotto Romagnolo

I would like to thank the committee for inviting me to judge and to the Lagotto exhibitors for supporting me with their entry at this, my first judging appointment. There were some good examples of the breed for me to go over and in a couple of classes the decision was very close. I do note that a number of the dogs, when moved away, were crabbing. I suspect that this was due to the handler having a tight lead on the dog which makes the dog pull sideways against the tight lead. 

P (4 2) 1 Norbury & Adkins-Fry’s Bedeslea Pradasphere (B), a square proportioned nearly 1 year old bitch with a leg length greater than body depth. Skull longer than muzzle. A straight, slightly sloping top line held while moving. Moved well in profile with rear feet following in place of front feet. Liked her proportions and movement BOB & BP. 2 Cuddy’s Bedeslea Prada Paradox (D), litter brother to 1. Another square proportioned example of the breed. Larger than 1 as would be expected with a dog. Head proportions correct with skull length greater than muzzle. Stood with straight forelegs and moderate rear angulation. Straight top line. Rear movement a little close going away, good in profile but not quite as put together as 1. 

 SY (6 1) 1 Reed’s Mizani Spring Daisy (B), a nice looking, just 1 year old bitch. Square in shape with a straight top line. Head with correct proportions. Front leg length greater than body depth. Well angulated rear legs perhaps a little more than I liked. Staight top line held while moving. 2 Cuddy’s Bedeslea Prada Paradox (D), as before but moved a little straighter this time. 3 Cassin’s Clamerkin Meadow Brown (B). 

 PG, (1 0) 1 Shah’s Lamese Lucia (B), a squarely proportioned nearly 4 years old bitch. Front legs longer than body depth. Head proportions correct. Top line not quite straight. Moderate rear angulation. Moved nicely straight out and back and in profile.

O (4 2) 1 Lillicrap’s Mizani Sebio Iola (B), a squarely proportioned bitch with front legs longer than body depth. Head proportions good. Stood with straight forelegs and moderately angulated rears. Moved well out and back with front and rear legs parallel RBOB. 2 Ferguson’s, Truffalusa November Moon from Mizani (D), four and half year old taller dog. Stood straight and true with fore legs longer than body depth. Squarely proportioned. Straight, slightly sloping top line held on the move. Nice looking dog. Some crabbing while moving out and back which resulted in second place. 

Simon Whittick (Allsong)