The Bichon Frise Reporter – National Specialty Issue, Judges Critique

Reprinted from The Bichon Frise Reporter – Fall 2017

Best Beginner Puppy

ABSOLUTELY AGAPE HAPPY TALK

 I’ve looked forward with great anticipation to many judging assignments, but never with as much joy as I did for the 4-6 months baby Bichons.  They did not disappoint me.  They marched in the ring like, “I’m here, and what are we going to do?”  They were absolutely adorable, beautiful, high promise, stable and said a lot for our faithful breeders.  I was exceedingly proud.

   Bichons mature at different rates or speeds.  Some have a coat from day one, some get such an abundance by two years you’re in wonder at the whole spectacle.  Judging “on the day” for a more mature dog is appropriate, in my book, but judging these youngsters took vision, knowledge of lines and an eye for proportions.  There was not a one I would have dismissed as unworthy.  What a thrill.

When the handler put the ultimate winner on the table for examination, I commented about the expression, face and overall package, she just smiled.  I think she knows a good thing when she sees it” Absolutely Agape Happy Talk (D): Breeder/Owners: Sue Swindle & R. Swindle & K. Paulson & S.Kennedy.  By GCH Brereton’s Rise and Shine X Ch.  Absolutely Agape Fast and Flashy.  We will see and hear more from this beautiful dog in the near future – Hide and Watch!

I would have liked to place them one through four, but that was not prearranged, so I was very pleased to present this absolutely gorgeous Bichon as my overall selection.  I was not in the least surprised when my “next door neighbor from Alabama, Mary Spruill came up and said, “That’s from my breeding”.  The proof of the serious breeding.  Thank you all so much for the most charming of all my assignments!

Ann Hearn

 

Note – Thank you to Mary Spruill as the owner of Oliver’s Sire: Brereton’s Rise and Shine.  However, the praise for this breeding rightfully belongs to Sue Swindle.  Sue selected the stud dog (Riser) to pair with our girl (Flo-Jo) and she arranged and facilitated the breeding.  Sue and Karen whelped the litter and Oliver and his sisters were raised in Sue’s home.  Appreciation should certainly be given to Mary Spruill’s long standing record of excellent quality dogs and we are extremely grateful that she has trusted us with the use of her bloodlines, but credit for Oliver rightly goes to Sue.

       In my humble opinion – Sheri

 

Sue, Baby Oliver and Sheri