WELKS Championship Show 2014

Dachshund (Wire Haired)

I really enjoyed judging this breed for the first time, very satisfying to end up with a hounds of a type. Looking at the catalogue, I can see why, nearly all the top winners were by Zuccini, he has certainly put his stamp on the breed. Many thanks to my two efficient and friendly stewards.

PD (4) A quality class. 1, BPD and RCC Warren's Wagsford Lincoln, beautifully balanced young man, attractive masculine head, strong jaw, good neck into a lovely front assembly. Good keel, just right for depth of brisket and well ribbed back, super topline and tail set, moved out well, sound and free, using his strong quarters. Must have a bright future, nit picking between him and his lovely sister for BP. What a lucky owner to have two such quality siblings. 2 Hazell's Romanchi Nooksack at Vraibleu, another attractive baby with good overall proportions. Good head piece with dark well shaped eyes, good neck and well placed forehand. Not quite the ribbing of 1, nor quite the freedom of movement, but lots to like, lovely topline and balance, neat well padded feet and sound on the move. 3 Davis Knottrose Monkey Puzzle.

JD (2) 1 Coverley's Aventine Jamaica Inn, well angulated young man, presents an attractive overall picture, masculine head and dark attractive eye, a little rangy at present, but a lovely sound free mover, great temperament, really enjoying his day out. 2 Hinder's Aventine the Kings General, litter brother to above, but totally different type. More compact, nice angles front and rear, good keel, deep brisket, moved out well holding his topline.

PGD (3,1) 1 Bubb's Teckelgarth Leapoffaith to Wyeknot, Lovely type, and happy temperament, attractive head, well shaped eye, good keel and upper arm, but shoulders a little upright which shortens his neck slightly. Lovely harsh coat, excellent topline, strong quarters used well on the move. 2 Clare's Bellavin's Illustrious. Less substantial type, attractive head but would like a little more strength in foreface. Good neck and shoulder, a tad short in upper arm which slightly restricts his front movement, good ribbing and well used hindquarters.

LD (3) 1 Moore's Metewand Bogen By the Sea. Scopy nicely balanced hound, with a good coat and adequate substance. Attractive head, good neck and forehand assembly with excellent return of upper arm. Well ribbed back, excellent topline, lovely free sound mover. 2 Rowe's Boloria's Cadbury's Surprise, well named chocolate. Attractive head and eye, reasonable forehand, tad short and steep in upper arm which restricts his forward reach, so not the scope of winner, well held topline and good tailset.

OD (2) 1, CC, McCalmonts Ch Silvae Zealot. Top quality dog, beautifully balanced all through. Excellent angles fore and aft which compliment each other, and just the right amount of substance .Attractive masculine head with well shaped eye, reachy neck, well laid shoulder and good return of upper arm. Well ribbed back, good keel and just right for depth of brisket. Add a good harsh coat, well padded feet and super topline, lovely free sound movement, he had to take the top spot. 2 Davies Ch Atahira Joie de Bleu, another quality hound, lovely head and expression, good neck and shoulder, well ribbed back, excellent topline. To be picky, a shade shorter in upper arm so not quite the scope of 1 on the move, strong well used quarters, sound on the move.

PB (7,1) 1, BP, Warren's Wagsford Lydia. What a cracking puppy, and what a lucky owner, the first two were of similar type and close up. Lovely scopy puppy, pretty feminine head, well shaped eye, reachy neck into well laid shoulders and excellent return of upper arm which gave her the edge in forehand extension. Well ribbed back, just right for depth of brisket, lovely topline and tail set, powered round the ring really using her strong quarters. Must be a contender for top honours when mature. 2 McClmonts Silvae Solo, another baby out of the top drawer, and unlucky to meet 1 today. Most of the above comments apply, being picky she is just a tad longer in loin and not quite so positive in front movement at the moment, but I'm sure they will change places many times. 3 Moore's Romanchi MI'Kmaq.

JB (4,1) 1 Moore and Downes Aventine My Cousin Rachel, well balanced and feminine, would like a touch more strength of foreface, reachy neck into well placed forehand, good ribbing and topline, lovely strong quarters used well on the move. 2 Edwards & lavin's Bellavin Alfreda, sweet bitch with attractive typical head, good length of neck and reasonable forehand. Not the substance of 1, and would like a shade more strength through the loin, but she moved freely and soundly. 3 Smith's Tendrow Rouge Et Noire At Salaxian.

PGB (5,1) 1 Vines Chishelvine Enigma Of The Sea, nicely balanced and feminine, just the right amount of substance, sweet head and expression, well made all through with strong quarters and lovely topline and tail set, free and sound on the move. 2 CoverleyAventine Dawn Patrol, another nicely balanced exhibit, perhaps not quite as feminine in head as 1, sadly she is out of coat which therefore appears a little soft. Good balance of forehand and hindquarter angulation, moved freely and soundly with a well held topline. 3 Smith's Salixian Leveche.

LB (3) 1, CC and BOB, Morris' Wagsford Winona of Rocinda this for me was my star of the day, just loved her. A beautiful scopy bitch in great coat and with lovely balance and substance, but undoubtedly feminine. Super head and eye, good neck into classic forehand, excellent keel and ribbing, strong through the loin, lovely topline and tail set. Moved like a dream, positive coming and going with great extension fore and aft, didn't put a foot wrong. Good to see a hound standing free, well handled. I understand this is her 2nd CC, on this form her third can't be far away, delighted to see her shortlisted in a strong Hound Group. 2 Warren's Wagsford Floranc, another quality bitch of similar type, not surprising really as they are full sisters albeit from different litters. Out of the same mould, many of the same comments apply, nit picking between them. A shade more upright in shoulder than 1, so very slightly less freedom of movement, but two lovely bitches. 3 Rowe's Boloria Naughty But Nice.

OB (1) 1, RCC. Pughe & Fraser's Ch Bystock Pussy Galore. Sadly stood alone, but another lovely feminine bitch out of the top drawer. She pulled out all the stops, great for balance and breed type. Typy head, good neck and shoulder, being picky, not quite the return of upper arm of the CC winner, excellent ribbing and topline, moved out with reach and drive.

Jan Pain