Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Club Of UK

Firstly I’d like to thank the committee for inviting me to judge at your lovely show, thank you to the exhibitors who entered under me today. It’s so nice to see a breed be so encouraging towards their handlers, both juniors and adults! You all did a wonderful job and I was truly splitting hairs. I’d also like to thank my very efficient stewards, Lois and Linda, who kept the ring moving perfectly. 

One thing worth noting is knowing the difference between showing the bite and the teeth. This tripped quite a few handlers up today. The bite, which I asked every handler for, is just showing the front of the mouth. Also I saw a lot more of the handler’s own heads rather than their dog’s mouths, just be careful of how you position yourselves whilst showing mouths. 

I am a stickler for neat corners and not over showing. I would rather see you blend into the background and show off your dog rather than seeing exaggerated showing. I also think quite a few of the handlers could do with a confidence boost. This is about having fun with your dog! Smile and enjoy it!

JUNIOR HANDLING

6-11 (0/0) 

12-16 (2/1)

1st Chase Westwood

Chase was smartly presented today and showed his dog well. I did ‘only’ ask for an up and down here as I wanted to see his lead control rather than any fancy patterns. His overall control was good however his line did curve quite a bit. I particularly liked how much his dog wanted to please him and was happy to do whatever he asked, a clear bond between dog and handler. Well done! BJH

ADULT HANDLING

17-35 (6/0)

1st Emily Rice

Beautifully presented to complement her dog. One thing I really liked about Emily, was that she was enjoying herself with her lovely dog. She had the neatest of pattern work of the day, I couldn’t fault her. She blended into the background and let her dog shine, which is what I was looking for. I’d happily hand over one of my dogs to her. BAH

2nd Elizabeth Gough

I really had to split hairs between these 2 handlers, lovely neat corners, straight lines. She had her dog presented so well. She was aware of where I was at all times. She worked so well with her dog. Her shadowing was spot on. 

3rd Shelbi Lodge

Unfortunately came up behind 2 handlers in fine form today! She was well presented and generally had really tidy handling. However she just needs to be careful of where the judge is as she did come between me and her dog. Neither less, a lovely performance today. 

36-55 (7/2)

1st James Head

Really nice handling today, well turned out- both dog and handler. He needs to be a little more confident in himself. He had the best corners of the class. He was aware of where I was at all times. His shadow work was great. In the challenge, he lost out to Emily due to not seeing where my feet were positioned before setting off. I was really splitting hairs between these 2 in the challenge. 

2nd Caroline Hipkiss

Really nicely presented, complimented her dog really well. Again another that needs to be more confident in her handling. The first corner of her triangle was faultless, however the second went slightly off. Shadow work was good. 

3rd Nikki Rice

Again so well presented. She was dealing with a dog who wasn’t wanted to shadow today but she dealt with it with a smile and didn’t get frustrated. Her up and down started off well but veered off on the way back. Like Emily, she blended into the background. 

56+ (8/2)

1st Leslie Gibson

The smile on Leslie’s face throughout the class was so nice to see, I felt he was actually having fun with his dog. I later found out it was his first handling class, I honestly wouldn’t have guessed! Lines and corners were spot on. He had a lovely rapport with his dog. In the challenge, I think he got a little flustered, so his reverse triangle wasn’t as neat as Emily’s and James’. However I loved watching this pair and really hope he continues. 

2nd Helen Golding

Helen was so neat with everything she did. She took her time to make sure her dog was set up and presented to top level. The one thing that split between 1 and 2 was that instead of carrying on from the triangle into the up and down. Otherwise I couldn’t fault her. 

3rd Patrick Fielder

Really nice handling of a fidgety dog. Patrick needs to be more confident with his handling, because his pattern work was tidy. Be less rushed, take your time to get your dog looking its best, it will help your dog be less fidgety.