Judges carefully check each dog against the breed standard. When pulled forward, ears should reach beyond the end of the nose. Judges check the dog's teeth. An overbite can doom a dog's chances. Handlers also trot around the ring with their dogs.
Judges make sure the dogs have the proper gait.
In the end, Nic came out on top among the coonhounds. The Willards were predictably ecstatic. The Kepleys shared that sentiment.