Five years ago was the last time I judged this delightful variety .I was really pleased with my entry today both numerically (only two absent) & in quality. A typical head & expression in Min Wires really steals my heart & here was no exception .Lovely dark almond eyes with fringing really sets this variety apart from any other. Fronts in general are still a problem with a short upper arm quite common. Toplines have settled & length of ribbing improved. Today it was hind quarters that really impressed me. The balance & length of second thigh was good in many with good firm parallel hocks that most used well on the move. Coats were mixed which is probably due to the time of year with many in their undercoat which is understandable with the show season upon us. The atmosphere around the ring was good & I had a most enjoyable day with some difficult decisions

MPD (3).1 & PBD,Thorn-Andrews Drakesleat On The Nod,Loved his overall balance,shape & ideal size. Stunning head & expression,well arched neck leading into well placed shoulders,tight elbows on good legs & feet.Firm topline & correct underline,good ribbing for age,short loins leading into well developed & neatly made hind quarters.Sound enough for a 6 month old baby coming & going & in profile he projected himself showing great promise in profile action.Neat & full of breed type,so promising. 2,Jones’ Bimini Hot Chocolate,more developed than 1 with slightly more exagerassion.Beautiful head & expression with correct colour point for a choc/tan.Long neck leading into well muscled shoulders,plenty of forechest on good legs & feet,a touch longer in body than 1 but in proportion,good firm topline,firm well developed hind quarters which he drives so well with on the move.Fabulous coat & condition,very attractive baby with plenty to offer.3,Garrity’s Rossteck Wyred For Sound At Macvshia

PD (2), 1,Presnail’s Taree Useless Loop,Lovely type & overall picture,good head & dark eye, enough neck,tight elbows on good legs & chunky feet, lovely body proportions,good topline & ribbing with short loins,firm hammy quarters with correct tail set & carriage.Sound enough coming & going,looks the part in profile with good reach & follow though keeping a attractive outline.Lovely coat & condition. 2, Hayward’s Baltiyskiy Talisman Nochnoy Dozor At Foxearth (Imp Rus), totally different in type to 1 being shorter in body with more length of leg,attractive head & expression,good dark almond eyes,plenty of neck leading into well placed shoulders, very good ribbing for age,short loins leading into solid quarters.Still very raw coming & going & needs more confidence & time which Im sure will make a world of difference.Will be interesting to see how he develops on

JD (4),1 & RCC, Thorn-Andrews’ Drakesleat JP Once In a Blue Moon, Loved him!,this 14 month youngster is so typical & full of breed type,nothing exaggerated & your hands just flow going over him.Stunning head & expression, deep dark oval eyes,correct ratio’s from muzzle to skull finished with lovely furnishings,well arched neck leading into well angulated shoulders with correct layback,firm topline & correct underline with very good ribbing,short thick loins leading into very good hind quarters,firm & parallel hocks, his drive from behind on the move is a joy,in profile he keeps a neat & attractive picture projecting himself so well with lovely reach in front & correct folloe through from behind.Super coat & presentation completes the overall package for this extremely promising youngster which Im sure we will hear a lot from this year. 2, Howells’ Fallowmill Sydney, just out of puppy,but so well developed,good head & expression,enough neck,firm well muscled shoulders on very good legs & feet.Plenty of forechest which all fits so well, well covered body with firm topline,he excels in hindquarters with plenty of length to second thigh,solid & so well muscled, not as precise as 1 coming towards me today but extremely sound moving away,another promising youngster that looks good in profile & possess the best of coats.Promising boy. 3, Fleetham’s Kimbleholme Jackpot

PGD (3,1abs),1 Pain’s Ravensbeech Rigoletto, Smart looking chap, just out of junior, Lovely head & expression,ears correctly set,plenty of neck leading into very good shoulders with lovely layback,well developed body shape all in proportion,good height to length ratio’s, possess a good set of well angulated quarters,tail well set & carried at all times,very sound coming & going & moves out well in profile.Another promising youngster with a fantastic coat.2, Kirkwood-Emery & Spence’s Helydon Goharley, so outgoing & full of life, very good head & expression,enough neck though not the layback in shoulder of 1, good ribbing & topline,another who excels in hindquarters, so correctly angulated with good firm hocks,not as precise coming & going but moves out freely in profile covering plenty of ground

LD (2), 1,Jones’ Bimini Starstruck, Lovely type & overall balance, not exaggerated & gives a lovely overall picture in stance & on the move, fabulous head & expression,good strong jaws with correct length from muzzle to skull.Enough neck leading into good front construction with good tight elbows. Good body & ribbing with short loins & solid topline, well made behind with neat hocks,moves sound enough coming & going & keeps a beautiful outline in profile, in great coat & condition showing off his many virtues. 2, Fleetham’s Bothlyn Wee Man At Kimbleholme, Very good head & expression,lovely dark eyes, plenty of neck,good forechest on good legs & feet, not the layback in shoulder of 1, well ribbed with good topline, short loins with well muscled quarters,tail a touch high set,quite sound & precise coming & going, moving out well in profile covering plenty of ground

OD (3),1 & CC, Hayward’s Foxearth Fiddler On The Roof, attractive red boy that comes into his own on the move.His head is stunning, correct ratio’s, good stong teeth & jaws, dark oval shaped & jet black points all through, correctly set ears,well arched neck leading into copy book front construction, correctly angulated shoulders,plenty of forechest that fits so well with length of keel that extends well back, very good legs & feet & well off for bone,solid topline & fabulous ribbing being deep & oval, short firm loins leading into well made hind quarters,well angulated & solid. Firm parallel hocks, Ultra sound coming & going,covers the ground in great style on the move with fabulous reach & follow through. The coat & condition finish the overall picture on this well made,typical Dachshund.His second CC today & will easily make his tile on this performance.2, Rose’s Ch Ridanflight Ricardo, another well constructed Min Wire, good head & expression though not the finished detail of 1, plenty of neck which he uses so well on the move, good shoulders & front,good forechest ,very good legs & feet, good ribbing with good firm topline,short firm loins leading into thick hammy quarters,not as precise as 1 coming towards me today but just as good going away, looks good in profile clearly showing off his many virtues to draw your eye, so fit & well muscled. 3, Fulton’s Ch Bothlyn Brigadoon JW

V D/B (1), 1, Kirkwood’s Ubu Isla At Helydon, delightful 8 year old bitch, feminine & energetic, good head & expression, plenty of neck leading into good shoulders,very good ribbing with cast iron topline, well made quarters with short neat hocks. Tail well set & wagging all the time!,sound enough up & down,moving out so freely in profile with an attitude that was a joy to see. Loved her!

MPB (1) 1, Jones’ Bimini Cantell A Faberge, exquisite baby, so feminine & well made, lovely head & expression, super dark almond shaped eyes, lovely arched neck leading into well developed front & shoulders for her age, good body & ribbing leading into super hind quarters, well angulated & she knows how to use them on the move, so sound coming & going for one so young & projects herself so well in profile giving a pleasing overall picture. Fantastic coat & dapple markings add to the attraction. Full of promise

PB (4), 1,BP & BPIS, Thorn-Andrews’ Drakesleat Stitch In Time, just delightful, pure quality, stunning head & ultra feminine expression, well arched neck leading into perfect shoulders, her overall front construction is well made & fits so perfectly for one so young. Very good body & ribbing with correct firm topline,short loins leading into perfectly made quarters,well angulated & balanced. Your hands flow going over this baby with everything fitting so well together & being free from exaggeration. Ultra sound coming & going & looks a picture in profile. Even at this age she is pure perfection & gave her two kennel mates a run in the bitch challenge. A real gem who will be riding high this year & delighted to see her awarded BPIS under Martin Sanders. I see she is by Ch Drakesleat Ottoff The Press who was my BOB winner last time I judged this variety. 2, Howell’s Fallowmill Top Of The Class, another promising baby,lower to ground than 1 but still can move with great reach & follow through from behind. Appealing head & eye, enough neck leading into well made fore quarters, firm topline with ribbing that extends well back, well made behind with neat short hocks that are firm & parallel, not as precise yet coming as 1 but totally sound moving away,holds her outline so well in pofile,coat at the inbetween stage which without doubt will be right for the summer shows.

JB ( 6,1) 1, Fulton’s Bothlyn Dancing Queen, 15 month Choc in fantastic coat & condition,free from exaggeration,neat,compact & feminine,Lovely head & eye, ample neck leading into well placed shoulders, tight elbows,very good legs & feet, good ribbing with correct top & underlines, short loins, leading into well angulated quarters. Sound enough coming & going & projects herself so well in profile showing a super side gait, one that appealed & Im sure will go onto better things. 2, Hayward’s Foxearth Got A Feeling, another well made neat & feminine bitch. No exaggeration here,lovely head & eye, well arched neck leading into very good shoulders with correct layback, well proportioned body with good ribbing,short loins & firm topline, well made behind with enough angulation, moved out well in profile just not as precise coming & going today as 1, another that possess a superb coat. 3, Fleetham’s Kimbleholme Queen Of Hearts

PGB (2), 1, Week’s Ridanflight Raindrop, super coated bitch, very good head with sweet feminine expression, good neck & carriage leading into very good shoulders, good forechest on good legs & feet, good body & ribbing, short loins, would like more length in second thigh, comes to me soundly in front but untidy going away. In profile she tends to run up a little in the quarters which affected her topline, happy & outgoing. 2, Kay’s Kaytian Kissed By Fire, just out of puppy,lovely red colour with jet black points, attractive head & dark eye,plenty of neck leading into well made front ,good body & ribbing, correct firm topline, well muscled quarters being a shade long in the hock,quite sound up & down & can move out well in profile. A touch more confidence & once her coat is in order she will certainly improve her chances

LB (9). Lovely class of very good bitches. 1, CC & BOB, Thorn-Andrews’ Drakesleat Win Da Mere, without any doubt in my mind this was the one the judge wanted to take home!. Practically perfection, stunning in type (as you would expect) & beautifully balanced. So feminine & free from exaggeration,Her head piece is stunning, sweet small dark almond shaped eyes, good strong teeth & jaws, lovely furnishing complete the picture, lovely arched neck leading into well placed shoulders with correct layback & angles, tight elbows on firm legs & very good feet. Plenty of forechest with her keel extending well back,everything fits neat & tight. Good body & deep oval ribbing, correct top & underlines, short firm loins leading into fabulous hind quarters, well angulated & short neat hocks. The movement is free & sound from any angle, lovely reach & great follow through from behind. She projects herself so well in profile with her proud head carriage. In great coat & condition, she fits my interpretation of the standard extremely well & captivated me so much to win her first CC & BOB. Given the chance Im sure she will continue to shine in the breed for this coming show season & wear her crown which she richly deserves. Beautiful. 2, Jones’ Bimini From Russia With Love, Very elegant with slightly more exaggeration throughout, lovely head & eye, long well arched neck leading into very good shoulders, longer cast in body than 1 but in proportion,good body & ribbing with firm topline, very good quarters with firm parallel hocks, sound enough coming & going though not as precise as 1, lovely in profile & has that natural carriage with effortless reach & follow through. A useful girl I would think. 3, Price’s Samlane Belleza JW.

OB (4), 1 & RCC, Thorn-Andrews’ Ch Drakesleat Scent Sybil, last years Top Dachshund & recently Dachshund of The Year & its easy to see why.Full of breed type & quality, so well made throughout from the tip of her nose to the end of her tail. Stunning head & expression with dark almond eyes, ears correctly set,long well arched neck leading into great shoulders & layback, lovely front with forechest that fits ccorrectly & keel that extends well back, beautiful ribbing & body proportions ,cast iron topline leading into short firm loins, nicely angulated behind with lovely turn of stifle. Neat firm parallel hocks.Tail correctly set & carried at all times. Ultra sound coming & going & really reaches in front & drives from behind in profile keeping a beautiful elegant outline.In fabulous coat & condition. It was a tough decision in the challenge with her limit kennel mate just being a shade more compact in overall length for my personal preference. Still remains a favorite & one of the greats. 2, Bullock’s Trixhund Bizzy Lizzy, very smart 3yr red of quality, lovely head & expression with dark almond eyes, plenty of neck leading into very good shoulders, tight elbows & well muscled throughout, good body & ribbing with correct top & underlines, well made quarters with tail correctly set & carried. Very sound coming & going, looks good in profile, active & happy little girl with a great coat & will always get a second look, very nice. 3, Pain’s Trixhund Tattiannie Ravensbeech

Daniel Roberts (Judge)