Numerically with an entry of 125 dogs to judge I was delighted. I thoroughly enjoyed my day with this variety where I had some really strong classes to examine, as with any judging appointment you  are certainly judging 'time in motion' & decisions are made on the individual dogs performance which they give in those few minutes on the day. As always I take notes on every individual dog which gives me a clear record on how they performed there & then. In both dogs & bitches the younger classes contained some very promising if still a little raw youngsters. This year should give some exciting competition in this variety especially once we get outside where I'm sure many will shine. Looking back through my notes & reflecting on this entry my mine area for concern was that the 'Toy Soldier' marching seems to be creeping back in, when viewed moving in profile some certainly gave the impression that they where on parade rather than an easy free gait that we all love to see. Type seems to be quite uniform throughout & just one kinky tail. There seemed to be less wrinkle on the fore legs although many could have done with shorter nails which is easily fixed. Overall size was expectable with very few over the desired 11lbs & certainly none under weight. Miniature Dachshunds should remain Miniature & that's what the vast majority are. New Secretary Jo Norris had everything in order & The Club's very hands on President Judy Squires made everyone feel so welcome. My two stewards for the day Geraldine Brace & Peter Higgins certainly helped make the day even more enjoyable

MPD (4,1abs). 1 & BPD Rudkin's Siouxline Ross For Dynastydax, 7 month s/red, lovely type & well made throughout, very good head & expression, dark almond shaped eyes & jet black pigment all through, well arched neck leads into very good shoulders, tight elbows on good legs & feet. His fore chest is impressive & fits so well with plenty of width throughout, very good body & ribbing & for me has the correct ground clearance. Short in loin & well made behind. Here his movement was ultra sound for one so young coming & going & he gives a very pleasing picture in profile. Full of promise & should be useful to the breed I would think too. 2, Shutt's Donnadoon Dusk Till Dawn, another baby full of promise, 6 month B/T that has plenty going for him, good head with correct ratio's from muzzle to skull, enough neck leading into very good shoulders, his front is also impressive though not the finish yet of 1 although it will be. Very good body & ribbing with correct top & underlines, short loins, tail correctly set & carried at all times. Enough angulation behind with neat strong hocks. Not quite as precise coming & going as 1 yet but his profile action that clearly demonstrates correct reach & follow through shows us that he is certainly one to watch in the coming months. 3, Ergis' Merryline James Bond At Siouxline

PD (4,2). 1, Pearson's Crosscop Its Only Just Begun For Jenarta, smart 9 month B/T, Very good head & expression, good strong jaws, enough neck that he uses so well on the move, tight elbows on good legs & fabulous feet!. His body is in proportion with very good ribbing on a cast iron topline. Short thick loins lead into very good quarters with correct length of second thigh. Neatest of short strong parallel hocks complete a beautiful set of hind quarters. So sound up & down & looked lovely in profile keeping an appealing outline at all times. For BPD I just felt The MPD winner was cleaner over the shoulders at this point although I feel sure this young man will be having lots of fun in the ring too!. 2, Zaivej's Formula Uspeha Style, 10 month red, taller on the leg although in proportion throughout. Certainly elegant to look at & his long neck & carriage makes you look twice. Good head & dark points throughout, tight elbows with prominent breast bone, not the feet or bone of 1, good ribbing on a good firm backline, slightly longer in loin, his quarters are well made & muscled. Not as precise coming towards me as 1 but ultra sound moving away. Certainly pulls all the stops out in profile & produces some ground covering action that attracts your attention

JD (7). 1, CC & BOB, Mitchell's Bronia Biaggio, 17 month B/T that just commands attention. Your eye is drawn immediately as his overall package is without doubt quite outstanding. The table examination was an example of everything knitting together perfectly & my hands just flowed going over him. Appealing head & expression, good strong teeth & tight jaws. Defined well arched neck that leads into copy book shoulders & front construction, very good bone & beautiful tightly bunched feet. Plenty of Keel & plenty of width. Ribbing is well sprung with correct top & underlines, short thick loins lead into strong well made hammy quarters with the neatest of short parallel hocks. His tail is correctly set & well carried (or wagging clearly displaying his happy outgoing personality!). Ultra sound coming & going & looking so smart in profile where his gait is free & easy clearly showing correct reach & follow through from behind. His coat & condition is faultless & I found this young man very exciting throughout. For me he was the overall package & I was delighted to award him his 2^nd CC, with the right amount of luck 2019 will be a great year for this young man. 2 & RCC, Starkey's Carpaccio Black Obsidian For Hamoura, I found this B/T boy thats just out of puppy quite exciting too!. Ultra smart & ultra sound. So similar to 1 in so many ways, very good to go over, good head & expression, ears correctly set & carried & of the desired length, well arched neck leading into good shoulders, correct layback & tightest of elbows, plenty of fore chest the fills & fits correctly, good feet although the beautiful feet on 1 would take some beating. Very good body & ribbing, all in proportion throughout, well covered ribbing that extends well back, short lions lead into quarters that are so well made & his hocks are strong neat & parallel too. Up & down he moves precisely & in profile he produces an attractive outline with his beatifulloutline & carriage on his lovely easy free moving gait. Full of promise & with luck he too will have an exciting future, congratulations. 3, Bullis' Amaffrey Betcha By Golly Wow

YD (7,1). 1, Bullis' Amaffrey Betcha By Golly Wow, this young man was third in the strong junior class behind the two eventual winners, beautifully headed 12 month B/T, lovely proportions with deep dark expressive eyes, well arched neck leading into good shoulders although just needing to tighten in elbows which will come, good bone & very good feet, plenty of ribbing on a cast iron topline with correct underline. Good loins lead into well made quarters which are firm & strong. Sound enough coming & going looks good in profile where his overall outline appeals. His body length together with my preference for ground clearance appealed. Without doubt another quality youngster. 2, Robertson's Ayseebe Look Who's Talking To Ravenwood, smart 17 month s/red, beautiful type & in proportion throughout, good head & expression with dark points throughout, well arched neck leading into well made front although not quite the layback of 1, very good bone & another with super feet, good length of ribbing with correct top & underlines, loins are thick & well filled with enough angulation behind. Today he was ultra sound coming & going with his profile action helping to produce a satisfying overall picture. In fabulous condition & a born showman. 3, Thompson's Black Buttons Sweet Heart

PGD (5,2). 1, Melborne's Ambreglow Storm At Melriding, 2 yr B/T with the most beautiful head & expression, lovely type & so well balanced throughout, long well arched neck leading into text book shoulders & front construction, shoulders are correctly angulated with good tight elbows, his Keel is prominent & extends well back into a gradual underline on good ribbing & firm topline. His loins are short & strong with enough angulation in his quarters. Although firm & strong, for me I would prefer shorter hocks. This did not detract from his movement which was ultra sound coming & going with lovely reach & follow through in profile. Hard as nails & in beautiful condition. 2, Sterry's BarisseAsarabacca, 3 yr B/T whose head & expression also appealed, enough neck which he uses well on the move, good shoulders on very good bone & feet, plenty of fore chest although doesn't quite fit as perfectly as1, very good body & ribbing with good top & underlines, short loins with tail correctly set & carried at all times. Like that of 1 & personally would prefer a shorter hock but his quarters are well muscled & strong. Another sound young man up & down & looks good in profile although today he wasn't quite opening his gait as freely as 1. Coat & condition impresses greatly. 3, Taylor's Our Chocolate Chip

LD (10,2). 1, Paget & Carroll's Marvale Master Of Disguise, really fell for this 2yr B/T, certainly the type of Dachshund that attracts my attention. His overall picture & so many virtues will always keep him to the forefront of any competition. Good head & expression, good strong teeth & jaws with plenty of under jaw, well arched neck that leads into very good shoulders, tightest of elbows on very good legs & feet. Prominent breast bone that fits so well, his body is in proportion with correct height to length ratio's with my ideal interpretation of ground clearance. Ribbing is well sprung & extends well back into short thick loins, his quarters are well made & angulated. Stong neat parallel hocks help to produce sound driving action from behind. He comes to me ultra sound too & in profile produces a lovely picture that appealed greatly. He won this class with a bit in hand & I thought he may have gone further although in the challenge he just didn't open his gait in the same way stride as the eventual winners. In my mind one that richly deserves to carry his crown & with luck he will do. 2, Burke & Manston's Bonavoir Black Jack, another lovely type & also in beautiful condition. 18 month B/T with good head & expression, defined well arched neck that leads into good shoulders although not quite the layback of 1, plenty of breastbone that fits correctly, very good body & ribbing that extends well back, cast iron topline, short strong loins leading into very well made quarters, his length of second thigh is quite correct. Hocks are strong & his muscletone throughout is quite something. So sound coming & going & he too presents a pleasing overall picture in profile, show's correct reach & follow through that is easy on the eye. Quality youngster. 3, Ergis's Siouxline Jacob JW

OD (5,2). 1, Scott's Wolferlow Will Scarlet JW. 3 yr B/T whose type & overall proportions appealed greatly. He is so fit & hard in condition. Loved his head & expression, lovely almond shaped eyes, ears correctly set & of good length, lovely long elegant neck which he uses to project himself so well on the move. Good shoulders & tight fitting elbows, plenty of fore chest & width throughout, his ribbing is well sprung & extends well back. Cast iron topline that never falters with short thick loins. His quarters are strong & well made with his tail correctly set & carried at all times. So very sound coming & going with a picture of elegance in profile. My personal preference on ground clearance just cost him in the challenge although I can see no reason why a dog of this quality shouldn't be carrying his crown. I have no doubt that he could cover any ground condition without breaking his gait which is so easy & free, this alone should appeal to many. A great showman in great condition. 2, Blackburn-Bennett's Stargang Barracuda, 3 yr red, more masculine & heavier made throughout than 1, he certainly all male throughout, strong head & expression with very good teeth & jaws, well arched neck leads into good shoulders. His deep well filled front is quite impressive, plenty of fore chest & width throughout. Very good body & ribbing with correct top & underlines. His loins are well filled & muscled. Nicely angulated set of hind quarters with neat parallel hocks. On the move he produces a smart attractive overall picture with your eye being drawn to his front that doesn't go wrong when viewed from any angle. Smart attractive boy that will appeal to many. 3, Thompson's Black Buttons sweet Heart

CHD (1).1, Protheroe's Ch Royalmaple Anky Panky, 4 yr red, without doubt fit for function. Muscles in abundance & coat in fabulous condition. Good head & expression with deep dark points throughout, well arched neck leads into well developed fore quarters. Very good bone & feet. His ribbing is deep & extends well back. Good firm topline with correct underline. I loved his hind quarters which are so beautifully made, pure balance & strength. His hocks are neat, strong & parallel Coming & going his movement is sound clearly displaying plenty of width throughout. Attractive in profile & beautifully handled

MPB (11), 1 & BP Ergis' Siouxline Rachel, ultra feminine, most adorable to look at & examine. 7 month B/T with the most gorgeous head & expression, well arched neck leading into well developed front for her age. Shoulders well laid back with correct angles. Enough fore chest on very good legs & feet. Well developed body & ribbing with correct top & underlines. Her loins a short & well filled. Nicely made quarters with good turn of stifle, neatest short parallel hocks. So sound coming & going for such a baby & moved out in style displaying happily her free moving gait that will extend even more with age & experience. Her overall package just captivated me, such a beauty & the one I wanted to bring home!. The very best of luck with her, I'm sure we will be seeing more of this young lady throughout 2019. 2, Merry's Merryline Miss Moneypenny, 7 month s/red, lovely head & expression, dark points throughout, well arched neck leading into very good shoulders, prominent fore chest that fits nicely, good ribbing & body proportions, strong topline which she holds at all times. Short thick loins leading into good firm quarters which are well made. Hocks are firm & strong & this shows in her precise action when moving away. Sound enough in front too & puts on a good show moving in profile. Slightly longer throughout than 1 but in proportion & just not the ultra femininity of which stole my heart!. Very promising. 3, Scott's Wolferlow La Sioux, completing a trio of very promising babies

PB (16,5). 1, Russell's Russteck Tea Cake, this beautiful 11 month B/T headed another quality class full of babies. Her type & proportions are lovely. Your eye is immediately drawn for many reasons. Really feminine head & expression, well arched neck that she uses so well at all times. Well developed fore quarters, elbows tight on lovely legs & feet. Plenty of fore chest with plenty of width throughout. Ribbing is deep & well sprung with very good top & underlines. For me her ground clearance is right as is her length in body. Short thick loins lead into beautiful quarters that are well made & hammy. Strong neat parallel hocks that are short & show no sign of weakness. Ultra sound coming & going & a picture of elegance in profile. So full of promise & I'm sure will go onto brighter things. 2, Blackburn's Stargang Desert Orchid, very smart 9 month red, another that appealed for her height to length ratio & overall make & shape. Lovely head & expression, long well arched neck leading into good shoulders. Prominent breast bone with her keel extending well back. Firm backline on long deep ribbing. Her quarters are quite lovely, correctly angulated with a decent length of second thigh. She moves precisely coming & going & looks smart in profile where she covers the ground with ease & in style. Another who we will undoubtedly hear more from in the coming show season, just a personal preference making this hair-splitting decision here today. 3, Fossett's Lokmadi Peggy Sue for Brysdax

JB (18,4). 1, Rudkin's Keydax Layla For Dynastydax JW, 15 month B/T that really draws your eye with her impressive profile movement. Her type & overall proportions appeal greatly. Lovely head & feminine outlook, Long well arched neck lead into very good shoulders, tightest of elbows on very good legs & feet. Ribbing is well sprung & extends well back. Good firm topline & gradual underline, short thick loins lead into very good quarters, so well muscled & angulated. Ultra sound up & down & her profile action is effortless with an easy reaching gait with correct follow through from behind. A real showgirl with attitude plus shown in the very best condition. 2, Mitchell's Bronia Bellezza, another beauty, 17 month red, so fit & well muscled throughout, good head & expression & lovely dark points. Strong teeth with plenty of strength in her jaws. Long well defined neck which she carries well, good shoulders on very good legs & feet. Her fore chest is deep & her front all fits so nicely, long deep ribbing with correct top & underlines, firm short loins, well made hammy quarters with the shortest neatest parallel hocks. So very sound coming & going covering the ground effortlessly in profile. Not quite the attitude of 1 today & feel sure outside will see this girl shine even brighter. Another that will have an exciting year ahead I'm sure. 3, Kent's Lokmadi Magic Dragon

YB (7,2). 1, Blackburn-Bennett's Stargang Song Of Ice N'Fire, 17 month ultra feminine B/T who appealed greatly, not surprisingly as I see she is out my BCC winner from the last time I judged this variety. Lovely head & expression with correct ratio's from muzzle to skull, long well arched neck that leads into very good shoulders, beautiful layback & angles, very good legs & feet. Enough fore chest with her keel that extends well back into a gradual underline, solid topline on very good ribbing, short loins, tail is correctly set & carried at all times. She has ample hind angulation with the desired amount of second thigh. Sound enough up & down & she really looks the part in profile with her free & effortless gait & lovely head carriage. 2, Harwood's Paradigm Dark Star, loved the ultra feminine head & expression on this 14 month B/T, slightly longer & a shade more exaggerated throughout than 1 but totally in proportion. Long elegant neck leads into good shoulders, tight elbows on clean legs & tight feet. Her ribbing is long & deep extending well back into short thick loins. Her backline is strong & level at all times & her quarters are certainly well muscled & hammy. Ultra sound coming & going, in profile she can cover a tremendous amount of ground effortlessly & in style. A useful bitch I would think shown in faultless condition. 3, Bullis' Amaffrey Goodgolly Miss Molly

PGB (17,3). 1 & RCC, Smith's Wolferlow Maid Marion, certainly not much wrong with this 4 yr B/T, infact to me she is near perfection. Maybe you need to go over her to fully appreciate how beautiful she is. When your hands glide over her seeing how everything fits so perfectly you just know how special she is. Really lovely head & expression with a real feminine outlook. Well arched neck leads into the blue print of shoulder angulation. Her prominent breastbone fits correctly with plenty of width throughout. Ribbing is deep & well sprung & extends well back, firm in topline with correct underline, short thick loins lead into exceptional quarters where she has the strongest & neatest set of firm parallel hocks. Ultra sound coming & going with her profile movement being free & easy with good reach & follow through. For me her height to length ratio's are perfect & has my interpretation of correct ground clearance. I personally can't understand why a bitch of this quality is still in PG, without doubt she can hold her own in any competition & shown under judges who know she will always figure. A real gem that certainly deserves her crown. 2, Herrington's Kathington Just By Chance JW, another beauty, ultra smart 2 yr red, really loved her head & expression, dark almond shaped eyes, correctly set ears with the desired length, long well arched neck leading into very good shoulders, tightest of elbows on very good legs & feet. Plenty of width throughout, especially through her front, plenty of well covered ribbing that extends well back, good firm backline with correct underline. Short thick loins lead into well made hammy quarters, her hocks are firm & well set apart, another ultra sound young lady coming & going & certainly looks the part in profile with her lovely head being carried proudly. In gleaming coat & condition taking the winner very close. 3, Kerry's Kireton Hebe

LB (10,1). 1, Melbourne, Pagett & Carroll's Siouxline Goldilocks Of Melriding, loved the overall balance & proportions of this 2 yr red, her body length & ground clearance are just right for me. Lovely head & expression with good strong jaws, plenty of neck leading into good shoulders, good legs & feet, her front is deep & well filled with her keel extending well back. Ribbing is long, deep & well sprung with good top & underlines. Short thick loins that lead into natlymade quarters with correct length of second thigh on very good short neat hocks. Sound enough coming & going & projects herself well in profile clearly showing good reach & follow through. In gleaming coat & condition, full of breed type that I like to see. 2, Kerry's Kireton Cici, 4 yr B/T, slightly shorter coupled than one, her profile action & outline is also quite special. Lovely feminine head & expression, well arched neck that leads into very good shoulders. Loved her bone & tightly bunched feet. Plenty of fore chest that all fits so correctly. Good body & ribbing with correct top & underlines. Her ground clearance is correct for me as are her hind quarters, beautifully made with short neat hocks that are firm & precise. So very sound out & back & she makes the most of herself on the move in profile with an easy effortless gait that clearly shows correct reach & follow through . Overall she is quite lovely running 1 very close, in gleaming coat & condition. 3, Worswick's Dolyharp Sonata

OB (9,1). 1, Melbourne, Carroll & Paget's Garthorne Olivia Grace Of Melriding, Really like the type & overall package of this 2 yr B/T, she certainly presents a lovely picture in profile with her beautiful head carriage. Lovely head & expression, long mobile neck, good shoulders with tight elbows on very good feet. Her body is so well proportioned with good well sprung ribbing that extends well back. Cast iron topline & correct underline, short thick loins. Nicely made quarters that are well muscled with enough angulation. Her hocks are firm & parallel with no sign of weakness. Such a sound girl up & down & gives a good account in profile where her overall outline makes you look twice. 2, Rudkin's Dynastydax Periwinkle JW, 2 yr red, good head & expression with deep dark points, strong teeth & jaws, well arched neck with firm well muscled shoulders containing a good layback, elbows could be tighter, plenty of width & depth through her front, very good ribbing that extends well back with a good firm backline & correct underline. Short thick loins lead into well made quarters, so beautifully muscled, hocks are neat & parallel, coming & going she is quite precise & although moves out well in profile her style didn't quite match that of 1. Great condition, hard as nails. 3, Price's Samlane Desdemona

CHB (6,1). Five beauties to end the day with. 1 & CC, Blackburn-Bennett's Ch Stargang Cherry Berry, 3 yr Red bang on form, so fit & perfectly conditioned throughout, on the move she goes with ease covering so much ground in great style with so little effort. Beautiful head & expression, lovely dark almond eyes, long well arched neck that she uses so well on the move, perfect shoulders, superbly angulated. Prominent fore chest that all fits so well with plenty of width throughout. Her ribbing is long & deep, so well sprung with the desired top & underlines. Short thick loins lead into perfectly made & well balanced quarters, short neat parallel hocks. Ultra sound up & down, her attitude, style & showmanship attract you even more to watch her gait which is perfection. From all the girls here today she ticked all the boxes & made her a comfortable CC winner. 2, Ergis' Ch Siouxline Rapunzel With Melriding, another quality 4 yr Red who gives a very pleasing overall picture. Slightly longer & more exaggerated than 1 but totally in proportion, feminine in head & outlook, defined well arched neck that leads into very good shoulders on very good legs & feet. Her keel extends well back to give a gradual underline with super ribbing that extends well back. Cast iron backline with short thick loins. Her quarters are well made & hammy with strong firm hocks. Perfect coming & going & gives a good account in profile where she covers the ground with ease. So fit for function & a very worthy Champion. 3, Melbourne & Carroll's Ch Stargang Glimmer At Melriding

Daniel Roberts (Swansford)

Judge