Ruthin Canine Society

Many thanks to the Committee for giving me the opportunity to judge at this well run show. Many thanks to my steward, Stuart, 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. Some of the larger hounds were affected by the slightly slippery floor but I made allowances for this when judging. 

AFGHAN HOUND. PG. (3, 1) 1. Parker’s Saxonmill Majic Moment at Khatira. Handsome black and tan dog. Almost two years old so still has plenty of maturing to do. Very promising. Correct head with good length of muzzle and typical expression. Lovely low set ears with long leathers. Strong, arched neck into a well-laid shoulder. Straight forelegs with elbows tucked well under. Good topline which he held well on the move. He was one of the hounds slightly affected by the slippery floor but he took it all in his lovely long stride, covering the ground with ease. He won this on his movement and especially on his overall ring presence. BOB & Group 2. 2. Hughes’ Alishan Sensa Una Donna at Natmelan (Imp Fra). Attractive two year old black bitch. Presented a pleasing outline when stacked. Good dark eye and lovely long, strong neck into a good topline. Good length from hip to hock but a fraction too long between hock and foot. Rear movement was a little erratic today and she didn’t move with as much drive and power as 1. RBOB. 

BASSET FAUVE DE BRETAGNE. O (2,1) 1. Humphrey’s Blevwil Kept Me Secret for Gloynbyw. Seven year old bitch. Her age showed in her grey whiskers but definitely not in her condition and movement. Correct head, well set ears and lovely dark pigment. Well balanced with good feet and pasterns. Moved with drive. BOB. 

BASSET GRIFFON VENDEEN (PETIT). PG (1) 1. Whiting’s Erylan Bohemian Rhapsody at Glanbeuno. Feminine 20 month old bitch. Obviously, at this age she still has a lot of maturing to do. A little unsettled at first, I think due to a dog barking very loudly just outside the ring. Lovely head and expression with good dark eyes and dark pigment. Well angulated front, into good feet and pasterns. A little untidy in front when moving but moved well with plenty of drive. BOB. O (1) 1. Whiting’s Tangaer Enigma at Glanbeuno. 5 year old bitch with attractive head and expression. Good dark pigment with well set ears. Front assembly OK but affected slightly by her long toe nails which made her appear to be down on her pasterns. Good topline into well set tail which she used well on the move. RBOB. 

BEAGLE. J (2) 1. Webster’s Rossut Vizier for Houndscoast. 1 year old tan and white dog. Typical youngster full of mischief and providing a challenge for his handler today. Masculine, houndy head with correct proportions. Well boned and well muscled. Balanced outline with correct front assembly. Good topline into well set tail which he used well on the move. Moved freely with drive. A promising young hound. RBOB. 2. Greenough’s Tevelens Anna Gram. Attractive, 11 month old tri bitch. Still very much a puppy and very raw. Needs to mature, especially in her head (skull) which is a little narrow. Having said that she is a promising puppy Longer cast than 1 but well balanced with a good topline. Moved well for her age with enough drive 1. BP & Puppy Group 4 PG (3,1) 1.Greenough’s Tevelen’s Abba Tribute. 4 year old tri bitch. Pretty head with a soft expression. Well set ears with good length. Balanced outline. Good feet and pasterns. Moved straight and true holding her tail well on the move. 2. Bidey’s Redcap The Courier JW. 2 year old masculine tri dog. Heavier throughout than 1 with plenty of bone. Slightly large in backskull giving a slightly unbalance appearance to his head. Hopefully this is just a stage and will balance out as he matures. Well balanced angulation Good topline which he held well on the move. Held his tail well, if a little high at times. Moved OK but not with quite as much precision and drive as 1. O (2) 1. Webster’s Michelroy Pimpernell With Houndscoast JW. 4 year old tan and white bitch. Not at all flashy but a very sound, workmanlike hound. Feminine head and expression. Well balanced angulation. Good length of ribbing. Good topline which she held on the move. Moved with attitude and drive. Handled very well. BOB. 2. Thomas’ Terina’s Man of Mischief. 4 year old tri dog. Heavier set especially over his shoulders which makes his neck look slightly short. Well balanced outline with enough angulation. Good topline and tailset. Moved OK but not with as much drive as 1 and didn’t always carry his tail well today. 

BLOODHOUND. J (1). 1. Prior’s Houndseeker Dauntless. Very handsome 11 month old tan dog. Well balanced outline covering plenty of ground. Lovely long, narrow head with correct proportions and soft expression. Loose skin with no exaggeration. Well boned with good feet and strong pasterns. Moved well with a typical elastic gait. A promising hound. Stood alone today but I was pleased to award him BOB, BP and Puppy Group 3. 

BORZOI. J (1) 1. Haywood & Mannay’s Rosskaja Lady in Red of Sterrannacht. Red and white bitch. Just 12 months old and still very raw and immature. Very finely built throughout. Pretty but lacking the appearance of strength and power which is essential in a coursing hound. Attractive head with good chiselling and veining. Adequate depth of brisket. She was being a challenge to her handler today and moved a little erratically at first. But when settled she moved straight and true. PG (4,1) 1. Raczka’s Prime Rubin Castor (Imp Hun). Upstanding 2 year old male. Lovely dark pigment. Houndy, masculine head with typical aristocratic, aloof expression. Well balanced throughout with good angulation front and rear. Good body with good length of ribbing and lovely deep chest. Good feet and correct sloping pasterns. Good width and power in his hind quarters. Correct topline which he held on the move. Moved with drive. Pleased to award him BOB & Group 4. 2. Thomas’ Mischran Asherah at Mournebrake. Feminine two and half year old bitch. Another good hound. Workmanlike without coarseness. Presented in good condition with good muscle tone. Well balanced with enough angulation front and rear. Attractive, elegant head with correct proportions. Moved well but not with quite as much drive as 1 today. 3. Turner’s Chalksville Katerina. O (3) 1. Raczka’s Jamarqui Alchemy Argent. Handsome, upstanding 4 year old dog. Well balanced hound with good angulation front and rear. Lovely dark markings and good dark pigment. Houndy, masculine head. Good front assembly. Moved tentatively to begin with – possible due to the slightly slippery floor – which made him drop his topline a little. He settled enough for me to see that he could move well with plenty of drive. Won this class on his overall balance and ring presence. Close decision between him and his kennel mate for best of breed. RBOB. 2. Donnelly’s Donskoi Ivanoff. Veteran 7 year old dog. In good condition for his age. Well angulated with good width in rear quarters. Presented a balanced outline. Good feet and pasterns. Moved OK but not with as much drive as 1. 3. Donnelly’s Serenfol Amelia. 

DACHSHUND (LH). J (1) 1. Lewis’ Trixhund Allo Allo. 11 month old bitch. Lots to like about this hound. She has ring presence without being flashy or overdone in any way. Well balanced with correct underline and topline. Excellent sternum and lovely deep keel with good ground clearance. Correct conical head and lovely soft expression. Moved with drive. Presented very well. RBOB, BP and Puppy Group 2. O (1) 1. Lewis’ Trixhund Madness. Atrractive 15 month old bitch. Another quality and very promising hound from this kennel. Well balanced and looks like she could do the job for which she was intended. Feminine head and expression. Correct topline and underline with good ground clearance. Excellent sternum and correct front assembly. Very good feet. Correct topline which she held on the move. Moved with drive and ‘look at me’ attitude. Very pleased to award her BOB and Group 1. 

DACHSHUND (MLH). J (1) 1. Dalton’s Zilcan Crème Caramel. 8 month old bitch. Very pretty head and expression. Well balanced with adequate angulation front and rear. Moved with drive. Stacked and showed very well for one so young. Well handled. Stood alone but I was happy to award her BOB and BP. 

DACHSHUND (MSH). J (4) 1. Leyland’s Beardsworth Bright. 8 month old bitch. Close decision between 1 and 2 in this class. This hound won on her head and expression. Well balanced with good front assembly and correct sternum. Adequate ground clearance. Good topline which she held on the move. Moved with attitude and drive. BP. 2. Gleave’s Stargang Pink Floyd at Ryneco. 11 month old dog. Although older than 1 he’s still very raw and has lots of maturing to do. However, showing lots of promise. Lovely front assembly and correct sternum. Moved well with enough drive. Needs to tighten in front movement but that should come with age. 3. Rose’s Dandyjan Sunday Girl. PG (5,1) 1. Hutchings & Price’s Collidach Splish Splash. Attractive 2 year old bitch. Not overdone in any way. Balanced outline with correct angulation. Pretty head and expression. Moved steady and true with enough drive. RBOB. 2. Dalton’s Llansansior’s Miss Muffin. 2 year old bitch. Another balanced hound with nothing overdone. Correct conical head with pleasing expression. Good sternum and adequate ground clearance. Well handled and moved well. 3. Eisen’s Duchess Lou at Crankwoods. O (1) Russell’s Foxearth Tiger Roll. 2 year old dog. Full of character. Good topline and underline with good ground clearance. Very houndy, masculine head and expression. Good feet and pasterns. Moved with attitude and drive. BOB. 

DACHSHUND (WH) J (2) 1. Dickinson’s Sonham Double Trouble at Dakotadax. 7 month old old. Well balanced hound. Caught my eye with his ring presence. Not flashy or overdone in any way. Handsome head and expression with excellent dark pigment. Good keel and sternum with good front assembly. Good topline into well-set tail which he held well on the move. Moved with attitude and drive. BOB & BP. 2. Russell & Hutching’s Collidach Russell Leeves. Lovely 14 month old dog. Seemed to be enjoying his day out – his tail didn’t stop wagging! Well balanced with good front assembly. Slightly longer in head than one, but still in correct proportion. Good underline and topline. Moved OK but not quite as settled as 1. PG (3,1) 1. Hutching’s Collidach Raynee Day. 13 month old bitch. Another promising hound. Lovely temperament – a very happy girl. Presented a balanced outline. Good balanced angulation with correct front assembly. Houndy but still feminine head and expression. Moved well. O (3,2) 1. Hutching’s Ch Collidach Brook Ling. 3 year old bitch. Stood alone but still a worthy winner. Lots to like about this bitch and I can see why she’s a champion. Well balanced throughout with correct angulation. Good sternum and keel with correct ground clearance. Well presented in good condition. She pushed hard for BOB but flattened her topline in the challenge today and lost out to the younger male. RBOB.

HAMILTONSTÖVARE. J (1) 1. Hough’s Secret Agent with Sufayre. Handsome 7 month old dog. Well balanced in outline. Lovely head and expression with correctly set ears. Colour definition fairly clear but should clear more as he matures. Good front assembly with straight front legs into sloping pasterns and good feet. Correct topline. Tail well set and carried correctly on the move. Moved OK but would like to see him move with a little more drive. A promising puppy. BOB & BP. 

WHIPPET. J (6,1) 1. Lloyd’s Jothryn Beyond Blonde Avec Pewincoed. Pretty fawn and white 14 month old bitch. Not overdone in any way. Well balanced with good front assembly and balanced rear angulation. Correct topline which she held on the move. Moved well with drive. RBOB. 2. Disley’s Falconcrag Headover Heels with Snowleana. Attractive 12 month old bitch. Close decision between first and second. Lovely outline with curves in all the right places. She moved well but was a little untidy in her front movement today. She didn’t have quite as much ring presence as one but she is a promising youngster. 3. Ryan’s Sylleka Firebird at Riocife. Unfortunately no puppy class scheduled today. At just 11 months old this promising brindle and white bitch was the only unbeaten puppy. She held her own against the older hounds. Unexaggerated with a pleasing outline. Moved well. Pleased to award her BP. PG (6,1) 1. Lloyd’s Barnesmore Fairy Snow Via Pewincoed. Pretty 21 month old fawn brindle bitch. Presented a balanced outline. Houndy with nothing overdone in any way. Lovely head and expression with correct proportions. Correct topline. Good depth of brisket and length in ribbing. Well angulated rear which she used to move effortlessly with plenty of drive. BOB and Group 3. 2. Disley’s Snowleana Greta Garbo. Pretty 4 year old fawn and white bitch. Balanced when stacked. Good length of neck, well angulated fore quarters. Good depth of chest with ribbing extending well back. Well muscled. Moved well when settled but didn’t quite have as much ring presence as 1 today. Ryan’s Sylleka Sashay Away at Riocife. O (3) 1. Lloyd’s Sail On Sailor To Penwincoed. Handsome 5 year old dark fawn dog. Understated but very well balanced. Good head into strong neck and well placed shoulder. Well muscled and well presented. Good feet. Moved straight and true with enough drive. 2. Blake’s Silkridge In A Moment at Mazargo. Attractive 2 year old fawn brindle bitch. Longer cast than 1 her length is correctly in her ribbing. Pretty, feminine head into long, strong neck. Moved a little erratically at first but when settled she was OK. Plenty of width behind which she used well on the move. 3. Birch’s Bethwill Time For Change. 

AVNSC HOUND. J (1) 1. Harding & Cowley’s Classicus Florentia at Ashani. Attractive 17 month old black tan and white Saluki bitch. Very attractive head and expression with lovely dark pigment. Good feathering on her ears. Well balanced with good front assembly and balanced rear angulation. Good feet with correctly sloping pasterns. Good topline which she held on the move. Moved well with enough drive. BAVNSC.

HOUND GROUP. A lovely hound group with plenty of quality. My top 4 could easily swap places on another day. The winner won on her overall quality and balance. See above for individual critiques 1. Lewis’ Trixhund Madness (LH Dachshund). 2. Parker’s Saxonmill Majic Moment at Khatira (Afghan). Lloyd’s Barnesmore Fairy Snow Via Pencoed (Whippet). 4. Racza’s Prime Rubin Castor (Imp Hun) (Borzoi).

HOUND PUPPY GROUP Another quality group. See above for critiques for second, third and fourth. 1. Kxoxo I’m Old Fashioned For Colkeririn (Imp Fin) (Ridgeback). Very promising 12 month old dog. Well balanced. Houndy and workmanlike without any coarseness. Good head and expression with correctly set ears. Correct front assembly into straight front legs with gently sloping pasterns. Won this group on his movement and balance. 2. Lewis’ Trixhund Allo Allo (LH Dachshund). 3. Prior’s Houndseeker Dauntless (Bloodhound). 4. Greenough’s Tevelen’s Anna Gram (Beagle). AV Hound Junior (3,2) 1. Kehoe & Phillips’ Kekoa King Midas of Luanda at Redcrown (Imp Svk). Handsome 14 month old Ridgeback dog. Very exuberant and being a challenge for his handler today. When settled he presented a balanced outline. Good front assembly and adequate rear angulation. Good straight front legs into slightly sloping pasterns and good feet. Moved straight and true. AV Hound Veteran (5,2) 1. Bidey’s Raimex Rio. 7 year old Beagle bitch who certainly didn’t look her age. Presented in good condition, well muscled and not carrying any excess weight. Moved very well. 2. Donnelly’s Donskoi Ivanoff (Borzoi) (see critique above). 3. Humphrey’s Blevwil Drop Dead Gorgeous Avec Gloynbyw ShCM. 10 year old Basset Fauve de Bretagne.