East of England Agricultural Society
DACHSHUND (LONG-HAIRED)

Venue: East of England Showground, Peterborough
Date: 17th - 19th July 2007

LONG HAIRED

 It is four years since I last judged longs and there have been some noticeable changes in that time; some good and some not so good. Most of this entry was of a much better size than previously, with none so low as to be on the floor. The Spaniel type of head is much less prolific, however that isn’t to say heads are the variety’s strongest feature. I would say the majority have slightly low set ears, eye shapes vary and light eyes were in the majority, all of which gave a foreign look. Feet were very poor, and good shoulders a rarity. Often the angle between the shoulder and upperarm would be fine, but often the whole front assembly was tilted forward, leaving shoulders often half way up necks. Presentation was very good, no suspect mouths and most had decent ribcages. The top winners pleased me very much, and proved that Longs can still hold their own in any company when the BOB winner won the Group!

PD (7,2) 1 Clarke’s Hilmar Velvey Harvest Gold. Super head with typical eye and expression, enhanced by having a dark eye. OK for neck, correct angle to shoulder and enough forechest. Tight feet. Super ribs and he really uses his rear. A bit loose still and carrying puppy fat but very promising. 2 Oxley’s Owlery Destroyer. Pleasing for size and type. Uses his rear well, which with his super feet earnt him this place. Lengthy head, eye can darken. Needs to tighten in elbow, grand body and a firm topline. Super muscle. 3 Geeson’s Abydachs Incantation.

JD (5) 1 Dare’s Bronia Classic Cool at Darsoms. Good type of dog, abolutely true up and down. So very well balanced in his angulation. Could have a fraction more stride in front. Good head, dark eyes and his neck is ok. Holds a firm topline, well ribbed back. 2 Oxley’s Owlery Destroyer. 3 Cross and Burke’s Loggeta Black Velvet. 

YD (1) 1 Metcalfe’s Metadale Major Decision. pot on for size, well balanced dog who moves well holding a level topline. Lengthy crested neck and a good length to upperarm. Prominent forechest, long keel and short loin. Well made rear and a quality and useful dog.

PGD (3,1) 1  Sutton’s Damai Master Benedict. Sh CM. Sound moving dog, very true and a decent stride. Lengthy head with dark eye. Long neck, topline could be firmer. Fair front and ribs.  2 Fossett’s Melminds Method in Madness. Heavier type carrying too much weight, reflected on the move. Masculine head, ok for neck. Not the loin of the winner but in good muscle.

LD (3) 1  Mitchell’s Bronia Patriarch. Quality and glamorous dog of a very good size. One of the best heads so far, correct eye and pigment and a lengthy neck. A bit wide coming towards, where 2nd was a fraction narrow. Holds a super topline. and uses his rear well. 2 Johnson’s Tiendawn Velvet Commander at Africandawns. Thought him quite similar for type. Pleasing head, scored over 3 on his shoulder placement. Firm topline and ok for body. Well bent stifle and low hocks. 3 Oxley’s Owlery Valentine JW Sh CM.

OD (4) 1 Metcalfe’s Ch Metadale Macquarie. Masculine dog of nice size and in full and super straight coat. Very masculine in head but not coarse. Grand neck flowing into a level topline. Easily the best of legs and feet in the class. Well ribbed,m uses his well made rear to really drive around the ring. CC. 2 Geeson’s Ch Abydachs Oh What AKnight JW. Very good dog of a slightly better size. Very good head and dark eyes. Good length of neck, not quite the forechest of the winner. Grand body, well made rear. Holds a firm topline. Res CC. 3 Roberts’ Swansford Lyrenstan Picasso.

PB (3,1) 1 Geeson’s Abydachs Intrigue. Elegant bitch with lovely flowing lines. Just a fraction long for perfect balance. Very feminine head with dark eyes. Correct front, tight feet and long keel. Strong rear. Promising and quality puppy. Best Puppy.  2 Fossett’s Melminds Muscadet. Very raw as yet and needs to settle in topline. Feminine head, front is ok. Long enough in rib and a fair rear.

JB (2) Both of very high quality and pretty similar. 1 Dare’s Fragglerock Rosy Martini at Darsoms. Super feminine head with very good eye and expression. Long neck, slightly better shoulders and 2 and although not perfect, also better feet. Could be shorter in loin. Very good rear and holds a firm topline. 2 Johnson’s Brynalyn Bitter Sweet of Africandawns. Close up. Very good feminine head and a long neck. Good length to upperarm. Would prefer a bit shorter in loin. Well bent stifle and low hocks.

YB (4) 1 Mitchell’s Bronia Classy Chassis at Imirika. Lovely sized bitch, feminine in head although I would prefer slightly darker eyes. Well laid shoulder but could have a bit more neck. Good legs and feet, firm topline and a very good body. Strong rear. 2 Dimon’s Laraine Truly Faye for Dimerlin. Super head, excellent set of ears and really dark, almond shaped eyes. Long neck, fair front and topline ok. Uses her rear well. Correct coat. 3 Le Psge and Wilson’s Neropa Jetblack Jute. PGB (9,1) 1 Roberts’ Swansford Steffidora. Easy class winner here. Super size with a feminine head of balanced length. Long neck, correct upperarm and shoulder and a grand body. Holds a firm topline and is true moving. Tends to move with hocks under her a bit, but goes really well - a useful bitch. 2 Dimon’s Laraine Truly Faye for Dimerlin. 3  Wilson’s Neropa Jetblack Jute.

LB (5,1) 1 Metcalfe’s Metadale Maid from Michigan. Super bitch, lovely size and an excellent head; long, well balanced and with dark, almond eyes.  Lengthy neck, has a good front. Long ribs and keel, firm topline. Good rear, should make up easily. Res CC. 2 Mitchell’s Bronia Playgirl. Standing she presents a classic outline. Good shaped head, would like a kinder expression. Could have more neck, well laid shoulder and a very good body. Holds a firm topline and moves well from the rear. 3 Geeson’s Abydachs Hot Summer Nights JW.

OB (4) 1 Mitchell’s Ch Bronia Pastiche. Super bitch carrying planty of coat. Super head, long and feminine with super eye and expression and the darkest of pigment. Long neck, good front and a prominent forechest. Tight feet, correct topline and super ribs. True moving and uses her rear so well. CC and BOB. 2 Metcalfe’s Metadale Make It Happen. Very good sized bitch, not quite the head and eye of the winner. Long neck which flows into a firm topline. Grand body, well made front and rear. Moved well. 3 Cross’ Loggeta Spirit in the Sky.

Jeff Horswell