I would like to thank the committee of Birmingham National for my invite to judge, this was my first time awarding CCs in both varieties. My principal winners impressed me immensely, for overall quality and breed type.
My thanks also go to both stewards for their efficient running of the ring and of course to the exhibitors for the sportsmanship and good grace in accepting my placings. My quest was to find a hound, fit for purpose able to do what was originally intended for the breed. A sizeable ring was advantageous as it allowed me to fully assess movement.
My congratulations must go to exhibitors on the excellent presentation of their exhibits. Teeth were clean, nails were shorts and coat presentation was excellent. I found temperaments extremely pleasing with only one or two shy exhibits, and surprising another that showed slight aggression.
Standard longs are full of quality at present, and I was impressed with my class winners, in some classes, I was splitting hairs with my placings. I feel the breed has certainly improved in movement and most have the correct ground clearance. My only criticism is that short ribbing is creeping in and some lacked muscle tone.
Mini wires again I found I could have handed out several CCs on the day. Coat texture had really improved since judging the variety last at open show level. I found mouths to be good, and movement has improved. I did however find some exhibits to be extremely close behind, and some had a lack of front extension due to upright shoulders, which in turn affected some of my placings.
Standard Longs :
Special Beginner Dog (1)
1st: PAGE Giovanni Rude For Kokoadax (imp Ltu) - B/T male in excellent condition
with a gleaming jacket and handled with confidence. Pleasing head with a perfect
correct oval eye. Correct shoulder placement with good ribbing, and a short
loin. Good front assembly, with nice tight fitting elbows and correct ground
clearance. Moved soundly however just need to settle on the topline to complete
the picture. BSB.
Minor Puppy Dog NO ENTRIES
Puppy Dog (2,1)
1st: HENDREN AND COOPER Bronia Leonardo – Red very pleasing youngster who was
extremely attentive to the handler. Correct concial head with correct dark
almond shaped eyes. Excellent neck into well placed shoulders with correct
dachshund front. This youngster was ribbed right back with a short loin. Nice
bone and feet and moved with purpose and drive. His coat was gleaming and in
excellent condition. Although stood alone in this class a worthy winner. BPD.
Junior Dog (3)
1st: RODRIGUES Sujarah Dare To Dream – S/Red a very smart 12 mth old male who
caught my eye as he entered the ring. Masculine head, good muzzle to skull
proportions with correct almond eye. Super neck into well placed shoulders, with
excellent post sternum. Ribbed right back with short loin into well angulated
hind quarters. Nice tight fitting elbows with good bone and feet. Moved out
soundly with purpose and drive, always carrying a level topline.
2nd: PARTRIDGE Ranglewood Xmas Cracker To Riveroyal – B/t again a nice masculine
male who was presented in excellent coat. Just for me today didn’t have the same
front assembly as No 1 and was slightly more upright in shoulder. Good length of
ribbing and had correct ground clearance. Well-constructed hind quarters that
he used to his advantage on the move.
Post Graduate Dog (4)
1st: O'NEILL Ranglewood Pheonix At Donnadach –
B/t a lot to like about this young male when he entered the ring. Masculine
headpiece, correct oval eye and correct ear set. Flowing neck into correctly
placed shoulders with a good upper arm. Excellent front assembly with tight
fitting elbows. Correct ground clearance and moved soundly out and back, always
carrying a level topline.
2nd: RODRIGUES Sujarah I Dreamed A Dream – – S/Red a very smart 12 mth old male
who caught my eye as he entered the ring. Masculine head, good muzzle to skull
proportions with correct almond eye. Super neck into well placed shoulders, with
excellent post sternum. Ribbed right back with short loin into well angulated
hind quarters. Nice tight fitting elbows with good bone and feet. Moved out
soundly with purpose and drive, always carrying a level topline.
Limit Dog (4)
1st: O'NEILL Ranglewood Finlaggan At Donnadach – B/t a well presented male who
didn’t disappoint to go over. Correct masculine head and correct eye shape.
Correct dentition with a good strong underjaw. Excellent front construction with
nice tight fitting elbows. Good bone and tight feet. Flowing neck into well
laid shoulders. Ribbed right back with short loin into well angulated hind
quarters. Moved soundly out and back with good topline.
2nd: VINCENT Gainscroft Dashing Dudley – Red and again another nice exhibit, who
is slightly smaller in frame, however, still has lovely balance and outline. A
lot of the same comments above apply and everything was in the correct place. I
just felt today that this male could have moved with more animation to complete
the picture.
Open Dog (4)
1st: GEESON Ch Abydachs Return Of The Night – S/Red when this male entered the
ring, he just demanded my attention, and he certainly did not disappoint upon
examination. Super masculine headpiece, with a beautiful expression and correct
oval eye. My hands just flowed over him. Not overdone in anyway at all with the
correct proportions. Excellent front assembly with tight fitting elbows. Flowing
neck into text book shoulders, with correct ribbing and a short loin. Handled
and presented to perfection. He just powered around the ring and had no
hesitation in awarding him the CC & BOB. Was also pleased he was shortlisted in
the hound group.
2nd: MCNAUGHTON Ch Cedavoch Circeo – S/Red again another quality who I had no
hesitation in awarding 2nd in this class. Again, a lot of the same
comments above apply to this exhibit. However, I preferred the shoulder
placement today on No 1, and just felt this male was not as settled on the move.
Veteran Dog (2)
1st: ROBERTS Ch Swansford Gabrieldor – S/Red stunning and hard to believe this
male is a veteran as he certainly does not show his age. This male is so well
constructed. Super head with a beautiful expression and dark almond eye.
Presented and handled to perfection as were all from this kennel. Correct front
assembly with tight fitting elbows and good bone and feet. Correct shoulders and
ribbing right back. Muscle tone is excellent on this male, and he powered around
the ring with purpose and ease. Res CC/BV & Hound Group Veteran 3.
2nd: GARLICK Ranglewood Harvest Song – B/T 9 ½ yr old and certainly seemed to be
enjoying his day out. Certainly, put on a good performance. Good body and
condition and was presented well. Pleasing head, eye and mouth was correct. Good
ribbing and short loin.
Special Beginner Bitch (2)
1st: BARNICOTT & PASCOE Fahoogle Minack – Red presented and handled well.
Pleasing head and eye and correct neck into well laid shoulders. Tight elbows
and good front assembly. Moved soundly always carrying a level topline. Just
would prefer tighter feet to finish the picture.
2nd: HEAP Ranglewood Katrine – B/T smaller in size than No 1. Pleasing head and
eye and presented in good coat. Would prefer a little less weight and was a
little hard to access movement today as she wasn’t co-operating with her
handler.
Minor Puppy Bitch (2)
1st: CROSS Abeydezi Bellatrix Loggeta – B/T raw baby puppy who has lots to like.
Lovely feminine head and eye shape with well set ears. Excellent neck into well
laid shoulders. Well ribbed back and has good ground clearance. Moved soundly
once she settled. I am sure she will have a bright future.
2nd:LACEY Abydezi Abracadabra – B/T litter sister to No 1 and again a lot of the
same comments apply. These two will have fun and I am sure will swap places in
the future. Really liked her once she settled also, just today I preferred the
neck and outline on No 1.