Test Manager Report – Jude Moulsdale 31.07.19

Total Number of Test Entries = 17

Beginners Level Draught

Tests started at 9am

Beginners Level 10 Entries, 10 passes - 100%

Greg Roffe (First Draught Judging appointment) judged a total of 6 dogs

Ruth Dickinson judged a total of 7 dogs

Kevin Clarke judged a total of 7 dogs

Call Stewards – Paul Dickinson, Jude Moulsdale, Kevin Clarke

Of the 10 entries nine had been received prior to the closing date and we had an entry on the day from a family that had come along to visit and had litter mates taking part.

Level One Draught

2 pre-booked entries received, 5 Entries taken on the day following passes received in Beginners Level

Jo Irving and Ronnie Chadwick judged 6 dogs, Kevin Clarke judged while Jo Irving entered having passed beginners with her own dog.

Call Stewards – Paul Dickinson, Jude Moulsdale, Kevin Clarke

Judges completed one set of paperwork between them.

Greg Roffe – Beginners Level Draught

First, I would like to thank the Test Manager and The Newfoundland Club for inviting me to judge the beginners draught test at Newark showground

Although wet underfoot and was raining most of the day I thoroughly enjoyed judging the test

We had several dogs entered and they were all a pleasure to watch, the communication between owner and dog. 

The dogs were excellent, and all the dogs entered passed with ease

well done to all the people and dogs that entered and for sticking at it through all that weather

I look forward to being asked again to judge

Thank you - Greg Roffe

Ruth Dickinson – Beginners Level Draught

Beginners Level Draught. The Newfoundland Club. Newark Showground July 27th, 2019. Co judges Kevin Clarke & Greg Roffe.

A healthy entry at Beginners Level, for what turned out to be not the nicest of days with outbreaks of rain, sometimes torrential throughout the day.

I judged all but 3 of the entries and found most to be of a high standard, which was really pleasing. All the dogs passed the Beginners level, and main points loss seemed to be down to handler nerves causing unnecessary tight leads. Some of the entrants entered a second time with another dog and it was pleasing to see that they had taken onboard the judges’ comments and were trying hard not to 'check' the dogs unnecessarily, and to give them more loose lead.

One thing that did cause some debate was the down stay in one instance. The dog was reluctant to go down, and after some time there was discussion about how long you might reasonably wait for a dog to complete this element. The regs do not state a time limit, or that any points are lost for persistent commands. Pleasing to see that the entrant persevered, and the dog did eventually complete the element.... but if it hadn't, how long might have been reasonable to wait? The new draught regs, I hope will give clarification to this.

Thanks to my co-judges, and to the Test Manager Jude. Thanks also to the Newfoundland Club for the appointment, and I look forward to being asked again in the future.

Ruth Dickinson

7 dogs entered but sadly only 3 dogs passed today.

Most of the dogs that didn’t make the grade today failed due to tight leads and getting up in the down stay, and maybe with a faster pace they may be more interested in listening to the owner’s commands.

However, the three passes were lovely, and control was of a high standard. Thanks to the stewards and entrants for enduring the pouring rain all day.

Ronnie Chadwick and Jo Irving