Lichfield Canine Society

Thank you to the society for inviting me to judge over the two days of their show, I thoroughly enjoyed myself.   

A few things I noticed in the handling classes was the final touches seemed to be missing. The last presentation to the judge after your pattern work should be about three paces away to give the judge a clear outline of your dog and they should be stood square on the judge. In several classes, placings were changed due to this. Another small but important point: before joining the back of the line, a simple “thank you” goes a long way. There were very few over the two days, and it really can make a difference to the overall picture you present to the judge. Overall, however, there were some lovely handling skills demonstrated, with many people handling particularly young or challenging dogs without letting this phase them.  

Day one  

Junior Handling 6-11 years (4,0) 

Freya Harris- Freya handled a very excitable Australian Shepherd and remained calm throughout. She continued to attempt to stack her dog correctly and readjusted the pace when the dog moved. She had the tightest turn in the class on her up and down and made sure to keep checking my position.  

Evie Johnson- Evie was handling a Border Collie. They made a lovely pair together, her presentation on each stand was correct and she clearly showed me the teeth making sure not to get fingers in the way and positioned the dogs head so I could easily see all three sides of the mouth. Unfortunately, on her up and down she had a wide turn and came back at a different angle, this lost her the class, but it was a lovely performance overall and I would love to see her again.  

Juniour Handling 12-16 (3,1) 

Grace Rutherford- Grace is a handler I have watched grow up in the ring and this was one of the best times I have seen her show, she had a Welsh corgi (Pembroke) today and they were pretty much foot perfect. Neat lines, tight corners very tidy on the table with Grace fading into the background at every opportunity. My focus was always on her dog, the only time I noticed Grace was at the end when she politely said thank you before joining the end of the line and rewarding her dog. A lovely pair to watch! 

Daisy Nicholas- Daisy is a handler I have judged with her Mastiff before and similar comments apply today, she still makes handling a giant breed look effortless. She showed the teeth very well making sure I was able to see everything clearly, she took her time before she set off to make sure her dog would gait correctly. Unordinary when returning to be on her up and down her line went a bit wonky which cost her the class today, but she is overall such a skilful handler that should do great things!  

Adult handling 17-35 years (5,3) 

Amber Simms- This was a wonderful partnership, with Amber handling a Chinese Crested. She spoke to her dog consistently throughout, maintaining a lovely connection. Neat lines and tight corners were shown. A few small points: the lead was slightly untidy on the table, and when asked to show the bite. These are minor details that, once improved, will enhance the overall performance. 

Maja Ratajewska- Maja handled her German Sheperd really weell, she made sure she used all the available rign to gair her dog, stood the dog qui kly and calmly. She showed me all sides of the teeth well. Her lead was also a bit untidy and her corners of her triangle were not as tight at the winners. It was lovely to see her working so well with her dogt hroughout the class.  

Adult handling 36 years and over (8,2)  

Lynn Hodson – Lynn showed a lovely rapport with her Border Collie. She showed the teeth well and kept her lead neat at all times. Her final presentation was the best in the class, standing the correct number of paces away to allow a clear outline, with the dog straight and well presented. She used the ring space effectively throughout  

Laura- Jane Cregg- Laura was a very neat hander, she did everything correctly and make sure her Pomeranian was at its best on the table. She showed teeth without getting her fingers or lead in the way which can be difficult with a small dog. Her corners were lovely and tight, and she always spoke to the dog. Unfortunately, her final presentation was slightly angled, meaning I had to move to see the outline clearly. 

Day two  

Junior handling 6-11 (7,3) 

Miss Barber, A very sweet pairing, there was an obvious rapport with her Border Terrier. Nice work on the table and showed me the teeth correctly without getting her own head in the way. Lots of encouragement was given when needed, but it was not overdone at all. Nice, neat lead kept hidden in her hand so never distracted from the dog. When stacking she made sure she palced all four feet correctly and moved at a correct pace.  

Leo Jackson- Leo handled his Beddlington Terrier puppy very well, he was very calm and did exactly what was asked of him. He showed me teeth very well and his pattern work was well done with the dog moving at the correct pace and him making sure his lines were straight. He was very unlucky to meet the winner today as they were both very close, Leo just didn't notice a couple of times when the dog moved feet on the stand- this meant a few times when I looked over the dog wasn't quite stood correctly.  

Junior handling 12-16 (1,0) 

Daisy Bray- Daisy is an amazing handler to watch, such a calm confident style without being overdone at any point. She made sure her Whippet was the centre of attention at all times, she moved the dog at the correct pace using the ring to its full advantage and stacked quickly and quietly. I felt at ease watching her handle and cannot wait to see what she does next! 

Adult handling 17-35 (9,5)  

Elizabeth Gough-Elizabeth handled her Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever with patience throughout the class. When the dog moved on the stand, she calmly readjusted without fuss. She noticed when I moved the dog’s leg and corrected this promptly. Her lines were clean, and the rapport between them was a pleasure to see. 

Samatha Webster- Samantha is another handler I have watched many times, she worked well with her Begle. The dog was another that didn't always want to stand correctly and Samatha did keep correcting, this did take a bit longer than the winner. Her lines final present was also slightly at an angle. The overall performance was still lovely there was a clear bond between her and the dog and the pattern work was completed very nicely, just unfortunate to come up against the winner today but I am sure on other days this will swap as they both did a great job.  

Adult handling 36 years and over (10,3) 

Katie Dawson- Kaite did well with a less than enthusiastic Rhodesian Ridgeback, she worked very well to make sure the dog kept moving correctly. Her lead was always tidy, and her lines were lovely and straight. She manoeuvred the biggest dog in the class very well and was able to make nice tight corners on her triangle.  

Sandy Noaks- Sandy handled her Hungarian wirehaired vizsla well, stacking the dog correctly each time. They made a lovely pair, with a clear rapport. Teeth were shown confidently, lines were among the straightest in the class, and overall presentation was strong. She was unlucky that her final presentation was slightly too close to me. A lovely performance and another handler I look forward to watching again. 

Schipperke  

Thank you to all the exhibitors who entered under me today and braved the cold to bring their dogs for me. It is an honour to have an entry of this size especially in this period of the year. I stayed after judging to watch both the best of breed winner and the puppy in their respective groups and I was very pleased to both see them represent the breed so well but also to see the best of breed winner place group three and win the utility veteran group.  

Special yearling (4,0)  

Jones Roopec Made For Me, 20 months old bitch of good size. She is slightly overweight but it is not detracting from her outline yet. Skull is broad and flat but still feminine. Lovely expression with correct dark oval eye, ears set and used well. Correct bite. Movement was nice when settled with a good brisk stride with enough drive from the rear to match. Coat was abundant and dense with good mane, frill and culottes formed. A very promising bitch that with maturity should do well.  

Massey’s Miofrey Magical with Ristine, 23 months old bitch. An overall lighter bitch than first but this is within proportion. Neck was correctly slightly arched into broad shoulders. Another with a nice expression and ears that were used to their advantage. Slightly long pasterns in the front but feet were nice and tight. Moved with brisk strides covering the ground well. Coat was correct harsh texture with the correct mane, frill and culottes but this was not as dense as the winners.  

Hall’s Ghilgrange solitaire (NBT) 7 months old bitch. Sweet baby who became more sure of herself as the class went on. Another lighter bitch. Very feminine face with a flat skull, would benefit with filling out under eye to create a better expression. Nice oval dark eye, correct ears used well as the class went on. Slightly longer but moved well and has lovely tight feet. BPIB 

Limit (3,0) 

Jones Roopec Made For Me- see previous  

Hood’s Django Alpha Nero With Arathorn (IMP CZE), 2 year old male. One I have judged before as a puppy, and it is lovely to have seen him develop and mature. Such a sweet boy with a lovely expression, correct bite. Nice short neck into slightly sloping shoulders. Front angulation was good, and he moved with short strides. correct amount of bone for size and lovely tight feet. Coat was correct harsh texture. Slightly preferred the tail set on the winner but he is overall a lovely cobby boy full of type.   

Open dog (3,1) 

Hood’s Revloch Fire at Will CJW19 – 7 year old. Larger male of good type. Strong, masculine head with a broad, flat skull and alert Schipperke expression; dark oval eyes and correct bite with strong jaws. Short neck, slightly arched, flowing cleanly into a well-laid front. Compact body with firm topline. Well-muscled thighs, good bend of stifle and well let-down hocks, moving on small, tight feet. Tail correctly set and carried over the back, completing the characteristic outline. Coat abundant and harsh with a well-developed mane, frill and culottes. A very happy, confident chap handled well. RBOB 

Massey’s CH Ristine Magical Spice (NBT)- 6 year old cream male. Lovely coat texture and colour and moved with the correct brisk strides. Tight feet and well up on his toes unfortunately he did not use his ears which altered his expression slightly. Correct dentition. Correct chest with nice amount of bone, muscular thighs, slightly long in loin. Very short bob tail that appears to be set well when felt but is not visible from the floor.  

Open Bitch (1,0) 

Philpot’s Ch Komargo Going for Gold, 7 year old cream bitch. Lovely dark colour who has maintained her attributes since I last judged her. Good pigment, eyes dark in colour bit with a slight sparkle in them correct shape. Ears used well and set correctly she is very alert. Correct front angulation and chest that is in proportion to the rest of her. Adequate bone but still feminine. Nice square outline. Moves well with very brisk strides. Great coat texture and lovely clear mane and frill. A lovely honest schipperke who I was glad to watch get rewarded in veteran and the group. BOB