In Their Own Words – WKC BIS & Group Judges Critiques

Compiled by Joan Harrigan

NOTE: The 142nd Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show on February 12 and 13 had an entry of more than 2,800 dogs in 201 breeds and varieties. We asked the seven group judges and Betty-Anne Stenmark, the Best in Show judge, to talk about their assignments and placements. They are arranged in the order they showed over those two days.

THE HOUND GROUP

Monday evening’s program began with the hounds, judged by Jeffrey G. Pepper of Boynton Beach, Florida. “This was the first time I’ve judged a Group at Westmin- ster and I was both very honored and cer- tainly excited by the honor of being invited to judge this Group,” Pepper wrote. “There is nothing quite like judging a Group in the Garden!

“When I walked down the two sides at the beginning of my assignment, I was met with a very large number of outstanding examples of their respective breeds. Kudos to the breed judges. While I cut eight out- standing dogs, there were several that I left behind that I would be more than happy to have in my Group ring sometime in the fu- ture. The depth of quality was so great that I was forced to leave several dogs out of the cut. I do wish that I had an additional rosette for at least one of the two Dachs- hunds I cut.”

Group One:
GCHG. Belisarius JP My Sassy Girl
Borzoi
Bred by Kyoko Ozeki
Owned by Michele Molnar,
Jamie Danburg, and Minoru Kato

“I have had this bitch in my ring several times previously and have never seen her looking better. Her overall type, balance, and soundness are just magnificent. She has the long, narrow head and soft expres- sion called for in the breed standard and carries the correct Borzoi silhouette and backline, with the slight rise over the loin just where it should be, according to the standard. She was in excellent condition and, for a sighthound, quite comfortable in the ring.

“She moved with the correct springy gait, without excessive extension, yet covered ground easily. It was a joy to watch her go around the ring. She was beautifully presented by her handler who moved her at just the right speed for the dog. In my opinion, she is a very deserv- ing winner.”

Click the link below to read the complete list of critiques in our digital edition!

Short URL: http://caninechronicle.com/?p=141011

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