Welsh Kennel Club

Thank you to the Welsh Kennel Club for this judging appointment. Special thanks to the Committee and Stewards and to the exhibitors who chose to travel and exhibit under me. I was pleased to see the boys all looked suitable masculine and the girls with finer features. Not always the case.

Veteran Dog: Mr & Mrs Simms - CH Seasara Earl Grey - BOB, CC & BV 7 yr old boy. Came into the ring full of assurance. Strong movement front & rear. Correct shoulder lay and loveley profile. This dog is built exactly as he should be. A very striking dog. I judged him as a youngster when he was starting out. I liked him then and maturity has not altered my opinion of him. Although now a veteran still managed to beat all competition to the DCC & BOB. Very satisfying to see him shortlisted in the group.

Puppy Dog: Mr & Mrs Benner - Barbelka Devilishy Divine (Ai) - PD At only 7 mths this boy a little unsure is still learning his showmanship. Just at that slightly long leggy stage and will balance out niceley when he matures a little more. We all know there is a vast difference in appearance month to month in puppies so look forward to seeing him out and about later in the year. Covered the ground well and has beautiful dark muzzle and ears. Neat feet totally fit for purpose and a tight tail.

Graduate Dog: 1st - Mr & Mrs Benner - Graythor Loves the Luxor - Confident young man who moved evenly covering good ground. Strong topline with high tail set. Good movement front and rear with neat feet. 2nd -Graythor Broadway - Slighty darker in coat than 1st showed promise when he was incined to pull it together but disinclined to cooperate on the day. Managed well by handler, its not easy when they've 'forgotton to read the manual '.

Limit Dog: Mr & Mrs Sims - Aftonlee Aros at Elverdal - 3yr old. Delight to watch on the move, this dog was enjoying himself, strong drive on the move. Great head in profile and just the right amount of bone in legs. Nicely angulated in the rear and neat tidy feet.

Open Dog: 1st - Mrs Cowper & Mrs Bingham - Graythor Augustus At Rothoenborg RDCC - Still only 19 months old a dog that has already had several successes in his career so far. He moved well with ease and looked as if he had enough stamina for a long hunt. very nicely balanced front & rear with tidy neat feet, so appropriate for hunting. Strong head with correct prportions. Hamdsome expression. Very fit and just the right amount of muscle you can tell this dog has a lot of free running exercise. Pushed hard for ticket but beaten by Veteran on the day. 2nd - Mr & Mrs Gold - CH Graythor At the Venetian with Lassah - Heavier build than 1st he exudes masculinity. strong neck and square when stood. Moved well. 3yrs old and a long career ahead of him. 3rd - Mrs T Maun - CH Bowerhinton Bassanio

Puppy Bitch: 1st. Mr & Mrs Tyson - Bowerhinton Bright Flame at Starcelyon - BP & BPIB - 8mth extremely feminine bitch. sparkly eyes. Loveley dark muzzle, soft trusting gaze from sparkly eyes. Paid avid attention to handler and was pleased to award BP in breed. 2nd. Ms Barganska - Barbelka Dauntless Spirit (Ai) - Petite youngster, out of coat and was lacking in confidence was outshone by 1st

Junior Bitch: Mr & Mrs Middleton - Kamgaard Kadence at Graythor - Just a year old this young lady was obsessed with smells from the ground. (what else would an Elkhound do!) Gave 'flashes' of good strong movement. Colouring was moderately light and she was very feminine overall. Good ears and smart feet.

Limit Bitch: 1st. Mrs T Maun - Bowerhinton Blackbird - RCC - Very smart girl from a well kown kennel. She is a prime example of what we have come to expect from this breeder. Striking movement and clear colour of coat. Well balanced, strong neck, correct shoulder placement with good front, holds a good topline and tail set, lovely rear angulation, and her movement good. 2nd. Ms Barganska - Cealdstan Ancestral Voices of Barbelka (Ai) - unfortunately this young lady was out of coat and clearly not happy on the day. I know she was not well later in the day also so perhaps the long journey and heat contributed to her lack of performance.

Open Bitch: 1st. Ms Simmonds & Mott - Am CH Kamgaard Klementina - CC, RBOB - Anther 3yr old this girl, she is beautifully proportioned and I found her movement and silhouette excellent. Balanced with straight topline, short muscular loin and curled tail set on high. Good head with dark foreface and loveley profile. Just the right amount of bone she moved effortlessly. Presented well. Pushed hard for BOB. 2nd. Mrs J Brown - CH Laakso Cara - This lady is now nearly a veteran at 6.5yr old. Shame she was not in full coat and challenged by such a beauty. She should do well in veteran classes. Elkhounds are one of the few breeds where veterans more than hold their own belying their age.

Christine Gilbert