Are there some CDers out there who would like to share their memories of their first appointment, and are there any tips or caveats you would pass on to a newbie? Thanks again in anticipation :-)

Oh, how exciting, do remember mine in general but not in particular. In those days a novice judge could judge varieties and AVNSC as well as their own breed and that is what I did. When I signed I said I would only do the AV classes if they let me know before hand what breeds I had entered and that is what they did.

Remember being very excited about judging my own breed really looking forward to getting my hands on and assessing a number of my own breed, I still am, was really worried about the AV as I did not want to get it wrong in my own eyes I need not have worries it was clear to me which dogs I felt with the best examples of their breed but I was glad I knew which breeds and was able to study the standards or I would have been left only being able to judge soundness and movement.

Then it came to writing the critique and that was the hardest thing, I knew in my own mind why I had placed my breed as I had but was aware that I was expected to convey this without describing any faults I had noticed, it was hard that first time but you do get used to conveying your thoughts.

Not very interesting is it, nothing horrid happened, remember the name of the dog I gave BAVNSC to and he went on to become a champion but I can't remember the BOB of my own breed without looking it up. Have just gone and looked and reckon I would do the same today.