Front Cover Summer 2019

DDTCA NATIONAL SWEEPSTAKES

JUDGE: Karen Dorn

I want to thank the DDTCA for the honor of judging the sweepstakes

this year. This is the third time I have done this and the puppies keep

getting better and better.

The heads and expressions were all wonderful as was the happy tem-

perament of all. Overall, the movement was very nice, both coming

and going.

Bites were good with no over or under shots, but a few were approach-

ing level. Future growth may take care of this. It was good to see the

length of body in this group. However, with the length some top lines

are not, at this time, correct. I would hope as they mature that the

slight rise and drop will be over the loin and not too far back or barely

there. This is an extremely important point in the Dandie and must be

as described in the standard.

I loved the balance, movement, expression, and attitude of the Best of

Sweeps winner and Best of Opposite. What potential all of these pup-

pies have. This shows careful thought on the part of their breeders.

The beautiful grooming and training shows the loving care of their

owners.

The only entry in the Veteran Sweeps looked so glad to be back in the

ring. He was still looking wonderful and competitive at his age. I was

so glad that his owner brought him out for all to see.

DDTCA NATIONAL REGULAR CLASSES

JUDGE: Elliott B. Weise

I was asked to give my opinion and comment on today’s Dandies as I viewed

them. Before I do that, let me say thank you for allowing me the honor of being

this year’s Judge. It was indeed a pleasure.

This was the second time I have judged your National. There have been twenty

plus years in between. Prior to that, I attended a number of specialties as an

exhibitor. I have had the pleasure of living with a number of Dandies and conse-

quently have developed some strong opinions regarding your breed.

First the bad news is something I know you are all aware of. The numbers of

the breed being exhibited and bred is at an all-time low. I wish I had a solution

to the problem as it leaves me very sad. Dandies are a fabulous breed that has

given me much pleasure throughout the years.

The good news is although the numbers have dropped, the quality has risen.

That said, I will tell you what I base that statement on. The last time I judged

your National, I thought many of the Dandies exhibited where incorrectly pro-

portioned for the picture of the breed I have in my head. Many did not have the

length of body I was looking for. Also, a large percentage did not have enough

back skull to fill my hand. When you judge a specialty, especially a national,

you hope to find something very special. That did not happen on that day and I

left a bit disappointed.

A Dandie is not a Short-Legged Terrier like a Cairn or a Westie. A Dandie is a

long low achondroplasia breed, a breed with Dwarf characteristics and a distinct

outline. A combination that is not easy to create. It pleases me to say that a

number of the exhibits I examined this year were of the correct proportions and

the correct silhouette.

As it happened, I had a chance to judge and examine my choice for Best of Breed

multiple times over the days of that circuit. Each time she made my heart skip a

beat. CH KING’S MTN. PRIMA BALLERINA, presented a beautiful picture to the

eye. She also is wonderful upon a hand examination. A combination hard to

find, especially in an achondroplastic breed. She also shows wonderful breed

character and never let down. As I write this I smile thinking about her . With-

out hesitation I can say, in my opinion, she is the best Dandie Dinmont I have

ever seen.

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