West Bromwich & Wednesbury Canine Society

WEST BROMWICH & WEDNESBURY OPEN SHOW 30.09.23

Many thanks to the Committee for giving me the opportunity to judge at this well run show. Many thanks to my stewards who worked tirelessly to keep the ring running efficiently. Thank you to all the exhibitors for giving me the pleasure of going over your hounds. 

AFGHAN HOUND. J (5,4) A lovely class to judge with some very promising youngsters. 1. Gunn’s Katanga’s God of Thunder JW. Fifteen month old black and cream male. I can see why this hound has his JW title. Masculine head and expression and masculine throughout, but without any coarseness. Good, long neck into correct shoulders. Good length from hip to hock. Good topline which he held on the move. Pushed for BOB today but just needs to mature a little more, then I’m sure he will take top awards. RBOB. 2. Heritage, Heritage, Kirwan & Kirwan’s Jazzmeenah Jelena. Fourteen month old pale gold bitch. Pretty head and expression with lovely dark pigment. Well balanced with good front and rear angulation. Moved a little erratically at first, but when settled she was sound and moved well. Another hound who shows promise. It will be interesting to see how she matures. Drage’s Zendushkas Born to Run. PG (1) 1. Heritage’s Jazzmeenah Rohan Blaze. Thirteen month old gold dog. He was a little unsettled at first, possibly due to the noisy hall, but soon settled. Good masculine head and expression. Good front assembly with balanced rear angulation. I would prefer him to be carrying a little less weight, especially over his shoulders which gives him the appearance of having a slightly loaded shoulder, which he doesn’t have. When settled, he moved well with drive. Just needs to lengthen his stride a little, which should come with increased maturity and confidence. O (3,1) 1. Tanner, Tanner & Link’s Rhajikhan Athena of Aleyazar. Two year old silver grey brindle bitch. Balanced and feminine throughout without being too flashy. Presented immaculately in very good coat. Pretty, feminine head with lovely dark pigment. Good neck into well angulated front assembly. Correct topline which she held on the move. Moved smoothly with drive. Pleased to award her BOB. 2. Sharp’s Affyneeta Rhapsody in Blue. Almost thirteen month old cream domino dog. Unplaced in the strong junior class. At that awkward puppy into junior stage which often isn’t very flattering in large, slow maturing hounds. Front assembly needs to strengthen, which may happen as he matures and his chest drops. Movement was a little erratic but OK when settled. Needs time to develop and grow into himself.

BASENJI. J (2) 1. Clinton’s Akmar Napatan Gold for Westlawn. Nine month old tri bitch. Up to height but well balanced and in proportion. Lovely head and expression with correct, dark pigment. Good neck into well placed shoulder. Moved well with a nice long stride. She has that ‘look at me’ attitude and ring presence which helped her to win today. Pleased to award her RBOB, BP and fourth in the Puppy Group. 2. Carrington’s Ambertail’s Heels on New Shores at Sinjiba (Imp Can). Nine month old red and white dog. Good size. Presented a balanced outline on the table. Although he’s a similar age to 1 he’s not as mature and needs time to develop. He seemed a little unsettled in the noisy hall today and didn’t move with as much drive as 1. PG (no entries). O (2) 1. Nash’s Ch Tokaji Moon Over Miami with Mutoko JW. Five year old tri bitch. I wasn’t at all surprised to find out that this hound is a champion. She oozes quality. Very well presented and handled. Super head and expression with correct earset and carriage. She won on her overall balance and her movement which was effortless, with that typical swinging gait. Very pleased to award her BOB and third in the Group. 2. Carington’s Ch Bushwacker Oceans Eleven. Two year old tri dog. Another worthy champion but unlucky to meet 1 today. Well balanced when standing, with correct front and rear angulation. In good, muscular condition. Preferred the head and expression of the winner. Moved well in side profile but not with as much drive as one.

BEAGLE. P (2) 1. Wenman’s Wenannou Valentina. Seven month old red and white bitch. Pretty, feminine hound with a lovely soft, kind expression. Presented a balanced outline without any exaggeration. Correct topline and underline. Good bone with nice straight front legs into good feet. Moved very well for one so young. Used her stern well on the move. 2. Banks’ Forgebanks Santiano. Red and white dog at just six months old today. Heavier boned that 1 but still balanced without exaggeration. Good outline with balanced angulation front and rear. His first show today so he’s still very raw and obviously needs to mature. Showing lots of promise and I’m sure that with more ringcraft training and experience he will do well. 3. Whitton’s Haggatty Callisto. J (5,4) Wenman’s Wenannou Vader. Seven month old tri dog. Litter brother to the winner of the puppy class. Lovely head and expression with very good earset and carriage. Good front assembly with balanced rear angulation. Good straight front legs into correct feet. Moved well and handled well. Won this class on his overall balance and movement which was sound and true. Very pleased to award him RBOB, BP and first in the Puppy Group. 2.Banks’ Forgebanks Santiano (see previous class). 3. Whitton’s Haggatty Bonafide. PG (3,1) 1. Caple’s Morsefield Laura Ashley. Nineteen month old tri bitch. Lots to like about this pretty bitch. Feminine head and expression. Balanced outline with good angulation front and rear. Good front assembly with straight front legs, however she tended to toe in very slightly today. Good length of ribbing and correct underline. Well set stern which she used well on the move. O (1) 1. Caple’s Morsefield Mudlark ShCEx. Handsome four year old tri dog. Solidly built hound with plenty of bone but without any coarseness. Still looks as though he could do a day’s work. Presented a balanced outline with good angulation front and rear. Masculine head and expression. Good front assembly with straight front legs. Correct length of ribbing into strong loin. Strong, well-muscled rear giving him plenty of drive. Moved straight and true. A very happy chap with plenty of character. Very pleased to award him BOB and second in the Group.

BORZOI. J (no entries). PG (1) 1. Johnson’s Viridis Pink Floyd. Four year old dog. Upstanding hound. Masculine head and expression with correctly chiselled lines and visible veining. Well balanced outline with adequate front and rear angulation. Straight front legs into correct feet. Well-muscled rear which looked as though it could provide the required effortless, powerful movement. However, he didn’t move that well today and may have benefited if the handler moved with a longer stride. BOB. O (1) Johnson’s Viridis Pink Floyd (see previous class).

DACHSHUND (LH). J (no entries). PG (1) 1. Barnicott & Pascoe’s Delsaux Lady Madonna of Fahoogle. Attractive, seventeen month old, black and tan bitch. Presented a balanced outline with good topline and underline with enough ground clearance. Correct, conical head. Ears set on high. Pleasing expression with dark eyes. Well angulated front assembly. I would prefer a slightly more prominent breast bone but she still has time to develop. She was a little reticent on the move but when she got going she moved OK. Stood alone but still a worthy winner of BOB. O (no entries).

DACHSHUND (MLH). J (1,0). PG (no entries) O (1) 1. Larden’s Bronia Red Ruby. Four year old red bitch. Feminine head and expression with dark eyes and conical, tapering head. Good underline and topline which she held on the move. Presented a balanced outline in profile. Moved OK but not with as much drive as I would have liked. Stood alone but still a worthy winner of BOB.

DACHSHUND (SH). J (1) 1. Graham’s Marvale Chancellor at Ravold. Fourteen month old black and tan dog. Presented a balanced outline in profile. Very masculine, houndy head and expression with lovely dark eyes and strong underjaw. Good topline which he held on the move. Well angulated and well muscled rear which he used well on the move. Stood alone but still a worthy winner of BOB. PG (no entries). O (1) 1. Graham’s Marvale Chancellor at Ravold (see above).

DACHSHUND (MSH). J (no entries). PG (no entries). O (no entries)

DACHSHUND (WH) J (8,6) A great class to judge. I was splitting hairs between the first few places, especially first and second. 1. Ward’s Nasiriyah’s Lavender at Morlanow. Ten month old bitch. Lots to like about this youngster. Presented a balanced with no exaggeration. Lovely head and expression with correct, conical head. Dark eyes and well set ears. Well arched neck into good front assembly. Good topline which she held on the move. Well angulated rear which she used well on the moved. Moved straight and true. Very pleased to award her RBOB and BP. 2. Graham’s Boloria Wild Spice. Seventeen month old bitch. Very close to 1 and many of the same comments apply. She too had a good head and expression with correct, conical head. Well arched neck into good front assembly. Good topline which she held on the move. Moved straight and true. 3. Clayton-Smith’s Cairparavel Hartnell. PG (3) 1. Graham’s Boloria Wild Spice (second in previous class). 2. Hunt’s Boloria’s Tetley’s Tea Cake at Drakkina. Three year old bitch. Obviously more mature than the winner. Good head and expression. Well set ears. Good neck into good shoulder assembly. Tended to turn her feet out slightly more than I would prefer. Moved well with purpose. 3. Farrington’s Dollydash Defender of Faith. O (3,2) 1. Smith’s Salixian Eau Rouge. Six year old dog. Won this on his movement and overall balance. Good head and expression with adequate face furnishings. Good underline and topline which he held on the move. Moved straight and true with purpose. BOB. 2. Hunt’s Weinacht Larch at Drakkina JW. Five year old dog. Slightly longer cast than 1 but still balanced. Lovely head furnishings with correct, conical head. Adequate front angulation. Would prefer slightly more return of upper arm. Moved well but not one hundred percent even today.

DACHSHUND (MWH) J (3) 1.Dance’s Emem Hazel Sunshine. Seven month old puppy bitch. Lots to like about this youngster. Lovely head and expression with correct, conical head. Good length of neck into correct front assembly. Correct underline with enough ground clearance. Correct topline which she held on the move. Well angulated rear quarters. Tail set on well and carried correctly on the move. Moved very well with drive and purpose. Very pleased to award her BP and second in the Puppy Group. 2. Emem Hope For Sunshine. Litter sister to 1 and many of the same comments apply. Another lovely head and expression with correct, conical head. Good length of neck into correct front assembly. Correct underline with enough ground clearance. Correct topline which she held on the move. Not quite as confident today as her sister and didn’t move with as much drive and purpose. Nevertheless, a promising puppy. 3. Moss & Silvester’s Griffingate I Have A Dream. PG (2) 1. Gilkes’ Dereheath Just the Tonic at Birichino. Twenty-one month old bitch. She was a little reticent on the table today which affected her outline, but she was more settled on the floor. Presented a balanced outline with good angulation front and rear. Feminine, attractive head and expression. Good underline and topline which she held on the move. Moved well with drive and purpose. RBOB. 2. Phillips’ Gulliagh Loganberry of Robinswood (IKC). Five year old dog. Lots to like about this young man. Good topline and underline with plenty of ground clearance. Balanced angulation. He could do with a little more weight as he was a bit ribby today. Moved well but not with quite as much drive as 1. O (4) 1. Dance’s Letty Bee Sunshine JW. Two year old bitch with bags of personality. Lovely, feminine hound. Balanced with no exaggeration. Good front and rear assembly. Correct underline and topline which she held well on the move. Moved with tons of drive and purpose. Very pleased to award this little ray of sunshine BOB and first in the Group. 2. Gilkes’ Dereheath Shaken Not Stirred at Birichino. Twenty-one month old dog. Litter brother to the winner of the previous class. Another hound with lots to like. He has a good head with lovely dark eyes. Well balanced. Moved well but needs to strengthen slightly in his rear movement. 3. Phillips’ Birichino Barley of Robinswood.

AVNSC HOUND. P (1,0). J (2,2) 1. Larden’s Wazifi Adira Afiyah (Saluki). Seventeen month old cream bitch. Understandably she spooked at the clapping and cheering in the adjacent ring. This made her A little unsettled when standing but she settled when moving. Very pretty head and expression with adequate dark pigmentation. Well balanced. Good depth of brisket. Moved well. Reserve Best AVSNC. 2. Prior’s Houndseeker Dauntless (Bloodhound). Fourteen month old dog. He has a lovely long, narrow head with correct proportions and soft expression. Loose, elastic skin. Well boned but needs more body and condition to complete the picture. He slipped on the floor today and this made his movement very erratic and uneven. I judged this dog when he was a puppy. At that time I said that he was a promising hound and I think that is still the case. However, he is going through that awkward gangly junior stage which, hopefully, he will grow out of. He needs time and careful exercise to develop and grow into himself. PG (3,2) 1. Dawson’s Hydebeck Heart of Gold at Graefyn (Irish Wolfhound). Two year old dog. Large, upstanding hound. Although he is big, he is balanced, with adequate bone. Lovely head and expression. Adequate angulation front and rear. Tended to turn his left foot out slightly. When settled he moved powerfully with a long stride. 2. Prior’s Houndseeker Dauntless (Bloodhound) see previous class. O (1) 1. Morland’s Zoraden Love Man JW (Greyhound). Seven year old dog. This veteran is well muscled and in very good condition for his age. Presented a balanced outline, covering plenty of ground. Good angulation front and rear. Lovely head and expression. Well arched neck. Adequate slope to his pasterns. Good, well knuckled feet. Move effortlessly with a powerful, ground covering stride. Best AVNSC.

AV HOUND VETERAN (8,8) A fabulous class of veteran hounds. All of them are a credit to their owners. 1. Link’s Ch/Ir/Ned/Int Ch Popovs Bora Bora at Orashan JW (Imp Nld) (Afghan Hound). This nine year old bitch is still in top form. She certainly doesn’t look her age. Very well presented in fabulous coat and condition. Beautiful head and expression with a far reaching gaze. Presented a balanced outline with good angulation front and rear. Correct topline which she held on the move. Low set, ring tail. Moved effortlessly with a long, springy stride covering lots of ground. Best Veteran Hound. 2. Wayman’s Creme Anglaises One More Knight at Scarletfair (Imp Ned) (Whippet). Seven year old dog. In fit and muscular condition. A good size, not too big but still masculine. Lovely head and expression with correct ear set and carriage. Presented a balanced outline with curves in all the right places. Moved very well with straight and true action and accurate footfall. 3. Whitaker-Crosby’s Cobyco Could Be The Last At Mulcair JW ShCM (Whippet).

AV IMPORTED REGISTER HOUND. J (no entries). PG (1) 1. Russell’s Raekune Hillbilly Rock at Ulverlei (B&T Coonhound). Twenty-two month old dog. Promising hound. Just coming out of that awkward junior stage. Clearly not fully matured yet, but lots to like about him. Presented a balanced outline. Clean head with no wrinkle. Lovely, low set ears. Good front and rear angulation with straight front legs. Moved well with ground-covering drive. Best Imported Register Hound. O (1) 1. Gunn’s Stonemartin Ailbe With Katanga (IKC) (Azawakh). Pretty three year old bitch. Most feminine head and expression. Balanced, moderate front and rear angulation. Correct underline and topline. Moved with the breed’s typical light gait. Pushed hard for Best Import but, even allowing for the breed’s reserved temperament, she didn’t move as well today as I’m certain she can. Reserve Best Imported Register Hound.

HOUND GROUP. It was a pleasure to judge this lovely hound group with plenty of quality. My top four could easily swap places on another day. The winner won on her overall quality and balance and even though she was the smallest in the group she had biggest ring presence. See above for individual critiques for first to third. 1. Dance’s Letty Bee Sunshine JW (MWH Dachshund). 2. Caple’s Morsefield Mudlark ShCEx (Beagle). 3. Nash’s Ch Tokaji Moon Over Miami with Mutoko JW (Basenji). 4. Wayman’s Ranveli Beach Boy at Scrarletfair (Whippet). This three year old male won his place on his movement which was straight and true with plenty of drive. Presented a balanced outline. Stylish but not overdone in any way.

HOUND PUPPY GROUP Another quality group which was a pleasure to judge. See above for critiques for first, second and fourth. The winning puppy won on his balance and movement. Definitely one to watch. 1. Wenman’s Wanannou Vader (Beagle). 2. Dance’s Emem Hazel Sunshine (MWH Dachshund). 3. Higginbottom’s Ranveli Royal Duke of Dawnsafon (Whippet). This nine month old dog won his place on his graceful and elegant movement. Balanced and very settled for one so young. 4. Clinton’s Akmar Napatan Gold for Westlawn.

Judge: Dee Blatchford