My thanks to the Committee for their kind invitation to judge Miniature Long-Haired Dachshunds. I appreciated a numerically strong entry, but have to say I was extremely disappointed with the general lack of quality. Having been heavily involved with this variety since 1990 I have witnessed many changes, some good – some not so good, but having had a couple of years out of showing the breed I was shocked at their decline. The obsession with only using GPRA clear stud dogs has certainly taken its toll on this once glamorous variety.

I found many untypical heads with broad back skulls, short muzzles, lacking underjaw and round, protruding eyes – many of which are too light in colour. I was surprised to find several incorrect bites and many with missing incisors, even one undershot mouth. Worryingly, I discovered quite a few with the incisor adjacent to the canine half the size of the others and often sticking out sideways. These dentition faults were not confined to one kennel or line, but were spread across the entry.

Kinked tails appear to have made a comeback, some with more than one and one bent almost at a right angle. I was surprised to find a number of exhibits with one or more flanged ribs, often coupled with a tail fault. The age-old problem of short upper-arms and forward-placed shoulders is still much in evidence, as are incorrectly-angulated hind quarters.

Presentation in many left much to be desired. Filthy teeth; long nails and unbathed exhibits; untrimmed feet and a number of males with nowhere near enough weight on them.

I take absolutely no pleasure in being negative about a breed which I have been passionate about, but if the above issues are not addressed you will cease to have a breed. I was amazed to be told that several exhibitors had grumbled at the amount I made them move. Any dog in show condition should be easily capable of a few circuits of a Show ring, sadly many were not in show condition.

On a more positive note, I was pleased with my principal winners, all of whom moved with drive and extension and were put down in immaculate condition.

Special Beginners Dog or Bitch – 1

1^st Drady’s Jumanda’s Silver Sparkle at Indiko. Rangy & raw, silver dapple bitch who needs time to body up and drop into her frame.

Minor Puppy Dog – 7

1^st Norton’s Halunke Pure Magic. A really neat & tidy, clear red dog – free and athletic mover. Put down in super condition, most promising.

2^nd Hall’s Cliffmere Forester. Shaded red dog of lovely make and shape. Has the three Ls in abundance but sadly was very unsettled here.

3^rd Butler’s Doujac Turnip for the Books from Drymoor.

Puppy Dog – 5

1^st Lockett Walters & Walters’ Ralines Bright Future. Mature 11 months black & cream dog of fab type. Well-covered and nowhere the weight limit. He is houndy, masculine and well-off for bone. Lovely driving, free action just needed to settle in topline. Beautifully presented, BPD.

2^nd McCarthy’s Nagshall Justintime. Lengthy shaded cream dog who needs more ribbing and less loin. A shade narrow in front for me, nicely presented.

3^rd Jury’s Bluebegin Pagen Moor at Torwood NAF

Junior Dog – 7

1^st Weston & Johnson’s Galrhia Twice as Nice at Ecotyne. Well-presented, compact, black & tan dog with the best front in the class. Could use a bit more reach of neck. Well-ribbed & correctly angulated rear, steady mover who could have opened his gait a little more.

2^nd Pitfield’s Follyfield Farley’s Fella. Black & cream of good make & shape. Lost out to 1 on front assembly here.

3^rd Butler’s Doujac Just Ice from Drymoor

Post Graduate Dog – 8 (1 abs)

1^st Walters’ Metadale Masterchef. Shaded cream dog, houndy in type with a conical head. Correct dark, almond, eye; super reach of neck and a tidy front. Well-off for rib with a short, strong loin and well-angulated quarters which he can really use. Moved with drive & extension showing a clean pair of heels. Out of coat, but has nothing to hide. Pleased to award him his 1^st CC – should be an asset to the breed.

2^nd Buchan & Kerslake’s Devonwood Crackerjack at Helenium. Ultra-glamorous black & tan dog, sired by Res CC winner. Beautiful head and eye with terrific reach of neck and a super front. Good length & spring of rib, lost out to one on hind movement but pushed hard.

3^rd Kennedy’s Kinchville Great Gatsby (Imp Rus)

Limit Dog – 7

1^st Kennedy’s Denkena Loganberry JW. A stand away winner in this class. Really tidy dog with little to fault him and put down to the minute in hard condition. Free, active, mover with a firm topline. Pushed hard for the Res CC.

2^nd Latham-Jackson’s Criscan Leonel of Urishay. Elegant shaded red dog of lovely type. Like many of the good ones, he could do with more beef on him. Super on the move, but cuts up a bit.

3^rd Brooks’ Lynderlea Kenny

Open Dog – 5

1^st Bell & Rowell’s Tolberg Cream Dream ShCM. Shaded cream dog of good type. Well-constructed all through and well-presented. Gave his handler a rough time, but he persevered to get the best out of him.

2^nd Barnsdale & Hayward Barnsdale’s Chriskim’s Trail Blazer JW. Flashy shaded red dog who excels in movement and has much to commend him but not the front or ribbing of 1.

3^rd Norton’s Halunke Going Dutch

Veteran Dog – 2

1^st Young’s Ch. Willowheath Hendrix. Glamorous black & tan boy of eight and a half. I was very pleased to see this old favourite of mine, and he can certainly put some of his younger peers to shame. Still looks awesome and was exhibited in super condition today. Moved with drive & enthusiasm. Very pleased to award him the RCC.

2^nd Pitfield’s Andynromadax Dave of Follyfield ShCM. Smart black & tan dog of good make and shape. In excellent condition but couldn’t match 1 on the move.

Minor Puppy Bitch – 10

1^st Bell’s Tolberg Legally Blonde. Absolutely super shaded cream bitch puppy. Long, low and level. Pleasing head & eye. Neat front & well-angulated rear. Super mover and well-presented. Very promising.

2^nd Young’s Willowheath Magic Sunset. Shaded red bitch of completely different type, being shorter-coupled but very correct all through. Super on the move, if a little over-exuberant – which was a joy to behold.

3^rd Hall’s Cliffmere Folksong

Puppy Bitch – 10 (1 abs)

1^st Lockett Walters & Walters’ Ralines the Last Word. A bit of a find! Black & cream bitch out of the top drawer. Has breed type to spare, and the breed needs more like her. Super head and reach of neck with fab shoulders & ribbing. Strong, well-angulated rear which she uses to advantage on the move, keeping a firm topline. Happy to award her Best Puppy, the RCC – and pleased to later see her go Best Puppy in Show. One with a very bright future, she will be hard to get past next year!

2^nd Way’s Hillstar Saffron with Sudasam. Shaded red bitch who is elegant and classy, however you look at her. Long, low & level and a super mover – who has really good drive. Sadly rather nervous and unsettled here.

3^rd Young’s Willowheath Blondie

Junior Bitch – 7

1^st Metcalf’s Metadale Aphrodite. Cream bitch of lovely type. So well-constructed all through. Showed moments of brilliance but was all over the place on the move! Once she gets her act together she will be one to watch.

2^nd Mee’s Barlaines Red Splendour. Elegant clear red bitch who was so neat & tidy all through. Sound mover, but would like stronger pigment.

3^rd Weston & Johnson’s Ecotyne Firewitch

Post Graduate Bitch – 9 (3 abs)

1^st Cooper’s Jumanda’s Silver Slipper JW. Classy silver dapple bitch of super type. Has bone & substance but is still feminine. Neat front, well-angulated quarters and super sound on the move. Nicely presented in hard condition.

2^nd Butler’s Zarcrest Laura Ashley from Drymoor. Another smart silver dapple of good make & shape. Super, free-mover which one would expect from her lean, hard condition & correct construction. Preferred head of 1.

3^rd Mee’s Barlaines Golden Delight

Limit Bitch – 12

1^st Latham-Jackson’s Urishay Sweet Pea. Black & Tan bitch of super quality. Classic head with dark, almond eye. Super reach of neck and well-placed shoulders. Correct front and super ribbing. Correct hind assembly and put down to the minute in gleaming coat and hard condition. Totally out moved everything here today, handled to advantage using every bit of the ring. She has terrific reach and drive and just cruises around the ring effortlessly. Very pleased to award her the CC which I’m told gives her her crown & BOB. Well done.

2^nd Brown’s Mystera Once upon a Dream at Garbosa. Cream bitch of nice type & extremely well-presented. Unsettled on the move but showed super drive nonetheless.

3^rd Mitchell’s Bronia Peach Fuzz

Open Bitch - 9

1^st Worswick’s Dolyharp Desert Song. Cracking red brindle bitch with super bone and substance. Super head & expression with good shoulders & ribbing. Well-angulated rear & sound as a bell on the move.

2^nd Johnson’s Charpurdy Just Willow. Smart Black & tan bitch, out of coat but has little to hide. A shade narrower through than 1 and not the drive on the move.

3^rd Norton’s Halunke Dutch Affair

Veteran Bitch – 5

1^st Norris’ Xemxija Star Struck at Criscan. Another old favourite of mine. This glamorous shaded red bitch still looks fab and was presented in gleaming, hard condition. Moved with terrific drive, keeping a firm topline.

2^nd Johnson’s Ch Charpurdy Just Iss. Black & tan bitch of similar type to 1. Shown in super coat and condition. Not the hind drive of 1, but a worth champion.

Mike Turner

Judge