ABC ’04 Judge’s Critique
BITCHES AND INTERSEX
Stephanie Abraham
It was my pleasure to judge 338 Bitches and 114 Specials at ABC 2004 in
Kentucky. I thank all of those who entered there.
My own view of judging Boxers is that type is paramount. I found myself
cutting those huge classes (one over 40) based on which entrants best
exemplified true Boxer type—square, medium sized, classic head, sound,
with bold happy attitude. After cut upon cut, my top placements were
awarded to those animals which excelled in both type and proper movement,
and which, under the pressure of the moment, seemed to thrive and demand
my attention.
My Winner’s Bitch, and eventual Best of Winners, was a nearly 9 month
old (as I later learned) fawn puppy, SUNCREST
DREAMS OF GOLD (Owner: Udomsak Rittichaikul & Olive
Lee-Waters. Breeder: Olive Lee-Waters). In her 6-9 Fawn class on Wednesday
she defeated other worthy puppies because, in addition to her superb
movement, tracking true and with a beautiful firm topline on side gait,
she also had a marvelous head with proper "fill," turn up of
nose, breadth and depth of muzzle, and large dark expressive eyes. For her
age class she had proper spring of rib and good bone, well let down hocks,
and was in gleaming coat and super condition. The next day, as the lovely
Winners class assembled, it was the puppy who really "asked" for
the win, never putting a foot wrong and challenging her competition to
outshine her—in my opinion, no one did. Her closest competitor was the
RWB, from 12-18 Fawn, WILMOR'S SECOND
HAND ROSE KAN-TO (Owner: Jane Wilkinson & Kathy Frohock &
D Hilton & R Morton. Breeder: Jane Wilkinson & Debbie Hilton).
This lovely deer red fawn bitch was exceptionally clean and smooth,
beautiful neck and shoulder, true mover down and back and a delight to
watch on side gait. She epitomized quality and breed type.
In a class entry of this size there were many outstanding exhibits. I
did not see very many "doggy" bitches, musculation was clean,
and most of the entrants showed with great style. It was refreshing to see
some fine "classic plain" bitches entered, hopefully signaling a
trend to keep and show with less emphasis on fancy white markings. I think
that breeders are making a good effort to bring back proper chins, eye
color was most often excellent, and I thought that bites had improved over
the ABC entrants I judged in 1995. With so many to judge in 2004, it was
also perhaps inevitable that I would find myself too often disappointed by
a lack of proper "fill" under the eyes, and the small, slanted
eyes themselves on so many exhibits, destroying that sweet expression that
we all love in the breed. Those atypical small almond eyes, some
incorrectly placed more to the side instead of correctly set frontally,
are more akin to those of Dobes. There were also too many poor feet in
evidence, as well as a too frequent tendency to long backs. Straight
shoulders were sometimes combined with rears of greater angulation,
creating imbalances that translated into poor movement as the animal tried
to compensate. Such trends in the breed may be cyclical, and perhaps in
the next few years these observations will no longer be valid.
I excused 3 bitches that refused to stand for examination and appeared
shy on the day. Hopefully, these were temporary aberrations, but
temperament is something so fundamental to our enjoyment of the Boxer, and
to his/her quintessential being, that it is an area that does not allow
for compromise, either in the ring or in the whelping box. I also saw some
mature dogs that were definitely uncomfortable in the ring, though they
did stand, but gaited without animation, tails at half mast or clamped
down. Not desirable temperament in our exuberant, happy boxers.
The Specials Class was exceptional, and my Best of Breed was a glorious
dark brindle bitch, no stranger to the ring at 5 ½ years--CH
BRAVO'S DANCE CARD (Owner: Susan Finley. Breeder: Susan Finley
& Joyce Campbell DVM). Combining that elusive "substance with
elegance," this bitch would be most breeders’ dreams come true—because
she has it "all." One of the most beautiful heads ever: clean,
chisled, muzzle deep and wide, perfectly set ears, proper eyes, correct
profile and turn-up of nose, perfect meeting of upper and lower lips
without any suggestion of overlip, and the essential visible chin from
both front and side. Her arched neck flowed into her shoulders without a
ripple over the withers, the topline was slightly sloping to the croup,
and she possessed the most exquisite balance. She moved so correctly, so
measured and sound, and stopped every time in a perfect "pose,"
with weight evenly distributed on all 4 feet. She had a proud and happy
outlook and looked as tho she could repeat her stellar performance all day
long. Despite her obvious and outstanding characteristics, she was
challenged by a stunning dog, CH SIRROCCO'S SING IT TO ME ( Owner:
Diane R Mallett & Jarvier Ramirez. Breeder: Dr Neil & Mrs Ann
Jackson & Diane R Mallett). A mahogany brindle, he was very masculine,
square, sound as any dog in the ring, a free and easy mover, straight and
true on the down and back, with just the right blend of substance and
style. His head was excellent, beautiful bite (very wide and incisors
straight across), correct underjaw, full dark eyes, and he was another one
that was truly happy to be in the ring showing off. It was interesting to
note that several Specials dogs that were outstanding in
"stacked" mode, and adequate in the triangle, fell apart when
asked to do the simple down and back.
But the overall quality in the Specials ring was superb. It was very
difficult to make all those cuts, knowing that I was eliminating dogs and
bitches that I would be happy to award BOB in another setting. Looking
later at the catalog, I can see that many of the Specials were relatively
young, having finished at an early age—an observation that may not be of
any true importance, but 28 (almost 25%) were under 2 years old. Some
apparent lack of depth in quality in the classes may be attributable to
the fact that there were so many fine youngsters only recently finished.
Awards of Merit, in no particular order, were:
CH RUFFIAN'S ALLEGED (Owner: Carole Suter & Ike Liotto.
Breeder: Carole Suter & M & D Lang). Brindle Dog. This gray-faced
upstanding brindle dog was so impressive, with perfect balance and great
presence among so many good ones. His nobility was apparent at first
glance, and he did not disappoint on the move.
CH ARACREST ARDEN OF HOLLY LANE (
Breeder: Norah McGriskin. Owner: Norah McGriskin and Eileen McClintock). A
medium sized brindle bitch, great breed type and beautiful head, correct
topline, square, sound—not too much more to ask for.
CH CRYSTO'S IMAGE OF ARRIBA ( Owner: Tony & Crystal Finney.
Breeder: Tony & Crystal Finney). A red brindle, this was the Best
Veteran Dog, one of the finest heads in the show, in superb condition and
in youthful bloom for his years. He moved out with the best of them and
never lost his topline. Great balance.
CH HI-TECH'S BASIC EDITION ( Owner: Dr & Mrs William
Truesdale & G Dwight & Myrna R Kahlo. Breeder: Dr William &
Zoila Truesdale & Kristy Hodolitz). Fawn Dog. All "boy,"
smooth and elegant, with all-too-rare well laid back shoulders and rear
angulation to match, this dog was an exceptionally good mover (true reach
and drive) on the day. Lovely head and expression as well.
CH BAYVIEW SOME LIKE IT HOT ( Owner: J Hutchins & K & P
Morrison. Breeder: K & P Morrison & T Spridgen). This red fawn
bitch epitomized type with her short back, nice medium size, and exuberant
happy attitude. Very good head, the correct slightly sloping topline, very
nice feet, and clean smooth lines. Moved out with confident reach and
drive.
Pressing closely for an AOM was the red fawn youngster, CH
HALCYON Q CEDAR
CHIP ( Owner: Karen &
Patrick Quagliana. Breeder: Susan Von Rothkirch). Just lacking in maturity
on the day, befitting a dog barely 12 months of age, I would hope that his
lovely square and balanced proportions, beautiful head, and sound movement
will find him prominent in the specials ring one day.
It was a privilege to judge so many fine animals and to appreciate
their professional presentation, both by amateur and "pro"
handlers alike. Surely there is no Boxer community in the world that takes
more pride in showing its best. I thank the ABC members and friends for
their kind hospitality all throughout this very special week in May.
----Stephanie Abraham
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