BEDFORD AND DISTRICT CANINE SOCIETY

7TH MAY 2007

JUDGE: MISS LEILA TARABAD

The standard in all 3 classes was of a high standard which made for a tough decision between all 3 in the challenge. Well done to all of you for your lovely display of handling despite the wind and rain!

6-11 years (10,3a)

1.Corrina Swan (11, SLH Dachshund) I judged this handler last year with a different breed and was impressed with her skills then but today I was even more pleased to see she had polished her performance in the areas I picked up on last time. Extremely smart in appearance, completed her table work correctly and moved her dog at the right speed in the patterns I asked for. Held her own in the challenge with the older handlers just felt sometimes her shadowing was a little distracting - less is more!! A worthy winner and I'm sure she's more than capable of top placings as she goes into the older group.

2. Amber Checkett (10 , Affenpinscher). Smart handler who had a great rapport with her dog. Showed her dog on a loose lead which is perfect for the breed and much nicer to watch than a dog strung up so it can't move freely. Her dog was stood perfectly when required and moved at the correct pace. Just needs to neaten her corners when completing the patterns.

3. Ellie South (9, Rough Collie) Yet another well dressed handler who showed a larger breed very well. Obviously knows her stuff but just not as slick a performance as the first two. Make sure your dogs feet are always in the correct position when standing and move her smoothly round the corners in the patterns .

12-16 years (10, 4a)

I have previously judged all but 1 of the handlers in this class and it was obvious that all had been working hard since then to enhance their performances. All of them were the same age - 12 - which means there'll be some big competition in this age group for another 4 years and no doubt they will all change places at different shows.

1. Summer Cawley (12 , MLH Dachshund) Loved the quiet and confident style of this young lady. Table work was very good, her small dog was moved at the correct pace and then stacked quickly and correctly 3 paces away from me. Just clinched the 1st place on the last pattern which she completed exactly as I wanted and just that little bit neater than 2nd.

2. Hollie Kavanagh (12 , Dobermann) Accomplished handler who confidently handled a large breed in a very efficient manner. Stood her dog correctly at all times, showed teeth well, completed the patterns I asked for and at the correct speed. Lovely performance, just unlucky to meet 1 on such good form.

3. Callum Kitteridge (12, Boxer) Confident young man, extremely well turned out to complement his dog. I had previously judged him with a Cavalier and I have to say his handling style is much more suited to this breed. Another strong performance overall stacking his dog correctly and moving her at the correct pace. Just needed to neaten his lines up on the move today.

17 and Over (7,2)

1. Joseph McDonald (Australian Shepherd) Have judged this young man as a junior handler on several occasions but I think it was the first time I'd seen him with this breed and what a wonderful display of handling! Dressed smartly as usual, completed everything I asked to the letter and does it all in a gentle and quiet manner which means it is the dog that is seen and not the handler. My biggest observation of this handler is that he was the only one throughout all three classes who I noticed saying thank you! Sorry if anyone else said it but he was the only one I actually heard. (Summer did say thank you in the challenge). This is something I would expect every handler to do no matter what else happens. His polite manner and simplistic handling skills eventually won him Best Handler. Well Done.

2. Miss L Fieldsend (SBT) Close up to 1. Beautiful demonstration of how to show this breed correctly. Again a good handling style, unobtrusive and quiet. Just felt her patterns weren't quite as neat as 1 but nevertheless a very good handler.

3. J Howe (Hungarian Vizsla) Good overall performance from this lady. Well dressed to complement her dog. Stood and moved her dog very well in the patterns I asked for. Couldn't match the attention to detail of the first two but well deserved this place. My tip would be to watch some Junior Handling classes and work out the different things required for handling rather than breed competition. I'm sure as she improves she will easily compete with the ex junior handlers.

Webmaster: thanks to Leila for sending this critique in.

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