Crufts

Crufts Critique-Irish Wolfhounds

08/03/2020

Judge-Ian Sexton

I would like to thank the kennel Club for their invitation to judge Irish Wolfhounds as I had a very enjoyable experience. Due to the coronavirus scare during Crufts this year it was understandable that some exhibitors did not want to take the risk and did not attend, this is fully understandable. I would like to thank all exhibitors for their entries and especially those that did attend. I had an excellent overall entry and some quality exhibits which on occasion made decisions very difficult.

The Kennel Club’s ‘Breed Watch’ for Irish Wolfhounds refers to ‘misplaced canine teeth, unfortunately I found this problem in three exhibits, (although one was under 12 months old) which might not seem like many given the overall entry, but I think it is something that we all need to be aware of whether we are breeders, Judges or owners.

Veteran Dog (2)1

1st.Mrs M l Sever-Kumar’s Gaelmarque Melton Say.

7 Years old and in good condition, head of the correct proportions, a dark eye and the correct bite and dentition. Coat of the correct texture, deep brisket and ribs carried well back, correct feet and nicely angulated front and rear quarters. He moved steadily around the ring and I was pleased to award him, Best Veteran.

MPD (1)

1st. Mr. & Mrs. Grimwood’s Bonafortes Valhalla.

An 8-month-old light wheaten brindle, he has a balanced head, dark eyes and the correct bite and dentition, long strong neck, shoulders laid back, a little upright in front at the moment, topline correct and nicely angulated rear quarters, feet correct and well knuckled. Obviously, he has a lot of maturing to do but quite promising at this stage.

PD (2)1

1st. Mrs. A Fox’s Newdigate Marlon Brando.

An 11-month-old Red Wheaten, he certainly meets the standards requirement of ‘great size and commanding appearance’. One of the tallest puppies I have seen at this age, I hope he stays in proportion as he develops, strong and powerful throughout, well boned and masculine. Large head, dark eye and the correct bite and dentition. Long powerful neck, well laid shoulders, deep chest, well sprung ribcage and ribs carried well back, topline correct, nicely angulated front and rear quarters. Coat of the correct texture, feet correct and well knuckled. He moved powerfully around the ring with reach and drive, pleased to award him Best Puppy Dog.

JD (3)2

1st. Mrs. K & Mrs. J Goodall & Howe’s Gartlove Galehunter.

A 14-month-old with a masculine head of the correct proportions, dark eyes and the correct bite and dentition. A typical balanced outline, long strong neck, shoulders well laid back and the correct fore chest, well boned legs and the correct feet being well knuckled up. Deep chest with the correct spring of rib and ribcage carried well back. Correct topline and powerful rear quarters with broad thighs and low set hocks. A little naughty today but moved soundly when settled with reach and drive.

2nd. Mrs. Allitt’s Austonley’s Gilbert D’Arcay at Jascarah.

A 16-month-old grey brindle, he doesn’t have the size or substance of the 1st placed dog and presents as being a little square in outline and I would like more bend of stifle. Skull broad, dark eyes and the correct bite, strong neck, shoulders laid back, deep brisket and ribcage carried well back. He moved steadily and soundly around the ring.

YD (8)7

1st. Mrs. D E Tebbutt’s Caredig Donavan.

A 19-month-old masculine male, well boned throughout, head of the correct proportions, dark eyes and the correct bite and dentition. Ears correct, powerful neck, well laid shoulders and a deep chest, correct spring of rib and ribcage carried well back. Strong loin, croup a little steeper than I would like, nicely angulated front and rear quarters, correct feet and coat texture. His movement was sound and true, moving powerfully around the ring.

2nd Mr. & Mrs. Dawson’s Hydebeck Dream Tyme of Graefyn.

A 21 month old grey brindle, typical outline, balanced and in proportion, head of the correct proportions, dark eyes and the correct bite, long strong neck, shoulders well laid back, deep chest and the correct spring of rib, ribs carried well back, correct length of loin, strong quarters and low set hocks, I would prefer tighter more knuckled feet. He moved with reach and drive in profile.

3rd. Mr. G & Mrs. N Aweduti & Sarycheva’s Caredig Doctor Jackson.

PGD (13)

1st. Mrs. D Pateman’s Gaeltarra Eireann Galen (IMP NLD).

A 2-year-old light brindle, masculine and well boned throughout, head of the correct proportions, dark eyes and the correct bite and dentition. Long powerful neck, well laid shoulders, deep chest and well sprung ribcage, ribs carried well back and the correct topline, correct coat texture and well presented, feet correct and well knuckled, powerful rear quarters and low set hocks, he moved purposely around the ring with reach in front and drive from behind.

2nd. Mr. J A Murray’s Sade Aryasson at Sabata.

A 2 year old dark brindle, I preferred the overall substance of the 1st placed dog, having said that he is masculine throughout with a head of the correct proportions, dark eyes and the correct dentition, neck well set on long and powerful, shoulders well laid, deep chest, ribcage carried well back, correct topline, coat of the correct texture and well presented, feet correct and well knuckled, nicely angulated front and rear quarters and he moved well, being sound and true.

3rd. Mr. & Mrs. Grimwood’s Bonafortes Meldrew.

LD (19)15

1st. Miss K Webb’s Goldswift Mission Possible for Inkleyboys.

A 3-year-old grey brindle, masculine throughout being well balanced and in proportion, strong masculine head of the correct proportion, dark eyes and a strong muzzle with the correct dentition. Ears held correctly, strong powerful neck, well laid shoulders, correct topline and a deep chest, ribcage carried well back and the correct spring of rib. Coat of the correct texture and well presented, powerful rear quarters, well bent stifles and low set hocks. Moved better today than I have seen him before, handled to advantage. He moved powerfully around the ring with reach and drive.

2nd. J&S Macaulay & Marston-Pollock’s Ashgroave Foraster via Gartlove TAF.

A 2-year-old, showing a typical outline, balanced and in proportion, masculine and well boned throughout, a balanced head with a strong muzzle, dark eyes and the correct dentition. Strong powerful neck, well laid shoulders and a deep brisket, correct topline and length of loin. Balanced front and rear quarters with the correct amount of bend to his stifle, feet correct and well knuckled. He moved soundly around the ring, well presented and handled, will improve with maturity.

3rd. Mr. S Ritchie’s Broughadowey Raiden at Torrfionn.

OD (16)13

1st. Mr. C & Mrs. J Amoo’s Sade Paris.

A mature looking 2-year-old, typical outline, balanced and in proportion, well boned throughout, he has a well-proportioned head, correct breadth of skull, a strong muzzle of the correct length and a dark eye. Long strong neck, shoulders well laid back and a good return of upper arm, deep chest, correct spring of rib and ribcage carried well back. Topline correct and strong loin. Correct coat texture and feet tight and well knuckled, powerful rear quarters, broad thighs and low set hocks, his movement is just what the standard asks for ‘easy and active’ showing reach and drive in profile, tail carried correctly. I was very pleased to award him the CC & BOB.

2nd. Mrs. Turini Salmon’s Pendragon Della Bassa Pavese.

Another quality exhibit but I preferred the more refined head and ease of movement of the class winner, strong head and muzzle, ears well carried and a long strong neck, deep chest, ribcage well sprung, and ribs carried well back and a strong loin, topline correct. Coat of the correct texture, feet well knuckled, powerful rear quarters with just enough bend to his stifle, movement was sound and true with the correct tail carriage, RCC.

3rd. Mr. G Janssens Bel/Lux CH O’Coolio of first Avenue.

Good Citizen Dog Scheme (3)

1st. Dr PP & Miss S Das Purkayastha’s Ravensbeech Romanus among Neckrebagh.

 A 4-year-old, masculine, large heavy dog, substantial throughout, strong skull and muzzle, dark eyes and well carried ears. Powerful neck, shoulders well laid and a deep brisket, ribs well sprung and ribcage carried well back with a strong loin. Coat of the correct texture, he moved steadily and purposefully around the ring.

2nd. Miss J M Littlefair’s Goldswift Phoenix Kiss.

 A 3-year-old male being smaller and lighter than the class winner, broad skull and a strong muzzle and dark eyes. Strong powerful neck, well laid shoulders, deep chest, correct topline, nicely angulated front and rear quarters, I would have preferred better feet, he moved steadily around the ring.

3rd. Mrs. D Hanlon’s Ranfurley Prince.

Veteran Bitch (6)4

1st. Mr. K & Mrs. AE Campbell-Woodford’s Rivenhounds Bonfire at Kilmacduagh ShCM.

A 7 ½ year old dark grey brindle, substantial throughout but feminine, head of the correct proportions, dark eyes and ears well carried, strong neck, shoulders laid back, correct topline, deep chest with the correct spring of rib. Nicely angulated front and rear quarters, good coat texture, she was the best mover in the class.

2nd. Mrs. H J Barnes’s Hazianne’s Little Mermaid.

At almost 8 years old, a substantial but feminine bitch, head of the correct proportions and a strong muzzle and dark eyes. Long strong neck, shoulders well laid back, deep chest and ribs well sprung, unfortunately just losing her topline, loin of the correct length, nicely angulated front and rear quarters, she did not move a s well as the class winner.

3rd. Mrs. S M Scott’s Tarlog Tullagh Waterfall at Tonegan IR VET CH.

PB (7)5

1st. Mr. B & Mrs. F Barnbrook’s Bribiba’s Jinkabout.

An 11-month-old red wheaten, typical outline, balanced and proportion, head of the correct proportions, dark eyes with a soft expression and ears well carried. Long neck, shoulders well laid back, deep chest, ribcage carried well back, correct length of loin, coat of the correct texture, topline correct, nicely angulated rear quarters and correct feet, a little unsettled as not being handled by her owner today but movement was sound and true when settled, very pleased to award her, Best Puppy Bitch and Best Puppy in Breed.

2nd. Mr. I Gargan’s Bribibia Saoirse at Skerryhill.

Very similar as she is the litter sister to the class winner, feminine head proportions, dark eyes and ears well carried, long neck, shoulders laid back, deep chest, long ribcage and correct length of loin. Nicely angulated front and rear quarters, correct feet, unsettled on the move but sound and true when settled.

3rd. Mrs. H J Barnes’s Hazianne’s Snow white.

JB (8)3

1st. Mrs. A Fox’s Barrassy’s Copyright.

At 16 months old she really impressed me with her typical outline and balance of substance and femininity throughout. Lovely head proportions, dark eyes and a soft expression and well carried ears. Long neck, well laid shoulders and return of upper arm, deep chest, well sprung ribcage and ribs carried well back, correct length of loin, topline correct. Strong rear quarters with the correct bend to her stifle and low set hocks, lovely feet being well knuckled, she has the required bend to her pasterns and this combined with her powerful quarters meant that she moved gracefully around the ring with the correct tail carriage and an easy flowing action showing reach and drive, I was very pleased to award her the RCC.

2nd. Mr. J & Mrs. A Sales Maneater Von Der Eichenkoppel.

A 2-year-old, dark grey brindle, another typical feminine bitch with the required amount of substance throughout. Correct skull and muzzle, dark eyes, ears carried correctly, long strong neck, shoulders laid back and a deep chest, ribs carried well back, gentle rise to her underline, and the correct length of loin, nicely angulated front and rear quarters, correct coat texture, she moved with ease showing reach in front and drive from behind.

3rd. Mr. B & Mr. D Eubanks & Taylor’s Bivarddi Summer Dreams.

YB (9)6

1st. Mrs. Turini Salamon’s Sarabi Della Bassa Pavese.

A 15-month-old, tall feminine bitch, feminine head of the correct proportions, a lovely soft expression, dark eyes and the correct bite and dentition, long strong neck, well laid shoulders, deep chest, ribs well sprung and ribcage carried well back. Nicely angulated front and rear quarters, broad thighs and low set hocks, correct feet, she moved easily around the ring showing reach and drive.

2nd. Ms. C Stirling’s Clanlily Diamond Dust.

A 19-month-old quality bitch, not quite the substance of the class winner but feminine throughout. Head of the correct proportions, dark eyes, ears carried correctly, long neck, shoulders laid back and a deep chest, ribs carried well back and the correct length of loin, nicely angulated front and rear quarters, correct coat texture, she was sound and true but not quite the same fluidity of movement as the class winner.

3rd. H Bosman-Van Rooijen’s Royalmeghann V D Tortelduif.

PGB (15)9

1st. F&F Maison & Freitas’s Omega DU Grand Chien DE Culann Fr Jun CH.

A 19-month-old grey brindle very stylishly handled and presented, a strong, substantial but feminine bitch, correct head planes, strong muzzle, dark eyes and the correct dentition. Long and powerful neck, shoulders well laid, correct width across her forchest, and some return of upper arm, deep chest, correct spring to her ribcage, ribs carried well back with a short strong loin. Well muscled and powerful rear quarters, correct feet, she was sound and true and moved with power and drive.

2nd. Mrs. A T Cross’s Goldswift Sweet Discovery.

A 3 year old, light red brindle, substantial throughout, correct head proportions with a soft feminine expression, dark eyes and a strong muzzle, correct ear carriage, strong neck, well laid shoulders, deep chest, ribcage carried well back, strong loin, topline correct and strong rear quarters with low set hocks, she was sound in movement showing reach and drive when moving around the ring.

3rd. Mr. K & Miss. M Evans-Jones and Halsall’s Valherudream of Rhonabwy.

LB (19) 6

1st. Mr. C & Mrs. J Amoo’s Sade Rainbow.

A 2-year-old dark grey brindle, another quality exhibit from this kennel, substantial and feminine throughout, head of the correct proportions, dark eyes and ears carried correctly. Long powerful neck, deep chest and ribs well sprung, ribcage carried well back. Nicely angulated front and rear quarters, correct feet, she moved effortlessly around the ring showing reach and drive from behind with the correct tail carriage, she deserved to win the class and I believe she can only improve with maturity.

2nd. Mr. S Bradley’s Glengail GGwendol YN.

At almost 4 years old, a bitch with plenty of substance, feminine head skull and a strong muzzle, dark eyes and the correct bite and dentition. Powerful neck, correct width throughout, topline correct, deep brisket, ribcage carried well back, feet and coat texture correct, well muscled and nicely angulated rear quarters, her movement was sound and true I just preferred the easy active movement of the class winner.

3rd. Mrs. M A & Mr. D B Holder & Howe’s Sade Araya Mascotts JW.

OB (21) 9

1st. Ms. M Monfort’s Noblesse DE LA Mascotte Couronnee.

A 2-year-old dark grey brindle, I loved this bitch as soon as I saw her, very typical, balanced and in proportion, lovely feminine head proportions, strong muzzle dark eyes and a gentle expression. Long elegant neck, well laid shoulders and return of upper arm, deep chest, ribs well sprung and ribcage carried well back, loin of the correct length. Gentle slope to her croup and nicely angulated rear quarters, low set hocks, correct coat texture and correct feet being tight and well knuckled, well-handled and presented. Overall, I would have preferred a little more size and substance, she has an easy and active gait and the correct tail carriage, movement was sound and true and foot perfect, showing reach and drive in profile. I was very pleased to award her the CC and Best opposite Sex, she pushed hard for BOB.

2nd. F&F Maison & Freitas’s Opaline DU Grand Chien DE Culann Euro Jun CH.

A 19-month-old and littler sister to the Post Grad winner, very similar, typical, balanced and in proportion, lovely head of the correct proportions, a soft and feminine expression, dark eyes and the correct bite and dentition. Deep brisket and ribcage nicely sprung, rib cage carried well back and strong loin, topline correct and a gentle slope to her croup, correct bend of stifle and feet correct being tight and well knuckled. Correct coat texture well-presented but not as disciplined as her sister, she moved soundly around the ring showing the correct tail carriage.

3rd. Mrs. Turini Salamon’s ITA CH Miranda Della Basa Pavese.

Good Citizen Dog Scheme Bitch.

1st. Mrs. H Bligh’s Bonsforte’s Enchanted at Ravencrag.

A 5-year-old light wheaten, feminine head proportions, dark eyes, long neck, well laid shoulders, deep chest, ribs carried well back, strong loin, nicely angulated rear quarters, correct feet and coat texture, she moved soundly and steadily around the ring.

2nd. Mrs. H J Barnes’s Hazianne’s Little Mermaid. (2nd in Veteran Bitch).

Judge-Ian Sexton