American Pointer Club National Specialty May 11 & 12, 2018 Judges Critique It was an honor to be asked, by your peers, to judge the national in a breed you are closely associated with. This national was very significant to me as it marked 50 years of my involvement in Pointers. For me, balance is of the upmost importance. A balanced dog will be able to last in the field and have no wasted action when moving. I think of a Pointer as an outline breed. They should be a series of gentle curves, which also includes a gentle tuck-up of the loin. A proper Pointer head with the correct planes, a lovely rounded eye and short ears are most desirable. A short, tapered, straight tail that lashes from side to side on the move completes the picture. One of my general observations was that the movement has improved dramatically. I only had a small number of dogs with a hackney gait. The vast majority moved efficiently while covering ground. I also felt in general that the heads were pleasing. I didn t see snipey muzzles lacking in depth. I felt that many of the exhibits needed improvement in tails. Too many were the wrong shape, carried in a curve and too high and few lashed from side to side which totally destroys the outline of the dog on the move. Another thing I noticed was that many of the dogs tended to move with their heads carried too low which also destroys the outline of the dog on the move. A stylish Pointer looks best when moving effortlessly on a loose lead with the head carried high. I was most upset at the number of dogs with shy temperaments. I was surprised at this resurgence since I felt this was something we had worked on and successfully eliminated. This needs to be of prime concern for all of us in the breed. We need to eliminate dogs that do not have stable temperaments. The first lines of our standard address this by saying The Pointer is bred primarily for sport afield: he should unmistakably look and act the part. Dog Classes There were six puppies in the 6-9 month class. First went to Edgehill s Heeere s Johnny, a very promising orange and white puppy who had a lovely outline, up on leg and a proper underline. His movement was purposeful, especially for such a young boy. Pleasing expression and good head planes. Second place went to Penpoint Bregman, a black & white puppy who also moved efficiently. He has good head planes and good depth to his muzzle. He is a balanced puppy with a correct amount of tuckup. The 9-12-month class was won by a black & white puppy, Southern Malmason Fowl Play. Well balanced puppy with good substance, proper topline and good head planes. Used himself well on the move. Second was Southern Malmason Orange You Amused, a litter mate to the class winner. Also a nice puppy with correct head planes and a nice short ear. Not quite as smooth moving as my first place There was one puppy in the 12-15 month class, Solivia s I d Know You Anywhere. A black & white puppy, compact, balanced and covered ground on the move. Solivia N Le Rave s Shady Aftermath won the 15-18 month class. This orange & white puppy had proper head planes, compact body and balanced. A little too much arch in the topline at this stage. Second went to another orange and white, Kingcroft Stai Zitto. Beautiful expression and planes. Unsure of himself which affected his movement causing some wasted motion. Could have stronger rear quarters.
Bred By was won by Southern Malmason Pheasantly Surprised. This black & white boy caught my eye as the class moved around the first time. His movement was effortless and covered lots of ground. Nicely balanced dog with good head planes and expression. Carried a good topline and moved with a straight tail devoid of any curve. Extremely sound coming and going. Second was Monarch Laurent My Heart Will Go On for Stargazer, an orange and white dog who also had much going for him. Moved well with style, good head planes, would like to have seen a bit more depth to his muzzle. American Bred Dog was won by Solivia s I Thought About You, another black & white. This is a lovely balanced dog that I really appreciated and gave him every opportunity. Although not well trained, he had many correct attributes. I would like to see this dog again when he is better trained. Second went to black & white, Penzance Racecity The Snowy Day at Starstrk. Well balanced good on the move, no wasted motion. Proper topline and nicely balanced. Open Dog went to the orange & white, Pointgold He s Got The Right Stuff. Good head planes, long neck into smooth shoulders and strong rear quarters. Proper amount of tuck-up. Tended to overreach while moving and would like a straighter tail. Second to Franzini Verso a blanket black. Good head planes and topline. Would like to see stronger rear quarters on this dog. My Winners dog went to the Bred By dog, Southern Malmason Pheasantly Surprised and Reserve went to his litter mate, Southern Malmason Fowl Play from the 9-12 class. Both of these dogs are lovely representatives of the breed that had not only type but proper movement. They are beautifully balanced and could definitely do what they were bred to do. They were both in good condition and had outstanding temperaments. Bitch Classes 6-9 bitches- There were 13 entered in this class with several absentees bringing it down to nine puppies. This was a very competitive puppy class with the eventual winner going to RaceCity Penzance I Won t Back Down. This is a lovely puppy who was so very light on her feet and moved totally effortlessly. She is well balanced and carried a good topline and a short tail. I would like to see a tad more depth to her muzzle but this often comes with maturity. She went on to be Best Puppy. Second in the class was Penpoint Gurriel, another promising orange & white puppy. Lovely head and expression, good fill in the front, well balanced. 9-12 bitch class was won by Southern Malmason Jalapeno Business. A lovely black & white bitch that moved flawlessly. Well balanced, neck flowed into well laid back shoulders, strong topline. Second was Malmason Southern Puptown Girl. 12-15 month bitches- There were 2 in this class. First went to Perryglen s Alice in Wonderland, a well balanced black & white bitch with a pleasing head. Second was another black & white bitch, Tarmigan s Sweet Spot also balanced and efficient mover. 15-18 month bitches- There were 4 in this class with first going to Southern Starr in the Spotlight. Stylish black & white bitch, pleasing head, good length of neck, strong rear quarters. Second was the liver & white Bookstor Fabello Annie Get Your Gun. Well balanced, good head planes, sound mover. Bred By Bitches- There were 8 in this class with the winner going to the orange & white Dobe s Den Donna Cowgirl. This is a lovely orange & white bitch with a curvy outline. Proper head planes and
excellent length of muzzle. Moved beautifully covering a lot of ground. She went on to be my Winners Bitch. Second went to Monarch Laurent s I Heart Stargazer. Pretty headed orange & white bitch. She moved very well. A tad longer in loin than the class winner. She was my Reserve Winners Bitch. American Bred Bitch- Racecity Penzance Jeopardy, an orange & white bitch with good head planes. Muzzle lacking a bit in length. Compact body and good mover. Open Bitches- There were 3 in this class. The winner was Perryglen s Daisy Dish Face. Good moving orange and white girl with a pleasing head and expression. Second went to Perryglen s Skipping Stones, also an orange and white is well balanced. Good length of neck and strong topline. Veteran Classes 7-9 year old dogs- There were 3 dogs in this class. I chose GCHS Springpoint New Moon Rising JHA as the winner. An impressive liver and white dog in lovely condition. Beautifully balanced, excellent mover. Pleasing head. Second was GCH. Robyn Magic Touch- a handsome orange and white dog, up on leg, good head planes, strong topline. 9-11 year old dogs- There were 2 in the class. GCH Black Alder Dashiell Hammett won the class. A lovely black and white dog. Beautiful head, compact and well balanced. Covered ground on the move. Second went to Ch. Xanalot s Avanti Flashpoint, a pretty headed orange and white dog and well balanced. 11 years & up GCHB Mi-Ti s Image is Everything CD,BN,RE,SCA,SIN,SBN, TKN- My first impression of this dog was what superb condition he was in for a 12 year old. He looked half his age! This is a well-made dog who still could move efficiently. 7-9 year old bitches The class went to GCH. Terrapointe Pawsup Made to Sparkle RN- a well balanced black and white bitch. Compact body with correct tuck-up. Moved efficiently. Second went to Perryglen s Betty Boop, a well made orange and white bitch with good reach and drive on the move. 9-11 year old bitch- GCH. Penzance Sound Garden at Racecity JH- pretty headed black & white bitch. Well balanced and moved well. 11 years & older bitches- There were 4 in this class with first being won by Ch. Coralwood Amazona Strike Out- This is a beautiful old girl with a lovely head, good length of neck that flowed smoothly into her laid-back shoulders. Very balanced and moved beautifully with style. Quite impressive for her age. Second went to Perryglen s Penny Lane, a well balanced black & white bitch with a lovely head. Compact body with correct tuck-up. Hunting Dog- Two in the class which was won by Ch. Crescendo Pawsup Everything and More JH ACT2 SCN TKN, a well made black & white dog with neck flowing smoothly into his shoulders. Nice outline and well balanced. Covered a lot of ground on the move. Second went to the orange and white Ch. Cookieland I Love A Mystery JH. Stylish on the move with the proper head carriage. Field Bitches- 2 in the class. Ch. RaceCity Green Eggs and Ham won the class. Pretty headed orange & white girl. Compact body and also moved with style carrying her head properly. Second was Ch. Kinnike
Louise JHA CA, also orange & white and she too moved stylishly. Good head planes, could have a deeper muzzle. Hunting Bitches- 4 in the class which was won by Ch. Malmason Alydar Shining Example JH, a wellbalanced lemon & white bitch. Good length of neck into smooth shoulders. Pleasing head and moved out nicely. Second went to Ch. Aspyre Runnin Down A Dream JH another lemon & white. Good head with correct planes Best of Breed- 35 entries (15-20) There was incredible depth of quality in the final class for Best of Breed. I could have used several more ribbons! My Best of Breed went to the lovely black & white bitch, GCHS Zensu Bed of Roses. She put on a flawless performance. Her movement was purposeful and ground covering and also stylish with the proper head carriage. This bitch is beautifully balanced with a very pleasing head and expression. Best of Winners went to my Winners Bitch, Dobe s Den Donna Cowgirl. Best of Opposite & Best Owner Handler was my Veteran Dog, GCHS Springpoint New Moon Rising JHA. This dog never missed a beat. His movement was effortless and ground covering. Select Dog went to the young liver & white Ch. Southern Malmason Rock Paper Scissors. This is a beautifully balanced dog, up on his leg and smooth all over. Lovely outline and his movement was also effortless with good reach and drive. This young dog is only going to get better with age. I look forward to following his career as I feel strongly he will be a top winner in the breed. He was a strong contender for BOS but I went with the Veteran dog for his maturity. Select Bitch- GCH Starstrk Alydar Ring of Fire, a heavily ticked black & white bitch. She is very well balanced and moves effortlessly as a result of her balance. Lovely head and expression. Awards of Merit- GCH Black Alder Dashiell Hammett, the winner of the 9-11 Veteran Class. GCHS Oncore Mykyna Tailgate Party- lovely orange and white bitch. Good head and expression, sound moving and covered ground. She was in beautiful condition. GCH Tapestry Hall Presidential, a lovely liver & white dog. Pleasing head, well balanced, smooth outline with no exaggeration. Moved out nicely. Best Puppy- RaceCity Penzance I Won t Back Down Best Veteran- GCHS Springpoint New Moon Rising JHA Best BBE- Dobe s Den Donna Cowgirl Best Field- Ch. Crescendo Pawsup Everything and More JH ACT2 SCN TKN Best Stud Dog- Ch. Solivia s Skywalker Best Brood Bitch- Ch. Malmason Alydar Shining example JH
Brace: Ch Crescendo Pawsup Everything and More JH ACT2 SCN TKN & GCH Pawsup Accustomed to Success BN RA JH NAP NJP Junior Showmanship- The participants were very competitive. Looks like our breed will be in good hands with these young people in the future. Best Junior- O Malley McGee Reserve Junior- Ashley Dornak