I apologise for the delay but an ongoing illness meant I was unable to do this critique earlier but a belated many thanks for the good entry. I haven’t judged this variety for some time and this will appear rather harsh but I was quite disappointed with quality overall.  I had a few bad mouths, poor rear movement and although I was not looking for over exageration I was expecting more substance and forechest in the exhibits. These are supposed to be the  Miniature Wirehaired dachshund, unfortunately many of the exhibits either had a soft coat or were overweight Both important factors for this variety. According to the breed standard the ideal weight is  4.5 kgs and no more than 5kg to be of correct size this is therefore a priority of this variety which distinguishes it from the standards. These heavier dogs all had continental breeding and they do have a substantial amount of good points to offer us but their weight is clearly becoming a problem, especially if judges are awarding top honours. Although the weight is to be considered only one fault it is rather a major issue for the miniatures. If it were FCI where they measure, then 1cm bigger would make these larger dogs standards. Unfortunately here in the UK we have a nomansland between a maximum weight of 5kg for miniatures and a starting point of 9kgs for standards! Our minis here are supposed to be under this weight, that’s why we weigh them and also why some of the exhibits today were placed lower than they would normally be. With two equal exhibits the one that is the correct weight takes priority and a higher placing. Maybe in the future this will change as we integrate more with our continental neighbours and the rules get changed to accommodate them. This could also be a contributing factor to such low entries overall as breeders are now struggling with size. Thank you all for your support and sporting acceptance of my decisions.

1. Special Beginners Dog/ bitch (3)

1^st THACHRAY Dathacks Perfect Diamond 19mth Bitch who had a good coat and kept her topline on the move and a positive stride. Handler and exhibit need more confidence.

2      Minor Puppy Dog (3)
1st: RUSSELL Umust Umust Vitoraz at Westwyre (Imp Cze) A lovely baby and really considered him for the ResCC , Great coat well muscled, well ribbed, lovely head and although amazing stacked he lost his shape on the move.Am sure he’ll mature into a beautiful dog.

3.      Puppy Dog (2)
1st: HOWELLS Fallowmill Sydney A good steady youngster with a lovely temperament, reasonable coat, a little upright in shoulder would prefer more neck length.

2nd: HAYWARD & HOWELLS Fallowmill Cambera similar to one but lost his topline on the move

4.      Junior Dog (4)
1st: JONES Bimini Star Struck liked this youngster a lot, a really smart boy well presented and moved very well. Nice size and good expression res CC
2nd: KIRKWOOD-EMERY & SPENCE Helydon Goharley at Cicada good coat looked super stacked but lost to one on the movement as he lost his topline when going round.
3rd:  THORN ANDREWS Drakesleat JP Once in a Blue Moon

5.      Post Graduate Dog (4)
1st: FULTON Larklinn's Robbie Burns at Bothlyn Compact dog but unfortunately had just recently been stripped out moved Ok.

6.      Limit Dog (3)

1st: Absent

7.      Open Dog (3)
1st:  BARNEY Verrami En Trac. Smart happy dog, moved with drive and true coming and going. Good lay of shoulders ,good coat and delighted to award him his 3^rd CC
2nd: ROSE Ch Ridanflight Ricardo nice dog to go over , did not appear to have the zest for showing today and was a bit eratic in his rear movement

8.   Veteran Dog (1)
1st: BLACK Ch Bassodon Bilbie Out of coat today moved very well and had amazing dentition for his age.

9. Minor Puppy Bitch (7)
1st: SHONE Phantasia Lady this beautiful baby really gave her handler trouble Lovely to go over and great to watch on the move a very confident baby A well deserved res CC
2nd: HARKER & HATZIKATIS Hadoka Dollie Part the Waves another nice baby , well presented , good coat especially for a red moved well could do with a little more forechest.
3rd: HOWELLS Fallowmill Top of the Class

10      Puppy Bitch (1)

1^st Absent

11.  Junior Bitch (8)
1st: FULTON Bothlyn Dancing Queen Beautiful dark choclate bitch with a super harsh coat. Moved soundly just needed a few more furnishings to finish the picture which will come with a bit more maturity.
2nd: THORN ANDREWS Drakesleat Win Da Mere lovely construction on this young bitch has a bright future ahead but was out of coat today in tough competition.
3rd: RUSSELL Russteck Sofair a Dream

12.  Post Graduate Bitch (6)
1st: KIRKWOOD Helydon Fabulous Freya best mover of the class but lacked the forechest that I would have liked, good head and expression and very good coat
2nd: WALKER Roselle Irenee Nice bitch that had a great profile movement but just lacked sparkle today and seemed disinterested.
3rd:  HOWELLS Fallowmill Carolina

13 Limit Bitch (6)
1st: ROSE Ridanflight Reflection points for temperament eleven out of ten good coat best mover in the class reasonable front construction
2nd: SHONE Slive in Missh lovely girl. good head and expression okay coat but not at all happy today .
3rd: BLACK Bassodon Pixielated

14.  Open Bitch (9)
1st: THORN ANDREWS Ch Drakesleat Scent Sybil unfortunately no pockets today to sneak this lovely girl home. Not much to say apart from delightful and a pleasure to go over BOB
2nd: JONES Bimini from Russia with Love Also a very nice bitch a different type but also had an excellent coat , moved well coming and going unlucky to meet the extrovert baby for the res cc.
3rd: WALKER Deepdax in the Red at Roselle