I really enjoyed judging this numerically high entry, and as it is a while since I have shown a Min Smooth, all the exhibits were new to me. There was great depth of quality in the bitches and I was spoilt for choice. I could easily have awarded several Bitch CCs and many lovely exhibits had to leave the ring cardless. As in all the Miniature varieties, the quality dogs were fewer in number. Although the overall level of quality of conformation is good in this breed, there were a significant number of exhibits with flat, splayed feet, not helped by having long nails. Short ribbing and consequently long loins were also much in evidence. Temperaments were generally good, although there were a handful of nervous ones. Several were over the desired weight for the breed and a couple were a whole pound heavier than the desired maximum weight limit in the breed standard. This is far too big a margin to allow, and if these dogs are bred from, the size will gradually creep up and they will resemble small standards rather than true Miniatures.

MPD(8, 1) 1 Protheroe's Grandgables Crafty Lil Devil At Royalmaple NAF TAF. This elegant red caught my eye immediately. He is beautifully constructed with an attractive head and keen, alert expression. Lovely reach of neck, flowing smoothly into correct shoulders and level topline, which he held at all times both in stance and profle movement. Well angulated quarters complete the picture. Stylish mover, with accurate up and back movement. Unfortunately he carries his tail high and this does detract from his overall outline, but could not be denied his place in this class and Best Dog Puppy. 2 Hunt's Mylforbe Matchmaker At Carpaccio. Compact black and tan of different type to first, but of equal merit. They could easily change places on another occasion. Well bodied, with lovely ribbing and good bone and substance throughout. Well angulated in both fore and hindquarters, and moved freely in profile keeping his outline. Just preferred the head of first. 3 Phillips' Arbennik St Thomas Of Robinswood.

PD(4, 2) 1 Russell's Russteck Figgy Duff. Smart black and tan with all the breed essentials. Well proportioned head with pleasing expression. Good length neck, running smoothly into level topline. Balanced angulation in fore and hindquarters. Still immature in body as to be expected, but very promising. Moved out well and held his outline. 2 Kempton's Mr Romeo. Rangy black and tan, could have better front construction as he moved very close in front coming towards me. Loses his topline on the move, with too much arch in loin.

JD(6, 2) One dog in this class was significantly over the upper weight limit in the breed standard, and although of excellent construction, I had to penalise this fault. Another dog was withdrawn due to temperament problems. 1 Hunt's Carpaccio Red Adair. This elegant shaded red drew my eye on entering the ring. Spot on for size, proving that it is possible to breed a quality dog of the desired weight. Really comes into his own on the move and just powered round the ring with ground covering stride in profile and completely true up and back action. Attractive, masculine head with alert expression and correct shaped dark eye. Reachy neck, flows into correctly placed shoulders, with good length upper arm to complement. Firm body with level topline and flowing underline. Well angulated behind. Holds his lovely outline at all times, both in stance and on the move. Beautifully presented - no long toenails here - and handled to get the best from him. CC, his third, and Best of Breed. 2 Shelton's Barisse Eragon. More compact, heavier bodied black and tan of completely different type to first. Good head and eye. Firm topline, held well on the move. Well angulated behind. Just could not match first on the move, having a shorter stride, and consequently covering less ground in profile action. 3 Smith &Connor's Bronia Gregorio.

PGD(8, 6) 1 Daykin's Barratini Jonny Cash. Strong, masculine rich red of quality. Sired by the same dog as my Bitch CC winner. Lovely outline which he keeps both in stance and profile movement. Good bone and substance throughout and well constructed, having a well proportioned head with keen expression, good shoulders, top and underline and well angulated hindquarters. Moves parallel up and back and strides out well in profile, holding his topline. Slight curve in tail, just detracts marginally from his overall outline, hence Reserve CC. 2 Smyth's Hoddernstorm Silver Duster At Morrow. Silver dapple of smaller, lighter-boned type. Didn't hold his outline in profile on the move as well as first, and also not so positive in hind movement.

LD(5, 2) 1 Muggleton's Mosiarto Mister Motivator. Smart, compact black and tan shown to advantage on a loose lead. Projects himself well in stance and on the move with his confident temperament. Attractive head and expression, well angulated at both ends and holds his firm, level topline at all times. Moved well in profile, but slightly elbowy coming towards me. 2 Burton's Swingletrees Razzamatazz JW. Longer bodied dark red with well proportioned head and keen expression. A little short in upper arm, and this showed up on the move, where he is a bit high-stepping in front and doesn't cover the ground quite as well as first. Well angulated behind and good body shape, but would prefer tighter feet and needs his nails cutting. 3 Scott's Wolferlow Captain Bellamy.

OD(4, 1) 1 Andison &Peel's Clentry Black Pudding. This dog posed a real dilemma. He was clearly the best constructed in this class, but is significantly oversize, and although I had to forgive it in the class I couldn't consider him for the higher awards as a result. That said, he has a strong, masculine outlook with a correctly proportioned head. Good length neck flowed smoothly into well placed shoulders. Lovely body shape, top and underline and well angulated behind. His quality of conformation translated into sound, free movement where he covers the ground with ease. Just slightly turns out right front foot in stance. 2 Burton's Swingletrees Just-In-Time. Red with a super head and expression, good shoulders and well angulated quarters, however, he roaches his back both in stance and on the move, and needs more confidence. 3 Mathias &Mathias' Ch Siouxline Zebedee JW.

MPB(13, 3) Spoilt for choice in this strong class and with more ring training and maturity many that were cardless will go on to do well. 1 Salisbury's Brocklewood Black Rose. This black and tan stood out on entering the ring. She has all the essentials to go on to bigger and better things in the future. So well constructed and balanced and has movement to match. Feminine head with alert expression, reachy neck leading smoothly to well placed shoulders, has plenty of forechest for her age, a firm, level topline and good flow of underline to match. Correctly angulated quarters complete the picture. Moved out with freedom of action and covered the ground with ease. Sound up and back. Kept her lovely outline at all times. In beautiful gleaming condition and handled to advantage. Loved her. Best Puppy in Breed. 2 Phillips' Lokmadi Leading Lady For Daxphilly. Another lovely black and tan of very similar stamp to first. Well angulated at both ends, although at this stage has slightly less forechest than the first, but is obviously still maturing. Moved parallel up and back and kept her outline in profile movement. Another with good, free action. Well schooled to show off her virtues. Another with great promise for the future. 3 Williams &Moes' Cwmdarhain Vera Amore.

PB(8, 2) 1 Williams &Moes' Picollo Teckel Ginger Stripes (Imp). Immature brindle that drew my attention on the first circuit of the ring with her powerful, ground-covering movement, and didn't disappoint on table examination. Very well constructed with good shoulders, prominent breastbone, firm topline and very well angulated quarters. Could perhaps be a touch longer in ribbing and consequently shorter in loin, but out-moved the rest in this class. I see she is an import of Russian breeding. 2 Reed's Deercroft Spring Promise. More classic looking black and tan of great quality, very similar in type to first two in minor puppy class. Elegant and well constructed with balanced angulation in fore and hindquarters. Lovely body shape and firm topline. Parallel up and back movement and held her shape well in profile. Very promising indeed. 3 Bretherton's Landrace Liberty.

JB(13, 3) Another hotly contested class packed with quality exhibits, making for hair-splitting decisions. 1 Andison &Peel's Clentry Golddigga. Elegant red with copybook shoulders and length of upper arm that really impressed for her overall breed type and quality of conformation. Firm, level topline and good flow of underline. Parallel action up and back and stepped out freely in profile, maintaining her outline at all times. Still some maturing to do, but should have a good future. 2 Kerry's Brocklewood Bacall At Kireton. Very similar type to first. Another high quality bitch with beautiful head and expression and overall elegance of outline. Well constructed at both ends, and holds a firm topline at all times. Keeps her outline on the move and is accurate in up and back action in addition. 3 Blackburn-Bennett's Stargang Serena's Song.

PGB(15, 6) 1 Callow's Garthorne Little Eva. Have always admired the type produced by this consistent, long established kennel and this bitch was no exception. Loved her from the minute she entered the ring and she didn't disappoint on table examination. Classically constructed with textbook conformation. Absolutely correct shoulder placement and has long upper arm to complement - a feature sadly becoming a rarity in all varieties of Dachshund. As a consequence she has the correct prominent forechest with dimpling either side, and a good length and spring of rib. Firm, level topline and sweeping underline and correctly angulated quarters to finish. Well boned and lovely substance throughout, but retains her femininity. Holds her outline at all times in stance and on the move. Excels in ground-covering action with great length of stride and sound action up and back. CC. 2 Salisbury's Brocklewood Calypso JW. Another high quality exhibit from this kennel. Elegant shaded red with attractive head and expression, well placed shoulders, but slightly shorter upper arm than first. Firm, level topline and well angulated quarters. Good overall body shape and spring of rib. Moved with ease around the ring, but although true in front, slightly toeing in behind going away. 3 Worswick's Dolyharp's Symphony.

LB(9) A class of high quality exhibits with quality right down the line. 1 Worswick's Willowheath Prudence. Beautiful shaded red of quality. Similar in type to my other class winners and the same remarks apply. Attractive feminine head, neck flows smoothly into correctly placed shoulders. Pleasing body shape and firm topline held at all times. Correctly angulated quarters enabled her to move freely and cover the ground in style. Well handled to get the best from her. 2 Callow's Garthorne Miss Toffee. Slightly larger, but equally well constructed red. Good bone and substance throughout. Correct angulation at both ends and lovely body shape with good length of rib. Covered the ground with ease and was sound out and back. Just preferred the size of first. 3 Daykin's Barratini Margo.

OB(4) 1 Blackburn's Ch Sonderbar Billie Jean At Stargang (Imp). Mature red with textbook construction. Admired her lovely head and expression, well placed shoulders, forechest and well angulated quarters to match. Easy free striding action in profile, and is absolutely true and parallel moving out and back. Easy to see why she has done so much winning. A lovely bitch to be justifiably proud of. Just slightly losing her topline in profile movement, hence Reserve CC today. 2 Williams &Moes' Lux Ch Mal Ch Cwmdarhian Cara Mia. Shaded red of different type to first, but also of very high quality. Moderately angulated in fore and hindquarters, with good balance. Holds herself well on the move and is very stylish. Handled to advantage. Another one to be proud of. 3 Child-Thomas &Ergis' Ch Siouxline April Folly.

VB(2, 1) 1 Mayger's Woolsocks Black Satin. Very sound black and tan 10 years of age. Holding her shape well in profile and has absolutely true, parallel action up and back. Well constructed throughout. A lovely quality bitch wearing her years well.

Sue Seath