Basset Hound Club

Basset Hound Club 7th Aug 2021

Gavin Robertson 

Bitches

It was very nice to be invited to judge bitches at the BHC at a lovely venue and super ring given the weather conditions on the day. I have judged the breed a number of times now here and abroad and whilst I am not professing to be a breed specialist I feel I truly understand the breed and what we want in a good Basset Hound. With that said I was a little disappointed in the overall quality and lack of consistency in the entry, there seems to be many with parts that are good but the overall picture and balance has gone. Heads are still very varied and whilst the eyes have much improved the head planes on the majority are still not correct with too many falling away in back skull. Feet on many are bad where they flat and open. Poor feet spoil not only the front but also the front movement coming towards a judge.. and in some dogs they are making the dog even lower stationed due to them being down in pastern and flat footed!.. ribbing is still an issue where too many are short and whilst the proportions of the dog may appear correct the length of body is coming from a long loin instead of the ribbing. This is turn is why there is many with soft and dippy toplines, again spoiling the overall picture..

Whilst I have no problems giving top awards to puppies or veterans( and have done in the past) it is not encouraging for the breed if I have to award the RCC to an 11 year bitch.. yes she is very nice and still has many super qualities and full of breed type, but a basset should be at its prime from 3-6years and today apart from my CC winner there was nothing else here that had the overall quality along with showmanship.. bitches in the ring now are dams of the next generation…

That said the younger classes i had some promising ones who hopefully will develop and mature and the next time I judge I can hopefully eat my own words..

Graham Hill was the male judge and we were in full agreement on the Bests of the day where the males came out on top for BIS and RBIS..

VB

NEWMAN- CH WOLFERLOW TINKER BELL

1)such a well made typey bitch, level head planes, good lips and muzzle, low set ears, strong topline, muscle rear with width in stifle, thick tail, good feet for age. Very easy mover holding her shape, not overdone in furnishings, lovely breed type and super condition for 11, she enjoyed her day out with a nice easy happy gait to her. i was told after I have given this bitch top honours when she was younger, when it came to the lineup today she outshown all bar 1 to get the RCC.. 

2)PEARSON-CH ROAMANBAY RUSSIA WITH LOVE TO ARMARDIO JW

Another nicely made bitch,Stronger than 1, pleasing head and expression. good forechest, neat feet, firm bone,Big ribs, little high in hock, muscled loin, sturdy mover holding topline and tail well.

3)ALLCHORNE-CH DIHEATH GUNS N ROSES JW

 Although she stood third it was not in disgrace or the fact I don’t like her, it was a lovely set of VB and nice to read after they are all Ch’s which they fully deserve, she holds her shape well. A kind eye and expression. Lovely neck, good skin, ribs of good length, muscled loin. Smooth easy mover

MPB

FREER-SWITHERLAND HOT DANCER

1)raw baby, up on leg, fem head, lean muzzle, good eye, has fore-chest. Prefer better feet. Well proportioned with good legs, when she develops she will drop in her frame nicely, moderate rear , out of coat, picks herself up and paints nice profile pic on move. Good temp and I’m sure will have a nice future. BPIS

2)JONES-BRAITHWELLS LIL RED DRESS TO CLANWILLOW

rangier bitch, good bone and substance , pleasing eye , high in hock. Needs more confidence which will give her a better outline, muscular neck, needs to drop in rear. Ok ribs and skin, prefer better feet.

PB

BLEVINS- BLEVWIL ZENN

1)eyecatching pup, nice shape, need to fill out in rib, good furnishings, exc topline , prefer neater feet, strong rear, long supple ears, good muzzle and lips. Positive mover 

2)NEWMAN- WOLFERLOW VICTORIA 

taller stationed than 1, lean skull lovely ear, needs to fill in front, ok ribs, strong rear with low set hocks, still very raw.

3)ELLRICH- MALRICH LAST TANGO IN PARIS 

I thought this was one of the nicest bitches of the day in my entry. She is a lovely shape, right amount of bone and substance, really nice proportions with room to develop. Has strength in head with a slight dome in skull, well placed eye, BUT, she didn’t show and as much I liked her a hound has to carry its tail proudly. Once she gets her act together she will do well. Nice type..

JB 

FREUDENREICH- LOCKOLEA CIRCLE OF LIFE 

1)nicely made bitch, I liked her frame, has strength in muzzle , level head planes, pleasing dark eye, good bone, tail could be longer, big ribs, she carries herself well with a good topline. Muscled loin, she has a nice temperament and easy flowing movement, typey bitch.

2)MELBOURNE/MURRAY/HIRST- DIHEATH ELVIS 

taller stationed than 1 Good bone, tight feet, feminine head and exp, likes her skull, ears could be longer. Big ribs, moderate rear. Covers ground well.

3)MEBOURNE/MURRAY- DIHEATH CHEVY

similar shape to 2 and needs to drop into her frame. Long skull, exc feet, prefer lower hocks. Good ribs, just wasn’t confident on the move as ones above.

PGB

FREER- SWITHERLAND FROSTY NICKERS 

1)super shape and outline , defined occiput, fem head with exc supple folded ear, good skin. Has forechest , front well under body, forechest , long neck, holds her shape . Bit high in hock, tail of good length but could be thicker, nice type.

2)MCLEAN-SWITHERLAND FINAL CHASE AT STOOKEWOOD 

really nicely constructed bitch, has super forechest, feet, ribs and muscled loin.holds her backline on the move, Not as neat in front as 1 but lovely type all through, ideally a bit less weight on her would help.

3)JONES- CLANWILLOW SHINING BRIGHT 

 Feminine bitch, bit out of coat, good head planes, well set ear, muscular neck, neat feet. Lovely open side gait, prefer a neater front, muscular condition with nice temperament.

LB

1)ARMSTRONG- LAURALEE A KIND OF MAGIC

A lovely quality bitch, detailed head piece with a nice expression. Ears low set,ok head planes, good depth of muzzle with right amount of lip. super shape and outline, just the right amount of leg showing daylight underneath her frame, has substance without being course. Neat feet, big ribs, chest and length, prefer better tail carriage , level back, just the right amount of furnishings, ideally her hocks could be lower but are strong, super condition, covers the ground with purpose with nice reach in front. Fully deserved the CC today..I’m sure won’t be long before she is a Ch..

2)JONES- CLANWILLOW CENTENARY DREAM

another nicely made bitch, neat feet, lean skull. Long ears. Preferred neck on , ribs well sprung, muscled loin. An honest typey bitch, she places her feet well on the move and like 1 is in nice condition.

3) ROWLAND- CASTLEDEE GYPSY

stronger bitch, has big ribs, front nicely under body. Prefer better feet. Hold shape, thick strong taeil. Bit steep in shoulder which restricts her movement for ideal.

OB

1)PEARSON/JONES- ARMARDIO IM ON FIRE

A very well made bitch, liked her framework, big ribs, good skull, low set ear. eye a bit loose. Exc feet, low hocks. Holds her shape, lovely quality, for me she could loose a bit of weight to maximise her shape and give her a bit more animation on the move. Nice type and lots to like.

2) BLEVINS-IR CH BLEVWILS RAVISHING RITA

also a lovely bitch, bit short in rib, liked her profile , super head . Exc and level head planes which so many don’t have,prefer a darker eye, strong knuckled feet, strong tail. Close decision, 2 diff bitches but both have quality. Just preferred the proportions on 1.

3)RODGERS-SWITHERLAND ALBAZAR

 lighter frame than 1 & 2 but has a clean shape, bit dry in furnishings, muscular neck of good length Exc topline and tail. Has width in rear quarters, ribs extend well back, muscled loin with high set tail. Very stylish diff type, still has nice quality, purposeful mover holding her outline.

Breeders,

ALLCHORNE- NELGUS CINNAMON SPICE, very honest bitch, balanced with good proportions, moderate furnishings. Lean skull. Nice eye , prefer better feet. Length of run, muscular rear. Strong thick tail. Positive mover