"RETRIEVER AUTUMN 2010"

JUDGE OPINION: Questions to mr. Borge Espeland

-       What is your general impression about your visit to Moscow and about our show? What can we make better in organization of our show?
I am so grateful for the honour to be invited to judge this show and to visit Moscow & Russia for the first time. I was told that this was a very nice show and that the judges had been taken care of in an excellent way. The expectations was exceeded. I enjoyed every bit of my trip. Particular the attention given from Olga & her husband. I could not find anything to be done better from my point of view. Sightseeing around in Moscow, visiting nice restaurants, guided tour at Kreml and to the museum with the important victory lead by Kuzutov in 1812. Also a nice musical ballet event. This was to me a perfect stay.
The show were amazing organized. After visiting 10 different countries during 2010 I have to say this was the most efficient show to my experience. Things were so well scheduled.

-       What qualities in retrievers (labrador, golden) do you prefere most of all?
Mostly I appreciate the first attention given from the retrievers to a strange person. This immediate contact given from the retrievers are so very typical. Into more details I first look at the heads. This is the part given us the first attention and show so much of the breedtype. Retrievers has to have broad and strong muzzle to be able to do it origin work. Eyeshape, colour & size is so essential for the very important expression. A gentle expression tells you so much. Otherwise it is important that construction is sound. The right amount of substance gives the impression of a solid dog able to do a days work in all kind of weather and in different elements ( mainly water).

-       What is your impression from Russian retrievers?   What colour in labradors is the best in Russia?   Have you judged our show more kind than you judge in Europe as a rule?
When I have been to the different venues for dog shows in Europe where Russian retrievers are mentioned, it has always been in a positive and admirable way. When I started with goldens in 1977 very few had any clew what kind of dogs there was in Russia. The first feedback some years ago was very mixed. I did know little. When I judged in Lahti in 2008 I placed 2 dogs first in their class as 1st jr and 1st working. The one from working was at that show the CAC winner Lexus Earl Grey.  And the junior winner 2 years ago was my BOB winner in Moscow. So nice to see he continued his potential in such a splendid direction.
Sorry to have none opinion about colour what so ever. For 33 years in goldens I have been listening to discussion about colour. What sense does it makes as long as it is within the standard. I love the range of colourvariations in goldens. I also love all the different colours in Labradors but I cannot prefer one other from the other as this is not a point for me to range, and I cannot see any obvious criteria connected with colour. Perhaps the coat texture might tense to be a bit better in black & chocolate some times.
The last part of this question is always an issue on judges discussions. In Norway & the scandinavian countries we have been used to use the different grades so that the audience/ the exhibitors more can understand what kind of dogs the judge think is more up to the standard than other one at the same show. As the venue for dog show has been extended a lot later years due to the more open borders in Europe, the question about the different systems has been a very discussed issue. I think this has influenced Scandinavian judges different so far. I do think most of us use a more narrow grading abroad than at home. On the other side I also think that the show venue today more for breeders and more professional handling. This way I think the quality in dogs presented at the show is more equal than we were used to earlier. With this I mean that more ordinary family dogs not participate as often as earlier. As their breeders has done a selection for those interested in shows. So that way the grading done at your show was sensible for me. I think perhaps some excellents could have been changed into very good on a day for using the grades even more.
-       What are the main drawbacks and advantages can you mark out in our dogs? 
When I think of this question I try to avoid the not permanent ones. With this I mean the drawbacks connected to dogs out of coat, condition (fat/thin) & ringpresentation.
The main drawbacks I think was of very common art. Some lack of forechest & correct frontangulation, croups affecting the backend construction and movements. In general I think the heads were mainly of nice quality. In Labradors I notified some excellent quality dogs lacking feet quality. Feet strength is very important for dogs ability for working. This has to be focus when breeding next generation.
-       What can you say about temperament of Russian goldens and Labradors?
The temperament were nice in all dogs presented. Of course some as always did not show the best of them selves as they did not have a outgoing showtemperament, but they still behaved properly when they were examined.
-       Do you like their movements?
I found a lot of nice movers in my best placed.
-       What is your opinion about handling and grooming in Russia?
As in organizing the show I also found handling of a higher quality than elsewhere. Grooming & trimming was also nice. As I also feel quilty for too much trimming some times I must admit I did not react on how this was done. It is an important point not to overtrim the goldens coat. I still think Britain is the best country for correct trimming of their goldens.
-       What is your opinion about coat quality of our dogs?
I think there were some dogs in between coats as of course is natural. Would prefer more and better coat conditions in some Labradors.
-       Some words about rare retriever breeds (flat, toller) at our show?
I think the quality in Flat coats were more moderately than in Goldens & Labradors. Still there were some nice all over representants. My BOB & BOS was 2 excellent example for the breeds. They had the necessary elegance which is very important for the breed. The boy was not just as perfect in balance as the bitch. I see she is Finish bred. Hopefully I will find of of this quality when I will judge in Finland in December this year.
Just one toller. Pupppy bitch bred of the Danish famous breeder Shaggy Toller. She is a really promising bitch and will hopefully bring some quality tollers to Russland.
-       Some advices and recommendations to our breeders, please.
The most important thing for a breeder is to be responsible. That is very difficult word as we all have different opinions about a lot of things regarded to breeding. As breeders we have some animals for our breeding program. We don’t have the whole breed to choose from. Puppy buyers, veterinarians, insurance companies seems to forget that when they realize something is not 100 % with the dog. They have different issues in what they think is wrong. Nevertheless my challenge to them is to start breeding themselves. You have to choose between minor faults and serious faults.  And I think it is important not making breeding to difficult for beginners as they might have some valuable genes to take care of in their dogs. But most of all it is very important that breeders are open to each other on behalf on the breed. In Norway the Norwegian kennel club support every member of a club with full details in results of eyes, hips, elbow and mentality test. In addition to show, obedience & field trial results.
- When did you start your kennel? How many dogs are now in your kennel? Please share with us how you plan mating? How many Champions has your kennel published?
I started with the breed in 1977. The first Zenana’s litter was born in 1979. Today there is 6 dogs living with us. 4 goldens 1 norwegian buhund & at last a boston terrier puppy. 4 other goldens are living with other familymembers or friends. As dogs is my hobby I have to be strict with the numerous of dogs. Goldens are soft and very depending dogs. Their attitude will be unbalanced if they don’t get enough human contact. That way I find them difficult as kenneldogs in general.
There is 15 bred Zenanas champion so far. I normally bred one litter every 2 years if it suits to my dogs and programme.
- Which failing in retrievers can you forgive and which ones are undersible?
As a judge I must consider every serious fault in construction as undesireable. But if course temperament is the main issue. Balanced gentle behaviour is the most typical for our breed. Aggression against other dogs is also untypical for the breed. These failings cannot be accepted.
Small individual minor faults as too big or too small ears or too close behind when soundness in movements otherwise is excellent is example of undesirable faults.
- When you breed, how important are certificates for eyes, hips and elbows? What do you think about problem of not complete of teeth in retrievers? Is it very serious for breeding and showing?
I see no big challenges in breeding on animals lacking the normal soundness related to health. As 70-80 % of our goldens pass their hip examination there should be very good reason for breeding on that part in the worse 20-30 %. But of course there is more serious health problems than hips. I have during my more than 30 years in the breed never had to put a dog to sleep caused of hip problems. Several of my dogs have had HD but they have lived their normal lifes.  So a responsible breeder with big interest in a special dog/ bitch to him I accept his decions on a choice outside the random for normal. But on a general basis I think we should try to avoid it as much as possible to keep the breed fit.
- Which golden retriever in your opinion had influence on the development of breed in England, Europe and in other countries?
There is so many. Breeding wise I also think the last 2 decades has put focus to variations in the genepool for purebred dogs. So luckily many breeders use a lot of different dogs in their breeding program. That way I think the most influential sires lived back in the late 70thies and 80thies. In England four frequently used stud dogs in straight line from Camrose Fantango- Camrose Tallyrand of Anbria- Camrose Cabus Christopher to Nortonwood Faunus must be the most common ancestors in todays goldens. Of course boys as Glennessa Escapade- Gaineda Consolidator of Sansue to Sansue Golden Ruler is a golden chain of strong studlines.
In Norway the influence of the breed has been through the 2 halfbrothers in England: Davern Figaro and Camrose Cabus Christopher. From the first dog a grandson called Mjærumhøgda’s Limelight was born in 1981. He was the father to Waterloos Rock Around the clock. As the last one was sent to France for a European show career he certainly has put his stamp in some pedigree also outside Norway. From the second one we had a grandson Noravon Lucius born in 1978. He is the most used stud in Scandinavia. He sired very homogen puppies to himself in type. One of the most successful is Chribas Crackerjack. A dog who also today appears as a father in dog presented at shows due to artificial insemination,
- Will you come to our show in some years to see the changes in our breeding?
Of course.  Thanks to all for bringing so many wonderful retrievers and for the sportsmanship in the ring and for my decisions. I felt such a nice atmosphere.