Club Show Valtice 2009

Being invited to judge the club winner show is an honour for a breed judge. I felt privileged to be asked to judge the club winner show of the Czech OES Club in Valtice.

 The showsite at the Valtice Castle, situated in a region known for beautiful sceneries and wineries, is a perfect one for a dogshow. A beautiful castle from the 17^th century that is part of the Unesco heritage with a large, beautiful garden provides a beautiful ambience. It really gave me the idea of being out for the weekend.  

 

The showcommittee led by Karolina Morrison took care for a smooth ran show. The evening before the show, when I and my colleague judge Ray Owen and his wife Angela, were welcomed in a local restaurant, we’ve been told that the club decided to make it a back-to-back show. I judged in the morning, Ray was appointed for the afternoon.

Karolina and her staff made a beautiful large ring. Exhibitors from 6 countries entered 32 dogs, including some absentees,  to the club winner show. Their tents around the ring created a nice atmosphere.  The OES scene is very international and that strengthens the breed.

 

The general impression of the dogs shown under me was excellent. I could award a lot of dogs with excellent. The grading ‘excellent’ in the FCI-system means that the dog is a representant of the breed close to the breedstandard, one that has the qualities of a champion. Taking this system seriously means also that a dog that is graded with VG is still a very good specimen of the breed, a beautiful and respectful Old English Sheepdog. I was happy to give 19 dogs excellent, 3 dogs got VG and one Good. The others were shown in puppyclass and got very promising.  Unfortunenately some dogs were absent.

 

The large ring give me the chance to check on movement more precisely than usual is possible is smaller rings. The OES is a breed that also in these days of canine unemployment should be fit to do a days job with ease. This sound construction combined with breed specific characteristics gives the breed its unique shape. My winners were all top class OES that can win all over Europe. General speaking the angulations could be improved. With the front angulation goes the neck of length that is needed for balance. A point of consideration is the topline. Some of the dogs showed a very nice rise over loin, some should be more clear and only a few were –almost- flat. In general the coats were okay with nice colours.  Some were Almost all were groomed correctly. Just a very few dogs needed extra attention to coat care and were shown with mats.

Just a few dogs were more excessive groomed to my taste.

Also the temperaments were lovely and steady.

 

A compliment goes for the handling and sportsmanship of the exhibitors. Everybody did their very best to show off their dog(s) as good as they could and all the exhibitors took the results with respect.

 

Thanks to the exhibitors, the club, Karolina and her staff for a lovely show and weekend. I am looking forward to the 2011when the Euro Show heads to Valtice.