South Eastern Hound Club

Thank you to the committee of South Eastern Hound Club for my invitation. A good entry with some quality exhibits where I was splitting hairs for the main awards. That said, I was shocked by the lack of width of chest and well sprung ribs in some of my exhibits. I felt that the windy conditions were distracting for the dogs, though some coped better than others.

Beagle Junior (6,1a) An interesting class which ranged in type and age considerably.

1st Ralph’s Maidenstar Igraine: 12 months old super sweet, feminine tan and white girl. Fabulous dark pigment and what a melting expression. Lovely shaped eye and good length, well set leathers. Beautifully arched neck leading and well sprung ribs. Short couples. Absolutely loved her shape. Correct coat. Good tight feet. This little lady used her strong quarters to power her round the ring with excellent drive. Presented well in fabulous condition. Sympathetically handled to really get the best out of her. Still just a baby but she shows great potential and in my opinion could have a bright future. I could have taken this little lady home.

2nd Hunt & Norris’s Shercroft Duchess: Different type from 1 and much further along in maturity. In excellent condition but would just not get her act together on the move. Well off for bone. Sweet expression with a powerful head. Slightly domed skull with good leathers. Dark eye. Excellent depth of chest and excellent spring of rib. Correct short and dense coat. Shame she gave her handler such a hard time.

3rd Roberts & Spearing Linkinlees Lustre

Beagle Graduate (6)

1st Hill’s Donay Special Delivery : Masculine blanket tri boy of 20 months. Presented in tip top condition. Loved his type. Out of a larger mould but a very balanced hound with an expression that would melt your heart. Beautiful dark eyes and pigment. Soft expression. Well flewed lips. Long, slightly arched neck leading on to a level topline. Good round bone. Starting to body up well. Good bend of stifle and well muscled back end. Excellent bend of stifle. Firm hocks. Another one who shows great potential. Fantastic rapport with owner which showed on the move when this smart boy powered round. Just needs to tighten up and mature slightly. Should have a bright future.

2nd Forbes’ Inschwood Chaffinch for Kentoast: My notes say “wow what a mover!!” 19 months old feminine tri bitch. Lovely size and shape. Good bone. Correct dense coat. Presented in excellent condition. Firm back. Really came into her own on the move, where she had the most fabulous reach and drive. Could watch this girl power round the ring all day. Would prefer a darker eye to complete an otherwise very pretty head.

3rd Ralph’s Maidenstar Queen Guinevere

Beagle Limit (5,2 abs)

1st Hill’s Troopersway Halo at Donay: Another well presented dog from this kennel. 22 month tri bitch who was not the most compact of bitches but a lovely type with excellent bone. Soft, houndy expression with the most fabulous dark pigment. Low set leathers of a good length. Strong, long neck leading onto the most level of toplines which she had stacked and held on the move. Perfect tight feet. Gleaming and correct coat. Good spring of rib. Well bent stifle and well muscled quarters. Correct tail set and carriage. Moved out well with reach and drive and was a joy to watch. Completely in tune with her handler. This girl could go far in the future and I will watch her career with interest. Delighted to award her RBOB.

2nd Roberts & Spearing’s Redcap Little Gem at Linkinlees: Loved the shape and size of this 4 year old blanket tri bitch. Such a sweet gentle expression and another with lovely dark pigment. Beautiful soft low set leathers. Fabulous chest and spring of rib. Good shoulders and round bone. Well muscled without being overdone. Good bend of stifle. A very sweet little lady.

3rd Knight’s Jewelston Ruby

Beagle Open (3, 1a)

1st Hunt & Norris’ Shercroft Flinders JW: Impressive masculine tri dog of 22 months. Fabulous outline that really caught my eye from seeing him first stacked. In fantastic condition and presented well. Loved his soft expression and dark pigment. Excellent round bone and a lovely shape. Good neck leading on to an incredible level topline which he held on the move. A lovely short coupled boy with a great bend of stifle and well muscled quarters. Firm hocks. Correct short coat. Moved out well with good reach and drive and carried his tail correctly. Wanting to test his handle a little but once he got his act together he was hard to ignore. Handled well. Delighted to award him Best of Breed and see him shortlisted in the large Best In Show line up.

2nd Roberts & Spearing’s Redcap Break The Mould at Linkinlees: 5 year old brightly marked tri bitch who was presented in perfect condition. Soft, pleading expression and long low set ears. Good depth of chest and spring of rib. Longer in body than 1. Well muscled girl with good second thigh. Well handled.

Beagle Special Working Open (6,2 abs)

1st Hunt’s CH & IR CH Bondlea Fable JW: Delighted to have the opportunity to get my hands on this dog who I have admired from the ringside for some time. Tan and white boy of ten years who could teach some of the younger exhibits how to move. The perfect showman who never put a foot wrong and who’s tail never stopped wagging. Moved like a dream, though was somewhat distracted at times due to not being with his usual handler. Large dark eye. Perfect shape and size for me and good bone. Well muscled and fantastic short couplings. Good chest to elbows. Such a lovely gentleman hound. Felt he could easily do a days work. Just pipped for the main awards by his younger kennel mate.

2nd Ambridge’s Winter Pansy: 22 month tri bitch. Another lovely sized girl with a lot to like about her. Houndy expression with dark pigment and good flews. Low set leathers. Good bone. Tucked up well. Level topline and good stern carriage. Loved her well muscled quarters. In fabulous condition but felt she was distracted by the conditions

3rd Forbes’ Kentoast Napoleon

Judge: Miss Lynn Bailey