Driffield Championship Dog Show

ROYAL KENNEL CLUB BREEDERS' COMPETITION – DAY 4 Judge: Tania Gardner I really enjoyed judging these Breeders' Competition classes. For me, it is not just about finding a collection of good individual dogs, but seeing how successfully a breeder has produced a recognisable and consistent type. I was looking for similarity in heads, expression, size, substance and outline, but also how the team came together and presented themselves on the move. Class 2700T – KCBC Hound (14 Entries, 2 Absent) 1st – DUNSDON – Mawali Basenjis A lovely group of very typey Basenjis and a team that I really enjoyed judging. What immediately caught my eye was the consistency throughout the group. I loved their heads, all so alike, with that well-chiselled appearance and alert, intelligent expression which is so typical of the breed. They were very much alike in outline and balance, giving a real impression of a breeder's stamp running through the whole team. On the move they really came together, all displaying the same stylish, light and effortless action. The handlers were also very much in tune with one another, moving in unison and presenting their dogs as a proper team. It was that combination of breed type, uniformity and presentation that really tipped the balance for me. A very worthy winning team. 2nd – PRITCHARD JONES – Rhodesian Ridgebacks Another lovely team of very typey dogs, with plenty to admire. I particularly liked the similarity in their heads and expressions, and they were well matched for size and substance, giving a pleasingly balanced overall picture. They looked like they belonged together and there was a clear consistency running through the team. They moved well, but just did not quite have the same degree of coordination and togetherness as my winners, particularly when the whole team was on the move. A close decision, as there was much I liked here, but the extra polish and unity of my first placed team made the difference on the day. 3rd – FARRAR-HENISSY – Harriers A pleasing team who represented their breed well and completed a competitive class. Class 2701T – KCBC Utility (6 Entries, 0 Absent) 1st – SCHUCKARDT – Frenchland Lhasa Apsos A super team and one that really appealed to me. I loved the consistency in their heads and expressions, with each dog very much alike and instantly recognisable as belonging together. They had lovely breed type and presented a very harmonious picture, with good similarity in their overall proportions and balance. What I particularly liked was how well they worked as a team. The dogs were typey, confident and showed themselves well, while the handlers had clearly put thought into their presentation. Everything came together, both standing and on the move, giving a very coordinated and polished performance. A lovely example of what the Breeders' Competition is all about and deserved winners. 2nd – SCHFALID – Vickvally Boston Terriers Another team I liked, particularly for the similarity in their heads and expressions. There was a good degree of consistency throughout the group and they gave a pleasing impression of recognisable breed type. They moved well together for much of the class and were nicely presented. They just lost a little of their coordination on the faster go-around, which made the difference between first and second for me. Nevertheless, a quality and well-matched team with plenty to like. Tania Gardner (Danwish)