Bloodhound Club

I was very pleased to be invited to judge this show. I had a very enjoyable day and saw some nice hounds. My decisions were based on type, soundness and health; this last having the most influence. In my opinion eyes have improved markedly with none showing the degree off loose sagging skin around the eyes which I have seen previously. However, to quote from the Bloodhound Breed Standard ,"Any obvious signs of eye irritation must be heavily penalised". Where there was wetness of the skin around the eyes this is a sign of eye irritation and could not be ignored in my decisions for Best of Sex and BIS. I saw several quality hounds that I thought could well be my winners but unfortunately their eyes were not clean enough today to win top honours.

Puppy Dog (1, 1 abs)

Limit Dog 1

1st Griffiths & Mortimer's Houndseeker Alaric(AI) Blk & Tan rising 3 years of good size and proportions. Long head of fair depth, low set ears with good fold. Good bite and clean eyes. Fair length of neck runs into well laid shoulders and v good return of upper arm. Good depth of chest and carry back of ribs. Well muscled hind quarters with moderate angulation. Moved quite well in profile not quite so smooth in hind action.

Open Dog 2

1st Jones' Harvidene Devil In Disguise strong & mature 4 yr red dog with good bone, he covers a lot of ground standing. Nice masculine head , clean eyes & good ear set & drape. Level bite and strong neck. He has a good shoulder lay back & fair return of upper arm. Good depth and carry back of ribs with nice topline. Pleasing hind quarters with well muscled first and second thighs & good tail carriage on the move. He moved well in profile covering the ground well & fairly well coming & going. Pleased to award him Best Dog, Reseve Best of Breed & Best Opposite Sex.

2nd Burnside & Manley's Defender Od Hadiho Potoka At Houndseeker (Imp CZE)

5 yr old with a nice outline & proportions. Nice ear set and fold, v nice shoulder angulation and return. Less bone than 1st with adequate depth of chest but would like more spring of rib. Good hind quarters with a slightly steeper croup but this does not affect his tail carriage. Moved well in profile. Pleased to award him Res Best Dog

Puppy Bitch 1

1st Clark's Boru Carp Diem Baby At Farlap (Imp Can) Nice young bitch with a long feminine head, prominent occiput, good bite and nice fine, low set, well draped ears. Eyes not completely clean at present but still has to grow into head. Good neck runs into well angulated shoulder with good forechest. Good bone for age and good depth of chest, nice loin and well muscled hind quarters. She moves well in profile covering a lot of ground and had the best coming and going movement of the day with a smooth action. Best Puppy Bitch & Best Puppy.

Junior Bitch 1

Burnside & Manley's Houndseeker Bewitched, Just a year old this is a very feminine quality hound. Nice size with good bone. She has a good balance of head with well draped ears and clean eyes. Nice neck and good shoulder angulation with good return, a good forechest and depth of chest. Good body and nice hind quarters with good bend of stifle and nice hind feet. Fair profile movement but not as good coming and going as p/grad winner. Reserve Best Bitch

Post Graduate Bitch 1

1st Williams' Sanft Paisley, substantial 2 yr old of squarer outline with good size and bone. Balanced hound with a feminine head, good strength of jaw and ok bite. I liked her head and expression with good ears and lovely clean eyes of good shape, colour and attractive dark pigment around them. Good neck runs into good forequarters with a chest of fair spring and good depth. Mature in body she has a level topline and strong loin running into good hind quarters with well muscled first and second thighs. She was a very good mover in profile and also good coming and going with good tail carriage. Pleased to award her Best Bitch and Best In Show.

Limit Bitch 1

1st Burnside & Manley's Houndseeker Amber (AI) V nice 2 yr old red girl with a balanced feminine head, low set ears and flews falling at 90 degrees. Eyes not 100% clean. Nice neck with good fore chest and well angulated front. Good depth and spring of ribs, loin not too long and very good hind quarters. Fit and well muscled all through. She moved well in profile and was pretty good behind.

Open Bitch 2

1st Clark's Boru's Abstract At Farlap, v attractive 20 mth bitch with a lovely outline and feminine head. Head well balanced with good expression and ear set but eyes not 100% clean. Good reach of neck and good forequarters . Good depth and spring of ribs with nice underline and topline. Nice set on of tail which she carried well on the move. Good proportions of leg length to height she moved very well with a supple stride covering a lot of ground. 2nd Burnside & Manley's El's Don't Be Cruel Od Hadiho Potoka At Houndseeker, mature Liver & Tan 4 yr old quality bitch with her own merits. Good size with strength yet still feminine. Nice head and neck with well angulated forequarters, good depth of chest and carry back of ribs. Nice hind quarters with good angulation giving good drive. Moved well in profile.        Sue Finnett.