LONG HAIRED

 Many thanks to the committee for inviting me to judge again at one of my favourite Championship Shows, the officials and stewards were most efficient and made me very welcome. Although there were no CC’s on offer, the entry on paper was reasonable for L/H Dachshunds at the present time, however I was very disappointed that some dogs that I have admired from the ring side were entered but did not turn up. I can only comment on the dogs that were present and I just hope that the faults I encountered are not as prevalent in the breed as a whole.

The males in particular were very disappointing. Mouths were excellent throughout as were temperaments and presentation. My main concerns were the lack of balanced males, in most fronts didn’t match rears at all which resulted in dogs that looked ok stacked but disappointed greatly on the move. The KC standard requires the gait to be free and flowing, with a long stride and the drive coming from the hindquarters when viewed from the side this was only really evident in the BOB winner, some were driving from behind, but without the long stride in front, others were reaching in front but their rears appeared just to be following on behind at best. There were a couple that I’m sure would have looked better on the move if they had lost a bit of weight and had more road walking. There were several dogs and bitches that were too narrow throughout and several turned both front legs out very badly.

PD (4, 2) 1. Halsall’s Brynalyn Noble Quest for Kiddles. S/R dog in good coat. Lovely masculine head and expression. Level topline held well on the move, well angulated behind which showed in his good hind action. Lacked prosternum and was very narrow in front on the move. Wish he’d put more effort into moving. 2. Sutton’s Damai Master Alex. Big 8 months red dog with a lovely coat for his age. Good head and super front. Good length of neck and ribbing carried well back. Needs to strengthen in topline and hind quarters especially on the move.

JD (1) 1. Sutton’s Damai Master Benedict. 8 months B/T dog, bigger than I prefer but the most balanced of the dogs present on the day, lovely to handle on the table. Beautiful head, neck and front. Good shoulders with correct prosternum. Good length of ribbing. Good in profile on the move and very true coming towards, just needs to strengthen behind which hopefully will come with age. BD & BPIB

PGD (2) 1. Chapman’s Melminds Masterminds. Lovely sized B/T dog in excellent condition. Good front with reasonable lay of shoulders, level topline held well on the move. Would prefer more width throughout. RBD 2. Tilbrook’s Toms Halfacre. 2 year old red dog in beautiful condition. The type I like very balanced throughout, good head and neck, level topline, excellent quarters. Would have easily won BD if he hadn’t been terribly lame in front, such a shame.

LD (1) 1. Wedge’s Dolan No Matter What. 2 year old red dog in good hard condition. Good head and neck which lead into a level topline held well on the move. Good hind quarters. Would have liked a straighter front and better pigment.

PB (6,3) 1. Leggett’s Sonsrymes Secret Magic. Shaded red bitch in lovely coat, pretty head, good front, moved well but was tending to run up both standing and on the move. Pushed hard for Best puppy, BPB 2. Sutton’s Damai Miss Sophie. Lovely size 8 months B/T bitch in good coat. Lovely type, very pretty head, excellent front. Would like a firmer topline on the move and needs to strengthen behind. 3. Chapman’s Melminds Mona Lisa. Bigger red bitch, looked immature against the others, nice type just needs time to settle on the move.

JB (3,1) 1. Mitchell’s Bronia Carmelita. Lovely red bitch just out of puppy and still needing her coat but hence couldn’t hide her good construction. Excellent front and shoulders which she used really well on the move with the correct reach in front. Good ribbing extended well back, short loin and good quarters. Looked a picture in profile and very true coming and going. Expertly handled to get the best out of her. Was an easy BB and BOB with what was here on the day and I’m sure when she has her coat will do a lot of winning. 2. Mitchell’s Bronia Charisma. Darker shaded red litter sister to 1, similar comments apply, balanced bitch of nice proportions. Needs firmer handling to get the most out of her. Coat at a very in between stage.

YB (1) 1. McNaughton’s Cedavoch Bewitched. Red bitch of lovely type, in beautiful coat. Stunning head and neck, really good front. Long ribbing and short loin. Well angulated quarters, movement true both ends. Standing thought she would be my BOB but unfortunately was carrying a bit too much weight and wasn’t putting enough in on the move in the challenge. A lovely bitch that easily deserved RBB.

PGB (1) 1. Doane’s Abbalongdat Life’s Been Good at Candane. ABBA Dark shaded red bitch, honest bitch in good coat and condition. Good neck and shoulders with correct prosternum. Long ribbing and short loin. A longer 2nd thigh would improve her quarters and topline on the move as she was tending to run up. Would like better feet and a finer head.

Miss Helen Geeson