LABRADOR RETRIEVER KENNEL CLUB 1 st OPEN SHOW th FEBRUARY SHOW REPORT - DANIEL KRITZINGER

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1 LABRADOR RETRIEVER KENNEL CLUB 1 st OPEN SHOW th FEBRUARY SHOW REPORT - DANIEL KRITZINGER I would like to thank the committee of the LRKC for the honour to be invited to judge their first open show in The show was very well run, with lovely prizes sponsored by Royal Canine, and all exhibitors entered the ring on time. Owing to the fact that I had to write a critique on each exhibit, time to enjoy the refreshments afterwards and to socialise a bit, was limited. This is a pity. In the end we share the same passion and can learn so much from each other. I believe the entry of 60 dogs is an all time record for an open show. This humbles me, and I am very grateful for the spirit in which the exhibitors accepted my decisions. The fact that a dog did not win, does not mean that it is not good. In the end the placements are my opinion, based on my interpretation of the standard and preference of breed type. But we will not get anywhere if we are not very critical and improve on weak points and faults in the breed. That is one of the reasons why we show: to learn and to measure the quality of our dogs against other dogs of the breed. Definitely not only to win. For those who do not know me, this is my 40 th year in Labradors. I have always had a small kennel, and believe that strength and depth do not lie in numbers, but in quality. This is something I learnt during my first visit to a number of prominent breeders in the UK, and this is still the case also here in SA. The dog fraternity in SA is simply too small to accommodate large breeding programmes, and it is very difficult to enjoy, train and socialise large numbers. I am scaling down on showing and my breeding programme, but I have three young bitches, basically the 8 th generation of my own breeding, that I still enjoy as pets. And also my 8 year old Ch Carriegame Paris of Dennegeur (Imp UK) - Marique. I like a Labrador with substance (bred not fed) and good bone, with clean, flowing lines from a well defined head with depth of muzzle, through a neck with proper reach into well laid back shoulders, a deep chest, well sprung ribs, rather short coupled (but not too short), broad over the loins, a tailset flowing in a straight line with the spine, broad over the thighs, proper turn of stifle and a densely covered, close otter tail. A good double coat with a harsh feel, even with a slight waive, together with a proper otter tail carried horizontally, are hallmarks of the breed, indicating proper type and quality. And so also a gentle, kind and pleasing expression. In general the quality of the Labradors that I judged is very good. I have not seen any overdone dogs or any coarseness, and cannot recall one single dog with ugly dewlap, which is quite common in the breed. There is, however, a few general points of concern: 1. Some males lack substance and are not masculine enough. 2. In general necks and shoulders have improved since I have judged Labradors in Gauteng last, but there are still a few dogs with straight shoulders and short upper arms, which spoil movement (a flowing, striding out action) and make them unfit to do their job as retrievers. 3. Underdeveloped thighs and second thighs. 4. Low tailsets especially in chocolates. 5. Bite problems. 6. Dogs carrying too much weight. Any serious, experienced Gundog judge will penalise overweight dogs, since a Gundog should be able to work for 2 3 hours in hard conditions. Fat spoils the profile and balance of the dog, and handicaps sound movement. 7. Except for one or two dogs who were not happy to be handled or to be in the ring (more a socialising issue in my opinion) I had only one exhibit with a bad temperament who gave me some nasty back chat. Not acceptable at all in a Gundog. 1

2 In general handling was fine, but practice the best pace for your dog, and please concentrate to walk in straight lines (away from and back to the judge), and do not feed your dog while it is being judged standing or on the move. This throws the dog off balance, and the judge cannot assess the outline or profile of your dog if it reaches out for bait. Neither can the judge see the dog s expression, which is crucially important. CRITIQUE BABY PUPPY DOGS (4-6 months) JUNIORS No 1 Ailsacraig Satchmo Bronwyn Harris 1 st A sweet black boy with a pleasing expression, dark eye, nice outline, correct proportions, enough bone, good coat, clean neck flowing into well laid back shoulders, correct angulation and true in movement. A bit long and a slightly low tailset. No 5 Ailsacraig Spirited Star - MikeVan Wyk 2 nd A happy little yellow boy with a correct outline, good head and expression, straight topline and correct angulation, but still very loose on the move and a bit out at the elbow. This may improve with correct exercise when he is older. No 32 Conkasha Jack Daniels Annette van Rensburg 3 rd A chocolate puppy with very good substance and bone, and of a lovely dark colour. Still very loose shoulders and out at the elbow, resulting in clumsy movement. Tailset too low. No 31 Marsabet Captain Morgan Annette van Rensburg 4 th Another dark chocolate puppy with lots of substance and bone, but also loose on the move. Low tailset and overshot. The lower jaw is the last bone in the skeleton to develop, so let s cross fingers. MINOR PUPPY DOGS (6 9 months) No 44 Amadeuze Billy Joel Wesley Gibhard 1 st A chocolate boy of very nice type, sound in conformation and movement and striding out effortlessly, good topline and correct angulation, and presented in a good condition. Head still immature, which is understandable at this age, but enough length of muzzle to retrieve a guinea fowl. No 2 Ablesing Porter Parade of Bankenveldt MC Oosthuizen 2 nd This black boy is carrying too much weight. I like his type, good head and proper coat. He has a strong topline and correct tailset, but could do with a bit more turn of stifle, which is the reason why he does not stride out properly and appears to be a bit stiff in movement. 2

3 PUPPY DOG (9 12 months) No 53 Tapeatom Illustrious of Eagertrieve Angelique van Rooyen 1 st This yellow boy immediately caught my eye. He looks as if he would like to please his owner and if he could work all day long. He is sound, moves effortlessly and truely, even with some spring action, and covers lots of ground in no time. He has a masculine head which will still develop, good pigmentation, dark eyes, and he has enough bone and substance. He held his topline and carried his tail correctly. His chest still has to develop, but he is only a puppy and that will come. Lots of promise. And very well handled. No 54 Ailsacraig White Shumba Barbara Dumbrill 2 nd This yellow puppy is also a very promising youngster of very good type, with good balance and a typical Labrador head and expression: gentle, kind and friendly. Sound all over and true in movement. Good muscle tone and especially a well developed second thigh. Strong topline and correct tailset. Dark pigmentation. Just a short step behind the class winner, since he is slightly less mature and not in the best coat at the moment, but a dog that should do very well. No 38 Craignair Special Vintage at Kloofzight Gerhard van Tonder 3 rd The third place in this strong class went to a slightly chubby black boy of good type and with sufficient bone. Lovely neck and shoulders and rear angulation, but a slightly dippy topline, and his head is a bit fine at this stage. He should develop into a fine specimen of the breed. JUNIOR DOG (12 18 months) No 26 Hubert De L Etang Balancet Annemarie van Heerden 1 st A quality black dog with a striking, classical head, dark eye, and kind, pleasing expression. Flowing lines right from his head through a lovely clean neck of good length and well laid back shoulders, over a well developed chest and loins to a well angulated rear with broad thighs and a good tail. I prefer a bit of length in the body, which this dog has, since a slightly longer dog moves and works (jumps) so much better than its very short coupled cousin. He strides out nicely, but is slightly narrow on the move, which should improve as he matures and exercises. This dog is in excellent condition, but his coat was a bit fluffy (due to either a recent bath or a swim). This and a lack off animation spoilt his chances for a higher placing. No 16 Adamasdor Peter Blue Moon Renier Jansen van Vuuren 2 nd This black dog is true to type and in good condition, but he was a bit timid, not showing himself. His head is still a bit plain and fine for a male of his age, but he has a lovely neck and shoulders as well as good rear angulation. He is a good mover but his topline is slightly spoilt by a low tailset. No 21 Trevena Mannochmore Di Holman 3 rd A black dog just a bit too long and short on the leg for my taste. Excellent neck and shoulders. His head is too fine for a male, but he is not snipy. He has very good turn of stifle, but a weak topline and low tailset. Good mover. I enjoyed his enthusiasm and animation, and think he should be an excellent worker. Well presented. 3

4 No 45 Tapeatom High Calibree Lesley Isherwood 4 th This yellow boy is nicely balanced in proportions but lacks substance and coat. His topline and angulation are fine, but he has a weak front, with elbows and feet turning out, spoiling his movement. Gentle temperament and good pigmentation. GRADUATE DOG (18 24 months) No 6 Amadeuze Benjamin-Johan van Niekerk 1 st An outstanding chocolate dog, true to type and well balanced. Lovely head and expression. Sound conformation with correct angulation which supports sound movement. Deep chest and proper spring of rib. Friendly, well animated and keen. He should be an improver in chocolate breeding programmes. No 40 Valhallen Mohawk- Vanessa Lodge Lowe 2 nd This black dog is quite up on the leg, could do with a bit more bone and has a slight dip in the topline. He has a good head, neck and shoulders and a strongly developed chest. One of the dogs with better thighs and second thighs. He is in hard, working condition and very fit. No 57 Conkasha Dare Devil Sharron Brown 3 rd Another black dog head slightly feminine, movement a bit loose, but a strong topline and decent rear angulation. No 43 Amadeuze Charlie Chaplin - Wesley Gibhard 4 th This black dog with the nice head, neck and shoulders, should learn to refuse some meals. His weight throws him off balance and better stifles would help him to bring his front and back action in line. Weak thighs, but a good otter tail. Keen to please. No 58 Balrion Weathertop The Pretender Sharron Brown 5 th A chubby, strong, short coupled chocolate boy with a very high, curled tail carriage. Not enough muzzle and a rather high ear set. Stiff in movement with not enough drive. Not the friendliest dog at the show and not happy to be judged NOVICE DOG No 60 Iracema Casper Birgit Hoffmann 1 st This black dog shows type and balance, but could do with a better, stronger head and more bone. He has correct angulation in front and at the rear, has a good topline and tailset and moves well. A bit on the small side and insecure. BEST JUNIOR DOG No 53 Tapeatom Illustrious of Eagertrieve Angelique van Rooyen, who beat the reserve on substance and movement, as well as animation/showmanship. RESERVE JUNIOR DOG No 54, Ailsacraig White Shumba Barbara Dumbrill. A close runner up, and short on his heels the no 26, Hubert De L Etang Balancet Annemarie van Heerden and the no 6, Amadeuze Benjamin-Johan van Niekerk. 4

5 BABY PUPPY BITCH (4 6 months) No 56 Ailsacraig Special Star Sharron Brown 1 st A nicely balanced yellow girl with a deep chest, bone and substance, Lovely type and temperament. Confident and friendly. Good mover with a strong topline, tailset and carriage and correct angulation. No 46 Ailsacraig Dream Cum True of Lekkerwijn Sheila Bales 2 nd Another promising yellow girl who strides out nicely and effortlessly. No 56 is better proportioned with more reach of neck and better shoulders. Angulation and topline fine. No 4 Ablesing Lexus Carlin Mike van Wyk 3 rd This black puppy shows the correct type and has a lovely head, but she does not quite have the substance, bone and movement of no 1 and 2 in her class. No 34 Marsabet Martini Bianco Cocktail Annette van Rensburg 4 th Like the chocolate boys in the baby puppy class this bitch puppy has type, substance and a lovely dark mahogany colour, but her bite and tailset handicap her. Still very loose in movement. No33 Marsabet Tequila Dark Moon Annette van Rensburg 5 th Basically the same can be said as in the case of 34 but slightly weaker in movement. MINOR PUPPY BITCH (6 9 months) No 39 Ablesing Ray of Hope to Valhallen Vanessa Lodge-Lowe 1 st A black girl with a classic outline, good balance and dense coat. She has a feminine head with a dark eye and a friendly, kind expression. Shoulders well laid back and an upper arm of good length, which, together with her proper rear angulation, helps her to stride out and move in a relaxed, easy way. She holds her topline and is broad over the loins - and is well animated. Winner of a strong class. No 27 Ablesing Amazing Allegra of Amadeuze Annemarie van Heerden 2 nd This black bitch puppy has an excellent front, topline and rear, and shows lots of promise. Still a bit immature and out of proportion (leggy). Her head must still develop. At this stage she lacks some stop and width of skull but she is only a minor puppy. Very sound and easy mover. A quality bitch with promise. Right for her age. No 28 Amadeuze Elvira Madigen Annemarie van Heerden 3 rd A chocolate girl of good type and outline. She is less mature than no 1 and 2 in her class, but has a very good head, expression and kind temperament. She has a strong topline and correct angulation and is broad over the loins. Dense coat and enough substance and bone, but slightly behind her class winners in terms of movement. Promising girl. 5

6 No 35 Ailsacraig Dante Magda Niemann 4 th This kind yellow girl has type and is well proportioned, but could do with a better head and better movement. Her front movement is out. Good coat and tail. No 3 Kingsdale Jesica of Bankenveldt MC Oosthuizen 5 th This dark yellow bitch lacks type, substance, bone and coat. Unfortunately a light eye does not help to bring out the friendly, affectionate nature of the breed. A happy bitch, and quite an easy mover. PUPPY BITCH (9 12 months) No 13 Bunnichem Kelsey Annemiek Jansen Van Vuuren 1 st A dark chocolate bitch of good type and proportions. Lovely, sweet and friendly expression. Correct head but still immature. Neck and shoulders and turn of stifle fine, but she falls away at the back and has a low tailset. Movement not yet controlled. JUNIOR BITCH (12 18 months) No 17 Adamasdor Mali s Moonsong Renier Jansen van Vuuren 1 st This rather dark yellow girl is nicely balanced with a correct front assembly. Her head should have a bit more definition at this age. A bit narrow in the rear movement and slightly out in front movement. Good coat and tail. No 47 De Brack Enchanted Lady of Ablesing Juanita Botha 2 nd A yellow bitch with an excellent coat. She is short coupled, and lacks neck and shoulder angulation, but is nicely broad over the loins and has proper turn of stifle. She is a bit weak in the rear movement. No 24 Tapeatom Heaven Sent of Kloofzight Mercia van Tonder 3 rd Another yellow bitch of good type with substance and a correct, dense double coat. Front and rear movement too close. Pleasing head but a bit of a bite problem. Topline and rear assembly correct. No 14 Adamasdor Moonstruck Aria Sheila Robinson 4 th The only black bitch in this class. Not allowing me to go over her, backing away. Of good type, but lacking bone and she has weak thighs and narrow rear movement. GRADUATE BITCH (18 24 months not won a CC or RCC) No 25 Isipho Night Fury of Kloofzight Mercia van Tonder 1 st This black bitch has type and an outgoing temperament. She is also well looked after as regards her meals. Her head is almost on the fine side, but her front, topline and rear assembly are fine. In good coat but not enough bone. 6

7 BEST JUNIOR BITCH Ablesing Ray of Hope to Valhallen Vanessa Lodge-Lowe, the very showy and well presented, but also worthy winner of the Minor Puppy class. RESERVE JUNIOR BITCH Ablesing Amazing Allegra of Amadeuze Annemarie van Heerden, the runner up in the Minor Puppy class. Also a sound bitch with the correct type and temperament. SENIORS GRADUATE DOG (18 24 months has won a CC or RCC) No 7 Craignair Quantum Leap Jane Pott 1 st A black dog with a pleasing outline and angulation, but not enough substance and bone. Friendly and keen dog, but not in his best coat. Very good, dark eyes. Front correctly constructed and strong topline. Strides out nicely but slightly close at the back. SA BRED DOG No 12 Skibmanoch Zephyr of Bunnichem Annemiek Jansen van Vuuren 1 st The winner of the SA Bred class is a handsome, dark chocolate dog of excellent type and conformation, up on his legs, strong but balanced. He excells in head (masculine but with a gentle expression and dark, pleasing eyes), strong, clean neck and well laid back shoulders. Deep chest and well sprung ribs, strongs loins and correct rear angulation and movement. Slight dip in the topline and front action could be stronger, but altogether a very good specimen of the breed in good coat and hard, working condition, as can be seen in his muscle tone. No 60 Iracema Casper Birgitte Hoffmann 2 nd An insecure black dog, slightly small and not masculine enough. Angulation, topline and movement fine. VETERAN DOGS (Over 7 years) No 51 Lambrada Dreamboy Barku of Ablesing Juanita Botha 1 st The two happy, friendly yellow dogs in this class are very similar in type and quality. They are of a very good type, with enough substance and bone, classic heads, dark, soft eyes and good pigmentation, and correct coat and angulation. The first prize went to 51, the slightly younger dog, on movement and topline. No 52 CH Sonlo Romeo Sonja Louw 2 nd As above. Both these dogs should be an asset to a breeding programme. OPEN DOGS No 30 Oakglen African Lad of Mirain Sandy Borralho 1 st This black dog is well balanced and has a good head with a dark eye and pleasing expression. His neck flows nicely into his shoulders and strong topline, but he could do with a stronger rear (thighs) and movement. I would prefer a bit nore substance, bone and masculinity, but altogether a very good dog. 7

8 No 15 Adamasdor s Great Gatsby-Mrs S Robinson 2 nd This strong yellow dog shows type and is correctly angulated, with a good front, deep chest and barrel shaped rib cage, enough substance and bone, a good coat, but very loose on the move. He does not have the type of head that I like almost a bit houndish, lacking stop and definition. CHAMPION DOGS No 59 CH Dirnelia Conker of Conkasha Sharron Brown 1 st A quality dark chocolate dog. I like the type, substance, bone and balance of this dog. He has a masculine head and kind expression. The front construction is correct, but he could do with a higher tailset and stronger rear quarters, especially the thighs. BEST SENIOR DOG Skibmanoch Zephyr of Bunnichem Annemiek Jansen van Vuuren, the chocolate SA Bred dog. On account of his type, temperament and other qualities, this dog should do well in future. RESERVE SENIOR DOG Oakglen African Lad of Mirain Sandy Borralho, the black class winner in the Open Dog class. Another sound and fine specimen of the breed. GRADUATE BITCH All three bitches in this class are really very good! No 8 Craignair Huntress Gold Jane Pott 1 st This black bitch is good in all respects, from her very typical head and expression, right through to her strong rear quarters. She moves well, has a good neck and shoulders and holds her topline on the move. No 48 Ablesing Liefde Vi Klara Juanita Botha 2 nd Another really quality black, perhaps just slightly too long in the body, but with lots of substance and bone. An excellent mover, but overweight and a bit of a slow maturer. Good coat, topline and second thigh. No 36 Adamasdor Black Zambuko of Kloofzight Mercia van Tonder 3 rd A very good black bitch all round, but her weight spoils her chances, outline and movement. SA BRED BITCH No 10 Craignair Heart Breaker Jane Pott 1 st A black bitch of good type, who moves very well. Good topline, correct rear assembly, but a bit short in muzzle and neck if I have to be very critical. Though really a quality bitch. No 55 Ailsacraig Crystal Topaz Barbara Dumbrill 2 nd This pale yellow bitch is well balanced, with dark pigmentation, but she is not in good coat. Her condition, topline and angulation are good, and she has a deep chest and well sprung ribs. Does not move so well as no 10, and not so well animated. 8

9 No 49 Ablesing Promising Kelty Juanita Botha 3 rd A yellow bitch slightly carrying too much weight. Well balanced, feminine with a good neck and well laid back shoulders. Bit of a low tailset, but nice turn of stifle. No 41 Ablesing Apache Magic of Ablesing Vanessa Lodge Lowe 4 th This black bitch does not have enough substance and bone, but moves well and has a very nice dark eye and expression. No 19 Adamasdor Sally Mokka Pot Renier Jansen van Vuuren 5 th Another bitch enjoying her sumptuous meals. This chocolate bitch does not have balance, is short on the leg, has a weak topline and a low tailset. Movement too wide. She will look so much better if she can be shown in hard, working condition. VETERAN BITCH No 50 Adamasdor Kimma Mikooi - Juanita Botha 1 st An amazing 11 year old bitch who can still move well. Good type, angulation and condition. Thank you for coming, and clearly enjoying your day out! OPEN BITCH No 11 Craignair Destined to be Jane Pott 1 st A striking yellow bitch who moved around confidently and with easy stride. Excellent, hard condition well muscled, excellent double coat, very pleasing outline and type. A good neck and shoulders make such a big difference and tell that a Labrador can pick up a bird and jump and land without stumbling over. Level topline, strong over the loins, good angulation and well let down hocks. Tight feet. I think her head, of correct shape and well defined, should fill out a bit as she matures. A quality Labrador and the type that could be kept in mind in a breeding programme. No 20 Adamasdor Rebekka Roesrok Renier Jansen van Vuuren 2 nd Another yellow bitch of good type, substance and bone. Bit short on the leg, but balanced. Deep chest, well sprung ribs, short coupled and broad over the loins, and the best thighs of all the bitches at the show. Good coat, that she is about to shed. Very friendly, pleasing expression. Movement a bit close behind. No 29 Oakglen Sunshine of Love of Mirain Sandy Borralho 3 rd This black bitch has type and balance, but not a perfect bite. No 42 Ablesing Fiela Pilsier of Kloofzight Vanessa Lodge-Lowe 4 th A yellow girl of correct type and in good coat, but overweight and quite out in rear movement. Topline and angulation fine. No 37 Sexy Xena at Kloofzight Mercia van Tonder 5 th This friendly dark yellow bitch is also dining at a gourmet table, which makes her smile all day. Cheerful and of correct size, but unfortunately also totally out of coat on the day. 9

10 CHAMPION BITCHES No 9 CH Craignair Hot Gossip Jane Pott 1 st A quality black bitch of good type and proportions, but I would like to see a bit more bone. Excellent condition and angulation, with a free, easy stride, which helps her to hold her topline on the move. BEST SENIOR BITCH No 11, Craignair Destined to be Jane Pott RESERVE SENIOR BITCH No 10, Craignair Heart Breaker Jane Pott BEST SA BRED No 12, Skibmanoch Zephyr of Bunnichem Annemiek Jansen van Vuuren RESERVE SA BRED No 10, Craignair Heart Breaker Jane Pott BEST VETERAN No 51, Lambrada Dreamboy Barku of Ablesing Juanita Botha RESERVE VETERAN No 50, Adamasdor Kimma Mikooi - Juanita Botha BEST SENIOR No 11, Craignair Destined to be Jane Pott RESERVE SENIOR No 12, Skibmanoch Zephyr of Bunnichem Annemiek Jansen van Vuuren BEST IN SHOW No 11 Craignair Destined to be Jane Pott RESERVE BEST IN SHOW No 53 Tapeatom Illustrious of Eagertrieve Angelique van Rooyen CHALLENGES Best head: Best coat: van Heerden Best tail: Best feet: The black Junior dog 26 Hubert De L Etang Balancet Annemarie van Heerden The black Minor Puppy bitch 27 Ablesing Amazing Allegra of Amadeuze Annemarie The yellow Junior bitch 24 Tapeatom Heaven Sent of Kloofzight Mercia van Tonder The black Junior dog 26 Hubert De L Etang Balancet Annemarie van Heerden BEST RING STEWARD JOHNNY DE SOUSA, THANK YOU! 10