Date: 23/01/10 |
My thanks to Lucy and the Dutch obedience society for the invitation to judge today. I thoroughly enjoyed my first trip to Holland and hope it won’t be the last time I visit. The organisation and hospitality was first class. I was supplied with two excellent stewards in Steven and Melissa, my thanks to you both and best of luck to for the Crufts World cup.
I would also like to thank Steven and his parents for welcoming Di and I into their lovely home and looking after us so well.
Now to business. I was very impressed with the standard of work in both the classes today. The dogs were happy and well motivated and the handlers all worked in a positive way to get the best out of their canine partners. We had several training rounds which again were very positive with the dogs actually gaining from the experience which bodes well for their future.
There were a few dogs that were somewhat “over motivated” to the point where they were unable to maintain their focus and balance on the move. Whilst it is lovely to have a keen dog care must be taken to maintain the balance between keenness and control otherwise the over all picture of the team becomes untidy. Noise was also an issue with some dogs and this again is connected to the over excitement which doesn’t allow the dog to concentrate on the job in hand.
Class A
1st - Absolutely Fabulous Phoebe - this dainty little girl worked a super round and was well in the lead. She tried to throw it all away with a very messy scent but was so far ahead she still took the first place with ease. Well done.
2nd - Luna Tale Gyhro - this young dog was a little anxious which led to small inaccuracies on his heelwork, On both the retrieve and scent the pick ups were messy and the presents and finishes need a little work. But he shows a lot of promise and won a 3 way run off for this place.
3rd - Akso - the set exercises of this dog were very tidy and on heelwork he holds a good position on the straights but tends to loose position going into and coming out of the turns, work on this and the overall picture will improve.
4th - Bekkis Yours Faithfully - the majority of this teams marks were lost on heelwork. The good bits are very good but the work is inconsistent and she tends to loose focus easily. If she could maintain her concentration for the whole round she would do well.
5th - Nice of You to Come Bye Keen Kite - Holds an excellent position on heelwork but dips badly on some of the turns. Also anticipated on scent . But a quality round , well handled.
6th - Nice of You to Come bye Chizzy Chick - Handler gave a couple of extra commands when the dog lost focus, which dropped this dog down the line. Shows lots of promise for the future
7th - Nice of You to Come Bye Be Clever - Another handler who gave a well timed extra command to maintain the dogs attention. A messy scent added to the points lost. Keep working to build the concentration span and I’m sure you will move up the classes.
NOVICE
1st - Luna Tale Gyhro - this dog was much more relaxed in this class after the A in the morning. His recall and retrieve were both clear and there were only very small errors in his heelwork. He obviously has a wonderful rapport with his handler and they make a very attractive team With a little more experience and confidence he will have a very bright future with his sympathetic handler
2nd - Tomgwens Chocolate Dream - this is a superbly trained dog who understands his job well. He holds a beautiful straight heelwork position throughout the test and his set exercises were sharp and accurate. Unfortunately I had to mark him for “singing” on both sets of heelwork and the retrieve. Having been in the position of loosing places for a dog being noisy myself ( even lost a run-off for first place in A last year ) I know how frustrating this fault can be and how difficult it is to train out. But do work on it because this dog has the ability to go all the way.
3rd - Nice of You to Come Bye Keen Kite - Holds a good heel work position, just dipping on left turns to mark. The presents were also a bit pushy on both recall and retrieve.
4th - Quila - A lovely typically waggy goldie who held a good position throughout the test .Displaying a great partnership with the handler.
5th - Absolutely Fabulous Phoebe - Not quite as positive as this morning. Hesitated both at the start of heel on lead and on the finish of the recall. Maybe she was tired after her success in the A !!
6th - Engy Ingo von den Gansewiesen - This was a new breed to me and I must say I was impressed. A lovely dog full of his own importance. A bit noisy and unbalanced at first but once settled displayed a good understanding of his work.
7th - Bonnieblue Godarcy - A dog that shows potential but needs to focus and concentrate more. Handler did well to maintain his work through the round.
Karen Thompson