> will now have a look see who it was.

Mee too...lol

i disagree mick, Ive had a written critique at all my overseas shows, handed to me on the day (except the rip-off world show!)

I went to an all breed show in Switzerland a few years back for the first time and there were several judges for one breed each doing one or two classes. So although each judge had fewer dogs it was still time consuming to get a written critique for each exhibitor and got boring to watch. It got a bit confusing if you wanted to watch a specific class.

More recently I showed a foreign dog at a club show in Holland and when the judge heard me talk to the dog she  very kindly asked if I would like the critique in English! 

I try and read all the critiques in the papers and very rarely can I get a 'picture' of the dog the judge is looking at. So often you still read 'nice head, good body etc' which tells you nothing. I'm not sure some judges would be able to give a verbal or written critique in the ring - Ive known some judges only make basic notes and pad them out when they get home. Having said that it takes skill (and a lot of practice) to describe everything in front of you and it's not something I would be able to do.  

I would prefer it is the judge was able to do a verbal critique as they judged.  surely these things go through a judges head as they judge so they could easily say things out loud while going over your dog.  Nice dark eyes (or bit light in eye), ears well set but could e smaller, very nice short loin, nicely balanced angles etc.

The critique should really be about helping inform the exhibitor so they make educated decisions when they come to breed (thought they should have a pretty good idea of this long before embarking on breeding, but knowledgeable judges do help one form ones views/understanding early on.. 

For those whose dogs are never going to be bred from their good or bad points are irrelevant except what it means regarding their likely placement.

So I think a written judges critique with general findings in the entry, which trends are being seen for good or ill is probably more useful than individual critiques of good head nice feet.  A critique that says 'too many dogs had weak hind quarters and straight front pasterns, but all had excellent bites, ears are getting large and eye colour wants attention in many would be a far better tool for keeping  breed on track.  Individual comments could be made direct to the handler while judging (if it were allowed).

Hi all
I live in France and regularly show my dogs here, I have never shown in the UK but hope to at some point!  I like the critique system here you get a full written critique on your dog sometimes long sometimes short and the grading.  The judge will often talk through the good points and bad points of your dog whilst they are going over them.  For a beginner like me this is so important, a lot of the judges love to speak in English as well and do their very best to explain things if I don't understand.  At several shows this year the judge has given a full explanation of why he has placed each dog in each class to all the spectators and exhibitors talking about the good and not so good points of the first three placed dogs, very interesting for me and I'm sure the people watching - one judge even answered questions at the end of each class!  The downside to this is it can be very long winded and if it is a big class you seem to be waiting for ever!!!
Jan