Marsha Henkel
I was honored to be asked to judge the Gun Dog Sweepstakes at the 2022 Spinone Club of America National Specialty in Lebanon, Oregon.
I was very impressed with the overall quality of the dogs shown to me.
I found pleasing heads, that thick Spinone skin and correct coat with a strong robust build and bone. I was also very impressed with the condition of the dogs. Most were fit, well-muscled and could easily spend a day working a field.
The winner of the Gun Dog Sweepstake caught my eye when she walked into the ring and I wasn’t disappointed when I went over her. She was beautifully presented and moved.
My Best in the Gun Dog Sweepstakes came from the Veteran Sweepstake. A very handsome dog that just got better and gave his all every time he was asked to move around the ring. I was thrilled when I found out later that he was a Silver Grand Champion / Master Hunter who came out of the NAVHDA UT class. Congratulations to his owner on his well-earned accomplishments.
Both the Gun Dog and Veteran Gun Dog Sweepstakes winners were beautiful representatives of the breed that I would love to see out in the field.
To all of the exhibitors…. Keep up the good work!
In this day when so many of the sporting breeds are split between show lines and field lines and not even resembling one another, remember, there is not a show Spinone, there is not a field Spinone, there is The Spinone.
Thank you again,
Marsha Henkel
Gun Dog Sweeps Winner
CH Sweetbriar’s North To Alaska JH CGC, Breeder: Dana and Danial Graff, Owner Kristin Muir
Veteran Gun Dog Sweeps Winner
GCHS CH Darby Canyon’s Million Dollar Cowboy MH CGCA, Breeder Diana Cannon, Owner’s Erin Dunn/Ted Wentink