MINIATURE SMOOTH HAIRED

 Having received a good entry of 85 exhibits, for which I thank all the owners (and the two excellent stewards who guided me through my classes), it is sad to have to do a report which can only reflect partial satisfaction with the standard of dogs before me on the day. Concerns I express are always intended to be constructive and hopeful thought-provoking, so that those who hold the interest of the breed paramount can seriously reflect on the views of a like-minded judge. My impression of the current standing of the breed are as follows: Heads: In a well proportioned head the skull and jaw are of equal length, stop not pronounced. I found too many heads with a prominent stop, rounded skull and short jaw. Consequently they are disproportionate to the body (small) and ‘sphinx-like’, by being the wrong type of head for the Dachshund body. Appearance: We all know the appearance is that of a ‘long and low’ outline, a few (too many) were square in appearance. Why? They were too long in the leg. I was able to put four fingers of my hand beneath some dogs! Movement: Sadly disappointing, this was not simply due to poor confirmation, which was found in abundance, it was also due to lack of stamina! Only a few had hind movement that was correct and far too many failed to please when moving towards me. With two or three exceptional dogs presented in good condition, ie clean teeth, coats and snort nails. I was pleased with my class winners and my principal awards were well deserved.

MPD (10,2) 1 Coxon’s D’Arisca Way Down Low. Lovely red with a good outline on the move, nice front and sound hind movement. Best Puppy Dog. 2 Herrington’s Kathington Chance n Counter. One with plenty to like about him. Good movement and pleasing outline. Needs to show better on the table. 3 Blackburn-Bennett’s Shelsall Victory Vee for Shardagang.

PD (2,1) 1 Pinson’s Mowbray Summer Knight. Nice red, happy to award him the red card, would have preferred a little more bone.

JD (6,) 1 Coxon’s D’Arisca Inkel Impressario. B/T, liked this youngster a lot. Lovely front, nice angulation and level topline. Sound hind movement, perfect to look at standing on the table. By the same sire as my Best Puppy. Pleased to award him the Res CC. 2 McNaughton’s Bronia L’Artista. Red and similar to the winner, whose movement I preferred on the day. 3 Hully’s Maximites Montgomery.

PGD (9,2) 1 Barber’s Melriding Meruisti. B/T. Nice outline and movement. Lovely overall appearance, showed himself to advantage. Hope he has a successful future. 2 Melbourne’s Melriding Post Mac Meliora. My note made in the ring say: ‘another b/t with lots to like about him, similar to the winner, two nice dogs.’ Now I see why - litter brothers! Hope they both have a successful future. 3 Gaskin’s Glorron Petulengro at Dovestream.

LD (3) 1 Baldwin’s Lauralee One for the Road to Beckel. I liked this dog because he excelled where it mattered! He has the most pleasing appearance, lovely head. Good movement front and positive hind action. Pleased to award him the CC and Best of Breed. 2 Luke’s Corrieknowe Circassian. B/T with plenty to like about him. He moved well. 3 Melbourne’s Inkel I’m Rupert of Melriding.

OD (5,2) 1 Melbourne’s Melriding Post Mac Meloria. 2 Nolan’s Hampdach Solowist at Eddyval. Showed well. 3 Bastable’s Ir Ch Nordach Ticket to Ride.

MPB (13,3) 1 Daykin’s Barratini Magic Moment. This was indeed a ‘magic moment’ - by the same sire as RCC dog winner (one of many D’Arisca champions), this deightful red had all the good points, showed well for one so young and only too pleased ti make her Best Puppy. Very nice indeed. 2 Shelton’s Barisse High Society. Lots to like about this girl and no doubt will challenge for awards in years to come. 3 Blackburn-Bennett’s Shardagang Humming Bird.

PB (2) 1 Melbourne’s Melriding Slack Alice. 2 Endersby’s Mowbray Summer Breeze. Two nice reds with lots to like about them, but the ‘star’ pups were in the Minor Puppy class, without any doubt on my part.

JB (8,1) 1 Young’s Willowheath Wendy. Lovely red with a nice outline standing and, together with sound conformation front and rear, presented a delightful picture on the move: top class. 2 Graham’s Daisy’ll Do for Jadag. B/T, slightly smaller, lovely in all respects. However, I preferred the winner’s bone and free flowing movement. 3 Mitchell’s Bronia Licidissima.

PGB (12,2) 1 Callow’s Garthorne Leonie. Red, correct in all departments and lots to like. Showed well and won this large class with ease. 2 Macdonald’s D’Arisca Shameless at Bensarka. B/T, lovely girl. Wanted first place and tried so hard, lots to commend her. Good luck for the future. 3 Jones’ Woolsocks Chocolate Fudge.

LB (8,2) 1 Ergis’ Bronia Stunning Sophia for Siouxline JW Sh CM. Delightful; red, moved freely over the ground with grace and style. Lovely head, nice hind action and she more than pleased when coming towards me. Top class and my Bitch CC winner. 2 Callow’s Garthorne Lady in Black. B/T, nice type but preferred the movement of the winner. 3 McAlister’s Lochfyne Sweet Breeze.

OB (7) 1Coxon’s D’Arisca Divine Design. Shaded red, plenty to like about her, most important of which is her flowing movement. Challenged hard for the ticket, pleased to award her the Res CC. 2 Blackburn-Bennett’s Shardagang Pavlova. Good conformation and nice movement, deserved this placing in a very good Open Bitch class. 3 Callow’s Ch Garthorne Highlight.

S A Lund