Bloodhound Club

Thank you to the Officers and Committee for inviting me to judge, the exhibitors for entering under me and my efficient and good humoured stewards; it was an honour to judge this wonderful breed. I was pleased to find excellent temperaments and healthy eyes although some exhibits would benefit from tighter, firmer feet and shorter nails; not only does this spoil the overall look but as a working breed this affects their ability to do a days work. It bodes well for the future that there were promising youngsters and I was interested to find that my BIS, RBIS and BPIS were all imports. I would like to make a note on movement. This is a working hound which should have an easy and elastic movement and at times giving your hound a little length of lead and allowing it to carry its head freely can make all the difference; even if the nose is on the floor the dog will move with that typical purposeful movement (easier said than done I know!).

PD No Entries

JD No Entries

ND (1,0) 1. Miss D Griffiths & Mr D Mortimore, Houndseeker Alaric (AI). 20 months black & tan, a lot to like about this youngster who was enjoying his day and making his handler work hard. In profile gives a balanced outline. Typical head with clear eye, good length of leather, set correctly and curling inwards. Well off for bone throughout. Good front with well laid shoulder, ribs okay and maturing nicely. Moved well when he settled and am sure he has a bright future.

PGD (1,0) 1. Miss E Burnside & Mr R Manley, Houndseeker Abbot (AI), RBD. Littermate of Novice Dog. Another nice youngster from this kennel; not always settled but when he was he went well. Looks good when stacked, nice typical head with lovely clear eye, good leathers, set correctly. Good chest, well constructed front, covered well over the body and nicely angled in rear. When he moved he covered the ground well albeit he was not 100% settled today.

LD (1,0) 1. Miss S Clark, Boru’s Fifty Mission Cap At Farlap (IMP CAN), BD & BIS. This young black and tan dog really caught my eye when he entered the ring, so balanced and sound, surely one for the top drawer. Pleasing head with the clearest of eye, nice dark pigment and good leathers. Excels in overall construction which means he looks great in profile and doesn’t disappoint on the move where he covers the ground with an easy and elastic movement. Delighted to award him BD & BIS, I shall watch his development with interest.

OD (3,1,2) This was a challenging class with two dogs of different type 1. Miss E Burnside & Mr R Manley, Defender Od Hadiho Potoka At Houndseeker (IMP CZE). A mature 4 year old male, slightly rangey in profile, decent head of correct proportions, leathers okay. Ample bone, this hound was in harsh condition which paid off when on the move, covering the ground well which won him the class. Would have preferred a better length of rib and just a few more pounds on him to complete the picture. 2. Mrs C Jones, Harvidene Devil In Disguise. Another mature male, 3 years old and of different type to 1. Typical head although could be a little more refined. Well off for bone and well covered over the ribs with nice deep chest and good spring of rib, shorter in back than 1. Moved okay if a little inconsistently at times.

PB (1,0) 1. Miss S Clark, Boru’s Abstract At Farlap (IMP CAN) RBB, BPIS. 11 month, super feminine youngster. In profile this youngster is really balanced. Lovely head of correct proportions, good nose, clean eye and nice leathers, set correctly and curling inwards. Nice front construction, plenty of bone, ribs ok and well angled muscular rear. Excellent feet with good short nails. Super mover, nice and easy in profile, showing a clean set of pads moving away, carries her tail well. Am sure she will be one to watch in the future.

JB No Entries

NB No Entries

PG Bitch (1,0) 1. Miss E Burnside & Mr R Manley, Houndseeker Amber (AI). 2 years old female, still maturing. Pleasing head, feminine with a kind expression and good ears. Nice deep chest, ribs were ok but would prefer a little more rib to loin. In quite harsh condition, well muscled throughout. Moved well, with purpose when settled but giving her handler a tough time on the move.

LB (2,0,2) 1. Mr D E Gore, Dr H Almey & Mrs K Dewey, Edenhill The Loyalist Soonipi (IMP) BB, RBIS. 20 months old, super feminine youngster which caught the eye when she came into the ring. Typical headpiece of correct proportions, lovely dark eye giving a really soulful expression and good leathers. Just the right balance of bone and substance but really well constructed throughout and in tip top condition. Delightful to go over and moved with purpose, easy and elastic with good tailset and carriage. 2. Miss E Burnside & Mr R Manley, El’s Don’t Be Cruel Od Hadiho Potoka At houndseeker (IMP CZE). Of different make to 1, 2 years liver and tan female, maturing well. Pleasing head, nice leathers. Okay front, well off for bone, nice deep chest. Really giving her handler a tough time on the move.

OB (1,0) 1. Miss E Burnside & Mr R Manley, Nina Simone Truffe Medievale At Houndseeker (IMP BEL) 4 years old mature hound, nice typical head, lovely expression and good nose and leathers. Good front, nice tight elbows and well sprung rib and nicely developed rear. When she got into her stride she moved well with a nice elastic stride although I would have preferred tighter feet and shorter nails.

Special Beginners (1,0) 1. Miss D Griffiths & Mr D Mortimore, Houndseeker Alaric (AI) 20 months black & tan, a lot to like about this youngster who was enjoying his day and making his handler work hard. In profile gives a balanced outline. Typical head with clear eye, good length of leather, set correctly and curling inwards. Well off for bone throughout. Good front with well laid shoulder, ribs okay and maturing nicely. Moved well when he settled and am sure he has a bright future.

Working Trial (2,1,1) 1. Miss E Burnside & Mr R Manley, Houndseeker Amethyst (AI) 20 months female, nice outlie in profile when stacked. Pleasing head, good pigment, nice dark eye giving a good expression and decent leathers. Mature in body, well constructed throughout and in muscular condition. Moved out well.