Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Club Of UK

NSDTR Club UK - Handling Classes

First of all, a huge thank you to the NSDTR Club UK for inviting me to judge its handling classes. I was completely blown away by the entry numbers and quality of those entries. This breed has some super handlers across all categories, and you should be incredibly proud! Thank you for the hospitality and to my fabulous steward.

VICTORIA WILKINS (VELVETQUEST)

6-11 (2,1)

1 Emily Windler. A lovely sympathetic handler who was always careful with her dog. Handled with such kindness and care which was a real pleasure to watch. Stood alone in this class but I really loved her handling style. Teeth presentation was excellent, showing the mouth gently and without obstruction. Excellent shadowing when I moved around the dog, and moved at the correct pace, using the full ring. Could be a straighter on the down and back, remember to pick a point and focus on it, and the dog will follow. In the challenge for Best Junior Handler she really focused and put on a great performance and I couldn’t not give her BJH

12-16 (2,0)

1 Chase Westwood. What I loved about this partnership was how at one they were – the dog and handler were totally in tune with each other, and I loved how the dog looked up at him on the move – they have a really special bond that is just really lovely to watch. It’s clear Chase knows his breed well – moved at the correct speed, made full use of the ring to show me the dog’s profile movement. His lines could be a little straighter and tighter in the corners. He lost out on BJH purely through shadowing – remember not to get between the dog and the judge. Great handler with super potential.

2 Elsie Robinson. Another handler with loads of potential but just need to practice more and find her confidence. I thought Elsie’s table presentation was good, but she seemed a little nervous. As she settled into the class, I felt her performance improved. My advice to you would be to listen to what the judge asks you for and when you move off to do your pattern work, pick the point and move towards it, so you run in a straight line. Keep going!

17-35 (7,0)

1 Emily Rice. Emily was most definitely the best handler in this class. She knew where I was at all times and was totally aware of how her dog looked and was presented. She has such a calmness about her which is a real pleasure to watch. She had good, straight lines with nice tight corners, using the available ring to her advantage. When I asked for the bite, she was calm and continued without hesitation, showing me the correct part of the mouth. There was nothing overdone about her and I focused on the dog the whole time. She put in a really competitive performance in the challenge for best handler, and was pushed all the way by James and Patrick, but did shine through in the end

2 Abigail Gregory. Another lovely handler who had a very similar style to 1st place, so many of my comments apply. I especially liked how Abigail spoke to her dog in a a calm manner, always reassuring her charge. She used the ring to her full advantage, moving at the correct speed for the breed. If I was to offer constructive feedback, it would be to work on your corners so they are a little bit tighter to add that extra polish to your pattern work. She has the makings of a great handler, and I would love to see her grow.

3 Jess Johnson. Unfortunately Jess did get between the judge and the dog, however she had such an empathetic handling style that really scored well with me. The dog and handler worked as one in this strong class. I thought her approach to showing her charge calmly is something to be admired. Moved in profile well but needs to straighten lines and tighten corners. Well done.

35-55 (6,0)

1 James Head. I fell in love with James’ handling! What a smart handler, presented beautifully and really in tune with his dog. He really pushed for overall handler and the only thing that let him down was that he didn’t have full hold of his lead and it was very loose and spilling out of his hand. It’s those finer details that really matter when you have two great handler. I thought he was extremely considered, good teeth, excellent shadowing and so smartly presented. I also loved his patternwork. Keep up the fab work.

2 Julie Beaumont. Another handler who kept James on his toes! I just felt today that 1 had tidier patternwork, but that was absolutely splitting hairs. Julie had a lovely rapport with her dog who listened to her every request. She had the best presentation of teeth in this class. She took her time to understand what pattern I had asked for and maintained her calmness. Her outfit complemented the dog and I really enjoyed their partnership, plus the calm nature.

3 Natalie Kemp. The handling was so strong in this class that very similar comments apply to Natalie. Constructively, I would offer that the corners could be tighter to avoid the ‘teardrop’ end to an up and down. Another handler who looked like they were really enjoying themselves in the class and gave 110%. You should be really pleased in this very strong class.

56+ (11,1)

1 Patrick Fielder. Another well turned out handler who didn’t disappoint! Patrick caught my eye as soon as he entered the ring, and totally switched on his performance which I really liked. Handling classes start from the moment you enter that ring, and this was what really caught my eye with this handler. Excellent shadow work which to me was spotless. I liked how he was aware of where I was at all times, which is what handling is about. Patternwork was excellent, and presented the dog at the correct distance when stacking at the end. A super job, and I’ll watch your handling career with interest!

2 Helen Golding. Strong handler who kept nipping at Patrick’s heels! The placings were incredibly close, and I was really splitting hairs between the top competitors. Helen had a lovely relationship with her dog, who was attentive and responsive to everything she asked of her charge. She gave the best presentation of teeth in the class, making it look effortless. Throughout the class she remained calm and composed, which was reflected in her dog's performance. Good patternwork and presentation, but just felt that Patrick had the edge on shadowing today.

3 Tina Westwood. Another experienced handler who clearly knows the breed – moving at the correct space, and always aware of the dog’s foot placements to ensure it is standing correctly. Good teeth presentation and identified that I had moved the foot. Would prefer tighter corners and use of the full ring, but it had been a long day of classes up until then! Really nice partnership – a pleasure to watch.