Tyron Atkinson: As the pinnacle of our Sport, the experience of attending Westminster in any capacity can be a dream, so to be invited to judge several beloved Sporting breeds at the sesquicentennial event was not only an honor and a privilege but a boyhood fantasy realized.
Having experienced its magic in my youth, memories of the phenomenon of Westminster have served me well. I’ve drawn comfort from them when my late father passed away, and inspiration from them to strive for excellence in our breeding plans. To be a small part of its rich history as a judge meant honoring a 150-year-old legacy and the careful stewardship of its traditions. It also meant honoring mentors, family, and peers who’ve contributed to my own journey, and it meant a commitment to evaluate each dog with a reverence befitting the significance of this occasion.
Tyron Atkinson: As a second-generation breeder who lives and breathes all things gundog, I was so excited to judge several of the Setter breeds, Pointers, German Shorthaired Pointers, and English Cocker Spaniels.
Hats off to the stoic exhibitors who made it to Manhattan in such trying conditions. After traveling 29 hours from Melbourne, Australia, I arrived in New York to the news that many travel plans had been impacted by the extreme weather, so to walk onto the green carpet and see so many beautiful dogs was a relief and a joy.
Irish Red and White Setters: The moment my class of Irish Red and Whites entered the ring, I felt right at home. A breed which could easily fall snare to the trappings of the generic show dog, I was relieved to find correct type and quality amongst the entry. Coats and color were typical and without excess. Movement and soundness were mostly consistent and, despite one gay tail, carriage was generally correct. Ultimately, it came down to a choice between two males for Best of Breed. Both were well-proportioned, with correct balance and a classic make, shape, and outline. This, along with their keen, Irish Spirit, is what set them apart. I was drawn to the bone, sinewy musculation, strength, and substance of my winner who displayed power without lumber and the athleticism required to do his job. His length and return of upper arm enabled a long, low, and efficient forward reach, balanced with powerful rear propulsion. He maintained a firm and level topline as he covered the ground with ease. There was nothing too racy or superfluous about him, and his headpiece, with correct breadth and balance, was all Irish Red and White. His dark, well-placed eyes gave the kindest of expressions and finished the overall picture. Congratulations to the breeders for working hard to preserve correct type as the workman-like progenitor of their flashier Irish cousins.
Pointers (German Shorthaired): Having sifted through a quality German Shorthair entry, making various cuts, it came down to a choice between three individuals for the ultimate award: two outstanding bitches and an exceptional male. Each full of quality and type.
Both bitches were dripping in breed detail. Their heads, to die for: long, clean and with a look of nobility. Their dark, almond-shaped eyes giving the requisite expression that only comes by way of correct head morphology. They both covered ground with ease. Their movement, style, and outlines setting them apart.
The male’s balance and symmetry was obvious to see. Each time I asked him to stand unassisted, he stood four-square, like a well-made hunter standing over plenty of ground—statuesque, noble, aristocratic, and dignified.
Having worked the two bitches, three became two and a showdown between one dog and one bitch. Both beautiful examples of the breed, in a split moment the dog laid down his cards and demanded the win. His breed character (a term discussed less frequently than it should be as an intrinsic element of true breed type) was outstanding. Carriage, bearing, temperament, the way he held himself and used his tail and ears, everything was eager, keen, and willing to please. He was so alert and connected to his person, with each muscle and sinew fit for function. Nothing in excess and every ounce of him GSP.
To watch his lithe and effortless movement shift into overdrive was something to behold, and when an animal evokes such a visceral response as he did within me, it reminds you of why you do this. Judging from the crowd’s reaction, I am certain it was observed and felt by others.
Gordon Setters: What Gordons lacked in numbers, they made up for in quality and type. The entry consisted of several dogs which were variations on a very similar theme. The Best of Breed and Best of Opposite Sex winners were truly outstanding, and I felt blessed with the dilemma of choosing between them. A study in gender dimorphism, the male was decidedly masculine and the bitch was a perfect marriage of strength, substance, and chiseled refinement. He had a style of the highest order, a weight-carrying hunter, sturdy, strong, and so full of quality. He flowed from the top of his well-molded head, with the darkest of eyes and exquisite expression, to the tip of his lashing tail. Strong bone and substance throughout, excellent running gear, deep chest, and with plenty of heart and lung room. He was well-ribbed back into a strong and powerful loin, and held the firmest of toplines. His pelvis tending toward horizontal with correct tail set and carriage all contributed to his seamless outline both standing and as he moved in the most breed-typical fashion, using every inch of himself, and displaying true Gordon Setter temperament.
There were things I preferred on each of them to each other. Neck length, forequarter assembly, and eye color were points of minor difference, but both were top-shelf and presented in immaculate order. In the end, I could not deny the male’s confidence and willingness to please as he put everything together in one smooth, effortless, and free-moving package on the day. I was delighted to see his qualities recognized with a shortlist in the Group ring as well.
English Setters: What a sight to behold so many English Setters in full bloom and maturity. The exhibitors must be commended for their excellent presentation, as it made them a pleasure to judge.
Walking down the line and at first glance, the static balance was there in spades. I was immediately drawn to the elegance and style of a particular dog and bitch. Their balance of substance and refinement was ideal for the breed. The male was masculine without any sign of coarseness, and the bitch was hyper-feminine without being weak. Their heads were long and lean, with parallel planes and the requisite square finish of muzzle. They were clean throughout, well-chiseled, and with dark, soulful eyes bearing bright, mild expressions. Both had the classic make, shape, and silhouette I was looking for. They flowed throughout, and each part fit smoothly with the next. Both were sound and maintained their toplines without roll. They bore the graceful carriage of a distinguished lady and gentleman.
Several notable performances by some quality dogs gave my eventual winners a run for their money, but in the end, I felt satisfied with my winners’ elegance, type, balance, and soundness. Despite their age (seven and almost nine years respectively) they moved freely, with the male getting the nod for his ground coverage, reach, and drive.
Pointers: The weight of the occasion to judge Pointers at the 150th show was felt on many levels. As the emblematic symbol of the club, the story of Sensation the Pointer has resonated with me since childhood. As a breeder, we feel an added level of custodianship when we cast judgement on our breed.
Best of Breed was awarded to a seven-year-old black and white bitch who stood out for true Pointer type. She was curvaceous, elegant, and lissom, and with the correct balance of substance and chiseled refinement. Her head was well-molded, with a delicate turn of lip, fine ear leather, large flaring nostrils, and set atop a clean, well-arched neck, springing from well-laid shoulders. This bitch was built for galloping, gracefully agile, and appeared as though she could stop and turn on a dime—just as required in the field.
William Arkwright (author of The Pointer and His Predecessors, c. 1906) wrote that “there is nothing for a Pointer more necessary than a good tail of the right shape, the right length, the right carriage. It is a more convincing warranty of pure blood and high breeding than reams of written pedigree. The head is invaluable for showing the character of a dog, but for a certificate of blue blood apply at the other end!” My winner was all Pointer, from her correct high head carriage right down to her well-formed lashing tail. There was nothing hound-like about her, nor the Best of Opposite Sex winning male who matched her for correct curves, oval bone, tail shape, breed character, and carriage. It was a pleasure to award her quality and type, and I was thrilled to see her lift even further in the Group ring, defying her age to place Second in an incredibly strong lineup.
English Cocker Spaniels: English Cocker Spaniels were an interesting process. After whittling a quality entry down to three outstanding males, I found them an enjoyable challenge to split. On another day, the results might have changed, but I was confident with my choices in the moment. Although varied in style, each of the three males was typical and full of nuanced quality. My Breed winner was ALL Cocker. He was compact, cobby, and a tonne of dog within a small package. He was outstanding for the right balance of bone and substance. His head was well-molded, with a strong, well-cushioned muzzle capable of carrying game. Big ribs, big bum, and big attitude. I felt he had the goods to work all day, with the strength and power to penetrate dense cover. His movement was strong, powerful, and efficient, with no amount of wasted energy or excessive lift in front or rear. His demeanor was so very merry, and as he moved out and back, and on the go around, I could envisage him pushing through thick hedgerows to flush game. My Best of Opposite Sex winner was also a lovely type, well-rounded in the right places, with correct bone, substance, hammy thighs, and fit for function. The male’s temperament and character were unflappable, and I was pleased to watch his performance in the big ring acknowledged with a Group shortlist under Doug Johnson.
Tyron Atkinson: As a self-described dog nerd, passionate about the history of our sport, I spent my formative years clambering for and poring over any kind of footage or editorial of the famous Westminster Dog Show. So, to experience the thrill of judging here, and on such a milestone occasion, is a core memory I’ll cherish for life.
The magic of Westminster is no accident. One hundred-fifty years of continuous and passionate stewardship has protected its traditions for all of us to enjoy. The creative vision of those at its helm to carry the legacy forward and ensure it remains relevant is inspirational. As a beacon for the dog world, we’d be remiss not to observe and try to emulate but a portion of its magic in our own backyard. If we aim for the stars, we might land in the clouds? Knowing that there will only ever be one Westminster.
