ANTA/Past Events/NorthStonington07
Posed 07/24/07

ANTA SPRING FLING
CHALLENGE ON THE CHESAPEAKE
April 14-15, 2007
Centreville, MD

Spring ANTA Event on the Eastern Shore Draws Rave Reviews

Following ANTA's Spring Fling in April, the rave reviews started pouring in. Among the folks receiving kudus were: Marian Shaw and her husband Doug Dobbin who provided the site and organized the activities; Richard Reynolds for planning and organizational skills: Sassie and Celene Joiris who orchestrated the agility activities; Linnie Federici who ran the introduction to earthdog; Robyn Snyder (assisted by Hal Happersett and Connie Allen) who provided grooming guidance; Marian's friend Bernadette and ANTA board member Lorraine Comi who "were everywhere!"; Harry Owen and Lou Heimbach (lure coursing); David Miller (flat racing) ... and the list goes on. More than one person said, "Thank everyone!" So we will. Thank you all for pitching in and putting on such a fine event. While the weather everywhere else on the East Coast was dreadful, the Saturday activities were held under pleasant, dry skies. Torrential rain did arrive on Sunday, but earthdog folks were not deterred.

The heart clinic held on Saturday was a huge success, with Dr. Braz-Ruivo performing ultrasounds on 21 dogs, 19 of them Norfolks.

Jack Simm evaluated 26 dogs at the Zuchtshau (see page 3 for a further explanation) and he deemed four as being worth of special recognition. His first through fourth placements were:

Glenelg Alden, bred by Debby Pritchard and owned by Benjamin Graham. A daughter of Ch. Hi-Mount's Monster's Inc (a Copperplate son) out of Glenelg Katie Did It. The judge's written comment was, "I'd take her home," which was high praise indeed coming from the venerable Mr. Simm.

Second place went to Lorraine Comi's English import, Jaeva Honeysuckle who was bred by Martin Phillips. She is by Macsnest Nik the Kalluha at Collaton out of Jaeve Bit of a Bee.

Third place went to Flurries Five Fingers Island Light who is by Ch. Avalon's What's It All About out of breeder Peggy Metcalf's Ch. Flurries Turn Point Light. Digit is owned by Kate MacMillian.

Fourth place was awarded to Debby Pritchard's 12 year old Ch. Glenelg Grazie CG, ME, ROM, She is by Ch. Reidmar Mercator out of Wenwagon Beatrice.

Sunday brought a decided turn in the weather; however four people braved the blustery wind and heavy downpours. Judge for the AWTA Den Trial was Carrie Hamilton. Those competing were Bernadette Wood with Moe, Marion Shaw with Torre, Kate MacMillian with Digit and Nancy Thompson with Lizzie. Torre and Digit both qualified and earned their Certificates of Gameness (CG).

Judge Jack Simm adjudicates at the Zuchtshau

Scenes from the Eastern Shore ...

Comi Photo Zuchtshau	Owens Photo Sassie Joiris and Connie Allen -- teeter anyone?
Owen Photo The race is on!	Owen Photo Robin Snyder gives grooming tips to Nancy Reed
Comi Photo A deluge didn't stop the earthdog judging.	Comi Photo This little earthdog wasn't deterred by rain!

Zuchtshau ... A Different Way of Looking at Dogs

The Zuchtshau (zookt'shaw) is a European variation of the conformation dog show. The objectives of a Zuchtshau are:

To provide the owner with an identification and analysis of the dog's conformation with regard to the written standard.

To provide those interested in showing their dog with a list of its better qualities for emphasis in the show ring.

To provide a roadmap for those interested in breeding their dogs to potential mates with complimentary qualities.

To provide observers an opportunity to hear and see an objective, in-depth evaluation of a wide range of excellent and average dogs by a recognized breed authority and to identify strengths and weaknesses within the breed.

Some breeds in Europe require a Zuchtshau rating of "Good" or better and/or a working certificate in order for offspring to be recognized by the breed club.

In a dog show, the judge spends approximately 2.5 minutes examining each dog and renders his or her opinion by awarding placements. It is left to the observer to guess the thought process, conformation priorities and rationale that go into the judge's decision.

In a Zuchtshau the judge spends a much longer period of time examining each dog and focuses the evaluation on the individual parts of the dog instead of the animal as a whole. Any oral comments the judge chooses to make are audible to the ringside observers and are recorded on an evaluation form by a scribe/steward who is in the ring. The form is given to the owner at the conclusion of the Zuchtshau.

There are no classes and previous titles earned by the dog are irrelevant.

Dogs are evaluated in the ring one at a time, in no particular order. The judge determines the ring procedure, but much time will be spent moving the dog around the ring. This allows ample time and opportunity for dog and handler to relax and for those at ringside to closely observe the dog. Some time will be spent examining the dog on the table. It is not necessary that the dog be posed at all times.

Having completed the examination and commentary, the judge will assign a rating of Satisfactory, Good, Very Good or Excellent to those dogs and bitches over one year of age. The judge may also assign a rating of "Not Rated" because of a particular condition (such as the outer coat being stripped, lameness) or general lack of merit. Puppies under twelve months of age are rated as Promising or Very Promising, but may also receive a "Not Rated".

At the conclusion of the evaluations and at his or her discretion the judge may (but is not required to) select first through fourth placements from amongst those dogs rated excellent.

Sue Owen Photos

ANTIC, June, 2007

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