Crufts
DACHSHUND (MIN LONG-HAIRED)

Venue: NEC, Birmingham
Date: 4 - 7 March, 2004

MINIATURE LONG HAIRED

 First of all, thanks very much for the super entry which I assume, as it was Crufts, can be considered representative of the variety at this time. As I hadn’t judged them for nearly eight years and had heard such alarming reports of their state in recent times, I approached the assignment with no little trepidation. Having first become involved with Min. Longs 45 years ago (Primrosepatch), just ten years after they achieved C.C. status, I guess I have seen most of the greats and the ups and downs of the variety through its good and bad times. I know from personal experience just how hard they are to breed as Dachshund in miniature rather than just Miniature Dachshunds (a big difference!) Sadly, I found the vast majority of the males so very disappointing but when I got to the bitches it was like doing a completely different breed and I found enough to please me very much. Although they say that the future of a breed lies with its bitches, you do still need some good dogs to use on them! I had less of a problem with dentition (although a lot were filthy), short keels and kinked tails than I had been lead to expect but the perennial Min. Long bugbear of shoulder placement and front construction just never goes away and I had to be hard once again in this area.

There were a few deficiencies in ribbing, including two or three with oddly-flanged back ribs, pigment wasn’t brilliant but at least I came across fewer wet eyes than I expected. Another area where I would like to see improvement is in leg length as so many are just too short in foreleg – as though the foot is joined to the wrist with no pastern in between. At the other end tummy-tapping is back with a vengeance and the male with the best driving rear just didn’t measure-up in front. Standing in the middle with one’s judging book always looks so "amateur" and I felt very self-conscious doing so, but I just had to rather than risk placing otherwise superficially good-looking animals, not remembering that they had incorrect fronts or were bags of bones. I was a bit surprised to end-up with a Ralines dog for the C.C. as, having given the kennel C.C.s with several Smooths, I had never done anything for their Min. Longs before! It’s always interesting to go through the catalogue looking for family relationships, so I was delighted to see that my two top girls were by the same dog (Ralines Royal Spartan) and both out of Mullions bitches.

VD (7) 1 Graham’s Ch Jadag Bjorn Veeta. Nearly 9 year old choc/tan who was my Junior winner at Windsor in 1996 and has had a great career. Still looks the part with his compact, well-made body and sound movement. Good shoulders and steady rear, not exaggerated in any way. 2 Mack’s Sarade Leap Into Action of Topgem. Masculine 8 year old B/T of good type, pleasing in head, bone, feet, rich colour and good outline with firm topline retained on the move. 3 Jamieson’s Ch Ir Ch Djeata Lord of the Dance. 7 year old B/T. Not quite the front of the above two, or the hind angulation, but moved acceptably and completed a nice trio.

Sp PD (8) 1 Illidge’s Paradachs Murphy Moonshine. Handsome-headed 11 months B/T with a firmer front and better length of ribbing than most. Nice type, good coat and moved well holding a firm topline although he could use more drive behind and be a little bolder. Nevertheless a promising youngster who was deservedly Best Puppy Dog. 2 Leyshon’s Jadag Silver Heir with Picklecott. Striking silver dapple of the same age. Super typey lad with good head, bone, feet and a stylish outline kept on the move. Preferred the winner’s length of ribbing and better covered body. 3 Hayes’ Dolyharp Duet with Dialhouse. 13 months shaded cream with a well-made front, good quality coat, good top and underlines and moved fairly well. Not the masculine outlook of the two in front.

Sp JD (12) I found this class difficult to sort out and decide how to place. 1 Lindstrom’s Choefait Diamonds R Forever. 15 months B/T of good type, masculinity, bone, length of ribbing and keel, shoulders and rear. Added-up best of the bunch overall – just tends to look a bit low in front on the move at times. 2 Buchan and Colley’s Ebony Night Runner at Helenium. 18 months B/T whose over-hairy tail detracts from the picture on the move – otherwise it’s a good quality coat. Handsome lad with decent shoulders and overall qualities, but could be better covered. 3 Brook’s Daek Night Black Magic at Lyndarlea. 16 months B/Cream of more compact type. Nice size, well let down hocks and moved O.K. when he tried. Preferred the shoulders of the above and more confidence would enhance his chances.

Sp YD (9) 1 Bedford’s Dinkidudlor Bracken Booka. 16 months brindle with a sound front who moved out well, keeping his topline. Rather cut-up in underline and too long in body coat which is otherwise of decent texture. 2 Broad’s Jenwood Ring of Bells. 2 year old red with a fabulous head, sound front and quality coat. Hocks rather high, but a lovely stamp of dog overall who needs more meat on him to hold it all together when he would have been a comfortable winner. 3 Hanney’s Bronia Star of Oz. Nearly 2 year old B/T who I though at first would be my winner. Not as good in front as the two above him and will look a lot better when his heavy coat fines out and he gains more confidence.

PGD (10) 1 Cooper’s Gayvilles Northern Lad at Jumanda. 2 year old B/T of lovely type; long, low and level – although he can arch his topline slightly on the move. Very handsome, masculine head, moved soundly, sound front and good make and shape, although his body could be better-covered. 2 Cawley and King’s Fizzy Flyer for Summerview. Smaller brindle of 18 months. Nice size, well-made and compact, fairly good in front. Again a coat of nice texture but excessive length on body. Better in topline on the move but the winner out-gunned him in masculinity and head type. 3 Phillips’ Rossglen Rebel Yell with Rossdach. 3 year old B/T who moved out well. Lengthy, masculine and typey. Preferred the front construction of the two above him.

LD (14) Another difficult class to sort out. 1 Illidge’s Paradachs Dream Come True. 2 year old shaded red who scored in size, type and outline which was kept well on the move. Pleasing for head, coat texture and there wasn’t too much of it. A shade narrow through the front but a very nice stamp of dog who I see has proved his worth in siring the winning dog puppy. In the final reckoning he just looked a little raw against the ultimate winners from Open. 2 Johnson’s Charpurdy Sir Lancelot. 4 year old B/T who earned his place on the move. Masculine outlook and more substance with good front and body but more cut-up in underline and tummy-tapped a bit. 3 Farmer’s Jenwood Fields of Gold. 3 year old red who I felt deserved his place and recognition by virtue of having a real and proper Dachshund front and shoulder – probably the best among the males. He’s no glamour boy, but he’s so well made, sadly loses his shape on the move.

OD (15) A hard class to sort out. Although there was no "star" to really hit me, several had a lot to commend them and it took some mental juggling to come-up with a final order. 1 Lockett’s Ch Ralines Royal Statesman. 3 year old B/Cream with a good outline, good body properties in a well-made and compact shape. One of the most prominent forechests among the males although he could have been firmer in front at times on the move, but he went better in he challenge. Good hind angulation, overall outline and type. Pushed hard by 2, but I felt he was the best overall package and showman on the move. C.C. 2 Roberts’ Ch Denver Jack Frost. 3 year old cream who I preferred on the table in some ways. Very satisfying to go over, lovely head, length, bone, front and feet and a lovely coat quality. Moved well but his lower head carriage detracted from the overall picture and rather hampered his chances when it came to the crunch. Reserve C.C. 3 Norton’s Halunke Mister Baggins. 2 year old red and another of pleasing outline and type. Kept his same shape on the move, but didn’t go quite as positively as the two in front. Good in front, although not quite as snug in elbows, lovely coat texture and quality and a very handsome lad with more good ones lined-up behind him.

VB (6) 1 Kennedy’s Denkenas Nas Ben-Lora. Neat little B/T rising 8 with a sound front and well-made body covered with a good coat. Nice combination of substance and quality. A smart mover who showed well and took command of the class. 2 Bedford’s Ch Kiora Karoo. At 12, this little red was giving away so much in age, but is still sound and can step out smartly around the ring. Well made in front and rear angulation and is a great example of the lasting qualities of the variety. 3 Butler’s Harrimond Bonnie Delight of Drymoor. . 9 year old B/T in spanking condition with the blackest of black coats that just gleamed. More the type I admire but rather higher behind and not the front construction of those above her.

Sp PB (13) This is where things really started to hot-up – a nice class and with puppies like this there is hope! 1 Turner’s Rafthouse Tallulah 9 months red of smashing type and just my cup of tea – a big girl who I hope can stay within the weight limit as she matures. Long, low and level with a lovely real Dachshund head. Well-angulated both ends and very free purposeful movement. Just loved her and she was a comfortable Best Puppy. 2 Burge and Rossiter’s Barok Bellerina of Creekpit. Slightly smaller red of the same age and a rather more raw version. Again, long, low and level. Scores in front and forechest and has a lovely clean front action coming towards. Again a very nice type. 3 Lockett-Walter’s Ralines Foreign Affair. Nearly 13 months shaded cream. Although she is that much older, she looked less ready. More compact in type, super little body, firm front, good coat and very nice on the move. Definitely one for the future.

Sp JB (20) 1 Allan and Dick’s Auchans Thistle Dubh Braw. . Lovely 15 months B/T who I felt was the winner all the way from when she first entered the ring and didn’t disappoint on closer inspection. Good shoulder and just needs to drop a shade in front as she matures, well let-down behind and has a shapely body with a lovely outline that she retains so well on the move. I was very impressed. 2 Mee’s Barlaines Lady Charlotte. A nice B/T of the same age. Good head and length to height proportions. All of a piece both standing and moving and well made all round. Not quite as bold as 1, but otherwise gave her a good run for her money to end a close second. 3 Scott’s Dolyharp Choir Girl at Wolferlow. Smaller chocolate of 18 months with a pleasing head and outline, fairly good front, good bone for her size and moved and showed well to complete a nice trio.

Sp YB (9) 1 Davis’ Corrinbar Blue Angel. Exquisite 22 months silver dapple of beautiful markings and just teeming with quality. Ideal size and type, very well-made and angulated front, big ribs, good rear that she uses well on the move. Moves so freely and well and I was very much taken with her. In the final reckoning I would just like her a little bolder and then there would be no stopping her – but there’s always something! 2 Allan and Dick’s Auchan Thistle Dubh Weel. . B/T litter sister to the winner of the last class (some nice litter!). Super big body and looked gorgeous standing. Well laid-back shoulder blade and firm front if a tad elbowy. Lovely length of keel and a good overall stamp of bitch who was just a bit stilted behind and could have used her rear better on the move. 3 Taylor’s Sarade Shady Lady. Smaller cream of nearly two. Nice size and type and well made if a little shorter in neck and again slightly elbowy. The whole picture would have been very much enhanced without the excessive coat, particularly behind her forelegs where the feathering trailed in her wake and that I itched to hand-strip out! I hear it’s promised to be done and I look forward to seeing the smoother outline that it is masking.

PGB (16) 1 Banting’s Indicott Moonglow. A super type of bitch, a 2 year old red this time. Long, low and level, super sound front if just a shade lacking in forechest, good length of keel, attractive head holding super big, clean teeth. Moved very freely if a shade lacking in head carriage. Loved her type which I found rather reminiscent of some of the lovely Trumond girls of the sixties. Another I’d love to get my hands on to really condition her coat. At the end of the day she looked a little immature in the final line-up as though the best is yet to come. 2 Kennedy’s Denkenas Lady Bear. Smaller big-ribbed B/T 2 year old. Neat size with strong feet and bone and plenty of substance. Could have a stronger head, but has a neat eye. Super shoulder and front which, sadly, is not complemented by her weaker rear which causes her to move a bit stiltedly, but her frontal qualities far outweighed this. 3 Wall’s Chirandy Salalah Sunrise. 3 year old red of greater length who was nearer in type to the first than the second. Fairly good front, if a shade elbowy and moved quite well but, like the second, a bit on the stilted side.

LB (24) This was easily the class of the day in both quality and numbers and I was really spoilt for choice with quality extending way down the line. At the end it was sad to be able to recognise just five for the line-up, so I tried to make it as quick and painless as possible. 1 Wallace’s Cheslan Reethi Rah. This 2 year old B/T had nearly everything I was looking for and was in super condition. Pleasing head and neck, good shoulder placement, angulation and a super forechest, big ribs that extend well back with good width all through, well let-down rear. Moved strongly and well to take this class and right up to the challenge I had thought this was my winner, but she lacked that final head carriage and "oomph" just when it mattered most; what hard luck! Reserve C.C. 2 Roberts’ Denvers Baby Cham. All quality 2 year old cream with the same dam as the Dog Res. C.C. winner. A really lovely bitch that made for a difficult decision and she ended-up so close to the winner. A real classy girl with a nice front and no elbow protrusion, good body and rear, a good strong topline and moves well covering plenty of ground. Quality coat and not too much to detract from her type and outline. Not the strong feet of 1. 3 Davis’ Corrinbar Barley Blue. Classy silver dapple of rising 4 and the dam of the lovely little Yearling but in a bigger, less brightly-dappled mould. Lovely length and gorgeous type. Good head, neck, shoulders (although not as neat in elbow) and a rear to balance. Lovely depth of chest. Moved well, but could be bolder and make more of herself, so lacked the commanding presence of the two above.

OB (16) Strong class. 1 Goddard’s Ch Minard Krystal Darque. 2 year old B/T who has had a spectacular career and now I can understand why!. Very satisfying to go over on the table with so much substance and quality in a neat size. Compact, well-made body of good proportions, balanced angulation both ends with good shoulder placement and a rear she knows how to use. To really nit-pick I would prefer a slightly better shaped eye but I always find that rather high-thrown tan on the head can detract and give a false impression. She really came into her own on the floor and powered along keeping her shape and outline so well and was in super condition – the style and head carriage was the final clincher when it came to seeing off the Limit winner – although that is a decision I still agonise over. Must be just about the most complete package in the breed at the moment for type, substance, movement, temperament and showmanship. C.C. and a very easy B.O.B. and turned it all on again in the group ring. 2 Hall’s Gayvilles Double Take. I’ve always loved this 5 year old long, low and level B/T since she first caught my eye from the ringside as a young puppy. Very, very typey and just flows along with great freedom of movement. Like the second in the last class she is sitting on 2 C.C.s and both richly deserve their titles. Not the bunched feet of 1 and I’ve seen her in better bloom, but a great representative of this type. 3 Lockett’s Ch Ralines Royal Acclaim. 7 year old shaded cream who has been a great ambassador for the breed and has, more importantly, proved herself in the whelping box and is dam of the winning dog. Still looks a great little bitch of substance, quality and elegance. Has retained her neck and topline so well after her litters. This class was again a case of splitting hairs and although her shoulder placement is good I preferred the frontal construction of the first two. Made up a really super trio and there were more lined-up behind them.

GOOD CIT B (2) 1 Mee’s Barlaine Be My Valentine. 6 year old black and brindle with a pleasing head, good body and length of rib, fairly good in front and moved smartly keeping her good outline. A shame she was on her own here, but looked very well with the other lovely class winners when in came to the final line-up.

Jeff Crawford