It is a few years since I last judged or watched the breed and I was quite surprised at the variance of type within the breed. I have always felt the longs were the strongest variety. Judging in 2014 I have just received the new instructions from the K.C. I have always realised the importance of a preamble in which to mention my concerns within the breed. I have always preferred to list them at the beginning and assume owners will accept them as constructive criticism.  Anything relating to a particular animal I feel a quiet word with the owner is preferable to publishing a one off fault in a critique.

I did not have a large entry and possibly it was not fully representative. Heads with correct almond shaped eyes were in the majority as were long muscular necks. I have always considered front construction an important priority but the angle of shoulder blade and upper arm at point of shoulder was rarely less than 130 degrees which obviously restricts free flowing movement. My main concern was the closeness in hind movement. The standard says the distance apart should be the width of the hip joints. Without strong, well-muscled hindquarters giving drive you can not have the required free flowing movement and long stride. Strength of keel varied but most had sufficient follow through to short strong loins.  The majority of feet were good. Thinking about the difference in width I wondered if breeders were aiming for a more continental type.

PD (1 Entry 0 Abs)

1          McNaughton’s CEDAVOCH UNDER A SPELL. Very promising red youngster whose career I will watch with interest. Nothing I would like different at this stage. Needs to firm in movement. Best Puppy Dog

JD (3 Entries 0 Abs)

1.         Mitchell’s CH BRONIA MR PEPYS Scored on feet, eyes and steadiness of movement.

2.         Chapman’s MELMINDS ZYLVESTER Pleasing youngster-sound mover.

3.         Fossett’s AFRICANDAWNS NIGHT GARDIAN AT BRYSDAX

YD (1 Entry 0 Abs.)

1          Duchesne’s BRONIA PRIAM OF SCANDELL Attractive clear red. Needs tighter feet and more angulation at both ends.

PGD (3 Entries 0 Abs)

1.         Bedford’s AFRICANDAWNS LARRY’S LEGACY Heavy coated shaded red. Pleasing head and eye. Scored on length of loin.

2          Wood’s ROGERMARDAX JACK SPRATT Moved soundly but I would like more drive.

3.         Fossett’s BRYSDAX SECOND TO NONE

LD (8 Entries 0 Abs.)

1.         Hutton’s RIVER RUMPUS THROUGH DACHALUNE Very pleasing black and tan masculine hound. Plenty of width throughout.  Scored on strength of keel and good angulation which produced strong driving movement.

2          Robert’s SWANSFORD WARRADOR Nice type. Well presented and handled.

3.         Johnson’s AFRICANDAWNS RUMOUR RUMBLE           

OD (7 Entries 2 Abs)

1.         Hutton’s ROLO RASCAL OVER DACHALUNE ShCM Masculine, red hound who really caught my eye. In excellent coat & condition. Scored in front construction, excellent angulation and, low set hocks resulting in free flowing movement. Plenty of width throughout.  D.C.C.        

2.         Johnson & Mitchell’s AFRICADAWNS NIGHT HAWK   Sound well constructed red. Ultra fine head carried proudly. Presented and handled to perfection. R.D.C.C.

3.         Hagan & Borsuk’s  WHAT A CORKER AT FOLLYPAWS

VD (3 Entries 0 Ab

1          Sutton’s MASTER BENDICT Black & tan in excellent coat and condition as were all three in the class. He still had the sparkle.  Good angulation resulting in firm movement. Scored on front construction.

2.         Fossett’s MELMINDS METHOD IN MADNESS VIA BRYYSDAX Shaded red in excellent coat and condition. Still moving well.

3.         Hutton’s OWLERY MAJESTIC OF DACHALUNE

MPB (2 Entries 0 Abs)

1.         Geeson’s ABYDACHS VISION OF THE NIGHT Promising, sweet feminine red. A lot to like. Needs to settle in movement.  Scored on front construction.

2.         Garlick’s RANGLEWOOD DIAMOND HEIST. Black & tan baby who needs time to muscle up.

PB (1 Entry 0 Abs.)

1          McNaughton’s CEDAVOCH KISMET   Feminine, well constructed, dark red, Nothing I would like different except more width in movement which should come from maturity.B.P.

JB (1 Entry 0 Abs) .

1.         Chapman’s MELMINDS MALIFICIENT  Well presented and handled shaded red.

YB (3 Entries 0 Abs)

1.         Mitchell’s AFRICANDAWNS LILLY’S LEGACY AT BRONIA Pleasing red. Lots to like.       Good front construction. Sound, free mover.

2.         Cheese’s SUE CASEUS DESDEMONIA Black & tan. Similar type to winner but lower        to ground.

3.         Garlick’s RANGLEWOOD MAY BLOSSOM

 PGB  (5 Entries 0 Abs.)

1.         Garlick’s RANGLEWOOD IDESIA. Well constructed, black & tan. Moved soundly with  plenty of width. Scored on topline and drive.

2          Bradley’s MARSHWICK SPRING SERENADE  Well constructed red. Excellent  feet.             

3          Sutton’s LILLYMAI FLOWER BY DAMAI        

LB (9 Entries 0 Abs)

1          Mitchell’s BRONIA CALLISTA Sound shaded red. Scored in front construction & carry through of keel.

2          Burke & Manston’s BONAVOIR SERENITY Sweet feminine red. In excellent coat. Presented & handled to perfection..            

3          Dunbar & McNaughton’s BRONIA VELVETEEN     

OB (7 Entries 0 Abs)

1.         McNaughton’s CH CEDAVOCH SORCERESS Clear red hound. Prominent breast bone carried through to short, strong loin. Scored on front angulation which allowed strong driving movement. C.C. & B.O.B.

2          Geeson’s CH ABYDACHS SUMMER WINE Entirely different type to winner. Sweet, feminine deep red in excellent coat and condition.  Presented and handled to perfection.      

3          Nightingale’s FRANZIROSE MYSTICAL SHADOW AT RODIMA

VB ( 2 Entries 1 Abs)

1.         Robert’s CH SWANSFORD BURBURYDORA 7 years old, feminine black & tan. The soundest and from my point of view the best mover on the day. Hands on everything fitted into place. Although not a big bitch there was plenty of width throughout. Res C.C.

            Barbara Metcalfe (Judge)