I was delighted to be asked to judge this lovely variety of the dachshunds, and had a very enjoyable day at Ripon, at this back to back show, held in conjunction with Darlington Championship Show. My thanks go to the exhibitors for bringing their mini wires for me to judge. It was well organised by the committee, convenient to the benching and the weather and facilities were good, and special thanks must go to the secretary, and also to my very efficient steward.

I found quite a variation in type, and many exhibits who looked correct when stacked, then appeared completely different when they were on the move. Many tails were a little too happy for me. I was looking for sound construction, balance and temperament, with correct coat, together with good movement and drive, not forgetting the ever important top line on the move, which indeed many exhibits only seemed to have on the table. I found temperaments were excellent, weight was not a problem for most, but many teeth needed to have a good clean, which was a shame. Some exhibitors were rather over enthusiastic with the titbits I felt, so that some teeth  were covered with food and slobber whilst being examined, and I did need to see all the dogs on the ground at the same time whilst judging, so that I could asses them. On the whole, there were some lovely dogs there to be judged, and I was especially pleased with the challenges as the dogs went around, and thought that my main winners were excellent. 

VD. 1 Entry.

1st. Black's Bassodon Bilbie.

10 yr old, with super head and furnishings, and well ribbed. Carried himself so well as he moved around the ring keeping good outline and moved with drive.  BVIB.

PD. 3 Entries.

1st. Kay's Kaytian Tempest Over Haiti.

Quality red, with correct head, reach of neck, well laid shoulders and good prosternum and ribbing. He kept a good top line, and his correct quarters enabled him to move with drive as he went around. Should mature nicely. BPD.
2nd. Russell's Russteck The Bruce.Another quality puppy, with good head, bone and coat, and who moved well, but not the forechest of 1 as yet, and just preferred the outline of 1 on the move today.

3rd. Cadmore and Greenslades' Ridenflight Reginald.

JD.2 Entries.

1st. Kugow and Holt's Waldmeister Aldo.

I liked this dog, well turned out with his super coat and furnishings; with correct pro sternum and ribbing, well laid shoulders and good reach of neck, he presented a good outline on the move, and moved well. Should do well . 

2nd. Kay's Kaytian Tempest Over Haiti.

LD.2Entries, 1 A. 

Russell's Russteck Wyre In The Blood.

Stylish b/tan ,with super coat. Good head and with excellent ribbing, and well angulated on the quarters, with good feet and well presented, he moved correctly, keeping his outline, and looked good on the move.

OD.3 Entries. Lovely class, tight decisions , three quality exhibits.

1st. Thorn Andrews Ch Alncroft Over The Moon Drakesleat.

Still maturing, but this exhibit had all the essentials, with good coat and furnishings, super head, good reach and was so well ribbed. Elbows were tight, and angulation on front and quarters was correct, he gained confidence as he drove round, and won on his outline, balance and drive. CC, BOB, And so pleased to see he went RBIS.

2nd. Rose'sCh Ridenflight Ricardo.

Another top quality exhibit, compact and most of the comments for the winner apply  here. He moved so well too, another with balance and drive and who covered the ground well, I just preferred the overall outline of 1 on the move today, RCC. 

3rd. Howell's Fallowmill Sydney JW.

This little hound also had all the essentials, was so well turned out, with good head , super bone and coat.  He moved well displaying his correct construction and drive, and was one I really liked. 

PB. 5 Entries.

1st.Daykin's Barratini Angel's Eve.

Super type pup, all of a piece, and correctly assembled all through, with good head and eye, lovely reach of neck, good prosternum , well laid shoulders and super ribbing. Correct underline and topline , she had correct quarters. The more she went around, the better she got as her head came up on the move and then she came into her own. Will do well I am sure. BPIB.

2nd.Morris' Pennywave Pollyanna.

Another puppy, with super type, good front, well laid shoulders, and excellent ribbing. Correct angulation both ends, she moved well, just not the coat of 1 as yet.

3rd. Hunt's Earthsea Miss Givings.

JB 2 Entries.

1st. Black's Bassodon Dodecahedron.

This hound presented with a correct head and coat, lovely front, with well laid shoulders, and super ribbing. Front and back angulation were spot on, she was not too long in loin, and drove well around the ring looking well balanced. Should do well.

2nd.Hunt's Earthsea Miss Esme.

So pleased this little lady was here today, after her unfortunate experience last week. She was a little apprehensive at first, but gained confidence as the class progressed. Super head, and good coat, with correct front and ribbing, just not the hind action of one today on the grass, but looked so nice on the move. 

PGB. 

4 Entries., 2abs.   Quality bitches in this class.

1st Morris' Pennywave Uptown Girl.

Lovely head with good reach of neck, correct front and well laid shoulders. Well ribbed and with good angulation on  her quarters, she kept a good outline on the move and drove around well . 

2nd. Meredith's Deepdax Perrie.

Another good head, correct construction on her front, and had good ribbing, a little closer than 1 coming toward today and not quite the outline as they went around.

LB 9 Entries, 2 Absent. lovely class , full of super quality bitches, and I found it tricky to separate them and no doubt they will change places with each other quite frequently

1st Morris' Pennywave Top Totti.

Good head, coat and feet, and correctly assembled front, and with well laid shoulders and super ribbing, this little lady took my eye .With compact, well angulated quarters , which enabled her to drive round so well, she kept her super shape as she went, and look so balanced. Pleased to award her the CC.

2nd. Howell's Fallowmill Top Of The Class.

Same comments apply to this lovely bitch, who was so soundly constructed all through, with lovely type, and head. Just preferred the overall drive of 1 as they went around the ring today. RCC. 

3rd.Daykin's Barratini Chatters.

OB.5Entries.

1st.Smith's Drakesleat Prim and Proper for Alncroft.

This young handler was completely new to me and took my eye with her expert handling of this quality mini wire. This bitch was top quality all through, compact, with excellent head, front construction and ribbing. She moved truly both ways, keeping her top line, and her super quarters drove her around so well, which won her this class.

2nd.Kirkwood Emery's Heldon Fabulous Freya.

I really liked this quality, well balanced and correctly constructed bitch, with good head and coat. She too moved really well but just felt that 1 had the edge today, but will change places on another day I am sure.

3rd.Thorn Andrew's Drakesleat Gilder Lily.