MID AMERICA MINIATURE AUSTRALIAN SHEPHERD SPECIALTY – JUNE 19, 2009
CRITIQUE
I would like to thank the Mid America Miniature Australian Shepherd Club for the invitation to judge its inaugural Regional Specialty in 2009; and, special thanks for the hospitality shown me during my stay and the judge’s gift for which I already have a special use. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate all of you who had a hand in preparing for and running your first Specialty – you did a great job! It was an honor to judge so many high quality Miniature Australian Shepherds on this day.
Overall, the best one-word description for the entry is excellent; and, I felt this quality was evenly distributed between both dogs and bitches. On the whole, heads, ears, coats, pigment, eyes, size, feet, bone, rib cage and top-lines conformed to the standard relative to physical characteristics and color. In evaluating movement, I saw good to excellent front and rear extension on most of the exhibits - indicating balanced front and rear angulation. I also observed some exhibits that were out at the elbow, a number with short upper arms and others with straight shoulders. Bites were clearly outstanding.
Handling is important, especially in the presentation of top-lines and the placement of rear feet – I found some exhibitors lacking in this area. Generally, loins were ok with a few too long and some nicely close coupled; also, I observed no cow-hocked exhibits and only a few slightly east and west. Temperament, the most important quality of any breed, with the exception of a couple shy puppies, was outstanding.
Kenneth R. Carroll
Judge - Futurity & Regular Classes
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