> Think it would be unusual for the lower jaw to grow

It is not that unusual.  Several have already commented their dogs have changed long after puppy age.  Skeletal growth into maturity is not limited only to the major bones of the limbs and body, the mandible like any other bone in the body can and will grow at different rates, and may not stop till a dog is 2 yrs old and beyond depending on the breed.  As I said in a previous post true undershot is different to lower incisors popping forward.

It is true that growth of bone does not stop till the dog is between 18 months to 2 years - however if you look at the post to which I replied you will see that this dog was 4 years and that is unusual.

I notice in King Charles Spaniels at Manchester Post Grad bitch had only 2 entries forward and 1st and 2nd places were withheld and these dogs got 3rd and reserve.

This would suggest that the judge found the quality of these two exhibits less than required but not so bad as to withhold altogether. If the judge withholds the 3rd place then they have to withhold all awards in that class. However getting a third in PG does qualify the bitch for Crufts - not sure if that should be taken into consideration, don't think that it would cross my mind.

No, the point Marianne was responding to was that some people wouldn't give a top award to a puppy (even if it was the best dog there on the day) because it was immature and might 'go wrong' in the future, not fulfilling its early promise.

Thanks Jg, that was it exactly.

No, the point Marianne was responding to was that some people wouldn't give a top award to a puppy (even if it was the best dog there on the day) because it was immature and might 'go wrong' in the future, not fulfilling its early promise.

But that is withholding not because of lack of merit but because of lack of years - against the rules that say the only reason (apart from health) is lack of merit.

Read Triona's early post where she says: "we were talking about very young dogs getting the CC out of puppy and I said I wouldn't award to a puppy even if it were the best so would withhold as I believed that it may not represent the breed once older/ fully matured or may be out of standard but made to a CH really young. Equally I said that if a dog was that good it would get title really easy once an adult

Yes, understand JG - was just stating that to withhold because the dog is young is against the rules - you judge each dog on the day and in theory you should not concern yourself with the future just as you would not penalise an adult dog because as puppy he lacked balanced conformation although now the conformation is correct.