Wednesday, September 3, 2014

Cary Kennel Club, Monday, September 01, 2014 Raleigh, NC

HAVANESE
TED - Reserve Winners Dog
PORTER - 1st in BBE
MYRA - WINNERS BITCH & BEST OF WINNERS - NEW CHAMPION !!!
ZEUS - Select 
SELENA - Best of Opposite 
BREED & GROUP JUDGE MR. ROBERT HUTTON

The dog that won the breed also got a Group 1 (Robert Hutton) and RBIS (John Wade).  You know if we scissored/razored/trimmed the head piece like that we would get excused, for an 'unauthorized trim'.   The hair on the top of a specials head should be as long as the rest of their coat, or pretty close.  I understand a few shorter hairs, a scratched out part or something, but to have the same short length for years in the same convenient spot, the dog either does not grow the correct coat, or it is trimmed.  For the judges that fall for the 'oh, the puppies were playing with him and ripped it out' I am not sure what to say, except what handler/owner/breeder with a top special, let puppies chew on a dog they are campaigning?  Think about it!  
Yes, he has a cute face, but the handler that did this and was rewarded with her last special, and now with this one.  

That's like an insurance company giving you a discount for getting speeding tickets.  I don't get it. 

From the AKC Standard:
"The long, untrimmed head furnishings may fall forward over the eyes, naturally and gracefully to either side of the skull, or held in two small braids beginning above the eyes, secured with plain elastic bands."
"In either coat, minimal trimming of the hair at the inside corner of the eye is allowed for hygienic purposes only, not in an attempt to resculpt the planes of the head."
"The hair on the feet and between the pads should be neatly trimmed for the express purpose of a tidy presentation. Any other trimming or sculpting of the coat is to be so severely penalized as to preclude placement."
Since this was a judge from a recent Havanese National Specialty, I would have assumed that he would know that standard a bit better.  
BICHONS
NURPLE - Best of Breed

Nurple did not make it to the Group Ring as the Havanese were in the ring at the same time as the Non Sporting Group and Dave couldn't find anyone to take him in.  Sorry Dr. Simmons, we hope to see you again soon.  

THANK YOU BREED & GROUP JUDGE DR. DALE SIMMONS