Westminister winner....

[Piddle Place]

Okay, how does anyone possibly decide with all these beautiful animals, who the winner is? I so applaud the judges for their expertise and decisions.

As a voyeur of this beautiful event I just want to thank everyone who works so hard to bring the thought of just how incredible, elegant and majestic an animal can be. To be seen in their fineness, the announcers taking the time to introduce each breed and their heritage. Each one respected for their attributes, and usually telling the story of man and dog, working together to find the best in themselves.

And the winner is, well,....me, I love watching this event. Thank you Westminister.

So what was your favorite dog, who do you feel won and why?

[pagonzal]

Originally Posted by Piddle Place

Okay, how does anyone possibly decide with all these beautiful animals, who the winner is? I so applaud the judges for their expertise and decisions.

As a voyeur of this beautiful event I just want to thank everyone who works so hard to bring the thought of just how incredible, elegant and majestic an animal can be. To be seen in their fineness, the announcers taking the time to introduce each breed and their heritage. Each one respected for their attributes, and usually telling the story of man and dog, working together to find the best in themselves.

And the winner is, well,....me, I love watching this event. Thank you Westminister.

So what was your favorite dog, who do you feel won and why?

Who won?

[Yorkiemom1]

Originally Posted by Piddle Place

Okay, how does anyone possibly decide with all these beautiful animals, who the winner is? I so applaud the judges for their expertise and decisions.

As a voyeur of this beautiful event I just want to thank everyone who works so hard to bring the thought of just how incredible, elegant and majestic an animal can be. To be seen in their fineness, the announcers taking the time to introduce each breed and their heritage. Each one respected for their attributes, and usually telling the story of man and dog, working together to find the best in themselves.

And the winner is, well,....me, I love watching this event. Thank you Westminister.

So what was your favorite dog, who do you feel won and why?

Dont miss tonights classes and the announcement of the winner! I am crossing my fingers for the several people that I know, that are either showing or have a dog in the show! Such excitement!!!

[Yorkiemom1]

Originally Posted by pagonzal

Who won?

You can go to the Westminster site and see who won each group from last nights 4 groups....we have 3 more groups tonight and then, kind of summarizing here, the group class where the winner from each group competes with the other winners and a final, overall "Big Dog!!" is crowned "winner" at Westminster!

[gemy]

Originally Posted by Piddle Place

Okay, how does anyone possibly decide with all these beautiful animals, who the winner is? I so applaud the judges for their expertise and decisions.

As a voyeur of this beautiful event I just want to thank everyone who works so hard to bring the thought of just how incredible, elegant and majestic an animal can be. To be seen in their fineness, the announcers taking the time to introduce each breed and their heritage. Each one respected for their attributes, and usually telling the story of man and dog, working together to find the best in themselves.

And the winner is, well,....me, I love watching this event. Thank you Westminister.

So what was your favorite dog, who do you feel won and why?

What a great attitude Of course as Yorkie lovers it is natural to cheer for our *breed * in the group ring = but Westminster is a very tough crowd to place anywhere in group in - it is a huge win to just win the breed ring.

Here are the top 4 placements in the toy group
TOY
JUDGE: Mr. Jason Hoke

1st 6 GCH Wenrick's Don't Stop Believing
Breed: Shih Tzu
Sex: Dog
AKC: TS 21092201
Date of Birth: May 27, 2013
Breeder: Wendy Paquette & Jody Paquette & Richard Paquette
Sire: Wenrick's Winterholme Journey
Dam: Wenrick's Hollywood Trivia
Owner: Sharon Bilicich & Jody Garcini
Photos: Breed judging / Group judging


1st 10 CH Pequest General Tso
Breed: Pekingese
Sex: Dog
AKC: TS 17116601
Date of Birth: February 23, 2013
Breeder: David Fitzpatrick
Sire: Ch Pequest Devon
Dam: Pequest Sally Sunshine
Owner: Nancy H Shapland & David Fitzpatrick
Photos: Breed judging / Group judging


1st 9 GCH Hitimes What The Inferno
Breed: Pomeranian
Sex: Dog
AKC: TS 19498801
Date of Birth: February 02, 2012
Breeder: Joan Carcasole & Ashley Carcasole
Sire: Mythical To Heck With It
Dam: Star Havens Oshos Story Of Glory
Owner: Bonnie A Bird
Photos: Breed judging / Group judging


1st 8 GCH Infiniti Holding Kryptonite
Breed: Italian Greyhound
Sex: Dog
AKC: TS 21889201
Date of Birth: March 05, 2014
Breeder: Kimberly Frennier & Randall Frennier
Sire: GCH Infiniti Serious Moonlight
Dam: CH Infiniti Glow In The Dark
Owner: Kimberly Frennier & Randall Frennier
Photos: Breed judging / Group judging


All were picks I made but I did not pick the Yorkie to make the cut or for a group placement. Here is what I saw as *star quality in the 4 placements*.

Shih Tzu stunning markings a very nice gait indeed. Alert great head carriage and energy showed they like to be out there. Conservative head grooming very conservative - no elaborate topknots easy to palpate proper shape of the head.

Pekingese that dog for a Peke could move. Showed alert engagement in the ring. Tail carriage correct. FAb coat

The Pomerianian - Wowee the most energy and crowd appeal. That dog really really moved and owned the ring underneath them.

The Italian Greyhound - well I liked the Affenpinscher much better - so not sure why in my mind......

Think of watching ice skaters or any other sport you frequently watch - can't you tell when a couple or an individual is just floating around the ring? Where every movement seems to blend seamlessly into the music?

It takes years of watching and of course learning dog movement and attitude in the ring by breed. But eventually you develop an eye for a dog........

[Jkpal]

What I've always wondered about is how a judge picks the best, say, Afghan Hound out of a group of Afghans or the best Golden Retriever out of a group of goldens. How does one determine that this poodle is better than the other ten poodles showing? They're all so very similar--to my completely untrained eye anyway!

[Yorkiemom1]

Did I hear the female co-anouncer say this was the LAST YEAR ......for the show to be televised?? for that male announcer?? WHAT "last show" event??????

[gemy]

Originally Posted by Jkpal

What I've always wondered about is how a judge picks the best, say, Afghan Hound out of a group of Afghans or the best Golden Retriever out of a group of goldens. How does one determine that this poodle is better than the other ten poodles showing? They're all so very similar--to my completely untrained eye anyway!

t

Each dog is judged against the standard for the breed. The d og that comes closest to it and shows the right per breed standard in the ring should win. And there is only time spent learning each breed watching and being coached that you develop the skills necessary to judge a breed

[Jkpal]

Originally Posted by gemy

t

Each dog is judged against the standard for the breed. The d og that comes closest to it and shows the right per breed standard in the ring should win. And there is only time spent learning each breed watching and being coached that you develop the skills necessary to judge a breed

It is, indeed, a great honor to be chosen to judge, yes? I caught the end of the show and was quite impressed with the gentleman from Canada who was judging. I did not, however, agree with his selection of the German Shorthair---I liked Rumor and loved how she moved ('course I have no idea what I'm talking about, but used to have German Shepherds). I certainly would not want the task of deciding...!

[gemy]

Originally Posted by Jkpal

It is, indeed, a great honor to be chosen to judge, yes? I caught the end of the show and was quite impressed with the gentleman from Canada who was judging. I did not, however, agree with his selection of the German Shorthair---I liked Rumor and loved how she moved ('course I have no idea what I'm talking about, but used to have German Shepherds). I certainly would not want the task of deciding...!

Yes you are at the pinnacle of the judges career when you are invited to judge Westminster or Crufts or the World Dog show in breed - then in group and finally as a Best in Show judge. That is why so many of the judges look and are old it takes 40 yrs or more to get there!

Well I for one once I saw the go around wanted the Skye Terrier to win :-) The Samoyed who showed so well in Working Group did not show well in BIS ring. In terms of GSD's I am sorry but my personal opinion is that the American breeders have not yet corrected what they did to that breed! Rumor moved well for a GSD of her time, but being so down on the hocks I can't stand the sight of. I also really liked the Sheepdog. The toy Shih Tzu did not show so well in BIS ring

[Jkpal]

Gemy, I love reading your posts because you are so very knowledgeable and yet you have a way of explaining things so we 'laymen' can not only understand, but I, for one, find topics even more interesting. I truly appreciate that you take the time to answer questions in such a wonderful way.

[Piddle Place]

!

Originally Posted by Yorkiemom1

Dont miss tonights classes and the announcement of the winner! I am crossing my fingers for the several people that I know, that are either showing or have a dog in the show! Such excitement!!!

Wow, now that is exciting to be connected here. A big congratulations to you and your friends at the show. It must be absolutely amazing to breed and show a dog that makes it so far! Thank you !

[Piddle Place]

Originally Posted by gemy

Yes you are at the pinnacle of the judges career when you are invited to judge Westminster or Crufts or the World Dog show in breed - then in group and finally as a Best in Show judge. That is why so many of the judges look and are old it takes 40 yrs or more to get there!

Well I for one once I saw the go around wanted the Skye Terrier to win :-) The Samoyed who showed so well in Working Group did not show well in BIS ring. In terms of GSD's I am sorry but my personal opinion is that the American breeders have not yet corrected what they did to that breed! Rumor moved well for a GSD of her time, but being so down on the hocks I can't stand the sight of. I also really liked the Sheepdog. The toy Shih Tzu did not show so well in BIS ring

First off, Dara is beautiful !

Your information is so interesting. 40 years! Are these judges breeders, or trainers, how do they get there? I look at my little Jazz, and don't want to point our her short comings, be she's a good snuggler : )

Are you also a judge? I am so uneducated on all these breeds, I don't even know what to look for. Your assessment and knowledge of the various breeds is applauded. It's people like you that help the breeds improve and be the best they can be.

Thank you!

[Piddle Place]

Originally Posted by gemy

t

Each dog is judged against the standard for the breed. The d og that comes closest to it and shows the right per breed standard in the ring should win. And there is only time spent learning each breed watching and being coached that you develop the skills necessary to judge a breed

I see many breeders keep changing thing about the dogs they breed, how does this affect the judges. Is there a standard from years ago that they look for, or do the breeders get together and say, lets see if we can make their ears longer (LOL) or something, and then the judges change their standards to look for the new breeding look? Silly question, sorry, but I am very curious.

Kathy

[gemy]

Originally Posted by Piddle Place

First off, Dara is beautiful !

Your information is so interesting. 40 years! Are these judges breeders, or trainers, how do they get there? I look at my little Jazz, and don't want to point our her short comings, be she's a good snuggler : )

Are you also a judge? I am so uneducated on all these breeds, I don't even know what to look for. Your assessment and knowledge of the various breeds is applauded. It's people like you that help the breeds improve and be the best they can be.

Thank you!

For my breed i do judges education seminars - I have unofficially judged some sweepstakes and learning events for exhibitors. Judges usually are retired breeders and long time exhibitors - also there are some just pro handlers that have earned judging rights. Each country has different qualifications for judging in a dog show but usually all countries have educational sessions and testing that must be taken. You start off as a provisional judge and are mentored and assessed through your early judging days.

In Yorkies I have evaluated litters and done temperament testing. I also love to help my fellow breeders look at movement and give my opinion on same.

The dog show world and the world of performance sports is well at least I find it fascinating and well worth my time.