CAC Show Valtice 2008

First of all many thanks to the Czech club for this invitation and for taking care of us so well. It was remarkable. Karolina Morrison and her husband guided us from our arrival until the departure even when I was waiting for a taxi in Prague at 5 o'clock in the morning which did not arrive.

With Richard BAKER we visited  the town of Prague with all its monuments charged of history, it was short because I did not have much time but it was very enriching.

Concerning the show which I judged on Sunday, I found the quality of the dogs remarkable with many good dogs. In general the bobtails were without too much sophisticated grooming with a good quality of coat and with good movement. I did not hesitate to penalize few dogs which had a non-typical soft coat for the breed.

I particularly liked three dogs. Firstly, the bitch in young class, ZOTTEL' S OUNCE UPON A TIME which is a very pretty bitch, of an ideal size with a coat and a colour already well advanced for her age, and had a great ease in the movement.

My best male ZOTTEL' S MY NAME IS BOND is a strong dog, spectacular with a large skull and which also moves very well.

Finally my BOB is the bitch champion ENCHANT X PIECE OF LUCK which I think is at  the top of her condition, a lot of expression, very well groomed without excess, a quality and a colour of coat perfect for me. The movement is easy with a remarkable parallelism and a great extension. The bitch of the day.

However, I could not help but notice that a certain number of dogs lost their topline and that is a significant point of the standard, very characteristic for the breed. It’s important to preserve this characteristic.

In short, I pay a detailed attention to the quality of coat which is a significant concept for all the sheepdogs who must have an impermeable coat. Unfortunately lately we can see some soft coats which are not sanctioned by judges and it’s regrettable.

The second point where I pay attention is the movement. Still, it is necessary to know what is a good movement. For me a good movement is not only a regular movement but also a dog which has a great extension to be able to traverse the longest distance with each step in order to economize. It should be remembered that the first function of a bobtail is a sheepdog and to have a genetic potential enabling them to be able to run the kilometres each day, which was required at the time when they guarded sheep.

(kennel Arabian Nights)