Crufts

To say it is an honour to be invited to judge the Hound Group at Crufts would be an enormous understatement and my sincere thanks go to Tom Mather, the Crufts committee and the Kennel Club for giving me the privilege to do so. Vanessa McAlpine and her team comprising of Andrea Peters, Cathy Choules, Alex Paisey and Tracy Harris all of whom I have had the pleasure of working with in the past, all help make this world class event appear effortless need special praise and thank them from all involved and taking part in the show. 

The Hound Group is not always the strongest but the quality and strength of the Hound BOB’s this year was excellent and the judges are to be commended on their choices. When I saw the published list, I knew the Group would be as good as it could be and I was not disappointed. It was better than I hoped and thank you to the exhibitors for entering and the judges for finding them. 

Winning at Crufts is special and nothing prepares you for entering the arena, the lights, the fabric of the carpeting, the TV cameras, the atmosphere and the crowds. Hound breeds can all be sensitive and all uniquely different to each other but all coped amazingly well and a credit to each Hound

After my initial examination which gave every Hound a chance to perform I felt 9 excelled in breed type, conformation, movement yet shone light a star with extra sparkle and I selected the Basset, Bloodhound, Min Smooth Dachshund, Standard Wire Dachshund, Deerhound, Saluki, Ridgeback, Whippet and Griffon Fauve for further consideration. After the moving again and examining expression and natural stance it was a very close decision but one of the stars turned into a ray of sunshine and the rest is history. First Dachshund to go onto win BIS at Crufts and a great representative and ambassador for the breed. 

1st CH SILVAE TRADEMARK Wire Dachshund 

As good as it gets. Correct proportions, leg health and portrayed health and type impeccably. Her head, expression, coat, neck, topline, ribbing (depth, spring and length) totally correct. Prominent forechest without being overdone and correct front and balanced strong rear. Looks like she could work all day and her carriage and movement are just spot on along with the way she holds her topline. Whilst Trademark is a fitting name I think Textbook is what describes her better

2nd GER/CH AT/CH NL/CH SLO/CH SK/INT CH NDOKI HIGHLANDER JWW'17 Rhodesian Ridgeback

Powerful, agile, athletic. I would trust this handsome male to safely hold any lion at bay. Masc head with quality, his neck, topline and balance were there for all to see. Proportions excellent with well sprung ribs, excellent front and powerful rear, with correct angulation and strength coming from width of thighs ( which are often lacking in this breed) and musculature. His movement again strength, light footed and agile with good balanced reach and drive.

3rd IT CH TEOCRAZIA ONE MILLION EW'18 Basset Hound

Feminine throughout with substance and gave the impression she could work. Feminine head with exc expression and eyes. Long lean and not heavy with good ears. Loved her neck and outstanding topline and rear and stern which was a good length, set and exc carriage on the move. Good depth, excellent ribbing and her shape and topline were held beautifully on the move. Powerful mover in profile with such a strong rear. 

Res GER/CH AT/CH NL/CH SLO/CH SK/INT CH NDOKI HIGHLANDER JWW'17 Miniature Smooth Dachshund 

Excellent proportions. Long conical head. Defiant yet bold in expression and carriage. Again correct leg length, exc neck, topline and well defined forechest, though I would not want any ore width in front. Powerful and strong on the move with carriage and balance and he holds his topline at all times. Excellent ribbing.