May I first thank the committee of the EDCA for their kind invitation to judge this variety of our lovely breed at what is my local club. Such a pleasure to be a part of such a friendly and well-respected club that continues to impress all who exhibit with their friendly welcoming committee and superb hospitality. The committee are a credit to our fascinating hobby and especially welcome and offer help and advice to new exhibitors. Well done on another lovely show and many thanks to all the exhibitors for giving me such a lovely entry of quality dogs.

It has been some 14 years since I judged this variety so I was very interested to see how they had moved on from the dogs back in 2004. Having returned to exhibiting myself over the past 2 years following a career induced break of some 20 years my first impressions of the variety having watched from ringside was one of delight at the depth of quality exhibits compared to those that I had judged before. On getting my ‘hands on’ I certainly was not disappointed and found a plethora of quality exhibits, well presented in good hard condition with strong substance and good coats. There were no bad mouths or tail faults and temperaments were exceptional and the exuberance of this variety is fabulous. I like to give general constructive criticism and found a few a little shorter in rib than ideal and a few a little upright in shoulder although in general shoulders and overall front construction had improved dramatically. Lots of lovely heads and great reach of neck in the majority. I think the breeders of this variety have been clever with their use of outcross and have introduced good ground covering free movement in many exhibits. Several other exhibitors in our other coated varieties would do well to talk to the wire breeders and take some advice from what they have achieved and understand better the need to ensure carefully planned outcross happens on a regular basis. Many congratulations to what now must be, in my opinion, one of the strongest varieties of the UK Dachshunds.

Minor Puppy Dog (3,0)

1. Langridges Calicoe Thank God It’s Friday – Most promising puppy of just 7 months very sound all through with no exaggeration. Strong front construction and good conical head with good expression. Well angulated hindquarters used to good advantage on the move.

2. Sweeneys Sunsong Almond Biscotti – 8 month red with a good sound front and nice shoulders. Lovely head and eye. Not quite the level topline on the move as winner and would prefer a slightly better tailset.

3. Lee’s Waggington Jupiter at Daxilee.

Puppy Dog (4,2)

1. Graham’s Brumberhill Armstrong – Well presented and handled 9 month of classic outline. Lovely well constructed front, still filling and developing, good well angulated hindquarters used to good effect with drive. Carried himself well to win BPD & Best Puppy.

2. Calicoe Thank God It’s Friday.

Junior Dog (5,0)

1. Maes-Jones & Bates Derochaise Manhatton – Beautifully balanced B/T of correct size and fabulous overall correct proportions. Lovely head & eye, well angulated shoulders. Lovely oval front, tight feet. Great hind angulation and held a beautiful outline, topline and underline. In the challenge was one I considered for a top award which I am sure he will win many, but on the day did not move with the verve and drive of the two top award winners, could possibly be something to do with being a little careful on the sports hall surface. A lovely dog.

2. McCalmonts Silvae Trader – another well put together 14 month youngster of great quality. Strong head and front, good shoulders super topline and moved with enthusiasm although not as correctly as winner another that unfortunately was a little put off by the floor. Will do very well.

3. Fitches Derochaise Master Design

Post Graduate Dog (3,1)

1. Adams Wyldetarn Shoot From The Hip – Fabulous young dog just out of Junior – same sire as my Junior Dog winner and has a cracking outline, balanced throughout, masculine without being heavy, lovey head, front construction and shoulders, super elegant neck flowing into a lovely level topline with good underline. Super hind quarters of good angulation. Good bone and tight broad feet. Loved his expression have been over him once before and he impressed me then I loved the way he moves with flair and great drive and purpose. Has a ‘look at me’ air about him which will stand him in good stead. Will gain his title with ease I am sure - on the day just preferred the slightly more developed ribbing depth and keel of my BOB but he has a very bright future ahead – Great dog delighted to award him Res CC.

2. Vig’s Q-Rrens-Dax Enzo - Topazo – 3year old of good overall contruction, good head and eye, correct oval front construction into nice outline, well angulated hindquarters. Unlucky to come up against the winner who stood out as exceptional. Much to like about this dog.

Limit Dog (7,0) Strong class of good quality

1. North-Rows Tendrow One More Time Barmaud – Commanding dog of lovely overall style (by my BOB winner). Has elegance, substance and style and one I liked very much. Excellent chest, sternum and ribbing correct shoulder placement flowing into good topline held on the move, used his well angulated hindquarters with purpose. Unlucky not to gain a top award in such a strong line up of quality dogs. Not yet 2 so hopefully will have his day.

2. Gibson’s Alfrey’s London Look – another by my BOB winner and although slightly smaller in type was very sound all through. Lovely head and neck, great hindquarters moved with drive and verve my final decision was made on length just preferred the length of winner.

3. Vine’s Cishelvine Caught Out

Open Dog (6,0) – Quality in depth in this class!

1. Phillips Ch. Wiretrap Here I Am (Imp Can) – What a magnificent hound. Caught my eye as he entered the ring and certainly on closer inspection didn’t disappoint. Super balanced masculine dog of excellent substance without being coarse. From head to tail was nothing but excellent. Correct front construction lovely shoulders and fabulous lay back, deep ribcage and strong sternum and sweep of keel. Nice short loin. Such a super outline and underline – very well balanced nicely angulated chunky hindquarters used to great advantage on the move. Moved true fore and aft. Didn’t put a foot wrong and had an air of real style about him on the move lovely head and elegant neck carried beautifully on the move. Had no hesitation in awarding him Dog CC & BOB – has some lovely progeny in the ring too! Congratulations to this breeder who had many dogs in the cards today owned by many exhibitors – excellent type breeding.

2. Moore & Downes Megline Aramis (Imp Rom) – Very imposing dog of a larger type but of super construction all through, lovely strong masculine head, dark eye, well-constructed front, lovely length of neck, strong bone and good feet, correct topline, underline and nice short loin, used his well angulated hindquarters well and moved soundly fore and aft. Great presence on the move holding a good outline at all times. Another lovely dog that will undoubtedly gain his title.

3. Sorenson’s Jethard Just Jive – Making up a trio of beautiful sound masculine dogs. Love the overall correct construction of this well balance dog who I have had the pleasure of judging before, correct construction all through. On the day not quite the outline on the move of 1 & 2 but another lovely dog in a very strong class.

Champion Dog (2,1)

1. Coverley’s Ch. Aventine Jamaica Inn – Lovely Champion full of quality. Smart in outline and correct hindquarters. Moved true fore and aft with purpose. Lovely level topline. Although standing alone in this class made an impressive addition to the top-quality line up of dogs in the challenge. Just preferred the front construction of my ticket winners on the day.

Minor Puppy Bitch (1,0)

1. Chambers Barembak Midsummer Moon – Very pretty, feminine 8-month puppy of great promise. Shoulder construction is sound, tight elbows, nice feet, well angulated hindquarters, moved OK. Just needs to firm in topline at the moment but has good promise.

Puppy Bitch (1,0)

1. Vine’s Cishelvine Kiss Me Quick – Loved this little feminine puppy great overall shape, balanced and well made all through. Great front and shoulders, lovely hindquarters. One I predict will have a very bright future once she gives her handler less anxiety. Wasn’t an easy handle but the more she moved the better behaved she became. One for the future - will watch her progress with interest. BPB

Junior Bitch (6,1) A lovely class of youngsters

1. Gibson’s Alfrey’s Helena – Very well constructed elegant bitch of a nice size. Loads to like about her, best front of the class, nicely angulated shoulders into lovely topline - good strong hammy hindquarters, moved soundly with purpose. In the challenge didn’t feel she was giving of her best and not showing her full potential one for the top I predict.

2. Seath’s Sunsong Keep A Promise – I thought this lovely bitch would be my winner on first seeing her move and stack but just missed out to the overall quality of construction of the winner. Good size, lovely head & neck into lovely level topline and well made and well used hindquarters. I preferred the feet and elbow placement of winner but has loads to like about

her and no doubt will do very well in the future.

3. Hornby’s Derochaise Miss Dior with Jacmist

Post Graduate Bitch (4,0)

1. Chambers Tendrow Black Pearl with Hototo – Beautifully put together B/T of good size and excellent construction. Looking at her pedigree another by my BOB winner! Lovely head and expression, great reach of neck into well laid-back shoulders flowing into a super level topline. Good ribbing and keel flowing through a nice underline to correctly angulated hindquarters. Moved super soundly and held a lovely outline both stacked and on the move. Free stood beautifully and 4 square - Must do well in the future – delighted to award her the Res CC in a hotly contested bitch challenge.

2. Smiths Salixian Tea For Two – another well constructed feminine bitch, good coat, sound front, good head and eye. Lovely outline having great flowing lines. Moved very well. Up against a really super exhibit but a strong 2^nd in quality company.

3. Phillips Cloudside Quintessence At Clipperdown

Limit Bitch (5,0) Strong class of quality

1. McCalmonts Silvae Trademark – Eye catching brindle of balanced proportions and sound overall construction, good feet and straight in front, good oval shaped front with defined sternum and sufficient depth of keel – good ribbing and preferred her length and overall balance to 2^nd. Moved well.

2. Phillips Tendrow Dancing On A Dream At Clipperdown – super feminine bitch of good size. Balanced all through with a great head and expressions, strong in front construction, correct shoulders nice topline into well angulated hindquarters. Just preferred the length and verve of my winner on the day but a lovely bitch to go over.

3. Hutchings Tendrow I Am The One from Collidach JW

2^nd & 3^rd also by my BOB winner!

Open Bitch (4,2)

1. Phillips Tendow Time N’Time Again – Another beautifully balanced bitch from this kennel – outstanding breeding to have so many quality exhibits in the cards. Loved her outline on the table and in profile on the move – correct front and shoulders, lovely feet, great top and underline. Very sound well angulated hindquarters. Moved really well and pushed hard in the challenge for a top award in a first class line up of top quality bitches. Liked her a lot.

2. Seath & Huelmtvedt’s Nor. Ch. Gando Av Larhjelm (Imp Norway) – Nice bitch of a different type, lovely front nice deep keel, well placed and angulated shoulders of correct lengths, hind quarters OK but for me too much rise over the loins.

Champion Bitch (3,1)

1. McCalmonts Ch. Silvae Solo – Stunning bitch of lovely balanced proportions and of a good size. Nice front and great shoulder placement. Lovely head and strong nicely slightly arched neck carried well flowing into a lovely topline and correctly angulated hammy hind quarters. Moved with drive. In the bitch challenge stood out as the cream of the crop. Delighted to award her CC. Just preferred the natural carriage and front movement coming towards me of the dog. BOS

2. Maes-Jones & Bates Ch. Derochaise Black Orchid – Beautiful bitch just over 10 years and still holding a beautiful outline. Correct all through, good strong front, good shoulders and lovely flowing topline. Great solid hindquarters move well fore and aft. Not quite the verve of the winner on the move but hardly surprising at 10 years of age. A credit to her owner /breeders.