SMOOTH HAIRED

With the pressure on finances I appreciated the entry, and had some quality dogs to go over. I was disappointed that the day was cold and wet, there is no doubt that the dogs give so much more and ‘blossom’ in the freedom outside, especially with the sun on their backs – and so do we! On a couple of occasions for a brief pause I seriously considered withholding. However, for many showing is as much a social affair as a competition, and there were no major accolades available. I was satisfied the exhibitors in question were not deluding themselves about their dogs, and I therefore came to the conclusion that to withhold would only ‘spoil’ the day, and give rise to much fractious talk, and with human nature being what it is, I felt such talk had the potential for causing far more damage than the dogs in question! My main concern for both varieties remains fronts, in particular the upper arm angulation. As in previous critiques, I see no point in constantly stating the obvious, the points of the standard. I prefer to say what separated the placings on the day.

PGD (1) 1. Starkey’s Carpaccio Top of the Class at Hamoura. Stood alone. Everything to like about this dog, balance, substance, construction, deportment. Reserve Best Dog.

LD (3,1) 1. Harris’ Smooth Operator these two nice dogs were close up to each other, scoring in different areas, in the final choice I just preferred the overall balance of 1. 2. Punter’s Welcumen Kiss Me Quick, flow of neck into shoulder not quite the line I look for, but held a good topline on the move.

OD (2,1) 1. Oxley’s Lauralee The Real Thing at Owlery ShCM, Best Dog and Best of Breed. Very smart, lovely outline, good construction, just about the complete picture, stacked and moving out powerfully with wonderful head carriage and topline. Felt care is needed to make sure he does not look loaded in front.

JB (3,1) 1. Mitchell’s Cedavoch Lets Boogie with Bronia, Still a puppy, but everything is there, construction, balance, movement. Maturity should bring fill, muscle and tone to let her make the most of her outline without help. Best Puppy. For me puppies, however exceptional, are still ‘potential’, only time will tell whether they truly fulfil it, so it is rare for me to award higher honours to them, but although pushed by the Limit Bitch winner, I could not deny her Best Bitch. 2. Harris’ Vomgolf Witches Cauldron, another puppy, but who has a long way to go yet, time will hopefully bring the finish.

PGB (2) Not a great class. 1. Spooner’s Lauralee All Or Nothing For Penroso, not quite the substance I like, clearly a bitch not on form today. 2. Harris’ Vomgolf Crystal Butterfly, like her litter sister in previous class she needs time, especially to lose some puppy fat, fine down and firm up.

LB (2) 1. Otter and Wilson’s Come Dancing, this nice bitch came into her own on the move, not looking as impressive on the stack – I hope her handler will not be offended that I say it is up to him to get this right! Good construction, enough bone, feminine, moving true, make the most of her! 2. Jesse’s Hampdach Mistical, nothing to really dislike, just too much scope all through.

OB (2) 1. Harris’ Reach For The Stars, an honest enough bitch, but I felt she was too heavy in forechest and a bit fine boned for my taste. 2. Wood’s Hampdach Michaela, her weight needs to be watched, it is spoiling her outline.