GS Club (Ch - 06/11/2005)

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Critique

Thank you to the officers and committee as well as general members of the German Spitz club for inviting me to officiate at this very special show. This year marks the 20th year of the founding of the breed club, and it was quite memorable not only to be present on the day for the show, but also to see the parade of oldies that gathered at lunch time for our edification. Also, can't help but remarking how beautifully prepared and condition they all were, as well as how well they looked and how well they moved! This was a true testament to the longevity of the breed and their owners' loving care as well. The club provided a beautiful and delicious cake to mark the occasion as well as wine, and one hopes that the next show will be just as successful as this one was. The entry for both breeds was very good indeed and the hall was quite busy for many of the hours of the show. My co-judge Mrs. Gloria Morgan, another founder member of the club, was the Klein judge and fortunately, we agreed on all our major decisions so that the services of our referee on the day, Mrs. Christine Hughes, was not needed. BIS was the Klein, with the Mittel gaining RBIS and BOS. BPIS was the Mittel as was RBPIS going to the RBP in Mittels. Best Veteran was the Klein. Thank you as well to the exhibitors for what was probably one of the largest entry for the breed in quite a while, but I am sad to say that the numbers did not provide any appreciable depth of quality, bar the Open dog class. In only some of the older dogs and very few of the younger, did I find correct coat for texture. Where have all these soft coats come from? Also, the correct eye shape and set on is extremely hard to find, I think I only saw it in a handful of dogs, how sad, when eye shape is one of the defining characteristics for breed type and expression. In the end I had to just accept that the more prominent eye was going to have to be considered. Far too many of the dogs also had, in my opinion, muzzles too long for the length of skull. Not too long, please remember. Body shape, well, the predominant rectangular shape is still with us I see, very few compact dogs, I found so many with long loins, even in the case of some dogs that appeared to be short backed, which in my opinion is even worse. Long is wrong in this breed. I know the breed standard calls for an almost square outline, but think about this: if the upper arm is to be of sufficient length so as to ensure that it ends up with the elbow under the withers, then that means the body length is going to be short. This means elbows well under the body and that was like hen's teeth to find! The negative space under the dog gives a very good indication of the overall proportions of the dog and it was that particular square that I was looking for, and not finding very often. I know that the added coat of the chest and the trousers behind will add on to the illusion as to the length of the body, so you do then end up with an almost square dog in silhouette, but be sure it really is an illusion! Feet: I am pleased to say that for the vast majority of dogs, lovely tight cat-like feet with thick pads was the order of the day. There were however, a number of dogs whose owners could have improved the look by trimming the feet, hocks and nails to enhance their dogs' feet. Ears: I am also very pleased to say that the size of ears on the Mittels has improved tremendously in the last few years. Now, just to continue working on getting the set on higher. Temperament: I do wish that exhibitors would not train the life out of their dogs. I have never wanted robots in my ring and I should think by now that people will recognize this about me. The truly happy, equable, buoyant spitz character is the reason I originally attended that meeting 20 years ago that led to the official KC breed club coming into existence. Please don't train this out of your dogs. A fine line I know in some cases, but I believe it is worth it in the end. You have a much happier dog to live with as well as one that will enjoy going to shows. The problem is that too many non-specialists find it easier I would guess, to judge this and other breeds, so the mind set occurs of having the best trained dog highest award. I sincerely hope the breed club in future seminars will discuss this topic with not only with owners but also would-be judges of the German Spitz.

VD (7). 1 Rogerson's Ch. Only The Lonely, 8 yr black with excellent outline and balance. Correct straight harsh off standing coat. Ok for undercoat; alert expression, lively personality. Well set on tail, would like a bit more body on him. Best Veteran in Breed; 2 Pooley's Rossfort Apollo, 11yr cream dog with excellent compact body shape, slightly over size but vg to go over. Best rear gait in the class. 3 Beard's Ch. Wyndlee The Crowman.

MPD (2). 1 Beard's Wyndlee Chandara Spectre 8 month orange dog with preferred balance for height and length. Excellent head and expression with ears lovely for size, shape and set on. Really like the balance of head for length of muzzle and skull. Very nice neckline and topline. Presents an almost square outline. Vg compact body shape, quite mature for his age, hope he doesn't grow on any more. Moves well and in the end took the top award of Best Puppy in Show. 2 Powell's Desaria Bobbi Brown at Brookwell, mere babe at just 6 months, needs to grow on in leg to balance out body length. Head is coming along, but needs more time. Vg front construction, shade long in loin.

PD (8). 1 Powell's Desaria Blue Print at Brookwell, another 6 month old youngster, but more mature than kennelmate in last class. Well ribbed back and with preferred overall balance over others in the class. Compact body shape, excellent front, moves well in the rear. Reserve Best Puppy Dog. 2 Dickinson's Nixtev Inferno 10 months old of excellent quality, but just not wanting to be here on the day and it really showed in his behaviour. Vg front, outline and expression, but eyes are a bit bold for me. Ears well set on and vg body for shape and topline. 3 Chambers' Musique Executive Decision.

JD (6). Two dogs withdrew due to lameness. 1 Mullholland's Umshumbwe Faccia Die Angelo, just 13 months so at the true teenage stage and that means coat and body development need to have a time out' from the ring in order to come back together. But by far, in spite of the hairless condition, this dog was the best in the class for type, construction, outline and movement. Would like a higher tail set. 2 Sharp & Martin's Wyndlee Tsar Frederick of Wildfire, a big boy here, of 17 months, with excellent coat texture. Ears rather wide set, so this detracted from expression. Vg body, excellent tail set, moves out briskly. 3 King's Grizwold Iolo Goch.

PGD (9). 1 Hunter's Rossfort Eldorado, one of my finds' of the day. Black dog of just 19 months, who is within the standard, and not too small by any means, but because he is so compact, some may think he is too small. He is not! What strikes me immediately about this dog is his square shape. And it has been achieved still with very good construction, excellent forehand, backend, and rear gait to die for finally to find true parallel movement with drive, well that is such a treat! Head wise, he has some of the best ears to be seen in the entry today with their neat size, shape and set on, and he uses them to advantage. Correct harsh coat texture, tail very good set on, excellent neckline leading to level topline, good bone and lovely feet. He just needs more time to develop in body and the world will be his oyster. RCC. 2 Purves' Bulabs Spirit in the Sky. 2 year cream youngster of excellent breed type for head and expression. Outline not as compact as class winner, and I would like a higher tail set. Vg to go over. 3 Duke & Gardner's Galvizach Oakley Adams.

LD (9). One dog withdrew. I did not consider this a very strong class, given the level of it. 1 Heslop's Nixtev Fyreblade, 3 yr old good size black male alert dog with vg expression and body shape with strong level topline. A shade long in body proportions. Excellent coat texture. 2 Thurston's Rossfort Caractacus, almost 2 yrs old, excellent quality with many desirable breed traits in head and expression, and body shape. Tail set for me is a shade low. 3 Powell's Desaria Flash Gordon at Brookwell.

OD (10). Best class of the day for depth of quality. Many excellent specimens, so quite an enjoyable task. 1 Beard's Wyndlee Ghost in My House, 3 yr old medium sized male presenting an almost square outline, alert demeanour, lively, happy, outgoing, in other words, a true spitz character. Folks in breeds I judge know how much I prize the character and temperament clauses of spitz breeds, so to see this one evidently enjoying his day out but still not putting a foot wrong, was sheer delight. His head is his crowning glory; of this there is no doubt. He has the correct shape and proportions to skull and muzzle, well set on ears of neat size. In construction so good to go over, compact body shape with well-sprung ribs and short strong loin and in muscular condition. Excellent tail set, Vg front and rear gait. Dog CC and Best of Breed; 2 Chambers' Ch. Druitz Corncracker for Teamspitz, JW. 2 yr old cream teems with excellent breed type. And another one so good to go over. Not as outgoing, but there is no denying his vg body shape, excellent tail set and topline. Would like better feet vg movement in all directions. Ears are excellent size but not as well set on as class winners. In the challenge for the RCC I just preferred the coat texture and ears of the PG winner, but this is another high quality dog. 3 Hunter's Nemo Aus Dem Norden (imp).

VB (5). 1 Rogerson's GB. Ch./UDH.Ch. Shelayne Minstrel Show, 11 year black bitch with attractive outline, substantial body, excellent overall shape. Beautiful feet. Best mover in class. 2 Roskell's Ch. Galvizach Holy Smoke JW, well set on small ears one of her best features, very showy girl, non stop demanding attention. Not as good on the move, nor the strength in pasterns of the class winner. 3 Richardson's Wyndlee Sea Breeze Over Jomihvar.

MPB (3). 1 Sear's Desaria Barley Sugar, another 6-month babe and well up to size, hope she doesn't grow any more. Very well put together with excellent spring of rib and well ribbed back so compact loin, good backend on her already and this showed in her gait. Attractive head but ears tend to detract a bit, and this was the deciding factor for best puppy bitch. 2 Clayton's Studholme Loving Lass, another 6 month old girl and lots to like about her as well. Excellent head and expression. Not quite the shoulder lay and forehand of class winner and a bit long in loin at this time, but otherwise a very promising youngster. Excellent tail set. 3 Beard's Wyndlee Chandera Dotty Dotty.

PB (3). 1 Orchard's Spilmah Silent Witness, 11 month old parti colour with attractive head and expression, well ribbed back body, good spring of rib, strong loin, vg tail for set, neat feet and overall Vg movement in all directions. Alert, outgoing and typical in her temperament with happy,buoyant attitude. Best Bitch puppy and Reserve Best Puppy as well as Reserve Best Puppy in Show. 2 Garbutt's Nixtev Inara, 10 month old sable with excellent ears and eyes. Not as pleasing in front as class winner and this showed on the move. Very alert, attentive girl who has pleasing rear and side gait. Ears set on is excellent. 3 Thurston's Rossfort Pazzmina.

JB (3). 1 Curson & Hindley's Shelayne Star of the Ring, 17 month old black I full coat, straight but not harsh. Vg body shape, topline and tail. Not too settled on the move. Vg expression. Feet not as neat as 2. 2 King's Grizwold Inabikari, total junior stage but still has excellent expression with correct eye shape. Vg body shape, short coupled, has no hair to speak of but that will come back. Very strongly muscled rear quarters but I was so disappointed in her movement.

PGB (11). My book says very mixed quality. 1Hunter's Rossfort Proviso, 2 yr of excellent breed type, love her ears, eyes and head properties. Excellent shoulders and forehand, clean neck correct topline, excellent ribbing and short strong loin. Needs to settle and attend to the job at hand when it is time to move around the ring. 2 Blight's Rosechow Chantilly Lace, 4 yr old of different type, not as appealing in head but an honest bitch to go over and gave a good account of herself on the stack and move. Well-ribbed back, vg front, but ear set spoils expression. 3 Roberts' Veratina Bonnie Blue.

LB (8). 1 Orchard's Pennypot Entrantress with Spilmah, 2 yr. Black with best outline and balance as well as movement in this class. Alert lively and so typical in head and expression as well as her proportions in body length to height. This took her to the RCC. 2 Powell's Desaria Fanny Ann at Brookwell, blue bitch of high quality, excellent and correct harsh textured coat. Lovely eye shape, ears good size but a shade wide set, vg rear gait but not as pleasing in front. Is a bit long cast. 3 Purves' Rossfort Brocade at Bulabs.

OB (7). 1 Garbutt's Ch. Runfold China Crisis at Nixtev, 6 yr old bitch in full coat, having off standing straight characteristics lacking in many others today. Vg to go over, well ribbed back, fairly compact body, excellent neck and topline, ears well set but a shade tall, eyes are dark but a bit bold and this detracts a tad from the overall look of her head. Excellent rear and side gait. Bitch CC and RBOB. 2 Curson & Hindley's Ch. Shelayne's Little Showgirl. Excellent quality, not quite as compact as class winner, stands a bit long. Excellent coat for texture. Vg to go over, has small ears well placed, but not used for best effect, and would like a less bold eye shape. Vg movement. 3 Hunter's Rossfort Casual Look.