Sweepstakes Judge’s Notes
David Shields
It was a great honor to be invited to judge the the Sweepstakes classes held in conjunction with the National Specialty. I found the quality in both the Puppy Sweepstakes and the the Veteran Sweepstakes of a high quality with the dogs having a very typical outlook. In the Puppy Sweepstakes some were still immature in appearance but the overall shape and balance was there and they just need to develop in body to complete the picture. Overall coats and skin were good.
Best In Sweepstakes Puppy
Collina D’Oro Keep It Chill.
The most promising Brown Roan; definitely would have taken him home with me if I could have gotten him in the suitcase !!!. In my opinion, he fits the breed standard so well: a vigorous, robust, squarely built dog of solid construction. Yes, he is still only young, but for his age everything is there, and as he matures he can only get better. He has a very well-balanced head with the correct divergent planes. His front assembly is clean with a good layback of shoulder and return of upper arm allowing him to move on the best of strides. His shape is square, which is so important and is one of the most immediate indicators of type. He has good strength of hindquarters along with a correct tailset and carriage. On the move, he was sound and positive.
Best of Opposite Sex Puppy
Collina D’Oro Iced Out.
Brown Roan and the litter sister to the overall winner. Like her sibling she has many positive breed attributes and shows much promise for her age. She is squarely built with a well balanced outlook. I do feel breeders must recognise the Spinone is a square dog in appearance with well sprung ribs with the correct topline. She has a pleasing head with a very typical outlook and that almost human expression which is such a trait of the breed. Her body is well developed with a good depth of chest and a pleasing spring of rib. Her topline is correct, it is not exaggerated with the required gentle slope from the withers and rise to her loin. Like her brother she has a good coat and skin. On the move she is still a little babyish but was sound fore and aft.
Best Veteran In Sweepstakes
GCH CH Bellaebravo Happy Hour RN.
Quality bitch throughout. An Orange Roan who has kept a lovely shape both stood and on the move. She has excellent substance throughout along with quality bone. Pleasing head piece with the correct divergent planes and a lovely eye and expression. She stands four square with a good depth of chest with plenty of heartroom along with a very well made front assembly. Her ribs are well sprung and carried well back. She has excellent strength of hindquarters with good width and a moderate bend of stifle. Her coat is of correct texture and her skin is thick and leathery as the standard asks for. She comes alive on the move with that ground covering pounding trot and excellent drive from her hindquarters.
Best Opposite Sex Veteran
GCH CH Dry Grass Condurre Con Il Mio Cuore BCAT.
Super Brown Roan Veteran male with good strength and substance. I liked his size, shape and overall balance and presents a very typical picture. Another who is squarely built. Best of heads with the required divergent planes, a dark eye of correct shape along with a large and spongy nose. He has a strong muscular neck which is set in well placed shoulders. He stands on the best of legs and feet. Strong body with a good spring of rib and a firm loin. His croup is broad and has the required slight slope. He has a good tailset and carriage. Thick skin and well made quarters complete the picture. Sound mover fore and aft.
On the Wednesday I had the pleasure of been one of the three judges for the Spinone Salute which recognizes and celebrates the outstanding achievements of dogs both in the field and confirmation events. Along with my co-judges, Jean Pero and Ted Wentink we judged the dogs on a point scoring system with all the scores added together to give an overall winner which was announced at the dinner on the evening. My top scorer on points ending up as the overall winner of the event was BISS GCHB CH Collina D’Oro Big Sky’s Yellowstone at PI Gun, ‘Dutton’. All I can say is wow ! He is just what I look for in a Spinone. Square and robust with great strength throughout but is not overdone in anyway. Best of heads, so beautifully balanced with the correct divergent planes and a lovely large and round eye giving that almost human expression. His forequarters are so well built with an excellent layback of shoulder and return of upper arm. Strong body and the correct topline just added to the overall picture. He has great strength to his hindquarters which allowed him to power round the ring on the best of strides. A harsh cost of good depth and a thick skin was the icing on the cake. A very well deserved winner.
Can I take this opportunity to than the club for their excellent hospitality while we were with you. There was a great atmosphere at the show and at all the events around the Speciality. Our trip to Denver will be one that we remember for always, thanks to all.
David Shields
