Is it right that the junior dog classes were witheld?

True, judge Ellis Hulme witheld all Jr dog placings 8 entered with 4 absent and VHC in Jr bitch 9 entered and 2 absent.  You can see the results on Fosse Data.

THat's where I noticed it, quite shocked by it, but well done the judge if the dogs weren't worthy of places.

It will be a judges critique worth while watching for and reading.

Certainly will be.  Don't really show my Pom's often these days but always of course read up on the breed.

I get my first Pom (Jewels) a few months ago, was never a breed I really thought about having but I would certainly have another.  As Jewels will be 11 on 24th June we will let her have her time and space being our wee cutie.  And she is well able for the Phalenes.

If I remember right I'm sure this judge with held a few placings for Saints at welsh kc last year, fair play to him too many dogs are given placings basically just for turning up, will certainly look foward to reading his critique to see his reasons!

I've showed under Ellis Humle many years ago, here in Sweden
In our breed he was held in high regard for his judging.
I don't think he's been over here to judge for a long time,
but I would definitely enter under him again.

He is one of my favourite judges.

As a group judge eh makes what he wants very clear, adn doesn't do the royal pointing but comes over to you to pul you out.  Very helpfuyl for osmeon with limited vision.

When he has judged us at breed level I was impressed that he gave each and every exhibit the same considerationa dn tiem, even when they were obviously there for the day otu (elderly veteran well past it's best in Open).

Always sems to look for soundness, and type over glamour and presentation.

Gosh, I'll have to keep an eye out for that critique!

Tell me you experienced CC judges, as he did not place does he have to or indeed is he likely to give a critique on the un-awarded dogs - he may write a prefix but I would be surprised if he said anything directly about the Junior dogs individually.

He may wirte in his pre-amble regarding the witholding of places, but he wouldnt get an individual critique on the dogs that were witheld from.

He wont write about the dogs individually that he with held on but will probably put something at the start of the critique much like... "I was saddened to see lack of soundness and type with some of the exhibits but I was pleased with my overall winners."  

Or something to that effect.

Yes Triona, much what one would expect and therefore not that interesting, would be good to know if it is unsoundness or lack of type but do not expect to learn much more, if that. With the KC pushing for judges to be more aware of an animals fitness for purpose one would expect to see far more awards withheld but I will not be holding my breath. If it does turn out to be lack of type or worse unsoundness that is very worrying for the breed with so many young males being rejected would be interested to hear the opinion of people in the breed. Do they think there is a problem in the breed or is the problem elsewhere, it would seem there was no problem with the puppies so is the breed loosing quality as it matures.

WOW see it's happened again at SKC.  Dogs and bitches have been witheld!

Not been to shows with this breed for a while now but shocked by this. Wonder if it's due to mouths as I know they are hard work with the breed?

Just looked at Manchester Champ Show resuls and maybe the answer is there? 

Forerunner to National critique, in case you hadn't seen it?:

The current breed standard states that 'Absolute soundness is essential... Breeders and Judges should at all times be careful to avoid obvious conditions or exaggerations which would be detrimental in any way to the health, welfare or soundness of this breed.' I was dismayed therefore, to find it necessary to withhold prize card from six exhibits due to unsoundness, one that lacked in temperament, one that was withdrawn, unable to be examined in the customary fashion when even the handler could not show the teeth and bite, and one withdrew from being temporarily upset. Having won CCs and handled champions in this, one of my favourite breeds, and judged and seen most of the great Poms over the last half century I feel that it is time to speak out. I ask breeders and exhibitors to take their responsibility seriously by not exhibiting dogs that fall so far short of the Kennel Club breed standard's requirements. By so doing, other judges will in the future be spared having to contemplate taking the unpleasant actions that I had to today.

M.

Thanks for that, no I hadn't seen it.

Thanks, I had been looking out but hadn't seen it. Great that even a Toy breed places such emphasis on soundness.

Thanks for posting.  Had a bit of a busy weekend so haven't got my papers yet.  As an aside I watched a judge yesterday give a VHC to a dog that was so obviously unsound that if the handler had been a friend I would have suggested she withdrew the dog from the class and ended it's show career there and then.  Why the judge didn't withold I don't know.