Great Joint Dachshund Club 2011

BEST IN SHOW

Championship  show: It was a great honour to be invited to judge B.I.S. at this prestigious  show as I have decided that it will probably be my last breed-club B.I.S. and a  nice one to finish with and I have been turning them down for the last couple  of years. At this level, breed type, construction, movement, presence and  personality all need to be there and I found them all in my winner - the  brindle Wire Ch. Cishelvine Swellegant Guy at Tendrow. I gave him his second  ticket at Southern Counties and he is still a real handful to control as he is  so busy and playful, but pleases nearly everywhere and is a neat size and  exudes character. A real Wire. Reserve went to the Smooth Ch. Matzell Mildred,  a beautifully made red and so typical of this most consistent kennel in make  and shape and moving accordingly. Did  everything asked of her and did it soundly and well, but couldn't match the  pizzazz of the Wire. Best Miniature was the cream Min. Long dog Ch. & Ir.  Ch. Walpines Brandy Butter who had been my B.O.B. at the Southern in January  and impressed again for the same reasons of type, balance and quality and is so  consistent coming and going. I thought these three stood away. Best Puppy was  the B/T Min. Smooth bitch Cwmdarhian Back To Alabama at Carpaccio. Nearly 10  months and very much the finished article. Beautifully balanced and lovely  Dachshund-in-miniature type and so well-schooled and responsive both standing  and on the move. Reserve Best Puppy was the red Long Bronia Callista, a month  younger and beautifully conditioned, but obviously still needs to fine down in  this much slower maturing variety. Well-made front and, like the winner, she  just needs to firm here on the move. Two most promising youngsters. Best  Standard Veteran was the 9 year old brindle Wire Ch., Am. Ch. & Ir. Ch.  Raydachs Tom Cruisen On. A lovely lad  I've previously judged on both sides of the Atlantic. Handsome head, firm body  belying his years and still moves and shows very well. Best Miniature Veteran  and Best Overall was the 7 red Min. Wire bitch Ch. Foxearth Foto Copy, the star  of the show for me and looking very much the same as when I gave her her first  C.C. at Crufts in 2007, a cracking little bitch, hard and fit and in super coat  and moving so well. A great little  laster in this difficult variety, loved her.
    Jeff Crawford