What a thrill it was for me to judge your show! The weather perfect, the show so wonderfully organised and conducted, super hospitality, great dogs and efficient stewarding! What more could any judge want?
I was delighted with the overall quality of the exhibits however there are a couple of things breeders might like to consider. There seemed to be a tendency in the younger classes for dogs to lack angulation and have a long midpiece, giving the appearance of a table top on four legs. This brought about a swampy topline and high tail carriage. I would attempt to rectify this if possible. The other thing that drew my attention was the lack of length to the ridges. I began the day looking at each ridge and attempting to incorporate it into the outcome of the placings. However, as the day went on, this required too many compromises. No doubt, the fact that the ridge "must be clearly defined, symmetrical and tapering towards the haunch, it must start immediately behind the shoulders and continue to the hip (haunches) bones and must contain only two crowns, identical and opposite each other," makes it difficult for both breeders and judges alike.
It is always interesting to judge from an outsider's perspective, because one obtains a general overview of strengths and weaknesses in a breed at that particular time. Outsiders are not so much bogged down with particular features, for which you, the breeders are searching. They are more concerned with the overall picture, which necessarily incorporates condition, temperament and movement. My comments are from this angle and designed to be constructive. They are my opinion on the day as so many things can change with a dog in a short space of time, especially in the developmental stages.
Thank you once again for a most enjoyable day, and I wish your club every success for the coming years.