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| Bedlington | Windsor 24 Judge' Judge's Critique |
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Windsor 24 Judge
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BEDLINGTON WINDSOR 24 Judge: Mrs J Hurley I would like to thank the Society who provided support, a warm welcome and excellent hospitality. All the winners were very close to the breed standard. Rather than risk repeating myself or openly criticising any by writing individually about each dog perhaps a few constructive comments from my notes may be of more help to those serious breeders wishing to improve their breeding lines according to the KC Breed Standard. My selections were those that were closest to the breed standard as fashion and personal preferences play no part in my Judging. There are several major faults that are becoming too common in the breed and careful breeding in the future should be aimed at eradicating these. In general heads were in proportion with the body with only one too small which is a recent improvement from the small heads seen in the last few years. Mouths overall were good with only a few dirty teeth and 3 with missing premolars. Pigment of skin, lips and eye rims were mostly as per the breed standard which states ‘darker pigment preferred’. Ear leathers were overall of the correct proportion, position and thickness. Eyes, which with the coat, are dealt with completely separately from the pigment by the breed standard, were correct according to the dog colour. One major fault which has been a growing fashion over recent years to the point that some would have the Breed Standard changed to match their fashion ideas and preferences. There has been a major deterioration in the overall coat quality due to this fashion which has had a detrimental effect on the Bedlington and its ‘fitness for purpose’ and welfare something that was established for very sound reasons hundreds of years ago and still essential to date. The Breed Standard clearly states the accepted body coat colours which are ALL of equal standing with only black and white as a fault. It also clearly states the need for lightish furnishings and all for a long established purpose. Sadly this fashion for dark coats has resulted in the loss of the stated Bedlington coat quality. That is a coat dense enough to keep out the elements when out in the field and whitish head furnishings so that it can be seen and recognised. There were some today that had coats that were more like a black fur/wire coat than the required dense, twisted, linty coat with the necessary guard hairs that would keep out the cold and damp. These dark coats also had virtually no whitish head hair and very sparse leg hair. Better that the fox gets a mouthful of coat than a mouthful of leg? Also anyone who knows the breed recognises that Bedlington coat colour lightens and darkens throughout the year due sometimes to hormonal reasons and sometimes to how much the dog is exposed to the sunlight which lightens a coat whilst darkening the pigment. When Judging all colours were considered equal unless black or white which are considered a fault. Another major fault evident today and for some time now is poor movement both front and rear. There were three today with very close rear action to the point that the rear legs almost crossed. A more concerning fault with 7 dogs exhibiting this today is that of straight, stiff stifles which completely restricts and rear drive and results in a stiff roll of the rear quarters rather than the flexible drive reflected through the flexible spine giving the Bedlington its light floating action and its ability to gain its rapid speed. When viewed from the side these stiff rear legged dogs look higher at the rear than their height over the loin which should be the highest point and these also have the resulting poor high tailset. There were also 3 dogs today with the high point over the chest and 6 with shallow chests that could affect their air intake so necessary in their work. This incorrect rear action has a ‘knock on’ effect at the front creating a hackney front action instead of the sound front reach. 4 dogs today had such poor front action that the feet actually crossed each other, platting. Coupled with this were some with very upright shoulders producing an image of the front legs falling down below the head rather than under the shoulders. I hope these observations will help those who have a genuine interest in the breed to observe their own stock and to select a mate what will improve their future breeding programmes. V (2,1) 1 Ch Woolytop The Wherryman ShCM ShCEx VW (Offer) CC and BV. MPD (1) 1 Tintalora Blue Tranquility (Zanelli) PD (1) 1 Maevani Deja Blue (Fletcher) JD (3,2) 1 Silverkinn Spy Aston Martin (Martin Impey) PGD (4,1) 1 Agnellino Midnight Runner del Tintalora (Zanelli) 2 Bowlingbrook Hummingbird (Lacey) 3 Sarmarblue Night Shadow (Annable) OD (4,1) 1 Ozbreeze Surprise of The Day at Vakurblue (Godden) RCC 2 Fioralainn Written in The Stars with Sharnor (Ames & Mccusker & O’pray) 3 Ch/ir Ch L’end Show Melody Maker (Imp Rus) (Scott) 1 Kinnuva Caramel Indulgence (Kinns) BP. 2 Agnellino’s Celtic Queen (Miss L Annable) 3 Kinnuva Expresso Elixir (Mrs N Kinns) PB (1) 1 Rocabec Wonderland at Corderito (Lee) JB (5,2) 1 Fallon von Der Schwarzen Nebelburg Silverkinn (Imp Che) (Martin Impey) RCC 2 Mickleview Silent Storm (Scott) 3 Dunkeswell Bluebella Roo del Tintalora (Zanelli) PGB (2) 1 Agnellino’s Faith No More at Corderito (Lee) 2 Silverkinn Sparkle of Hope del Tintalora (Zanelli) LB (5,2) 1 1 Janmark The Name of The Game JW (Hanes) 2 Woolytop Secret Wispa among Wallaroo JW (Porter-Manning & Porter) 3 Bowlingbrook Tumbleyweed (Lacey) OB (8,4) 1 Ch Chaselyne About Thyme (Bishop) CC and BOB 2 Woolytop Leading Lady (Baldwin) 3 Ch Janmark Just Do It (Scott) |
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