WELKS 2012

Dachshund (Smooth Haired)

Judge(s): MR TED JONES

DACHSHUND - SMOOTH HAIRED

I thank the officers and committee for the opportunity of judging the Standard Smooth Haired Dachshunds at this prestigious show, the exhibitors for the privilege of going over their dogs and my two excellent stewards for efficiently and unobtrusively  keeping my ring running so smoothly. I was looking for a soundly moving dachshund of correct conformation and size without exaggeration and of sound temperament and was delighted to be able to judge such a quality entry.

PD (3,1) 1 &BPIB Wand's Leveliss Rakish Paddy. Very mature for his age, well bodied red dog, strong head, good eye and well angulated  allowing him to move soundly. 2 Starkey's Carpaccio Jasper From Hamoura. A younger b/t giving much away in ring experience and maturity. Not quite the front assembly of the winner but with much to like.

JD (2) 1 Ellis's Tealby Red Between The Lines. A young but impressive s/r dog in lovely condition with lovely head and eye, good front and hind angulation. Well presented to deserve his rcc. 2 Goad's Thundergay Midnight Cowboy. As the venue was quite chilly this was possibly causing him to hump his back when standing. Nice head and front assembly but not quite the hind angulation, top line or strength of hams of the winner.

PGD (1) 1 Starkey's Cwmdarhian Through To Theo For Hamoura. Not making the most of himself for his handler. Much to like but tending to toe in behind and moving somewhat close in front.

LD (7,2) 1 Hunt's Cwmdarhian Hogan's Hero At Carpaccio. Upstanding substantial b/t dog having a good head and eye, although I would have preferred a slightly longer upper arm he had sufficient front reach to balance his powerful rear drive allowing him to move well and deserve the dcc. I was later told that this was his third making him a worthy champion. 2 Rawson's Rosenket Nostra Damus. An equally well presented b/t dog not quite the back action of the winner but with so much to like. He was unlucky to meet the winner on such top form. 3 Furber's Gameron Smart Choice For Dorysa.

OD (5) 1 Macdonald's Callow's Bensarka Phoenix Sun. A beautifully pigmented red dog with much to admire good head and eye, well constructed and winning with the best movement in the class. 2 Higgins' Leveliss This Charming Man. A b/t well constructed dog with good head and eye, well angulated and well presented but having to give way to the better hind action of the winner. 3 Higgins' Leveliss This Charming Man.

PB (10,3) 1 Rawson's Rosenket Queen Of Hearts. Nicely made richly coloured c/t bitch with  good head and eye leading to a nice reach of neck. Well angulated enabling her to move freely with drive and reach. 2 Norton's Matzell Maid In Time. Well constructed red with much to like but had to give way to the marginally better front of the winner. 3 Higgins' Leveliss Drink Down The Moon.

JB (2,1) 1 Rawson's Rosenket Pillow Talk. Stood alone but worthy of her award. Good head, well angulated holding her top line standing and moving. Needs a shade more length of upper arm to complete the picture.

PGB (4,2) 1 Furber's Roleta Constant Reminder To Dorysa. B/T with a good head and eye her movement could benefit from carrying slightly less weight and slightly better angulation. 2 Riseborough's Matzell Maid Specially. Losing out to the class winner by going close behind in addition to also needing to carry a little less weight.

LB (8,2) 1 Higgins' Leveliss What She Said. Won a very close decision but finally took the top spot on her more positive back action. 2 Rawson's Rosenket Opal Essence. A different type to the first but, like the winner also a quality bitch with a lovely head, good angulation and firm top line. 3 Lovick Gibbs' Roleta Gameron Wright To Reply.

OB (6,3) 1 CC & Bob Norton's Ch Matzell Mildred. A beautifully made bitch of flowing lines complemented by excellent movement. A very worthy ch.. lovely head and eye flowing into well laid shoulders. Excellent front and angulation, well ribbed and well handled. She offered all I was looking for. 2 Henningsen's Hbensarka Sunkissed Sky. Another quality bitch with so much to like. But just could not match mildred's overall balance and angulation. But winning a well  deserved rcc. I am sure that her time will come and I feel privileged to have had two such bitches in one class.

E Jones