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Judge's Comments, ABC '99,
Bitches & Intersex
David Abraham
Enjoying my 28th consecutive
ABC from inside the ring was an experience that was both thrilling and daunting. The depth
of quality among the nearly 240 bitches was such that I often found myself having to
"excuse" lovely bitches in my final cuts to which, at any other show, I would
have happily given majors! Over my three days of judging I was very impressed with
breeders' success in perpetuating true boxer type. "Style" varied considerably,
but type was always apparent. I saw many lovely heads, and, naturally, some overall
beautiful "pictures" which disappointed, upon close examination, with a narrow
muzzle, or weak "fill" under the eyes, or a poor bite. I also expected to find
some light eyes, but was delighted by how few there were. Movement was generally good, but
true reach and drive are still too rare in our breed. Overall, however, today's breeders
are to be highly praised for their achievement.
Rising to the top of the
extraordinary entry of class bitches was
Ein-Von's Dreams Come True, a 6 to
9 month fawn with virtually no white whatever to distract from her gorgeous stag red color
and deep black mask. Her overall outline epitomizes Boxer type: square and seamlessly
smooth, from her elegantly arched neck to her perfectly balanced front and rear. And not
only does she have a beautifully sculpted head, but a "melting" expression, as
well. Coming and going her movement was excellent, and, young as she was, she showed with
authority and an indefinable "presence" that was indelible. She was my strong
choice for both Winners Bitch and Best of Winners the next day.
My Reserve Winners, from the 12 to 18 month
fawn class, was Chessel's Return of Haughty, a lovely, mature, typey bitch with a
beautiful head, rock-solid topline, and excellent, balanced angulation. Giving her very
stiff competition were a number of beautiful bitches, including the 6 to 9 month brindle
puppy, Bravo's Dance Card; the 9 to 12 month fawn, Standing-O Greta Garbo; and the open
fawn, Tenebo's Miss Defy Me. So many gorgeous bitches; too few awards!
For best Veteran Bitch I selected Ch.
Kiebla's Tradition of Turo, from the 10 Years & Older class, who, at the age of 11
(!), electrified the crowd with her showmanship, not to mention the quality that
contributed to her illustrious career. Even so, she faced formidable competition from the
beautiful Ch. Interlude's Finders R Keepers, from the Under 8 class.
And then to Best of Breed! When the first
group of Specials
Ch. Holly Lane's Crème De Menthe
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entered, I was struck by the
absurdity of having to choose just one winner from among this incredible abundance of
quality. My Best of Opposite Sex, the dark brindle bitch Ch. Holly Lane's Crème De
Menthe, made her appearance in the first group of brindle bitch specials--as beautiful
a group of Boxers as I think I have ever seen in one place. It was truly painful to
realize I would have to excuse the majority of them by the final cut. Her gorgeous head
and neck, and overall type, soundness, and elegance, just caught my eye and kept it to the
very end, where she was in serious contention for Best of Breed. That ultimate prize,
however, went to Ch.Vancroft's Primetime, a superlative, mature, commanding brindle
dog who, I
Ch. Vancroft's Primetime
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gradually realized as my judging
proceeded, became the standard against which I was measuring the other specials in the
final, fiercely competitive "cuts." His beautiful head, his rare combination of
superior substance with elegance and soundness, and his authoritative ring presence and
showmanship, all made it a real thrill to point to him in that final moment. The Awards of
Excellence went to the following outstanding entries: Ch. Pinebrook's Determination
(fawn dog), Ch. Storybook's Rip It Up (brindle dog), Ch. Champagne Touched by an
Angel (fawn bitch), Ch. Huffand's Obladah of Arriba (fawn bitch), and Ch.
Rummer Run's Stardust (brindle bitch).
No other judging assignment will ever
compare to my ABC experience. I am grateful to everyone who helped make it such a joy.
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