I wish to thank the membership of the ABC for granting me the opportunity to judge their 55th National Futurity. And a heartfelt Thank You to my efficient and dedicated stewards, who helped me maintain smooth ring procedure, thus allowing me to concentrate on judging dogs. This event was one of the greatest experiences of my life.

Throughout my assignment, the question I repeatedly asked myself was "Does this puppy demonstrate a balance between Form and Function?" FORM: adhering to breed type; FUNCTION: the ability to move effortlessly and correctly on the down and back, as well as on the go around. This combination must be achieved without losing the correct head and proper neck, which should blend into smooth lay-back of shoulders and level topline with good tail set. If these two very basic characteristics can be achieved in balance with one another, success in the show ring is bound to follow.

As I stepped into the ring with my first class, I immediately thought, "How on earth am I going to keep this large class together?!" By the second lap on the go around, my "dog sense" had kicked in, and my only thought was WHICH ONE WOULD I TAKE HOME!!! I then proceeded to select those specimens that were both typey and functional. The winners in all classes fit the picture of a smooth, square dog with above all else, a proper transition of neck into shoulders, level topline, good tail set, and adequate drop of chest between elbows. My final cuts were made by putting special emphasis on head type. A dark, tight eye, proper undershot jaw, correct ratio of muzzle to back skull, and a high ear set were all musts!

I was very surprised by the number of exhibits with poor eyes - either too light or with loose lower lids, many of them with unpigmented, overly exposed haws. In many specimens, these features distorted the unique Boxer expression. In my opinion, bites were adequate. There were a few with bad feet, and too many with shallow chests. Some had notably straight fronts and rears, which while balanced, are certainly not correct. To complete the true Boxer picture, we need the proper angle over the shoulder and a good turn of stifle with well let down hocks. Oh, and Yes! - lets work on those toplines.

In general, I was quite impressed with the overall quality of the entry. My class winners, placements, and runners-up were very consistent in type. And a note of interest: all geographic regions were well represented in my class winners. Neither one particular line, nor one particular stud dog dominated in my selections. Boxer type is in evidence everywhere, with no strong variation in different parts of the country. Fanciers of our breed are truly breeding to the Standard, and not just to the local winning dog. This is no doubt why our breed is so competitive today - THERE IS ONLY ONE TYPE!!!

The Best Junior in Futurity, Ch. Syrr Run’s Omega Connemara, came from the 15-18 Months Fawn Bitch Class. She was all bitch - a deep red flashy fawn with beautiful pigmentation. A very smooth and elegant mover, with exceptional breed type. I would take her home in a heartbeat!

The Best Puppy was an absolutely striking black brindle male, Rummer Run’s Major General, from the 9-12 Mos. Brindle Puppy Dog Class. This young dog was ultimately the Grand Prize Futurity Winner. He demonstrated Form and Function to the max! He did not put a foot wrong, and his beautiful head piece, arch of neck blending into a level topline, and perfect tail set won this "General" the 1999 National Futurity!