Dobermann Club WA 2011 Specialty Critique

Before I start the individual critiques for each dog I would like to say that I am honoured to have been invited to judge at the Dobermann Club of WA specialty show and would like to thank each and every exhibitor and owner for entering their dogs. Most of the classes were very competitive making it difficult to have to choose between two and most times more excellent dogs on the day.

My overall impression of the Dobermanns is that the breed is in good hands in WA. I thought that over all the dogs were well presented, conditioned and of a high standard. The dogs were as the standard says: Elegant, medium size, well-conditioned and confident. The dogs moved well and when freestanding after moving, displayed their soundness. I would have liked to see a little more animation when the dogs were given a chance to come back and show off and “WIN” the class. I had a handler say that they don’t get a chance to do that at an All Breeds show. Handlers do have the chance to control how long, where you stop the dog after moving and force the judge to look and say “WOW look at that dog, I wonder what I can find anything to beat the Dobermann.” My Best in Show winner did just this to win on the day.

Mindful of all the accolades I did find some problems with the dentition. There were instances of missing and extra premolars, poor occlusion, slightly wry and with some almost level bites. It is something that I did not penalise but I think as breeders we need to be mindful of the Dobermann’s origins and purpose.
Thank you very much
Michael Yates

Baby Puppy Dog Class
1st: Celestion Walk The Line At Aegis (IMP NZ)
Exhibit 1 is a Brown and Tan 3 month old, square well boned baby puppy male. He has balanced angulation front and rear which showed in his easy balanced movement. Neck flows smoothly into his topline and has a correct tailset. Head planes are parallel. Front legs are straight and has tight feet. Overall a promising baby.
Minor Puppy Dog Class
1st Vansitar A Cut Above
Exhibit 2 is a Brown and Tan 7 month old, square male. Good rear angulation but I would like to see a little more angulation in the front. Neck flows well into the shoulders and has parallel head planes. Front legs straight, good bone. He crabs slightly in his movement.
Puppy Dog Class
1st Vansitar Ginger Snips
Exhibit 3: Brown and Tan. 7 month old square male. Nicely balanced dog, good angulation front and rear, he is a little longer and a little bit lighter in bone than my second placed dog. Head planes are not quite parallel. Has adequate bone. Straight front legs.
2nd Bravadobe Right By Your Side
Exhibit 4: Black and Tan. Slightly larger than my first placed dog. He is a square balanced dog, a little straighter in angulation than my first placed dog. His head is a little bit heavier than my first placed dog, parallel planes, I would like to see tighter lips. Good colour eyes. He didn’t move as well as my first placed dog. Overall a nice dog.
Junior Dog Class
1st Vansitar Game Boy
Exhibit 5: Black and Tan. Square, with a slightly sloping topline. He is a little roached over the loin on moving. I would like to see a little bit more angulation in the front to balance the rear. Head has parallel planes. Front legs straight, adequate bone.
Intermediate Dog Class
1st Bravadobe Budweiser (AI)
Exhibit 9: Black and Tan. Square, balanced angulation front and rear but I would like to see a little more angulation. His topline is a little bumpy. Head planes are parallel, dark eye. Front legs straight. Moved well.
2nd Bravadobe Voodoo
Exhibit 11: Black and Tan.Square, a little smaller than my first placed dog. He has a nice forechest. I would like to see a little better head planes and stop. He is nicely balanced front and rear. He did not move as well as the first dog as he was a little distracted but overall a nice dog.
3rd Valkyrian Ripley Blue
Exhibit 10: Blue and Tan. Is well muscled. Level topline but a little rounded in croup. Initially he did not move well but on getting him to move a second time movement was a little better. Head has parallel planes but a little wetter in the muzzle and I would like to see a little more under jaw and front feet a little straighter.
State Bred dog Class
1st Bravadobe Rattle And Hum ET WAC
Exhibit 14: Black and Tan. Square, balanced angulation front and rear, good tail set and bone. Neck flows well into the shoulders. Head has parallel planes, dark eyes. I would like to see a little better underline and better muscle tone. He moved well.
2nd Vansitar Wild West
Exhibit 12: Black and Tan. Square, slightly sloping topline, good tailset and croup, good angulation front and rear, good fore-chest neck flows well into the shoulders. Head has parallel planes but I would like to see a little more length of muzzle, smoother foreface and a drier muzzle. Legs straight. A little lighter in bone than my first placed dog. When starting to move he is a little wide in the rear and doesn’t quite know where to place his feet but once he gets into stride the movement is good.
3rd Modadobe Pemulwuy
Exhibit 13: Brown and Tan. Sloping topline. I would like more angulation in the front, good deep chest and but would like to see a little more breadth of chest. I would like to see a little better tail carriage. I would like to see a little better head planes and muzzle.
Australian Bred Dog Class
1st Ch Coppertop Red Hot Design
Exhibit 1: Brown and Tan. Correct size, good fore-chest, balanced angulation, would like to see better muscle tone in the rear, parallel head planes, would like to see a little more under jaw, a little bit flat on his front feet, moved the best of the three dogs in this class.
2nd Dobenaire Medal Of Honour
Exhibit 15: Brown and Tan. Large, masculine dog. Square, good fore-chest, rear angulation good but I would like to see a little more angulation in the front, to balance with the rear and this showed in the movement, good muscle tone, parallel head planes.
3rd Ch Bravadobe Viva Las Vegas
Exhibit 18: Black and Tan. Square dog. I would like to see a little more turn of stifle in the rear, he is a little bit steep in the croup and this showed in his movement. Parallel head planes, Dark eye. Well handled.
Open Dog Class
1st Grd Ch Bravadobe Pure Anarchy (AI) WAC
Exhibit 21: Brown and Tan. Correct size, slightly sloping topline, Neck flows well into the shoulders, balanced front and rear, moved well. I would like to see a little bit drier in the muzzle and a little bit more attitude on the move but I am being picky here. Parallel head planes, correct ear set, Legs straight front and rear. On coming back and free standing stood square, was alert to the handler and showed himself well.
2nd Grd Ch Vansitar Indian Pacific WAC ET
Exhibit 19: Black and Tan male, good angulation in the front, a little straighter in the rear, good fore-chest .Parallel head planes. Neck flows smoothly into the shoulders. Legs straight front and rear, good bone. A nice dog.
3rd Modadobe Harry High Pantz
Exhibit 22: Black and Tan. Square dog with a sloping topline, I would like to see a little more angulation in the front and tighter elbows. Good fore-chest. Head has parallel planes but I would like to see a flatter muzzle. Well presented dog. His movement is what placed him behind the second dog.
4th Vaydee Jesse James (IMP Serbia)
Exhibit 20: Black and Tan male, heavier dog, good bone and substance, parallel head planes. Needs to show a better attitude for the show ring. I would like to see better flow of neck into the shoulders.
5th Derringer Time Bomb
Exhibit 23: Black and Tan. Square dog, nice fore-chest, good front angulation, rear angulation is not balanced with the front, Parallel head planes but I would like to see a little bit drier muzzle. Movement is what let him down today.
Baby Puppy Bitch Class
1st Cabochon Konniption
Exhibit 24: Black and tan, she is a little longer in body today, but that will probably change as she grows. Good fore-chest and front angulation, rear angulation is balanced with the front, good tailset. Neck flows smoothly into the shoulders. Parallel head planes, intent expression and correct earset.
Minor Puppy Bitch Class
1st Vansitar Just Teasing
Exhibit 25: Black and Tan. Good fore-chest and depth of chest, and smooth flow of neck into the shoulder, neck nicely arched, I would like to see a little more angulation in front to balance the rear. Parallel head planes.
2nd Vansitar Turning Heads
Exhibit 27: Black and Tan. Square, a little smaller than my first placed bitch. Neck flows smoothly into the shoulders, Parallel head planes, a little bit wetter in the muzzle than my first placed bitch. Good bone.
3rd Aegis The Devil Made Me Do It
Exhibit 26: Black and Tan. Is a little longer in back at this stage. I would like to see better balance front to rear and a firmer topline on the move. Parallel head planes and a dark eye. Neck flows smoothly into the shoulders.
Puppy Bitch Class
1st Bravadobe Would I Lie To You
Exhibit 29: Brown and Tan. Square. Balanced angulation. Smooth flow of neck into the shoulders. Parallel planes, nice wedge shaped head, Good fore-chest, firm topline and moved well. Correct tail set.
Junior Bitch Class
1st Vansitar X Box
Exhibit 30: Brown and Tan. Square. Correct tailset. Balanced front and rear and moved well. Parallel head planes and smooth flow of neck into the shoulders. Front legs straight.
2nd Ikons Born To B A Star (IMP NZ)
Exhibit 31: Black and Tan. Square. A little heavier than my first placed bitch. Front angulation is a little straighter than the rear. Neck flows smoothly into the shoulders. Parallel head planes, I would like to see a little drier muzzle. Balanced movement.
3rd Myown Midnite Mission
Exhibit 32: Black and Tan. She is a little longer in back. Angulation balanced front to rear, has good shoulder angulation. Good tail set. Parallel head planes, smooth flow of neck into shoulders and handled well.
4th Bravadobe Lets Get Rocked (AI)
Exhibit 34: Black and Tan. Square with a sloping topline, and has a little steeper croup, and this shows in her movement. I would like to see a little bit better head planes. Dark tan and eye colour. Neck flows well into her shoulders.
Intermediate Bitch Class
1st Ch Vansitar Argyle Diamond ET
Exhibit 25: Brown and Tan. Elegant, square bitch. She has a good fore-chest and depth of chest. Balanced angulation front and rear. Smooth flow of neck into the shoulders. Parallel head planes. Legs straight and has good full fore-chest between the legs, when looking from the front.
2nd Modadobe Altjeringa Dreaming
Exhibit 36: Brown and Tan. Square bitch. A little smaller than my first placed bitch. Balanced angulation front and rear. Lovely show dog, with good attitude. Very close between the first two her movement let her down. Head has parallel planes and wedge shape. She also has good full fore-chest when looking at the front.
3rd Bravadobe Red Back (AI)
Exhibit 37: Black and Tan. A little longer in body than my first two dogs. Angulation balanced, front and rear. I would like to see a better flow of neck into the shoulders. Parallel head planes and I would like to see a little drier muzzle.
State Bred Bitch Class
1st Ch Vansitar True North WAC ET
Exhibit 38: Black and Tan. Square bitch, Angulation balanced front and rear. Good fore-chest and depth. Neck flows smoothly into the shoulders. Good head planes, good underjaw but I would like to see cleaner, tighter lips. Firm back on the move. Good tailset, balanced movement.
2nd Sunniva Day Like This CCD ET
Exhibit 41: Black and Tan. She is a little longer than my first placed bitch but still square. Good depth of chest and good balanced angulation front and rear. Neck flows well into the shoulders but I would like to see a smoother topline. Parallel head planes, clean smooth head. Again not a lot separates these two bitches.
3rd Ch Vansitar Harpers Bazaar
Exhibit 40: Black and Tan. Square balanced bitch. Head planes are not quite parallel and I would like to see a little more underjaw. Nicely arched neck and neck flows smoothly into the shoulders. Good angulation front and rear, balanced. Not as good in the croup as the first placed bitch and this showed when she was moving.
4th Ch Dajessko The Bees Knees
Exhibit 42: Brown and Tan. Longer in body. I would like to see a little more forechest and better head planes. A little straighter in the front and not as balanced front and rear and this showed in her movement.
5th Beleg Razzamatazz
Exhibit 39: Black and Tan. Little bit longer in body and straighter in shoulder. Shoulders set on a little bit forward and so the flow of neck into shoulder is not as smooth as the others in this class. Parallel head planes and I would like to see a little more under jaw.
AustralianBred Bitch Class
1st Modadobe Doin Tha Pantz Dance
Exhibit 46: Black and Tan. Square, well muscled a little smaller than the others in this class. Good angulation front and rear, very balanced. Good depth of chest and fill in the front. Neck flows well into shoulders. A couple of wrinkles over the withers. Parrallel head planes. Although she was a little unsettled on the move she did show glimpses of good balanced movement.
2nd Ch Bravadobe Just Say Yes ET WAC
Exhibit 45: Brown and Tan. A little bit longer than my first placed bitch. Angulation is balanced front and rear but I would like to see a little bit more angulation in the front and because of this her neck did not flow as smoothly into the shoulders. Parallel planes. Good forechest and well filled in the front. I feel with a little more conditioning her topline would be firmer on the move.
3rd Bravadobe Brightest Star
Exhibit 43: Brown and Tan. Square, but she is a little finer in bone than the first two placed bitches. A little straighter in the front, but still well balanced. Neck flows smoothly into the shoulders. Parallel head planes but I would like to see a little more under jaw and smoother in the muzzle. Not as well filled in the front at my two first placed bitches. Moved well.
4th Beleg Rhinestone CCD ET
Exhibit 44: Black and Tan. A little bit longer than square, in body. Good fore-chest. I would like to see a little better head planes. Neck flows smoothly into the shoulders. I would like to see a firmer topline on the move and she crabbed a little when moving away.
Open Bitch Class
1st Grd Ch Ikons Dark Goddess
Exhibit 49: Black and Tan. Square, well muscled bitch. Good fore-chest and angulation is balanced front and rear. Head has parallel planes, wedge shape head with good under jaw. Good ear set. Alert and worked well with the handler. Neck flows smoothly into the shoulders. Moved well.
2nd Ch Vansitar Sunrise Dam
Exhibit 47: Black and Tan. A little longer in body than the first placed bitch. Good fore-chest and angulation balanced front and rear. Chest is nicely filled in the front. The neck flows smoothly into the shoulders. Her topline is a little bumpy over the loin. Head has parallel planes but I would like to see a little cleaner in the muzzle. Shows a good, keen attitude in the ring.
3rd Ch Coppertop Designer Image ET
Exhibit 50: Black and Tan. Square bitch. Angulation balanced front and rear. Neck flows smoothly into the shoulders. Good Tail set. I would like to see better planes and a drier muzzle. She didn’t move as freely and balanced as my first two place getters.
4th Grd Ch Bravadobe Achtung Baby
Exhibit 48: Black and Tan. A little longer in body. Parallel planes. Neck flows smoothly into the shoulders. I would like to see more compact, catlike front feet. I would also like to see a little better conditioning on this bitch.
Neuter Dog
1st Vansitar Lightning Ridge WAC ET
Exhibit 54: Brown and Tan. Angulation balanced front and rear. Good fore-chest and fill in the front. Parallel planes. Neck flows smoothly into the shoulders. Well conditioned and moved well.
2nd TCh Dobenaire Bombay Dream CD ADX JD ET DWDF.N HTM.N
Exhibit 53: Brown and Tan. A little taller than my first placed dog. I would like to see a little more angulation in the front to balance with the rear. Topline is not as smooth because of the front angulation. He has nice fill in the front. I would also like to see better head planes.
Neuter Bitch Class
1st Ch Sunniva Smooth Operator ET
Exhibit 55: Black and Tan. Square, well boned bitch. A little straighter in front and has a couple of wrinkles over the shoulder. Good depth of chest. Parallel head planes. Well muscled. Moved well.