Lab Club South Africa 11 th May 2008 It was a great honour to be invited to judge for your Club a second time, and particularly at your 41 st championship show in the 50 th anniversary year of the Labrador Retriever Kennel Club. My thanks go to the committee, my very efficient steward Roy Clark, and to the exhibitors for making my visit such a happy one. It was lovely to see so many of you after the show and to be able to present you with all those fantastic trophies. I hope Mrs. Howard got back to Cape Town without paying any excess baggage, especially as if my memory serves me correctly she won first prize in the raffle as well! A few general comments, then, before I present my critique. A number of exhibits would have benefited from having more ring training but, just as importantly, there were several handlers who would have enhanced the picture their dogs presented if they themselves had practised their ring technique a little more. Please do attend training classes with your dogs if this Club or any other canine club lays them on for you. I saw dogs shown on a variety of collars and leads. The most desirable type, I feel, is a slip lead not too thick, and blending with your dog s colour. Once you and your dogs have had some ring practice, these leads will enhance your showing! Another little tip, if I may presume to offer it: if the ground slopes away where you are showing your dog, do stand the exhibit uphill (i.e. with the front feet on the higher ground and the back feet on the lower!). Thank you for bringing your lovely Labradors under me and for your sporting acceptance of my decisions. Dogs even top winning ones are not always in absolutely tip-top condition; every judge interprets the standard in his or her own way, and even handlers have their offdays! Therefore, when you win, enjoy it; when you lose, be gracious about it there is always another day.
Having lots of litters is not always the road to success, but breeding selectively and carefully, aiming to reproduce the breed standard, very often is. Finally, and above all, continue to love and support our fantastic breed and your Club you will be repaid a hundred-fold. Pat Harrison Stebel Labradors England p.s. It is a great thrill for me every time I receive Lab Lines to see one of our own dear departed labs (Stebel Dark Gypsy) on the bottom right-hand corner of the font cover. It was lovely, therefore, to see that the same cover was used for your championship show catalogue. Minor Puppy Dogs (2) 1. Pott s Craignair Stolen Nugget Black youngster of nearly 9 months, good reach of neck, clean outline, and well made throughout. Movement a little loose at the moment, but will tighten up, I m sure, as he matures. 2. Farrell s Valhallen Black Joshua of Castleburgh Quite a nice looking boy, with pleasing head and good hind quarters, but I was simply unable to go over him properly, which was disappointing. Puppy dogs (5) (2 absent) 1. Howard s Hotsouthwind Flying High to Tapeatom What a lovely specimen, just right for his age, but at 10 months old there is a lot more to come from him. Excellent angles front and rear, lovely masculine but kind head, level topline, good tailset and in excellent coat and condition. Moved very soundly.
I am not in the habit of awarding a puppy the CC, but later in the day that was exactly what I did. Best Puppy in Show and Reserve Best in Show. 2. Brown & Kayser s Dirnelia Conker Nicely made choc boy of almost a year old. Pleasing expression, good bone and a firm topline. Nothing exaggerated about him and he moved pretty well. He would benefit from a little more ring training, but had settled more later in the day to clinch the Best Chocolate Dog award and Reserve Best Puppy in Show. 3. Bell s Tapeatom Out of the Blue to Ailsacraig Just a year old, this yellow was a little finer in head and did not have the substance of the first two. He moved a little erratically but was shown on a chain collar, so maybe a bit more training and a proper show lead would help. Graduate Dogs (2) 1. Reid s Chezenko Wingshooter A very well made black of just 18 months, kind masculine head, well-placed shoulders, nicely turned stifles, excellent coat and otter tail. Very promising, with a happy but sensible temperament. 2. Fenandez s Adamasdor Rinzen Yellow of 21 months, not the coat and tail of 1, and not so balanced. Level topline and moved reasonably, but, again, dog and owner need to train a bit more. Maiden Dogs (3) 1. Reid s Zack s Whispering Wind of Chezenko (IMP BRAZIL) Lovely black of two-and-a-half years, excellent front and rear angles, super coat and otter tail. He has a kind head and good bone and was not bad on the move once settled. I was very surprised to find him in Maiden. I am sure he will notch up more wins.
2. Bell s Ailsacraig Silver Ruff A two-year-old substantial yellow in good coat and with a wellshaped tail and good bone. A little strong in head for me and on the move he carried his tail rather high which did spoil the picture. 3. Hoar s Eyebright Scapa Darker yellow, not quite the substance of the other two and not really happy in the ring. This was, I understand, his first show and he was not sure what was expected of him, so he moved rather erratically and was very worried by the flapping of the ring tapes. Members Dogs (2) 1. Anderson s Ch. Sunjon Sheer Royalty Mature yellow of good proportions throughout, covered the ground well, correct coat and well shaped tail. A worthy champion. 2. Lodge-Lowe s Ch. Valhallen Man on the Move Very nice choc with good pigmentation, excellent quarters and in good condition throughout. Although the set of his tail is correct, he carried it very high on the move, which is a pity. South African Bred Dogs (1) 1. Holman s Trevena Midnite Master Nicely made black belying his seven years! In excellent coat and condition, pleasing masculine head, with neat well-placed ears. A little exuberant to say the least and giving his handler a hard time, but he strode out well when asked to move. Best SA Bred in Show
Veteran Dogs (3) (1 Absent) 1. Bell s Ch. Lombardy Black Shadow at Ailsacraig 10 year old black with lovely soft expression, well made, with no exaggerations, excellent double coat and presented in very good order. Perhaps not quite the movement of 2 but he is a lot older so I forgave that! 2. Reid s Ch. Chezenko Double or Nothing WHR FQ Just old enough to qualify as a Veteran, this dog is blessed with good bone and is of a pleasing make and shape, moving well off strong quarters. My only criticism (and I am not a dark eye fanatic) is that I would prefer a slightly darker eye. Both these Veterans are a credit to the breed and both are worthy carriers of the Champion s title. I note that they are both sired by Ch. Balrion Black Arrogance of Breckondale to whom I awarded the CC at your show in l997. Arro belonged to the late Rod Copestake and now lives in happy retirement with Miss June Trautmann. Open Dogs (4) 1. Pott s Craignair Jump Master Nicely angled mature yellow, with clean outline, good pigmentation and kind masculine expression, correct double coat, level topline and tail coming straight off his back. His positive movement gave him the class and later the Reserve CC. 2. Bakkes Carriegame Bobby Dazzler of Dirnelia (IMP UK) Two-year-old choc with very pleasing head and eye colour and nice rich coloured double coat. Short-coupled, with well-turned stifles. To get the best out of him he does need a little more schooling. 3. Van Vuuren s Adamasdor Maestro Maxim Mature black in gleaming condition, with excellent bone, coat and tail, but something spooked him and he lost a higher placing because of it. A pity.
4. Bakkes Boothgates Mud Wrester of Dirnelia (IMP UK) This chocolate was of very good type, with excellent pigmentation, but unfortunately he was lame due to a cut foot and therefore I could not place him higher. Champion Dogs (4) Very little separated these four worthy champions, all of them being excellent examples of the breed. 1. Van Vuuren s Ch. Adamasdor s Rolls Royce A very sound balanced yellow, clean in head and outline, level back, good pigmentation giving him a lovely expression, excellent angles fore and aft, moved with drive. 2. Louw s Ch. Sonlo Romeo Short-coupled yellow, with excellent bone, coat and tail, a good representative of the breed who moved positively, covering the ground well. 3. Van Vuuren s Ch. Tapeatom Goliath of Cellan Black with very kind head and expression well rounded hindquarters, neat feet, and everything in proportion. Shown in gleaming condition. I moved him twice, and the second time he went well. 4. Moore s Ch. Ailsacraig Christmas Star of Tsavo This lovely yellow had obviously smelt something very exciting as he would not get his nose off the ground!
Minor Puppy Bitches (4) (1 Absent) 1. Knight s Serrarona Botticelli 8-month-old black, pretty head and expression, very balanced and well-made throughout, good topline, and correct coat and tail. Not a showy girl and I hope that she will not be penalised for this as she is a very good example of the breed. 2. Pott s Craignair Blue Suede This yellow was also aged 8 months, clean in neck and outline, not the coat and tail of the winner and her head needs to develop, but that will happen as she matures. In contrast to 1, she was a very outgoing character! 3. Thomas s Chezenko Easy on the Eye This black girl was only just six months old, but there simply was not enough of her. She was lacking substance and did not have a true otter tail. I must say this surprises me now that I have seen her breeding. She was attentive to her owner and had a pleasing temperament, which is most important. Puppy Bitches (1) 1. Bakkes Dirnelia Liefstemadelein Chocolate of almost a year old, well off for bone, good angles, pigmentation was pleasing and her coat was of a whole colour. She moved enthusiastically, and, although alone in this class, deserved her first prize. Junior Bitches (3) 1. Reid s Wildra Secret Deal with Chezenko A very sound, nicely proportioned black, with well turned stifles, feminine head, tight feet and in gleaming condition. She played up when I went over her, but deserved her win in this class for her overall type. Later, in the challenge, she moved really well and
gave a good account of herself. Very promising. Reserve CC and Best Junior in Show. 2. Van Rensburg s Marsabet Opal A really nice chocolate, with good bone, excellent tight feet, and a pleasing head, enhanced by decent pigmentation. The young man who handled her needs to practise more because his lack of skill will hold her back. 3. Scheepers Tapeatom Charming of Adorlabra This yellow is slightly fine in bone and head, but there is still time for her to develop more. She has a well-shaped tail, moved reasonably in the heat and held her topline as she went round the ring. Graduate Bitches (4) 1. Knight s Adamasdor Rustle O Spring at Serrarona Short-coupled yellow, well-placed shoulders, good hindquarters, level topline both standing and moving, not overdone in any way and presenting a balanced picture. 2. Vieira s Craignair Harlech of Vonniejo Black, a slightly bigger girl than 1, plenty of bone, nice reach of neck and good double coat, attentive to her handler and moved well once she had settled. 3. Van Zyl s Chezenko Ultimate Fantasy Black, not quite the substance of the first two, clean outline and in good coat and condition. She carries her tail rather high when she moves which does spoil the overall picture. 4. Rensburg s Marsabet Kola Ice Chocolate, quite well made, though she slopes away a little at the tail; both bitch and handler need some training in order to make the most of her.
Maiden (2) (1 Absent) 1. Stephen s Bardale Widgeon NHR Yellow field trial bitch of almost three years, of leaner type than many show dogs and not entirely used to the show etiquette! She has well turned stifles and is in very fit condition, with sound, free movement. Thank you for the opportunity to go over her. Members Bitches (3) (1 Absent) 1. Lodge-Lowe s Valhallen She s The Girl Two-year-old choc, who has substance without being coarse, reasonable eye to coat colour, in excellent coat and condition, nice tight feet, moved quite well, although a little worried by the ring ropes flapping at one point. 2. Bell s Ailsacraig So Cool A rather small yellow, but nevertheless all in proportion and with a pretty head. I understand that this was her first show and she obviously found the environment rather bewildering and accordingly did not move at all well or confidently. South African Bred Bitches (4) (1 absent) 1. Pott s Cragnair Ghaladriel Compact, mature yellow with good double coat and no exaggerations. Attentive to her owner, she covered the ground well and displayed a level topline both standing and moving. Best Opposite SA Bred in Show 2. Farrell s Valhallen Dawn Rising of Castleburgh Pleasing black, with well developed hind quarters, but I would like a little more bone on the front legs. Good spring of rib, and nice reach of neck, flowing into well-placed shoulders.
3. Van Rensburg s Marsabet Fudge Sundae Choc, in good coat and with pleasing pigmentation and eye colour but not confident either standing or moving in the show ring. She would benefit from losing a little bit of weight. Veteran Bitches (3) Three lovely older ladies, who all merited their Champion titles. 1. Bales Ch. Lekkerwijn Shiraz A charming, happy choc enjoying her day out. In excellent condition, with lovely otter tail coming straight off her back, pleasing expression and good eye colour, she carried a fantastic coat which earned her the Best Chocolate and Best Veteran In Show awards. 2. Pott s Ch. Chezenko Kissmeallover of Craignair FQ NHR Lovely black, looking a little matronly as she is entitled to do. Lovely head, good bone and typical Labrador coat and tail. Not moving quite so freely as the winner, but at the age of ten a credit to her owner. 3. Van Vuuren s Ch. Adamasdor Calamity Cato A balanced yellow, with feminine expression, a happy mover who gave her handler her undivided attention. Her outline was spoiled today by apparently having raided the food bag! Nevertheless, a lovely lady. Open Bitches (5) (1 Absent) 1. Holman s Charway Ballymae of Trevena NHR A neat black, looking really well and mature at two-and-a-half years old. In excellent coat and correct in all departments, with nothing exaggerated. Displaying all the breed atrributes, she is feminine in head and expression, has a level topline and is in firm, hard condition. In addition, she has sound, driving movement and
presents a picture of overall balance. I was pleased to award her the CC, which I was told made her up. She was Best Black and Best in Show. Well done. 2. Van Vuuren s Ch. Adamasdor Hanna Lovely yellow who was feeling the heat. In very good condition throughout, pleasing head and lovely pigment. On another day, a winner I m sure. 3. Van Rensburg s Kirdneh Princess Saskia of Marsabet Substantial choc, in very good order, lovely pigment, but again one that needs a bit more ring training. 4. Farrell s Valhallen Dawn Rising of Castleburgh Pretty black, but would personally like a bit more bone. Attentive to her handler, in firm condition and strode out well. Champion Bitches (4) 1. Van Vuuren s Ch. Adamasdor Katrien Mature yellow, such a lovely outline and so well made, a worthy title holder. She was not totally enjoying her day, but did enough in the final analysis to merit her first place. 2. Bales Ch. Lekkerwijn Maltabella Lovely chocolate, with good whole colour coat, well-turned stifles, level topline and a sound, happy mover. 3. Scheepers Ch. Rodare Tehilah of Adorlabra Soundly made yellow in good coat and with well-shaped tail. Lacking a bit of pigment on her nose, and feeling the heat just a little, but a well-made girl. 4. Pott s Ch. Craignair Just a Kiss Feminine black in fine condition, excellent front construction but standing a little bit high at the back.
Kirsty Reid was the only junior handler present, but she showed Chezenko Wingshooter to perfection, including taking him round the ring at a suitable pace. There was an obvious rapport between dog and handler. Kirsty also showed Wingshooter s sire, Zack s Whispering Wind of Chezenko, to whom I awarded Best Tail! These two dogs won the Brace class for the Reid family, and the Breeders class, too, was won by the Reids. Congratulations. Pat Harrison Stebel Labradors England