Thanks to the members of the Cairn Club of Denver for the inviting me to judge your recent specialty in Greeley. The show venue was beautiful and the camaraderie among the exhibitors superlative.
I, myself, am from Scottish heritage. So, I am particularly fond of all of the Scottish breeds. Cairn Terriers stand out from this group as a favorite and I love to judge them. I hoped this showed!
In order to adjudicate effectively, a judge must have a mental picture of the ideal specimen that is dictated by the breed standard. Furthermore, judging involves compromise from this ideal mental picture. In other words, what traits are acceptable and what traits are intolerable.
So that you can understand my placements, it is necessary for you to understand my mental picture of the ideal Cairn Terrier. This mental picture does not cover all intricate aspects of the breed standard but, rather, those that I feel are essential in defining proper Cairn Terrier type.
My ideal Cairn is an off-square, game, short-legged working Terrier. His (or hers for that matter!) head is short and broad possessing a keen, varminty expression. His eyes are wide-set and his ears are small and erect. His body is well sprung with a level back and a properly set-on and carried stern. He is resplendent with a double hard coat that is tidy but not excessively groomed. He stands up and shows himself off. He is constructed properly in front and rear so that he can move properly and happily on a loose lead. He is confident in his attitude but not aggressive due to his pack nature.
Well, there you have it! You may agree or disagree with my mental picture but, in any event, this mental picture is what drove my decisions and placements at this specialty. I hope you will take my comments in the positive spirit in which they are offered.
6-9 Dogs
#1 - TOSAIG LITTLE DRUMMER BOY. A happy, showy youngster sporting a lovely head,
forechest, topline and rear. Hopefully, with maturity, his front movement will
improve. This pup shows great promise and I was happy to award him RESERVE WINNERS
DOG.
#2 - MARQUEES NO JACKET REQUIRED. This dog stood behind the winner of the class
as the winner excelled in shortness of muzzle and overall proportion.
12-18 Dogs
#1 - BRUMAR’S BCK ROCK SOLID. A red dog possessing nice movement and proportion.
He needs a better tail set and better ear shape.
#2 - MISTYWYNS COLUMBIA SEVEN. This exhibit stood in second place as the winner
of this class excelled in front movement and general overall condition.
Bred by Exhibitor Dogs
#1 - GREATSCOT'S HARD TO BE HUMBLE. The winner of this lovely class was a dark
brindle dog who is an eye catcher. He possesses a beautiful head and expression.
His make and shape was exemplary. To be picky, I could take a tad less leg length
to be perfectly ideal. His coat was in beautiful condition. He stood up, showed
and moved foursquare on a loose lead. He was easily WINNERS DOG.
#2 - TWIGBENT OBRIAR. A nice dog who used himself well.
#3 - CHERBO MADISON AVENUE. This dog was also nice but he was not happy to be
at the show.
Open Dogs
#1 - MISTYWYNS LORD CHANCELLOR. This class was not as strong as I would have
liked. The winner possessed a nice head with good movement.
#2 - STONEMARK'S ROBERT THE BRUCE. This exhibit had a nice head also, however,
he was a bit off in topline and tailset.
#3 - REDWOOD MICHAEL. This dog stood behind the others mainly due to movement,
condition and tailset.
6-9 Bitches
#1 - MARQUEES NO DEPOSIT NO RETURN. This bitch was a nicely made package with
good bone and good rear angulation.
#2 - REDWOOD RAZZLE DAZZLE UM. This bitch was not showing her best. She is also
a bit off in tailset.
9-12 Bitches
#1 - MISTYWYNS RED POPPY. The winner of this class possessed a nice top1ine
and tailset. She was also quite showy, however, was a bit too long in muzzle
and leg for my taste.
12-18 Bitches
#1 - KILMUIR DANCING IN THE DARK. This class involved a bit of compromise. The
winner had a pretty coat and head. She also moved well on a strong, however,
she could have used her tail better.
#2 - RAGTIME IN THE ROCKIES. Similar type to the winner, however, the winner
was stronger in head and tailset.
#3 - REDWOOD DEVILISH DIVA. This bitch did not posses the overall proportion
I look for nor did she use her front wel1 in movement.
#4 - GLENHARLAN'S GATHERING STORM. Proportions were off in the bitch also. I
would also change her ears by making them smaller.
Bred by Exhibitor Bitches
#1 - KAITLEN'S ALL WOUND UP. The strongest class in the show with the most depth
in quality. I noticed this class winner immediately upon her entrance into the
ring. She was the exact overall package I look for in a Cairn bitch. Possessing
a beautiful head, topline, and tailset, her shape was perfect. She came and
went like a trooper and showed confidently. She was my WINNERS BITCH.
#2 - BRAMBLEWOODS LOOKS LIKE SNOW. Beautifu1 bitch possessing a smashing head,
expression and body proportions. I could have taken a slightly better tai1set
and front.
#3 - HIGHLAND RUBY SHOES OF WOLFPIT. This is a dynamite bitch in nearly every
respect. I would have loved a better front. Unfortunately, she had to be he1d
together and would not show on her own.
#4 - REDWOOD BRITTA. Nice bitch who also needs front movement improvement.
American Bred Bitches
#1 - REDWOOD MZ DAISY OF SKYELITE. This exhibit had a nice head and expression
and was very happy to be at the show. She was a little too blousy in coat and
could have had a better front.
Open Bitches
#1 - CAIRNCROFT RENDEZVOUS WITH KYRA. The winner of the largest class in the
show had a 1ovely topline, tailset, head, and expression, however, she suffered
with an incorrect neck carriage in profile movement. Otherwise, she was beautiful
and she was my RESERVE WINNERS BITCH.
#2 - BROCSBANE HAT TRICK. This bitch stood in second place due to the superiority
of head, expression, and body proportions of the class winner.
#3 - ROSE CROFT GIVE IT A SHOT. This bitch stood in third p1ace due to the superiority
of head, expression and body proportions of the second place winner.
#4 - STONEMARK'S COPAR CAILIN TESS. This bitch was just too large for my taste.
Veteran Dog
#1 - CH CAIRNCROFT HIGHLAND BADGER. This dog bad a lovely head and was in wonderfully
hard condition for a dog of fourteen years. Owner is deserving of congratulations!
Veteran Bitch
#1 - CH H SPRING VALLE MEGANN OF PINE, SE. This ten-year-old had a pretty face
and a great topline. She was very happy to be in the ring again, however, I
believe she has had one too many biscuits! Our older ones need to be kept trim
for their health!
Best of Breed Class
There were several 1ovely specials. However, taking all into consideration,
I could not deny my Winners Dog and Winners Bitch for the top awards.
BOW/B0B - GREATSCOT'S HARD TO BE HUMBLE
BOS - KAITLEN'S ALL WOUND UP
AOM - CH CHERBO THARRBARR J. S. BACH. A beautiful red dog who had it all except
showmanship on this day.
AOM - CH HILLHOUSE TOSAIG O'KARENGARY. A lovely dark brindle bitch that showed
her heart out.
Many thanks to the members of the club who picked us up at the airport and drove us to the show. Special thanks are offered to Kathy Wishart and Ann Brodie who were particularly helpful. Hope to see you all sometime down the road.
Sincerely,
David Kirkland
#6340
corrections to: R. \ Kevin Durkin \
