Sunderland & District Canine Society

Sunderland and District Canine Society - Sunday 28th November 2021

Beagles, Deerhounds and handling classes

Thank you to the Officers and Committee for the invitation to judge at this Premier Open Show, certainly one of the most popular and well-run shows in the North East. I was delighted with my entries but unfortunately, storm Arwen put a stop to most exhibitors from attending. My sincere apologies for the inexcusable delay in this critique.

Beagle Puppy (3,3)

Beagle Junior (1,1)

Beagle Post Graduate (3,3)

Beagle Open (7,6)

1. Pockinglington-Hall’s Macall Bushan. 9 year old broken tric male. Masculine head, still with super pigment and has a melting expression. Well off for bone and ribbing. Balance in angulation fore and aft. Moved well with plenty enthusiasm, holding his topline. BOB.

Deerhound Junior (2,1)

1. Constantine’s Kaleginy Syon. 10 month old bitch. Elegant bitch with a beautiful flowing outline. Feminine head, held on a strong neck of moderate length which flowed into a super front. Developing well through the body for age and had plenty strength to her hindquarters. She was very light and sound on the move, and so composed for one so young. BP.

Deerhound Graduate (3,1)

1. Constantine’s Ormanstar Cosmo at Kaleginy. 16 month old dog who is undoubtedly masculine. Rather tall and square in proportions at the moment but has time on his side to drop into his lovely frame, and is still very shapely. He is best seen on the move where he settles into his frame and was very sound and collected on the move, holding a lovely outline. It was his movement that tipped the scales in his favour.

2. Constantine’s Kwaricott Kaleginy Bettinsol. 15 month old bitch who presented a lovely outline on the stack, which I preferred to 1st. However, she was not as sound and true on the move as 1 which lost her the class.

Deerhound Open (3,1)

1. Constantine’s Kaleginy Antheia. 6 year old bitch who was so typical of a Deerhound bitch for me, stood out for type in this entry. Feminine head with soft expression, strong neck into a super front. So shapely in outline. Power hindquarters with well let down hocks. Light and easy on the move holding her outline. BOB.

2. Constantine’s Cotherstone Serenade at Kaleginy. 4 year old bitch who was very elegant and racy in appearance. Not the shape or front of 1. Moved well.

YKC Handling 6-11 years (10,5)

1. Mia Rogerson (11). A very professional and polished performance for one so young. Moving her dog at the correct pace with straight lines and neat corners. Always speaking to her dog which is so encouraging. Showed the full mouth cleanly and kindly. A super handler.

2. Unfortunately the number worn in the ring and therefore in my judging book corresponds with the dog rather than the handler, so I am unable to identify the name of the young lady from my catalogue who was second in this class handling a Welsh Pembroke Corgi. This was another super young handler who pushed the winner very hard, the only thing to separate them was that 2nd place only showed the bite when I asked to see all teeth.

3. Grace Burrell (9) handling a Bedlington Terrier.

YKC Handling 12-17 years (8,1)

1. Ashley Sutton (15) handling a Siberian Husky. This young man did very well to win this strong class of handlers, where multiple handlers did all I asked of them, in the end, it came down to who impressed me most overall by their performance. In the end, it was the quiet and calm way in which Ashley went about presenting his dog to full advantage at all times that won him the class.

2. Daisy Mason (15) handling a Miniature Smooth Haired Dachshund. As stated above, this really was a strong class of handlers, and I couldn’t fault Daisy at all. It really just came down to who’s performance left a greater impression on me.

YKC Handling 18-24 years (2)

1. Rachel Cumberland handling a Deerhound.

2. Brooke Patterson handling a Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen.

At the risk of repeating myself, it truly was a case of splitting hairs with these two young ladies. It is, however, very encouraging to have to make such difficult decisions throughout the classes. Lots of talented handlers coming through, without doubt. In this class, it came down to who had a more natural rapport with the dog and so, the scales tipped in Rachel’s favour.

Adult Handling 18-40 years (3,2)

1. Rachel Cumberland handling a Pyrenean Mountain Dog. It was apparent to me that Rachel was a super handler from her appearance with a Deerhound in the last class but the way in which she adapted her handling style to suit this young giant breed really cemented my opinion. Well done, super performances!

Adult Handling 40+ years (9,7)

1. Angela Mason handling a Miniature Smooth Haired Dachshund. A pleasing performance from Angela completing everything I asked without fault, in a friendly and understated manner. It was obvious she was at one with her dog.

2. Mandy Corbett handling a Smooth Coat Chihuahua. Unfortunately, there were times where Mandy came between me and the dog. However, Mandy gave lots of encouragement and praise to her dog throughout the class, which is of particular importance to me.