WIREHAIRED

Having been in this variety of Dachshund for 25 years, I have seen the breed go through several ups and downs as regards the overall level of quality and feel that we are currently at another low point. It proved nigh on impossible to find dogs that had the correct shoulder placement, topline and hind angulation in stance that were able to keep their outline on the move and I found so many with hind legs going in all directions moving away from he that I had to disregard this fault entirely in order to reward those that held their toplines and moved freely in profile. Incorrect forward placed and upright shoulders with short upper arms were also much in evidence, but this variety has always suffered from this problem, as that was nothing new. More exercise would improve the movement and fitness of some exhibits, as I found a significant proportion that seemed to make heavy weather of just going round the ring twice. That said, I was pleased to both my dog and bitch lineups.

MPD. (2). 1. Rowe’s, Boloria Calico Jack. Lengthy dark brindle with good coat. Looks striking stacked up with strong, masculine head and dark eye. Good reach of neck and well angulated at both ends. Still a really raw baby as to be expected at just 7 months and this showed in his movement, which was a it unco-ordinated. Lovely easy going temperament. Liked him a lot. 2. Dible’s, Monisi on the Town. Dark brindle pinwire. Smaller, more compact type also nicely angulated fore and aft. Looks good in stance but a bit soft in topline on the move. A promising puppy of correct size.

PD. (2). 1. Phillips’, Tenrow Special Format. Brindle of good size. Well proportioned. Masculine head with typical expression and good furnishings. Neck of good length running into level topline which he held on the move. Moderately angulated at both ends and strode out well with an easy action in profile, holding his shape. Good bone and substance throughout. BPD. Against his sister for BP, where he looked a little more raw compared with her. Very sympathetically handled. 2. Moore’s, Aventine Rainman. Larger sized brindle, presented and shown to perfection. Very mature for his age with good depth of body and spring of rib. Well boned with good substance throughout. Topline and hind movement not his fortune, however. Preferred the outline in profile on the move of Special Format.

JD. (4). 1. Vine’s, Cishelvine Seaswell. Neat, harsh coated dark brindle of correct size. Impressed for overall breed type. length of body and good parallel action coming and going. Would like a little more hind angulation but he kept his shape moving in profile the best in this class. Still needing to firm a little in topline and develop in body, but time is on his side. 2. Harmer’s, Ballanroo Al Fired Up. Rich red pinwire of larger size with terrific bone and substance throughout. Has an excellent topline, but is wider all through and heavier in shoulder than winner. Has plenty of forechest and good sweep of keel. Could do with more length of stride in profile action and his tail is very high set and carried upright on the move which does detract from overall outline. 3. Clare’s, Cempsey Sunlight at Mabellene.

PGD. (5). 1. Pinkerton’s, Bystock Skye Walker at Menigma. Sturdy dark brindle with good coat, bone and substance. Loved his strong, masculine head and expression. Well placed shoulders, good body shape with pleasing forechest and flow of underline. Could do with a bit more hind angulation, but moved the best in this class going round the ring, holding his outline. Well handled to get the very best from him. Has many good qualities to admired. 2. Williams’s, Swincombe Shropshire Lad. Much smaller more compact light brindle. Coat of good texture but could be better presented. Admired his head, angulation and body shape, but is let down slightly by very erratic hind movement going away. Well balanced with good breed type. Wish more of the males were his size. 3. Davis’s, Tecklegarth Tom Thumb.

LD. (5). 1. Borman’s, Sonic Pickpocket. Large, good coat light brindle with lovely breed type. Presented a very elegant, lengthy outline n stance. Pleasing head and expression. Good reach of neck, flowing into topline. Good overall body shape and sweep of underline. Reasonable angulation at both ends, but could do with longer upper arm and a shade more hind angulation. Has good length of ribbing. Moved parallel up and back, but could do with more length of stride in profile and dose rise up a bit behind going round the ring. 2. Clifford’s, Ablebody Rock n Roll. Appealing red with good head and wonderful dark eyes that often go with this colour. Coat could be harsher, but was well presented. Held the best topline in this class on the move but could just do with a bit better shoulder placement and length of upper arm. Doesn;t always co-operate fully with handler when stood, so as a consequence looks better moving than in stance. Nice size. 3. Phillips’, Tendrow Special Edition.

OD. (6). 1. Moore’s, Ch/ Ir Ch/ Am Ch. Raydachs Tom Cruisen On. Very stylish, elegant dark brindle of correct size with good ground clearance. Commands attention as he enters the ring. Beautifully proportioned head with powerful jaw and alert, keen expression. Lengthy neck flows well into excellent level topline which he holds both in stance and in profile movement. Well angulated at both ends. Really comes into his own on the move where he flows along without effort, covering the ground easily. Has great ring presence and arrogant outlook. Beautifully presented  and handled to get the very best out of him. CC. Against the bitch for BOB, I just preferred the overall shape of her hindquarters and action going away. 2. Rollinson’s, Nosinllor Grenadier. Have admired this lengthy, workmanlike brindle since he first came out as a puppy. Wonderful correct harsh coat, with harsh hair on legs. Lovely bone and feet and stands absolutely true in front. Good shoulder placement and well angulated, broad hindquarters. O different type to Tom Cruisen On, being longer and lower in outline, but equally correct. Like the winner he moves freely in profile but doesn;t quite have his ring presence or topline. RCC. 3. Derry’s, Ch. Andlouis the Tempest.

MPB. (7). 1. Kent’s, Minisi Calamity Jane. Correct sized, elegant and feminine brindle with lovely harsh coat. Admired her head and typical, mischievous expression and dark eye. Reachy neck flowing into well placed shoulders and had the best topline in this class both in stance and on the move. Strode out very freely keeping her lovely shape, but has a tendency to carry her tail high. 2. Dible’s, Monisi Anything Goes. Litter sister to Calamity Jane, but more compact in outline. Wonderful dark pinwire jacket. Loved her outline stood, where she showed well angulated fore and hindquarters and a good sweep of underline and overall body shape. Just a little soft in topline on the move, but she is only a a baby. Will watch the development of these two puppies with interest. Liked them a lot. 3. Patton’s, Lesandnic Solerina.

PB. (6). 1. Phillips’, Tendrow Special Formula. Litter sister to first in Puppy Dog and very like him for overall shape, outline and type. Feminine head with good furnishings and dark eye. Moderately angulated at both ends and has a good topline which she holds in profile movement. Steady mover, keeping her outline at all times and it was this asset that put her at the top of this class. Sympathetically handled to get the best from her. Would just like to see harsher hair on legs and tighter feet, but appealed greatly for overall outline and flow of movement. BPIB. 2. Moore’s, Aventine Minority Report. More mature and larger than winner. Looks a picture stacked with very pleasing body shape and overall proportions. Well angulated at both ends. First class presentation and handling. Looked better stood than moving. 3. Gibson’s, Allfreys Jennifer Eccles.

JB. (2). 1. Skinner’s, Ritterburg Walkure. Dark brindle pinwire with eye catching outline stood. Loved her head, length of neck, shoulders placement and forechest. Has excellent bone and really tight bunchy feet. Good body shape when stacked and looks to have well angulated quarters, but unfortunately on the move she loses a bit of her hind angulation and as a consequence her topline, and has very erratic hind action moving away. 2. Barrett’s, Ablebody Danse D’Amour at Lowjinks. Harsh coated dark brindle. Badly needs to lose some weight and improve her overall fitness. Well constructed underneath the excess pounds and has a good overall outline.

PGB. (7). 1. Rowe’s, Boloria Anastasia. This harsh coated chocolate has come on in leaps and bounds this year. U have sat and watched her being overlooked time and again due to her colour, so was delighted to be able to judge her on the day and reward her accordingly. Correct size with wonderful outline and breed type. Could have a better head, but her overall correct construction outweighs this. Reachy neck, flows into correctly placed, sloping shoulders. Has plenty of forechest, level topline and corresponding flowing underline. Very well let down and correctly angulated quarters. A real joy to go over on the table and thankfully moved as well as her conformation suggested. She powered round the ring in profile, holding her body shape, angulation and topline at all times. Is sound up and back and had everything I was looking for on the day. Well deserved CC and BOB. 2. Speak’s, Rodan Cassandra’s Girl. Bigger lengthier brindle with harsh coat, but could be better presented. Long and low type and has good bone and substance throughout, but retains her femininity. Well placed shoulders, good spring of rib and overall body shape. Not quite as well angulated behind as Anastasia, but I liked her a lot and she kept her shape and topline moving in profile, covering the ground well. Another who could shed a little weight to advantage. 3. Skinner’s, Ritterburg Walkure.

LB. (6). 1. Pughe and Fraser’s, Bystock Pumpkin Pie. Another I have admired from the ringside. On the day she was carrying too much weight which spoilt her usually elegant outline for me. Beautifully presented harsh coated brindle with very good head and neck, length and body shape. Could do with a little longer upper arm and a shade more hind angulation, but holds herself together well on the move, although she does rise behind slightly in profile action. Good breed type and as always from this exhibitor, handled to get the very best from her. 2. Speak’s, Rodan the Goddess Athene. Litter sister to Cassandra and of similar type. Harsh brindle coat. Looks good stood, but loses her topline in profile movement. 3. Gibson’s, Allfreys Ursula.

OB. (5). 1. McCalmont’s, Silvae American Beauty. This feminine light brindle gave me a real headache! Moving round the ring she is a joy to watch as she holds her topline perfectly and strides out with purpose, covering the ground well. On the table I found her to have well placed shoulders, good spring and length of rib and adequate hind angulation. Stood on the ground however, she seems to tense up and lean back into herself and seems to straighten up both her front and hind angulation, giving the appearance of having upright shoulders. I forgave all this as typical Dachshund stubbornness as she certainly didn’t look like it on the move, where I felt she had one of the best toplines and profile action on display on the day. Consequently I felt she deserved the RCC. 2. Patton’s, Ch/Ir Ch. Lesandnic Like a Butterfly. Fit, well muscled dark brindle with excellent correct harsh textured coat. Really looks as if she could do the job she was bred for. Loved her head, length of neck, shoulder placement and overall proportions. Free, active mover who covers the ground well in profile action. Not quite holding her topline on the move as well as American Beauty. 3. Davies’s, Cempsey Centime by Atahira.

Sue Seath