Club Championship Show 17 October 2009

Bitches:

Thank you all very much for your great invitation to judge. In many ways I consider it a greater privilege than Crufts. My thanks to Lucinda and Elaine for stewarding so as to make all go smoothly and Andrea and Gary for a first class show in a perfect venue. I thank my fellow judge, Lucy Stephenson and David Butcher for liking my Ticket winner and Best Bitch Puppy.

It is 9½ years since I judged newfies and I have not seen them in the ring since 2000. I had, of course, several preconceptions, many of which proved to be wrong, for better and for worse. I guessed, wrongly, that the bitches would be too small but very typey. Again, I guessed, wrongly, that the Landseers and Browns would no longer be able to hold their own against the Blacks. You are all aficionados of our breed and I hope that my comments will be helpful. Obviously these are only my opinions.

Much of the breed type resides in the head and eyes are crucial. Many exhibits had loose, light or round eyes. Almond shape and almond colour melts the heart. Ears were often too big and quite a few expressions were "doggy" - i.e. heavy jowls. The above faults did not apply to my principal winners. Dentition, as I expected, was very good indeed. It would have been nice to see "tombstone" incisors rather than the tiny ones which prevailed but scissor bite is scissor bite. A significant number had dirty teeth - I am told that getting bones in the UK is now a problem! Not the dog's fault of course. Beautiful clean teeth do help in the group though.

Feet need attention. Catspaws with a real depth of pad were not common. In general good bone was. Excessive toeing in (almost crossing) was common enough to be worrying so shoulder set needs to be worked on. Tails were generally excellent - well rooted and good length.

I was told that several top winning bitches were not entered because of seasons/matings, etc.. I was nevertheless happy with my final lineup.