2011 Judge Critique

Judges Critique:

Firstly let me say how thrilled I was to be able to judge this show and how sorry I was to seem to have brought my own weather with me. I do think it affected a number of the dogs. I can only speak as I find and I was disappointed to find that the overall quality especially in the males seems to have gone backwards since I last visited this show two years ago. Lack of bone and long hocks seem to be the normal rather than the exception. I would question whether some of the males were actually show quality. Please be careful when you let puppies go as to what their purpose is to be. The standouts really did stand out but in a lot of cases it was hard to find anything to back them up. Bitches were so much better and in a couple of classes it came down to splitting hairs. I am sorry to say that overall I could count on one hand the number of dogs that excited me. I don’t say any of this to offend you as breeders but glowing reports that are not true are meaningless and will not help improve your stock. Make use of the stud dogs that are proving their worth as sires and only breed from bitches you are happy to show. I have never advocated breeding from bitches who are only “Brood Bitches”. If it ain’t good enough to show, it ain’t good enough to breed from. Once again thank you all. I had a wonderful time. 

Dogs:

Puppy Dog 9 – 12 mths

  1. Harmony Afternoon Tea- 10 1/2mth old Neat sized Blenheim with typy head and nice dark eye, although could be a shade bigger, good neck with well laid shoulders giving a nice front and good level topline, which he held on the move. Well sprung ribs, correct angulation, moved steadily but a tendency to be a little proud of his tail.
  2. Harana Tom Jones- 10 1/2mth old. Larger made Black/Tan carrying a wealth of coat in good condition. Did not move as well as one, seemed reluctant to show off his virtues. Larger eyes than one but not as dark well constructed nice type.
  3. Angel's Pride Ocean Thirteen- 9 1/2mth very raw Blenheim, lacking in bone and needs more body. Really well marked with OK eyes hopefully time will see him develop.

12 – 18mths Dog

Only 2 present very different types

  1. Seneca Manor Native Dancer- 15mths Blenheim, well marked with good dark eyes shown in really good condition but not handled to advantage, really did not show off his virtues.
  2. Berkeley’s Paducah- Larger Blenheim roaching his topline badly on the move, needs a lot of work.

BBE Dog

Again only 2 present and both very different

  1. Maitres Medal of Honor- Very nice dog, he had a good head with a lovely round, dark eye giving a sweet expression, he was a lovely size with super neck and shoulders good top line and well turned stifles and he moved effortlessly and with drive.
  2. Mimric Monogram- Quite a different type to 1, heavier in head but with very pretty eyes giving a nice expression, not as elegant as one but moved and shown well.

 American Bred Dog

Once again only 2 present

  1. Ingold Whispered Promise- Really liked this well marked Blenheim with a lovely dark round eye giving the correct expression and good pigment, although in a bigger mould he was very well constructed with lovely neck and shoulders good top line and excellent tailset and carriage, well turned stifles, he moved effortlessly round the ring although his handler could have moved him a little faster to take advantage of his fabulous driving action. RESERVE WINNERS DOG
  2. Brookhaven Stetson McMath- Blenheim in good coat and condition with nice head and expression, nose pigment just a little off today, preferred the balance of one.

Open Blenheim Dog

I found this to be a very disappointing class with only 3 present and all of different type. I had to place with what was most important to me. The weather was taking a real turn for the worse by this class and perhaps this is what affected movement so much but I could only judge as I saw them on the day.

  1. Stepamgar Mattamuskeet Special Agent Gibbs- moderate dog all round, very good colour moved ok.
  2. Grantiley Shadow Sun- decent neck and shoulders but carried tail way too high on the move.
  3. Pascavale Smarty- smaller type dog heavier in head but not giving anything on the move today.

 Open Tricolour Dog

I found this class quite difficult to judge. The standard clearly states no trimming and when it is obvious trimming has been done the question is, does one penalize and place dogs of lesser quality who have not been trimmed above obvious quality. That is something that must be decided when the dogs are in front of you.

  1. Nickelby Rokirk Renewal- Loved this heavily marked boy. Well proportioned head and size, darkest of eye, all framed by well set and carried ears. Super topline and tailset. Good turn of stifle with short, strong hocks which he used to move around the ring with plenty of drive. In the challenge for winner’s dog, this boy demanded and received his reward.  WINNERS DOG
  2. Nightingale Endless Summer- Different type to 1, needs work on presentation but moved and shown well.
  3. Romanov Sir Lancealot of Wellington- Longer in back and tailset not good.

Bitches:

Puppy Bitch 9 – 12mths

Only one present

  1. Nightingale Gunpowder N Lead- Strange name for such a pretty little blenheim girl, although she stood alone and was worthy of her placing lovely head and eye with a good firm topline and tailset which she held on the move.  BEST PUPPY

12 – 18mths Bitch

  1. Rokirk Rave Review- Lovely, feminine, balanced Blenheim of perfect size, pretty head with huge dark round eyes, giving a perfect expression and good cushioning all framed with lovely long well set ears. Nice pigment, good mouth. Well laid shoulders, flowing into level topline. She has a short, coupled body with a good spring of rib & plenty of bone, nice angulated hindquarters with good turn of stifle, she never stopped showing, with her head held high. She had the extra I was looking for, she is heavily marked but was shown in beautiful condition, moved effortlessly round the ring. This is how to present and show a dog. In the challenge she demanded and was rewarded with winners bitch went on to be my Best of Winners. I was later told it was her first show, congratulations, such an exciting prospect she could win anywhere. I would happily take her home with me.  WINNERS BITCH, BEST OF WINNERS
  2. Miletree Casiopia- Another beautiful blenheim so very unlucky to meet one on such good form, many of the same remarks apply for me I just preferred the size of one but on these two girls alone this was the best class of the day I am sure they will change place many times. A credit to her breeder and owner.  RESERVE WINNERS BITCH
  3. Truluv Giselle- Another very pretty bitch with good head and eye, beautifully marked but a little proud of her tail on the move.

Amateur Owner Handler Bitches

  1. SpiceOLife Like a River- Small well broken Blenheim, lovely eyes in a pretty head, nice shape and moved well but left her party dress at home today.
  2. Romanov Guinevere of Wellington- Larger sized Blenheim very lightly marked hard to assess as very definitely not enjoying her experience in the show ring and letting me know all about it.

Bred by Exhibitor

  1. Nightingale Happy Go Lucky- I had to look past the markings on this heavily marked Blenheim bitch and once I did I found a very pretty neat girl. She has a lovely head with large round dark eyes giving the expression I was looking for. She has a good neck and well laid shoulders leading to a firm topline which she held on the move. Well let down hocks giving good driving action. I really liked this girl. BEST BRED BY EXHIBITOR
  2. Maitres Victoria Cross- Larger than my winner but a nice type soundly moving would prefer hocks better let down.
  3. Stepamgar Your’e So Vain-Another very pretty girl with good head and eyes but let herself down moving as she would insist on roaching her topline, perhaps the cold was affecting her.

American Bred

  1. Ingold Whispered Secret- This bitch stood alone but more than deserved her placing. Lovely sized Blenheim correctly marked. Sweetest of heads with large round dark eyes and good cushioning with lovely expression. Nose pigment just a little off today but did not detract. Excellent neck and shoulder placement, super topline which she held as she moved effortlessly around the ring with her tail carried just right. My type of girl, another who could easily win anywhere.

 Open Blenheim

  1. Jayba’s Violetta- Up to size girl but what a good one.She had the hugest of round dark eyes giving her a fabulous expression, her pigment was excellent. She was a joy to watch on the move as she carried herself so well. She was shown in first class condition. Another really nice girl. By now it was obvious the girls were outshining the boys.
  2. Charnell Monte Lucia- Another beautiful marked Blenheim. Many of the above remarks apply just preferred the muzzle tapering on 1st but this girl will also go far.
  3. Turretbank Drama Queen- Heavier marked and not as well put together as 1 & 2. Never the less a nice bitch with lots to like.

Open Tri-Colour

  1. Wellington I Love Lucy Lu- Another who stood alone. Good sized girl, well broken coat with tan in all the correct places, eyes could be darker and this detracted from her expression. Again on the move I think she was feeling the cold.

Veteran 7 Years and Over Dogs

  1. Ch Imagine Always a Classic- Fabulous boy in full coat with tan in all the right places, shown in first class condition, was a pleasure to go over him loved his head with good dark eyes and pigment. Nice topline and tailset and he could certainly show some of the younger ones how to move.  BEST VETERAN

Best of Breed

This was a wonderful class and at least 5 of those present would be able to win CC’s in England without too much trouble. I finally gave the nod to: 

Ch Rattlebridge Cyber Dawn- His handler did not assist him as she seemed nervous and was continually pulling at his lead. Even so my eyes were continually drawn to him, he stood out for me today for overall breed type. Ideal size, good bone, appealing but masculine, his head has the correct soft melting expression with very large dark eyes, good pigment, flat skull, plenty of ear feathering. Infact CORRECT is the word to describe this boy. On the move he showed his lovely neck, topline and tail, with good strong hind action. He showed himself off well once his handler relaxed a little. Loved him.

 Judge

Rhonda Banks

Choya

UK