The Scottish Kennel Club Aug 2009

DACHSHUND (SMOOTH-HAIRED)

SMOOTH HAIRED

I last judged this variety at the above show 2 years ago and felt today that some of the typical characteristics of the breed are lacking, typically in the shape of the heads, I did mention 2 years ago where had the conical head shape gone and today there is more evidence of different types of heads creeping in from very narrow to very broad. The standard does state head and skull to be long appearing conical when seen from above, skull only slightly arched, sloping gradually without prominent stop into slightly arched muzzle. I have to say that some of my decisions today reflected on the fact that some of the exhibits had deviated too much from the Breed Standard and which I see as not been desirable. However my principle winners I was extremely pleased with.

PD (2)1 Gatheral-Graham’s Rijobeau Honour Roll – a nice balanced shaded red dog of 9 months with typical masculine head and good eye, well filled front and excellent feet, good reach of neck and well placed shoulders, well ribbed and firm topline just needs to settle a little on the move but that will come with time and age. A nice quality exhibit. 2 Brettell’s Hampdach Inspector Morse At Diminudax – another nice quality exhibit 7 months old black and tan smaller frame to winner but a true type – good masculine head and eye, lovely front and feet, good length of neck and lay back of shoulder, had the neatest hocks and firm body – really liked this boy but did not cooperate today on movement – his day will come I’m sure.

JD (2) 1 Brettell’s Hampdach Rich Legacy At Diminudax – black and tan dog, loved his masculine head and expression, neat shoulders, good front assembly and firm body, topline and under carriage, tight feet and moved free and flowing across the grass. 2 Hunt’s Am Ch Bessdachs Beam Me Up At Carpaccio (IMP) –again black and tan and totally different in type to winner, overall a nice size and well presented as always from this kennel, moved with purpose and style but typically for me I did not like his head,

PGD (1)1 Morrison’s Marictur Honour Restored – shaded red dog, good overall confirmation and I particularly liked his size and balance, a nice expression with a typical masculine head, good front assembly and firm body, just needs to settle more on the move, but overall a nice dog.

LD(3, 1a)1 Gatheral-Grahams Phaeland Sheriffs Deputy – shaded red dog of good bone, nice depth of body, and front assembly, good expression and length of neck leading into well placed shoulders, nice overall body and good firm muscled rump, used his hindquarters to move with purpose and drive across the ground – liked him a lot on the move, a nice quality exhibit. 2 Hedges Roleta Red Boots To Shine For Silandajo – again another shaded red, beautiful head and eye, well balanced in front, filled body and good ribbing, firm topline and underline, nice angulation and moved well, just preferred the shoulder placement of the winner.

OD (6) This was the best class in the dogs and I am sure some will change places on different occasions.1 Ethel’s Hampdach Pyrrus – a most desirable red dog, of correct shape and balance – he caught my eye as soon as he entered the ring with style and a certain amount of aristocratic presence, not disappointed on handling him – true head and beautiful expressions, the right depth of front and tight padded feet, good reach of neck, lovely shoulders and excellent ribbing, the best of hindquarters and maintained a firm topline at all times. Moved in harmony with his handler and delighted to award him his first CC – hope the other 2 will not be far behind. A big well done on such a beautiful exhibit. DCC 2 Mcnaughton’s Cedavoch Galadrim –have judged this dog before a well presented black and tan of correct size and body shape as you would expect from this Kennel. Good firm body and well filled rib cage , typical masculine head and good strong feet, good length of neck, neat shoulders and hocks, Well muscled and moved with purpose and certainly had ring presence, please to award him RDCC. 3 Hunt’s Lauralee Living Daylights At Carpaccio

PB (6) A nice puppy class and I am sure some will change places – today I was looking for a well balanced puppy typically having the qualities of the Standard and I had found her in my winner1 Norton’s Matzell Mildred – what a little corker!!!!! The most beautiful red bitch of good balance ratios. Sweet feminine head and nice dark eye, good filled front and very nice feet, well placed on all pads and stood true, excellent reach of neck, correct shoulders and carrying just the right amount of weight, firm oval body, topline and underline carriage maintained at all times and moved with such grace around the ring, no hesitation in awarding her BP – well done Mildred!!!!!2 Dalgety’s Thundergay My Fair Lady – again another nice exhibit with typically the right size and shape I was looking for – sweet feminine expression, nicely filled front and again, good strong feet, well arched neck and well placed shoulders, well muscled and firm topline and well executed in ring presence – liked her a lot but just felt today Mildred had the edge. 3 Rawson’s Rosenket Melody Maker

JB (1)1 Cooper’s Lauralee Coco Pops To Sontag – Gave the sire the DCC 2 years ago stood alone in this class but could not be denied her placing – a well proportioned feminine chocolate/tan, beautiful head and expression, well balanced throughout and had a good filled front and nice tidy feet, shoulders were muscular and well placed, good filled body and nice rear angulation, moved around the ring well and looked good in profile.

PGB 1 Hunt’s Lauralee Miss Chokky Wokey At Carpaccio – litter sister to Junior Bitch winner – and again another quality exhibit you would expect from this kennel. Particularly liked her overall size and shape, feminine qualities and excellent reach of neck, nice tight feet, great ribbing and excellent hindquarters which she used on the move and again looked good at all times both standing and moving. Well done. 2 Dalgety’s Thundergay My Fair Lady – similar in type to (1) nice overall bitch with just the right amount of weight, typical feminine head with correct eye, well presented throughout and muscled in all the right areas, particularly liked her shoulders and ribbing and overall looked the part whilst standing and her profile was lovely to watch her gracefully move around the ring. Another quality exhibit. 3 Messers J & R Tite & Earles Rijobeau Glitz ‘N’ Glamour.

LB (5, 1a) 1 Dalgety’s Thundergay Magdalena – black and tan had great style and ring presence, commanded the ring but still maintained an air of femininity. Beautiful conical head well placed ears and good front assembly, length of neck correct and well laid shoulders, firm body proportions and excellent hindquarters, well muscled rump, liked her a lot and thought her presentation was to a high standard. 2 Turner’s Marictur Moulin Rouge – shaded red bitch again presented to a high standard from this kennel. Slightly smaller type to winner but could not be denied her placing. Wonderful expression and in harmony with her owner. Good overall body shape and balance, today I just preferred the angulation of the winner. 3 Mcnaughton’s Cedavoch I Love To Boogie

OB (5) Again this was the best class of the day – typically some beautiful bitches but as you all know there is only one first place and I had no hesitation in where that would be after examination of these lovely ladies. My decisions were based on what the breed standard states and sticking to that as closely as possible. 1 Norton’s Ch Matzell Maid Of Honour – my notes say hard to fault, everything I was looking for all there for me to see, so perfect from her head to her tail. She had such a beautiful expression that could melt your heart, beautiful head and eye, easily the best front assembly, well boned and padded feet, good reach of neck and correct placed shoulders, good body proportions and firm topline and underline, hind quarters well muscled which she used effortlessly yet gracefully around the ring. Delighted to award her the BCC and BOB and ecstatic to hear she was Group 3 in the Hound Group. Huge congratulations to both owner and dog.2 Turner’s Marictur Uptown Madam Jw – again another nice exhibit from this kennel, good head and eye with pleasing expression, well ribbed and oval front, good bone and muscle and nice neat hocks which she used, just preferred the overall balance of winner but still a worthy winner and lots to like about her unfortunate to meet (1) in such fine condition. RBCC 3 Bethel’s Hampdach Dulcina.

Gillian M Raine