Belfast 2011

Dachshund (Miniature Long-Haired)

DACHSHUND - MINIATURE LONG HAIRED

It was a pleasure to judge this breed at Belfast Show. Overall temperaments were good and there was improved dental hygiene in the exhibits. There is an increasing tendency for the length of the dog to come from the loin rather than length of ribbing, while not affecting the overall proportions this does mean that toplines are not as firm in some exhibits as would be expected. It was also surprising to find a number of exhibits lacking the full and oval thorax' that gives this hound the capacity to work. The bitches excelled in quality and type over the dogs.

PD (4) Quite a mixed class with puppies at differing stages of development and maturity. 1 McDonnell's Smartdac Supernatural. B&T, well up to size, with good bone and masculine head. Well angulated strong hind quarters and a level topline held both standing and moving. Underline merging gradually. Rounded ribs although would prefer a little more length. Won this class due to his overall type, balance and maturity. 2 McDonnell's Smartdac Fire N Fury. Red dog that looked well stacked. Heavy boned with good head and strong pigmentation but not quite the fullness of thorax or rear angulation of 1. Topline needs time to settle. Correct flat coat. 3 Wallace's Cheslan Thudufushi.

JD (2) 1 McDonnell's Smartdac Fire N Fury. 2 Wallace's Cheslan Thudufushi. B&T. Well handled and presented puppy with good rear angulation that was used to drive on the move. Correct flat silky coat. Another who needs time for topline to settle. Not the bone of 1.

LD (3) 1 Brooks' Lyndarlea Rafferty JW.  Sh/cr with reasonable bone. Easily won this class on hind angulation and overall balance. Well set ears on strong head. Well coated. Stood soundly presenting a good outline and moved out holding topline. Would prefer a little more fullness in ribs. 2 Wallace's Cheslan Kuramathi. A nice dog that seemed a little unsettled at times. Correct coat and well pigmented with dark eye. Could benefit from increased road work to improve overall tightness of front assembly and feet. 3 Long's Joalas Magic Merlot Jun Ch.

OD (3) Both 1 & 2 were very strong in this class and I'm sure will change places on many occasions. 1 McAlpine & Walsh's Ch/Ir Ch Walpines Flamin Red. Red dog with heavy bone. Masculine but not coarse head with good expression. Well angulated front with tight elbows on full ribs of good length. Moved with drive from correct hindquarters keeping width between front and rear legs. Topline held moving and standing. Preferred his overall balance and profile to 2. DCC. 2 McAlpine & Walsh's Ch/Ir Ch Walpines Brandy Butter. Cream dog. Held his profile on the move. Well ribbed. Correctly proportioned. Stood squarely on well padded feet. Rear angulation was correct and used to drive. Moved straight both coming and going. Lost out to 1 on tightness of elbow. RDCC. 3 Wallace's Cheslan Madivaru.

PB (3) 1 Singleton's Longfort Classic Diamond. B&T. An elegant lady that held her topline on the move. Well boned and good length of full ribbing. Strong head with correct ear placement but feminine. Well angulated rear used for drive on the move. Correct coat. BPIB. 2 Wallace's Medhufushi. Petite B&T. Well boned for her size with full thorax. Angulation true both front and rear. Moved well. Tight coupling.  Not the strongest head with slightly rounded eye, well pigmented. Otherwise well put together. 3 Shutt's Longfort Cassie Royale of Donnadoon (imp).

JB (1) 1 Wallace's Cheslan Medhufushi.

LB (1) 1 Brooks' Lyndarlea Muffin B&T. Well proportioned. Narrow at front on move but otherwise well balanced. Strong houndy head and correct coat. Good reach of neck and length of rib.  Would prefer more depth and fullness to ribbing.

OB (5) 1 McAlpine & Walsh's Ir Ch Walpines Brandy Cream. Cream bitch with excellent bone and tight elbows set onto well rounded ribs. Level topline held on the move. Well angulated both front and rear allowing her to move with both reach and drive. Carried head well with good reach of neck and tail was natural extension of body. BCC - her third I believe and BOB over dog due to slightly better angulation of rear and profile on the move. 2 Jamieson's Djeata Cosmopolitan CJW. B&T. Delightful bitch. Tightest elbows of the day. Well rounded thorax of correct depth and length of rib. Strong breastbone. Rear assembly used to drive. A workman like hound yet feminine. Just didn't hold her topline on the move as well as 1. RBCC. 3 McAlpine & Walsh's Ch/Ir Ch Walpines Queen Counsel.
 
Dr Karen E Humphries