First of all, congratulations to the 2 breed club committees for managing the complex logistics of scheduling 6 varieties running across 2 shows (plus an Open Show) on day 2 of the Houndshow weekend. Thanks also to my efficient stewards.

I last judged this variety in Scotland in 2021 where the entry was smaller but the quality was better, I felt. It was disappointing and worrying to find that about 20% of the entry had nervous temperaments and the bitches were worse than the dogs. The majority of puppies go to pet homes and it cannot be any fun to have a dog whose temperament is the opposite of what the Breed Standard calls for. In classes where there were dogs with the correct temperament, these were placed higher, even if their conformation was perhaps not as good.

Front construction was also generally poor, with upright shoulders and short, stuffy necks. Too many keels end under the front legs, rather than extending well back, and ribbing was similarly too short. There is little point in me commenting on this in individual dogs’ critiques when the problem is so prevalent. So many dogs have profuse feathering on the hind legs which makes it nearly impossible to tell whether they are moving parallel when going away. One of the Breed Watch points of concern is incorrect hind conformation and/or poor rear movement. Breeders would do well to research Pes Varus and learn about this particular fault.

Sayer’s Illustrated Standard of Points of the Dachshund, written in 1939, has stood the test of time. The illustrations are as relevant today as then, and novice exhibitors should, as a minimum, look at the required shape, proportions, and ground clearance described by Sayer. I am sure that the breeders and exhibitors of the consistently top-winning dogs would be more than happy to share their knowledge with newcomers.

It is, of course, easy to be critical of a breed but I also want to commend the breeders and exhibitors who manage to show sound, workmanlike hounds, that can really step out round the ring with good front extension and hind drive.

Baby puppy (3, 0)

1st: Daniello Diamond Dove (Mrs M E & Mr P Kasprowicz) chocolate and tan dog with a level top line. Good houndy head. Better lay back of shoulder than 2.  Good amount of ground clearance. A little bit short in the keel. Reasonably well angulated behind and moved parallel going away but a little bit wide coming towards me.

2nd: Daniello Dreamer Boy for Garbosa (Mrs L Brown) chocolate dapple. Very attractive bitch with good hind angulation. More compact type with good amount of ground clearance. Prominent forechest. Running up a little bit in the top line in profile movement.

3rd: Daniello Dream Lady (Mrs M E & Mr P Kasprowicz)

Veteran (2,0)

1st: Ch Tolberg Beez Kneez at Teckeltown (Miss D Mason) Correct sized red bitch of 8 years old. Lovely topline held at all times. Very good prominent forechest. Good length of ribbing and keel came well back. Lovely to watch on the move. Really pleased to see her awarded Best Veteran in Show.

2nd: Ch/Ir Ch Ralines Sazerac (Miss Woodvine-Shone) A larger type male whose topline was falling off towards the croup in profile movement today. Rather more profuse coat than 1. Moved absolutely parallel coming towards me and parallel going away and showing good drive in profile.

Minor Puppy Dog (3, 0)

1st: Indiko Fire and Ice (Mrs K M Drady) Attractive little cream dog who held a good top line held at all times. Won this class with his hind movement: so really good to see the hind extension. A little bit wide coming towards me, though. Good amount of forechest. Would prefer more reach neck. Good houndy head with good ear carriage and a dark eye.

2nd: Pettigans Leo of Leadhills (Messrs C J & C Mcgavigan & Pettigrew) Another really promising little puppy but more out at elbow and not quite the hind drive and extension of 1. Good compact type with adequate ground clearance. Held his topline at all times. Reasonable reach of neck and a good houndy head.

3rd: Sanmik Captain at Welingtonway (Mrs K J & Mr Dl Gunter)

Puppy dog (3,0)

1st: Dolyharp Rossini at Garbosa (Mrs L Brown) Cream dog with really good dark pigment. Moved parallel coming towards me with correct width. Reasonable length of neck. Good amount of keel compared with most. Well angulated behind and held a really firm top line on the move. Could do with losing a bit of puppy fat! Best Puppy.

2nd Restinim Mr Pip (Rev A Fairchild) A slightly finer type than 1. Lovely profile movement but slightly closer coming towards me and not the driving rear extension of 1.

3rd: Hanburydax Life of Riley (Mrs V Findlay)

Junior dog (6,1)

1st: Scrumptious Red On The Dot JW (Mrs C May) Correct sized red with a good houndy head and very dark pigment. Prominent forechest but not overdone and a good amount of ground clearance. Well angulated behind Held his topline at all times.

2nd: Wishadax's Blonde Showman Daniello (Mrs M E & Mr P Kasprowicz) A slightly bigger type. Good amount of forechest. Another cream with good dark pigment. Held his topline on the move. Parallel going away. Good feet with well-arched toes.

3rd: Zilcan Vanilla Ice for Arlatdax JW (Miss C & Miss C Morrin & Barbi)

Yearling (1,0)

1st: Ch Zarcrest Red in The Room JW (Miss O & Mr L Dalton & Beach) On his own but what a stunning boy, turned out to perfection. Compact type with good ground clearance. Lovely feet. Adequate amount of forechest and reasonable reach of neck. Super topline on the move. Really good forward extension and hind drive. Parallel coming towards me and going away. A lovely little dog and a worthy Champion. RCC.

Postgraduate (4, 1)

1st: Wishadax's Blonde Showman Daniello (Mrs M E & Mr P Kasprowicz) Won this on his profile movement which was much more fluid and flowing than 2.

2nd: Revdvicki's Theodore by Urishay (Mr P & Mrs A Latham-Jackson) A more compact type than 1 with good bone and substance throughout. Not quite the reach of neck of 1.

214 - Code Red Again at Arlatdax (Miss C & Miss C Morrin & Barbi)

Limit (3, 0)

1st: Allerbach’s Tiger Moth (Ms A Gordon) Shaded cream. Good topline on the move. Really good bone and substance. Good length of upper arm compared with many. Lovely dark pigment. Good amount of forechest and ground clearance. Not excessively overcoated.

2nd: Dolyharp Amadeus at Sidburyhill (Mr A & Mrs K Stevens) Black and tan. Not the reach of neck of 1 and a longer cast type. Good ground clearance and his ribbing came well back.

3rd: Pettigans Bring Me Sunshine TAF (Mrs S E Phillips)

Open (3, 0)

1st: Minard Darque Red for Devondax JW (Miss B A Ham) Compact little dog with good pigment, a lovely dark eye of correct shape. Good amount of forechest. Reasonable reach of neck. Good length of upper arm. Really free-moving in profile and parallel going away. Not excessively coated.

2nd: Findowrie The Fusileer (Mrs M E Poole) Slightly longer type than 1 and a little bit of a wavy coat. Really good bone and substance. Dark eye but slightly rounder. Not quite the reach of neck of 1. Reasonable bend of stifle and parallel going away.

3rd: Tolberg Black Adder at Indiko (Mrs K M Drady)

Champion (2, 0)

1st: Ch Bronia Maverick (Miss E Mitchell) Correct size cream. Super front movement coming towards me and lovely driving movement in profile with good hind extension. Good reach of neck and a lovely, houndy head with good ear set. Really good bone and substance throughout. Super coat. Dog CC and BOS.

2nd: Ch Hanishan Fire Cracker (Miss Woodvine-Shone) Slightly larger and more workmanlike type than 1. Not quite as neat coming towards me; not the width. Good amount of forechest. Houndy head.

Special beginners (5, 1)

1st: Coco's Sparkling Snowflake (Mrs C May) Correct sized bitch who has a super topline and lovely overall outline. Good profile movement with hind extension. Good bone and substance. Tight bunchy feet. Slightly round in the eye.

2nd: Rivandell Sirius Black (Mr L Thomson) Slightly longer type with not quite the ground clearance. A little bit loose in elbow coming towards me.

3rd: Minard Whispering Angel at Treranch (Mrs P G Westaway)

Minor puppy bitch (9, 0)

1st: Ralines Roses Are Red (Mrs R Lockett-Walters) Super little red (7 months) who is absolutely the correct size yet still with lovely bone and substance. Super topline held at all times. Really driving with good front extension in profile movement. Good amount of forechest and good reach of neck compared with many in the breed today. Surely a promising future for this youngster.

2nd: Hanishan Solar Express (Miss Woodvine-Shone) Shaded red (8 months) Again, a correct, more compact, type with a good amount of ground clearance. Not quite as well-angulated in front as 1. Really good tight bunchy feet. Lovely topline in profile. Slightly rounder in the eye than 1.

3rd: Indiko Cast in Cream at Tolberg (Mrs L Bell)

Puppy bitch (5, 0)

1st: Ralines Roses Are Red (Mrs R Lockett-Walters)

2nd: Indiko A Touch of Cream at Tolberg (Mrs L Bell) Black and cream, again of the correct size. Running up behind slightly when on the move and not the hind angulation of 1, although she did move parallel going away. Good amount of forechest. Correct parallel movement coming towards me. Well-proportioned head. Good coat.

3rd: Findowrie Elana Rose (Mrs M E Poole)

Junior bitch (10, 4)

1st: Crownlakes Million Dollars (Miss D Mason) Really splitting hairs between these first two. Good length of ribbing on both of these and both moved parallel going and coming. My winner was a slightly more compact type with lovely front construction. Good reach of neck and a super houndy head. Excellent topline at all times. Not quite as well angulated behind as 2.

2nd: Barlaine Midsummer Magic (Miss P McSorley) Marginally longer type than 1. Really good amount of forechest again. Lovely head and expression. Reasonable reach of neck. A lovely youngster. Both 1 and 2 had the best toplines, in profile movement.

3rd: Dachadam Hopes and Dreams (Mr D & Mrs A Aneke)

Yearling (12, 3)

This was a really difficult class as so many of them were nervous and I ended up having to make some compromises in my decisions.

1st: Ralines Ways and Means JW (Mrs S Way) Really well pigmented cream who is a more compact type. Really good bone and substance. Good amount of forechest. Tight bunchy feet. Adequate ground clearance and held her topline at all times.

2nd: Crownlakes Million Dreams (Miss D Mason) Slightly finer type than 1 and a little bit wary on the table. Really good front with well laid back shoulder placement. Correct topline in profile on the move and really driving with good hind extension.

3rd: Ralines Just Jasmine (Mrs R Lockett-Walters)

Postgraduate (4, 0)

1st: Urishay Nell Gwyn (Mr P & Mrs A Latham-Jackson) More compact type which is what I prefer Really well angulated behind but a shame she holds her tail rather high which spoils an otherwise good topline on the move. Could do with a bit more reach of neck. Good bone and substance.

2nd: Zilcan Magic Moments for Arlatdax (Miss C & Miss C Morrin & Barbi) She is a longer type than 1. Runs up slightly behind and doesn't have the angulation of 1. Good bone and substance again. Lovely head and expression. Neat front standing and coming towards me. A very smart and polite young handler!

3rd: Dachadam Miss Guinness (Mr D & Mrs A Aneke)

Limit bitch (2, 0)

1st: Rivandell Osha (Miss A Holtom) Not very happy on the table. Cream with good layback of shoulder and good bone and substance throughout. Lovely topline and really good profile movement. Good amount of forechest. Correct head shape and dark eye, although her eyes were slightly round, rather than almond-shaped.

2nd: Hanburydax Fleur Jac (Mrs V Findlay) Another one with good bone and substance. Did not want to be handled on the table, so impossible to assess in any detail.

Open bitch (7, 1) A strong class with several that could easily swap places depending on a judge’s preferences.

1st: Hanishan Shot in The Dark (Miss Woodvine-Shone) A really houndy girl who appealed to me because she really looks like she could do a day's work. Not a lot to fault. Good amount of forechest. Really good tight bunchy feet. Lovely topline on the move at all times. Reserve BCC.

2nd: Ch Ralines First Past The Post (Miss H Walters) A slightly finer type than 1 and of the correct size. Moved really well in profile and is one to admire moving, rather than stacked. Very true front movement coming towards me. She also has good bone and substance.

3rd: Ch Crownlake's Queen Bee JW (Miss D Mason)

Champion bitch (3, 1)

1st: Ch Findowries Finesse (Mrs M E Poole) Superb, typical, all-round little bitch who oozes quality and is so steady on the move. Correct proportions and good ground clearance. Lovely bone and substance. Topline held at all times. Absolutely parallel movement going away and really true, with good width, coming towards me. Good reach of neck, carrying a feminine but houndy head with correct ear carriage. Bitch CC and BOB.

2nd: Ch Tolberg Beez Kneez at Teckeltown (Miss D Mason) - See Veteran Class.

Ian J Seath (Judge)