I do worry about the state of the Mini Wires. Type is so variable and so is size. I found weights ranged between 8 and 14 pounds which was quite a surprise. In general, body condition was fine and it is clear that breeders can produce the correct size dogs with good bone and keep them with an appropriate body condition. Most dogs were well-muscled and clearly get good amounts of exercise. I thought coats had improved since I last judged the breed. Some dogs were very compact and on the leg while the other extreme of type is longer and with insufficient ground clearance. Mouths were all fine. A few did not have the required bold, outgoing temperament and were penalised, even if they were well-constructed.

Puppy - Dog

Entries: 4 Absentees: 0

1ST BOTHLYN OUTLANDER (MRS E & MISS G FULTON) Lovely harsh-coated brindle boy of 10 months and with the correct proportions. Looks a real picture when stacked but was proving something of a handful for his owner. Good amount of forechest. Lovely head held on a really elegant neck. Nicely tight-fitting elbows. Super topline at all times and an underline that was flowing and not at all cut up. Excellent hind angulation.

2ND WALDMEISTER JONAH (MR B & MS S KUGOW & HOLT) Slightly taller type than 1 with more ground clearance. Just 7 months, brindle with a fantastic harsh coat and presented in hard, well-muscled condition. Reachy neck. Good layback of shoulder but not as tight-fitting in the elbow as 1. Good, prominent forechest but not overdone. His underline was more cut-up, with keel not extending back enough.

3RD CARLITA SUNRISE (MR S, MRS A & MISS C JONES)

RES HELYDON LAIRD LOKI (MRS D, MISS A & MISS A KIRKWOOD-EMERY)

Junior - Dog

Entries: 2 Absentees: 0

1ST RUSSTECK THE BRUCE (MRS C RUSSELL) Lovely sized brindle dog of 14 months. Correct 2:1 balanced proportions and the required amount of ground clearance. Could perhaps be a bit tighter in elbow but he has good layback of shoulder and held a really good topline. He was really well-angulated behind which he used to drive well in profile and going away. Reserve Dog CC.

2ND KIMBLEHOLME KING OF HEARTS (MRS S P FEETHAM) Red brindle dog just into Junior. Lovely head on reachy neck. Good amount of forechest. Slightly leggier than 1 and not quite as flowing/tidy in underline. Moved slightly loose in elbow coming towards me. Very well-angulated rear quarters and good, bunchy hind feet.

Post Graduate - Dog

Entries: 3 Absentees: 0

1ST BOTHLYN MR CHIP TO SHARPLAW (MRS T RITCHIE)

This chocolate and tan boy was further over the desired maximum weight than I would have liked but I couldn’t resist his overall shape, balance and movement. So, he was my surprise winner in this class. Good layback of shoulder and lovely tightly-fitting elbows. Super harsh coat and he moved well in profile, keeping a good topline as well as being truly parallel both coming and going.

2ND KAYTIAN TEMPEST OVER HIATI (MRS J & MISS J KAY) Red dog of the correct size and overall proportions, with good ground clearance. Reachy neck. Good amount of forechest but not the front construction of 1 and was more cut-up in the underline.

3RD BOTHLYN SUPER TROUPER (MRS E & MISS G FULTON)

Limit - Dog

Entries: 2 Absentees: 1

1ST BOTHLYN MR CHIP TO SHARPLAW (MRS T RITCHIE) – as above.

Open - Dog

Entries: 3 Absentees: 0

1ST RUSSTECK WYRE IN THE BLOOD (MRS C RUSSELL)

A proper Dachshund in miniature. Just loved his balance and overall type. Correct proportions with the required ground clearance. Lovely flowing underline with no hint of the cut-up keel I found on so many others. Excellent harsh coat and well turned out. Well-angulated both in front and rear, so he stepped out with good reach and parallel movement going away from me. Extrovert temperament. The stand-away winner in this entry and I was delighted to award him Dog CC and Best of Breed.

2ND KIMBLEHOLME JACKPOT (MRS S P FEETHAM) Another quality boy, 3 years old, with good front construction and angulation. Correct size and balance. Good head and elegant reach of neck. Not the bone or coat of 1. Good bend of stifle and he moved with good drive from the rear.

3RD BOTHLYN MR CHIP TO SHARPLAW (MRS T RITCHIE)

Puppy - Bitch

Entries: 4 Absentees: 0

1ST HELYDON LEXIE'S LILY (MRS D, MISS A & MISS A KIRKWOOD-EMERY) 12 month brindle bitch of the correct size with good ground clearance and with a super harsh coat. Elegant neck and good amount of forechest. Her hindquarters are better than her front. She moved parallel moving away but, being slightly loose in the elbow her front movement is not so true. Best Puppy.

2ND HELYDON MAGICAL MIKA (G KIRKWOOD) Dark brindle of just 7 months. Good size and proportions. Not the coat of 1. Preferred her front to 1 as she had a reachy neck, good layback of shoulder and tighter-fitting elbows. Lovely topline, held on the move. As with 1, very good parallel movement going away from me.

3RD PONTECHERRY I WANABEE RUSSTECK (MISS W HEATHER)

Junior - Bitch

Entries: 1 Absentees: 0

1ST KIMBLEHOLME POT OF LUCK (MRS S P FEETHAM) Brindle bitch with a good body coat; only just into Junior. Good layback of shoulder and length of upper arm. Reachy neck. Well ribbed-up and a tidy underline, not cut-up. Could do with more bend of stifle to give her better rear drive and extension although she did move parallel going away from me.

Post Graduate - Bitch

Entries: 2 Absentees: 0

1ST RUSSTECK NICELY NICELY FOR RAVENSBEECH (MRS J E PAIN) Brindle girl with correct length to height proportions and the required ground clearance. Well made in front. Held a good topline on the move. True parallel movement in both directions.

2ND HELYDON JINGLEBELLS (MRS D, MISS A & MISS A KIRKWOOD-EMERY) Elegant but leggier type than 1 with more ground clearance and more tucked up underline. Held a good topline. Parallel movement going away from me but rather close coming towards me.

Limit - Bitch

Entries: 4 Absentees: 1

1ST HANISHAN LADY IN THE LAKE (MRS S E & MR N R SHONE) A good, honest dark red brindle bitch who was one of the truest movers coming and going. Compact proportions with acceptable ground clearance. Good reach of neck. Not the best tail carriage but I was prepared to overlook this as the rest of her construction and movement impressed. Bitch CC and BOS.

2ND BARDRESTAN AFRICAN QUEEN (MR R & MRS J MAXWELL) Slightly more compact type than 1 with a good coat. Correct size. Good amount of forechest. Held a good topline and has a lovely, flowing underline. Not as true moving away from me as 1.

3RD KIMBLEHOLME BLACK QUEEN (MRS S P FEETHAM)

Open - Bitch

Entries: 4 Absentees: 0

1ST HELYDON FABULOUS FREYA (MRS D, MISS A & MISS A KIRKWOOD-EMERY) Good coated brindle girl with elegance and good ground clearance. Reachy neck. Tightly-fitting elbows. Held a good topline in profile movement and also has a neat underline. True, parallel movement in both directions. Not quite the bend of stifle of my CC winner. Reserve Bitch CC.

2ND EMEM GLORIA SUNSHINE (MRS M M DANCE) Really harsh-coated brindle girl who has the required 2:1 proportions. Good ground clearance and turned out in lovely fit condition. Reachy neck. As with 1, she shows a good topline and tidy underline throughout. Felt she didn’t move quite as true coming towards me as 1.

3RD KIMBLEHOLME QUEEN OF HEARTS (MRS S P FEETHAM)

RES BARDRESTAN AFRICAN QUEEN (MR R & MRS J MAXWELL)