2010 APC National Specialty Judge's Critique

Where do I begin?  What an honor it was to be chosen as the judge for the 2010 APC National Specialty.  It gave me great joy to officiate at this truly remarkable event.  I am very aware of the cooperation and dedication it requires to put all of this together. The Show Committee, the Officers and the Board have outdone themselves.  This is a specialty for future generations to aspire too.
 
As to the majority of the dogs present, the overall quality was excellent.  I cannot, in all my years as a “Pointer Person”, remember being so excited about the state of the breed.  We have made extraordinary  improvement concerning front assemblies.  Tail carriage, set on of tail, etc. are making progress.  Substance is still something we must remember to address.  Overall good type, movement  and balance  was abundant.  Mind you though, this was seen at the APC National.  The classes from puppy to non-regular were filled with excellent representatives of the breed.  Just a placement at this show should be considered an honor, considering the quality present.
 
To be a bit more specific, my Winners Dog and Winners Bitch were to me a breeders’ dream.  As I later learned, they were littermates.  Both Winners Dog and Winners Bitch should contribute to the overall impression  that the Pointer is a breed to be reckoned with in the confirmation world and the whelping box.  Beautiful type, well balanced and good on the go.
 
Reserve Winners Dog and Reserve Winners Bitch were equally impressive and I was forced to leave out many deserving dogs and bitches.  My RWD was a lovely young dog.  I will look for good things from him in the future.  My RWB was a very lovely black and white bitch.  Interesting enough, keeping in mind that ultimately we need all colors, I found the black and white Pointer in short supply this year.  I only mention color because the vast majority present ,as you probably know, were orange and white.  As you have heard before, a good Pointer cannot be a bad color
 
The “ Cream de la Cream” of the pointer world were present for my BOB competition. The more than adequate size of the ring and the attractiveness of the venue was impressive to say the least.  The dogs seemed to flow into the ring and anyone present would have to admit it was a lovely and impressive sight.
 
I  will always cherish the opportunity I had to closely examine  these great examples of the breed.  Never an easy decision with so much quality, and being a breeder, to approach  all of the dogs without  prejudice.  To reward what I truly believe is deserving on that day!
 
After a great deal of thought and debate, my choice for  Best of Breed was a lovely black and white dog.
He flawlessly handled the ring that day and  from the beginning he caught my eye.  Beautiful head, smooth effortless movement, all of a piece.    How wonderful to have such a tremendous ring for our “big moving dogs“. They need the room afforded by such a venue.  I believe that this dog will continue to do well in the confirmation ring and I will look forward  to seeing his offspring.
 
 
My Best of Opposite bitch was a lovely girl, pressed to the end by two other good ones.  In the end she seemed to pull it together and thus prevailed.  Very similar to many of my other placements, she was very deserving on this day.  At the beginning she caught my eye but was not helping herself at all.  Was glad that she was able to get herself together as I felt her most worthy of this win.
 
My Select and AOM winners,  were in my mind, all worthy of going BOB and further on any given day.   There was much quality in many young Specials and with some maturity they will prove to be formidable in the ring.
 
On a more personal note I am delighted to see the growing numbers in our Field Events.  During my terms’ as President of the APC we, re-instated if you will, held  the first  APC Field Trial in many years and also held the first APC Hunting Test in Kansas City.  I sincerely applaud all of you who can find the time and have the desire and determination to explore the many facets and  talents of our breed.
 
In closing, I would like to thank you again  for giving me the opportunity to judge our beloved breed at the  2010 APC National Specialty.
 
Judith Goodin
Emerydon Kennels, Reg.