Kent County Canine Association

Kent County Canine Association

Firstly , I would like to extend my thank you to the committee for inviting me to judge & become an emergency judge for all 3 poodle sizes. Thank you to my efficient steward Carole for making the ring run speedy. 

German Spitz (Mittel) 

Junior - 1

1. Pufnstuf Is Leu Affair At Vixenstar 

A male I had judged before as a young puppy, he did not disappoint again today. He is of good size and almost square in outline , his best attribute is his front , straight legs with neat cat like feet. He has filled into his head even more with his small triangular ears framing his dark oval eyes. This young boy can move, he covered the ground with purpose and drive. BOB

Japanese Spitz 

Open - 1

1. Ferrybelle’s Take It Easy

A pretty, feminine girl of good overall shape and pleasing proportions. Lovely correct ear set and size, with good ear placement contributing to her attractive expression. Good muzzle length, giving a pleasing balance to the head. Correct coat type with good texture and presentation. Good pigment throughout. A quality young lady with many pleasing breed characteristics. BOB

I was the emergency judge for Poodles as the scheduled judge was unfortunately unable to attend. I genuinely enjoyed my time judging the breed and was grateful for the opportunity to gain more experience in the ring.

That said, I was disappointed by the reaction of one exhibitor to not winning. I completely understand that I may not have been the judge they had hoped to be under, and I appreciate that not every exhibitor will agree with every decision a judge makes. However, once you choose to stay and exhibit under a substitute judge, you are accepting that judge’s opinion, whether you agree with it or not.

Unfortunately on this occasion, the exhibitor walked away before I had the opportunity to write my critique. I was also made aware of comments being made ringside about my judging, which were reported back to me and, I understand, were overheard by several other exhibitors. I would much rather an exhibitor disagree with my decision openly and respectfully than make comments from ringside after the judging has taken place.

Despite this, I still felt it was important to write a critique for the dog. Regardless of the placing, I had genuinely found the dog impressive and there were qualities I wanted to acknowledge. My critique was never going to be influenced by the exhibitor’s reaction.

I have to be honest and say that, as a young judge, this did affect me. I am still developing my confidence and experience in the ring, and while I fully accept that judging means making decisions that not everyone will agree with, I also believe that basic courtesy and sportsmanship are important.

I have every respect for experienced exhibitors, and I would expect that experience to come with an understanding that judges are entitled to their own interpretation of the breed standard. You may not agree with my opinion, and that is absolutely your right. However, I would hope that the decision can still be accepted professionally, particularly when the judge has stepped in at short notice to ensure the breed could be judged.

Today was a valuable learning experience for me, and I will take both the positives and negatives from it. I will continue to judge honestly, fairly and to the best of my ability, regardless of whether my decisions are the ones an exhibitor hoped for.

Ultimately, we are all here because we love our dogs and our breeds. We will not always agree, but we can disagree respectfully. I hope that in future, even when the result isn't what someone wanted, the same level of courtesy and sportsmanship can be shown to the person standing in the middle of the ring making the decisions.

Poodle (Toy) 

Puppy - 1

1. Aftershine Penny Drops At Einara 

An outstanding white bitch with an abundance of breed type. She has a wonderfully elegant outline and presence, combined with a lively and spirited temperament. Excellent head proportions with a good length of muzzle, contributing to a refined and balanced expression. Lovely tail set, with a strong, straight topline and good overall construction. A very promising young puppy with many excellent breed qualities, and one I believe has a bright future ahead of her. BPIB

Junior - 3 

1. Afterglow Go With The Flo

A lovely black bitch with a beautiful overall shape and a very pleasing outline. She is a good size for the breed and has plenty of breed type, with a lovely balance between elegance and substance. Her head is very well proportioned, with a good length and balance, giving her a really feminine expression. She has good muscle tone and is nicely put together, with a strong, balanced body and a lovely topline. What really stood out to me was her movement. Her side gait was absolutely impressive and was something I genuinely couldn't take my eyes off. She moved with such freedom, reach and drive, covering the ground beautifully while maintaining a lovely outline. She showed herself extremely well in motion and really caught my attention every time she went around the ring. She has that overall presence that makes you stop and look, and for me, she is a great example of being fit for function which is something I believe should always be considered when judging a breed with the history, purpose and capabilities of the Poodle. A very lovely bitch who I thoroughly enjoyed judging. In my eyes, she has the quality and overall package to go on and become a Champion, and I would be very surprised if she doesn't have a very successful future ahead of her. BOB 

2. Aftershine Penny Drops At Einara 

Repeat , just less developed than 1. 

3. Greateaves Isanti 

Limit - 2 (2 abs) 

Open - 3

1. Afterglow Go With The Flo

She came alive even more in this class , which ultimately won her the class. 

2. Vicmar Gaievals The Girl Is Mine 

Another very impressive young bitch with plenty of breed type and a lovely overall presence. She is very well built, with good balance and proportion throughout, and to my eye she had a more finished and mature appearance than the class winner. She has a lovely head with good proportions, a good length of muzzle and a pleasing, typical expression. Nice ear set and carriage, with good overall balance through the neck and shoulders. Her topline is good and she has a well set tail, giving her a smart and balanced outline when standing. She also has good substance and muscle tone, with sound construction. Her coat is of good type and texture, adding to the overall quality of the exhibit. On the day, my first placed bitch just had a little more extension and freedom through her overall outline, which was enough to separate them for me. I did wonder whether the flooring had some effect on the movement and presentation, as it is certainly something that can influence how a young dog uses itself in the ring. RBOB

3. Greateaves Isanti 

Poodle (Miniature) 

Puppy (abs)

Junior - 3

1. Serenci’s Warm Welcome 

Good shape and pleasing overall balance. Lovely head with good proportions and a very nice expression. Good correct front with tight, straight feet and good overall construction. I would just like to see him pick up his pace slightly to allow his movement and full potential to show. A promising young dog. RBOB

2. Ubora’s Don’t Stop Me Now

Lovely silver dog with a very pleasing head and good breed type. Good proportions and a nice expression, with a good overall shape and balance. Nice front and feet, with good substance and muscle tone. He was not quite as settled on the move today as my first placed dog, and I felt this affected how well he showed his overall construction and movement. Still a very nice exhibit with plenty of quality and potential.

3. Prissie Red Lady

Limit (abs)

Open (1)

1. Maldavale Bielsa 

My notes just say ‘Wow what a dog” I have admired this male from ringside on previous occasions, so it was a real pleasure to finally have the opportunity to go over him myself. When you think of a Poodle, this is the sort of male that immediately comes to mind. He has fabulous breed type and a lovely overall presence, with a very attractive head, good proportions and a beautiful, typical expression. Excellent overall shape and balance, with a good level topline and a lovely outline. Good front, feet and overall construction, with plenty of substance and muscle tone without losing the elegance and refinement you want in a Poodle. Lovely coat type which really adds to his overall presentation. He certainly did not disappoint when I went over him, and everything I have admired from ringside was there to appreciate up close. He has the quality, presence and soundness that really caught my eye, and he was an absolute pleasure to judge. A truly fabulous male who I thoroughly enjoyed having in my ring. BOB

Poodle (Standard)

Puppy - 1

1. Volgarus Stormbreaker

An 8 month old puppy who I can only describe as a big clown! Full of character and certainly kept me entertained in the ring. Correct scissor bite and a pleasing head with good proportions and a lovely expression. Good coat texture coming through nicely, with plenty of promise as it develops. Good angulation and a nice overall shape. He has plenty to like and I think there is a lot of potential there. Once this cheeky young man decides to behave himself and show me what he can really do, I can imagine he should do very well. A promising puppy who I look forward to seeing develop and mature. BPIB

Junior - 2 

1. Hope Dreams Come True

Young apricot bitch with good breed type and a pleasing overall shape. She has a very nice, correct head with good proportions and a lovely expression, giving her a very typical Poodle look. Good level topline and a nice rear assembly, with good angulation behind and good overall balance. She showed good drive on the move and was a pleasure to watch, with plenty of enthusiasm and purpose. Just a touch narrow through the chest at present, although she is still young and I would expect this to develop and broaden with maturity. RBOB

2. Volgarus Stormbreaker 

Repeat of 1st puppy

Limit - 1

1. Volgarus Stormbreaker 

Repeat of 1st puppy

Open - 1 

1. Vicmar’s Push Ahead 

3 year old black bitch with a lovely overall shape and very good topline. Beautiful head with good proportions and lovely dark, almond shaped eyes, giving her an excellent expression. Good overall construction and balance. A real powerful mover with plenty of reach and drive, covering the ground well and showing herself beautifully in profile. Lovely to watch on the move and a very impressive bitch with plenty of breed type and quality. BOB