Belfast Ch Show 2013

Miniature Long Dachshunds

I was very disappointed with this entry, both in terms of numbers and quality. So much so that I felt obliged to withhold the CC & RCC in dogs. Now that Miniature Dachshunds in Ireland are judged under FCI rules, adherence to the UK weight recommendation of an upper limit of 11lb (5Kg) has gone by the wayside. This will therefore affect entries at this show where judges choose to weigh. I feel that we must continue to weigh in order to maintain the "Miniature Dachshund," otherwise the size will keep creeping upward.

PD(1) 1 Shutt's Prince Of Dreams For Donnadoon. RBD & BP. Promising choc/tan youngster of 7mths, really handsome conical head with dark eye, sound bite, well filled front, good strong bone and feet, of pleasing proportions, balanced angulation front and rear, firm topline, would prefer greater length to keel and ribbing carried further back, at present little short of coat, however, he looks to have a lot of potential, he was well within the weight limit, just felt that at present I could not justify awarding top honours, hope to see him when he has developed his potential.

LD(2) 1 Shutt's Donnadoon Boo Gee Woogy. Handsome cream of 16 mths, well within the weight limit, has a lovely head, dark eye, strong muzzle and correct bite, strong bone and thick well bunched feet, well filled front and holds a good topline, would prefer to see shorter length of hock as this affects his hind movement, restricting his drive, attractive coat. 2 Wallace's Cheslan Thudufushi. Diminutive, low to ground b/cr who holds an attractive balance outline, another very pleasing headpiece with strong jaw, well within the weight limit with 2lbs to spare, yet has ample bone and thick well padded feet, was disappointed with the lack of width through his front and would benefit from longer ribbing.

OD(2) The Kennel Club Breed Standard defines "Miniature" as being an ideal weight of 4.5kg with a desired maximum of 5kg. If we ignore this weight limit then we will inevitably move away from the "Miniature" this was the dilemma I was faced with here. 1 Pattison's Ir Ch Auchans Thistle Dubh Frme. BD. Handsome 4 yr silver/dapple of a more compact outline, well within the weight limit, scored in head and eye, well filled front, adequate balanced angulation in both fore and hindquarters, would look better with a little more length to improve outline, moved out soundly to gain his place, however, I did not think that he was of such outstanding merit to be able to award him the CC and therefore awarded him BD. 2 McDonnell's Ir Ch Smartdac Supernatural. Upstanding b/t who had an eyecatching outline, had the length, head carriage, forechest, topline, bone and feet, everything required, however, he was way over the weight limit (exceeding 1kg) so much so, that he could no longer be considered a "Miniature".

LB(2) 1 Wallace's Cheslan Medhufushi. Diminutive b/cr litter sister to Thudufushi, although not quite so well balanced in outline, has almost 2kg to spare within the weight limit, even so, there was nothing weedy about her, altogether a neat sound little package.2 Witheld - I decided to withhold from the other exhibit in this class, she was very high stationed, was lacking in bone and had inadequate angulation together with a very roached topline, yet I understand that she has been awarded Green Stars under FCI regulations.

OB(5) 1 Boyle's Doujac Erin At Zarcrest. CC & BOB. Most attractive and feminine, 17 mths shaded cream of some quality, such an appealing head and expression, presents a neat and balanced outline, very pleasing in both top and underline, good strong bone and thick well padded feet, at present she is lacking a little in coat length, but that only enhanced her outline, she moved out with some ease, although would have preferred a little more drive from behind, more than happy to award her top honours. 2 Singleton's Ir Ch Longfort Classic Diamond. RCC. Fully mature b/t with appealing outline, pleased in her balance and proportions, another way under the weight limit, found her to be soundly made with attractive head/eye, firm in topline, she moved out soundly, pleased in her flat shiny coat. Moved out with sound gait. 3 McDonnell's Ir Ch Larkhund Eye Connection.