South Wales Kennel Association

SOUTH WALES KA CHAMPIONSHIP SHOW 2024

DACHSHUND (WIRE-HAIRED)

Judge: Daniel Roberts (Swansford)

This was the first time that South Wales had CC’s on offer for Wires & I was delighted to be invited to judge this variety at one of my favourite shows. Indeed it was back in 1997 when I awarded my first set of CC’s which was for this society back when the event was held in the summer at Crick. Today at Builth in October it has to be said it was rather fresh & in the days leading up to the show I had the dreaded ‘Man Flu’ leaving me feeling far from top form & at one point I really didn’t think I would make it, my apologies for maybe not feeling on top form, all wrapped up & heading for home as soon as we where done. My amazing Steward was also suffering but we go through a decent entry in good time

As usual I take individual notes on each exhibit to reflect my decisions on the day, no past performance or record is ever taken into account, dogs are judged at that moment in time just as it should be & for those who just look at results & judge results without witnessing performance & decisions as they happen will potentially never understand why & easily jump to conclusions. I’m not a mouth fanatic but even for me several bites where not acceptable. Here I felt the quality throughout the bitches was far higher than the boys & judging to type was quite a challenge. Our new standard calling for moderation & not exaggeration can sometimes be difficult to put your interpretation to, especially when you have been brought up & educated on ‘Long, Low & Level’. You will all know me by now & that I do like length & I certainly don’t like length of leg but at the same time I do like some ground clearance. I found several that pleased me greatly & even when your feeling rough, the outgoing nature, wagging tails & characters of this variety can only make you smile & this is what I had here. Should we get hung up on soundness & do they need to be parallel & precise?. I was taught from a very early age that ‘Type’ is the major factor with consistency, after all you can have a sound cross bred that does not resemble any breed. All where beautifully presented & the work you put into their coats & presentation without doubt is a real credit to you all & finally it’s lovely to judge a well muscled variety, you clearly exercise your hounds & this certainly shows!

Veteran Dog NO ENTRIES

Minor Puppy Dog (1)

1st: MCCALMONT Covellyn's Cecil at Silvae (Imp Che), Oh my days how I loved this 6 month baby, for me he was exactly the type I was looking for, stunning head & expression , well arched neck leading into very good shoulders, very good legs & feet, ribbing is long & well developed for his tender age, strong loins, tail correctly set & carried at all times, well made hammy quarters on strong hocks. For his age he was extremely sound coming & going & his stride in profile was exceptional. He was in my top three for the final awards, should walk his title & without any doubt will be extremely useful to the variety. A real star in the making, BPD

Puppy Dog (1)

1st:   BEAGRIE Feldhund Moonlight, 10 month boy that I recently awarded Best Puppy In Show to & my opinion hasn’t changed. Very good head & expression, strong jaws, dark almond shaped eyes, well arched neck leading into good shoulders, love his body & proportions, firm topline & correct underline, excels in quarters which he uses so well on the move. Ultra sound going away here but not as tidy as The MP coming towards me in front. Looks great in profile retaining a lovely outline & his coat & presentation is perfection, with any justice will go onto brighter things

Junior Dog (4)

1st: BINKS Tannahill Wild Day, The overall shape & profile movement gave this 15 month the class, loved his head & expression, dark almond shaped eyes & the strongest of jaws, good strong neck which he uses so well to project himself in profile, plenty of forechest, tight elbows. Ribbing extends well back & is deep & well sprung, firm backline & strong loins. For me he excels in quarters with the correct length of second thigh on firm & strong hocks. Ultra sound going away if a little untidy coming towards me here. In profile he shows correct reach & follow through from behind whilst retaining all that is good about him

2nd:MOUNTFORD Lallybrook Royale Jester, 12 month B/T looked better moving than stacked, wonderful head & expression, correct ratio’s from muzzle to skull, enough neck, shoulders & upper arm just not matching 1, longer in body than 1 which I do like & it’s in proportion with very good ribbing, correct top & underlines & good strong loins. Another who excels in quarters & this again shows in his precise action going away & just like 1 could be cleaner coming towards me. Another who projects himself well in profile & moved at the correct speed too!

3rd: PRIOR COOPER Braithwell Branbling

Post Graduate Dog (4)

1st: CLAYTON-SMITH Cairparavel Hartnell, 18 month with the kindest expression, well arched neck, plenty of front & width throughout, tight elbows, very good body & ribbing with correct top & underlines, short strong loins leading into well muscled quarters with neat parallel hocks. I found him quite sound & precise coming & going & in profile gave exceptional drive especially from behind, such a happy chap & clearly eager to please

2nd: PUGHE & FRASER Stanegate Stefan At Bystock, quality throughout although not as bold & outgoing as 1 here today, loved his head & expression, dark almond eyes, strong jaws especially in the underjaw, well arched neck leading into well laid shoulders, correct height to length ratios, very good body & ribbing that extends well back, strong loins, ample quarters, tail correctly set. Here he was ultra sound coming & going, really extending in profile. No doubt another who looked better moving than stacked, coat & presentation is perfection

3rd: MOUNTFORD Teckelgarth Love Bug

Limit Dog (5)

1st: RUSSELL Collidach Russell Leeves, 3 year red, masculine throughout & so fit & well muscled. Very good head & dark points throughout, well arched neck leading into precise shoulders, correct upper arm & tight elbows on the best of legs & feet. Ribbing is well sprung & extends well back leading into good firm short loins. His angles behind are quite exceptional with short strong hocks to support them. He is sound enough coming & going but it’s his profile action that draws the eye, clearly demonstrating correct reach in front & super follow through from behind. All that is good about him for me out weighs any negatives & his place here was thoroughly deserved

2nd: CHRISTIE Cloudside Valentino At Decalleigh, 18 months showing more ground clearance, his coat & presentation was without doubt amazing, loved his head & expression, good strong jaws, super furnishings, long well arched neck, good shoulders, plenty of breastbone, tight elbows, shade longer in body than 1 but in proportion & I like length!. Ribbing is deep & extends well back, strong loins, shade longer in hocks than 1 but they certainly are strong & well muscled. I found him very sound coming & going, driving out in style in profile, his type also appeals greatly & for all the right reasons ran 1 very closely

3rd:  MOUNTFORD Incordemeo Beetle About

Res: SHAW Tendrow Will I Am

Open Dog (4,1)

1st:  HUTCHINGS & PRICE Collidach Percy Cute At Samlane, 5 yr real stallion hound, for some he may be old fashioned but here he really filled my eye & ticked all the right boxes. Masculine head & expression with jet black points throughout, ultra strong jaws & correct dentition, ears are correctly set & of the desired length, strong, long & muscular well arched neck lead into copy book shoulders, precise in angulation & with the tightest of elbows. Plenty of forechest that fits so neatly into the crook on the strongest of legs & feet. I love his body length that is totally in proportion with just the right amount (for me) of ground clearance. Long deep well sprung ribbing with a cast iron backline, short in loin & his quarters are well made & extremely strong. His hocks are strong & parallel at all times. Here he was ultra sound coming & going & in profile his gait was effortless with drive eating up the ground in style whilst retaining his natural outline that makes you look twice. I thought he thoroughly deserved The CC (his second) on this performance & with luck will gain his crown, potentially under the old school who will appreciate him for his true Dachshund values

2nd: CARRUTHERS Ch Aikton Alexander at Stanegate, another real stallion & is beautifully made throughout, his coat & presentation is without doubt perfection. Stunning head & expression, well arched neck, super layback of shoulder, prominent breastbone with plenty of width throughout, shorter coupled than 1 but in proportion, very good ribbing with the shortest & strongest loins, his hind quarters are beautifully made & so strong on the shortest neatest hocks. Another who was ultra sound coming & going & retained everything that is good about in profile where he covered the ground in style & with purpose. Today he just wasn’t as bold & as outgoing in personality as 1 & had to settle for The RCC with the lovely MPD chasing him all the way

3rd: SEATH Ch Sunsong Dare to Dream

Good Citizen Dog Scheme Bitch (2)

1st: CLAYTON-SMITH Cairparavel Hartnell

2nd: RUSSELL Collidach Russell Leeves

Veteran Bitch (1)

1st: HUTCHINGS Tendrow I Am the One from Collidach JW, Hard to believe this girl is already a veteran. I gave her the Limit class as a youngster at The Wire Club several years ago & she certainly has retained her quality, beautiful type & ultra feminine throughout, lovely head & expression, super shoulders, plenty of width throughout & her forechest sits correctly & tightly on strong legs & feet. Her ribbing extends well back, loins are strong & is still impeccable behind. Still so sound out & back, in profile she covers the ground effortlessly in her own unique happy style, she certainly can still hold her own in any competition BV

Minor Puppy Bitch (1)

1st: DOWNIE Tannahill Thalia, really lovely 8 month B/T that’s ultra feminine throughout. I loved her size, overall shape & balance & she is totally free from exaggeration. Lovely head & melting expression, well arched neck, good lay of shoulder for age, super bone & feet, ribbing extends well back with correct top & underlines, shortest of loins, well made quarters with neat short hocks, so sound coming & going for one so young, she held everything together in profile & was beautifully handled, delightful

Puppy Bitch (5,1)

1st: MOORE & DOWNES Romanchi Night At The Opera, Without doubt the one the judge wanted to take home. Now this is TYPE!. Just filled my eye totally. 11 month full of character with femininity personified. Gorgeous head & melting expression, long well arched neck leading into perfect shoulders, prominent breastbone with plenty of width on good legs & possibly the best feet in the whole entry. I loved her body proportions, correct top & underlines with the right amount (for me) of ground clearance. Her ribbing is well developed & extends well back into short strong loins. Her quarters are well made, strong & hammy & her tail is correctly set & carried at all times. Coming towards me she is precise & ultra sound, moving away she still needs to tighten up which to me is nothing when you view her overall pure quality. Graceful & effortless in profile, doing everything in style. Coat & presentation spot on, my find of the day & will continue to be appreciated by those who know & appreciate a very good Wire Dachshund, RCC & BP

2nd: BEAGRIE Feldhund Show The Way, Another very elegant young lady, loved her head & expression, long well arched neck, shade longer in upper arm than 1, plenty of front & width, very good legs & feet, super body which is well developed for her age, ribbing is well sprung & extends well back, short strong loins leading into extremely well muscled quarters that are strong & parallel. Not quite as precise as 1 coming towards me although ultra sound going away. She too is so elegant in profile with her lovely head carriage & effortless ground covering action, hard as nails & beautifully presented

3rd: ELLIS Vixendax Make Me A Winner

Res: BURROWS Salixian Stelmaria at Revdvicki

Junior Bitch (3,2)

1st: BINKS Ut It Doarp Bonnie At Tannahill (imp Nld), 16 month quality youngster, lovely size & proportions, beautiful head & expression, well arched neck leading into good shoulders, tight elbows on the best of legs & feet, ribbing is well sprung & extends well back, correct height to length ratios, short strong loins, well made quarters that are strong with correct length of second thigh, neat short parallel hocks. Ultra sound coming & going & in profile covers the ground with an air of elegance about her. Nothing exaggerated, neat, beautifully made & will be extremely useful I would think, great coat too!

Post Graduate Bitch (5,4)

1st: HOWE Bramalodge Beeswing, A real showgirl here, compact, elegant & super proud of herself!. 20 month with a real feminine head & expression, strong tight jaws, long well arched neck leading into good shoulders, tight elbows, enough forechest on strong legs, good ribbing with correct top & underlines, tail is clear extension of the spine & happy with it too!. Ultra sound coming towards me if a little untidy here going away, retains a lovely outline in profile clearly showing of her many virtues to the greatest advantage, a real character that must be a delight to live with!

Limit Bitch (9)

1st: CARRUTHERS Stanegate Starlene, 18 month that impressed me so much. She is quality throughout & for me fits my ideal for size, elegance & the retention of everything correct in profile with a touch of showmanship & glamour. She is not exaggerated, everything fits so neatly & here put on a pure first class performance. Beautiful feminine head & expression, dark almond shaped eyes, strong jaws & perfect bite, well arched neck that combines strength & elegance, text book shoulders, this is a correct upper arm with tight elbows on very good legs & feet. Prominent breastbone with plenty of width, all fitting perfectly. Ribbing is well sprung & extends well back. Firm backline & for me the right amount of ground clearance. Short strong loins, superbly made quarters with the strongest, neatest pair of short parallel hocks. Her coat is perfection throughout & she is in rock hard muscular condition. Ultra sound & very precise coming & going, long forward reach with correct follow through from behind in profile, a natural forward head carriage with no stringing up, to me she was the ultimate package in this entry, I really could watch her move all day!. CC (her Third) & BOB going onto make the final cut in The Hound Group under Mike Gadsby. A very worthy new champion indeed & one to be very proud of, congratulations!  

2nd: MCCALMONT Silvae Best Kept Secret, So elegant & so beautifully presented. Love her type & feminine outlook, shade more exaggeration throughout than 1 having more body length & ground clearance, but all totally in proportion. Lovely head & expression, correct ratios from muzzle to skull, long well arched neck that she uses so well on the move to project herself, prominent breastbone, good layback of shoulder, ribbing is long & extends well back, cast iron backline, strong loins, enough in hind angulation. She too is so very sound coming & going & has great reach & follow through in profile, doing it all with style & panache. Without any doubt her coat is simply stunning, a masterclass in presentation for us all

3rd: HUTCHINGS Collidach Raynee Day JW

Res: SEATH Sunsong Hopes and Dreams

VHC: HOWE Bramalodge Baby I'm Yours

Open Bitch (6,2)

1st: NORTH-ROW & MARTIN Ir Ch Sail On Sailor To Full Circle, Ultra smart red where your hands just flow going over her on the table, everything fits & flows together perfectly & on the move she goes like a well oiled machine. For me her size & proportions are perfect. Supper feminine head & expression, dark points throughout, long well arched neck which she uses so elegantly on the move, super shoulders with correct length of upper arm, very good legs & feet holding a well filled front with enough width to do her job. Ribbing is well sprung & extends well back to the shortest strongest loins. Correct top & underlines, well made quarters on super strong hocks, another that was hard as nails in condition. Her tail is correctly set & a clear continuation of the spine. Moves with absolute precision coming & going & fly’s in profile with no effort whilst retaining a natural outline. Put down & shown perfectly running the eventual two winners extremely close, a touch more body certainly might have made things a little different, now a very worthy UK Champion too I hear & thoroughly deserved too!   

2nd: HUTCHINGS Ch Collidach Brook Ling ShCEx, Quality 4 yr Red in a larger frame than 1, although longer (which I like) she is totally in proportion. Super head & feminine expression, dark points throughout, long well arched neck, super shoulders with precise angulation, tight elbows, well filled front with plenty of width, feet could be better, ribbing is well sprung & extends well back with correct top & underlines & perfect in ground clearance for me. Short strong loins lead into well angulated quarters. She too is ultra sound coming & going & covers the ground in style with her proud head carriage on a loose lead. In great coat for a red too that was well presented, taking 1 very close for all the right reasons & clearly a very worthy champion

3rd: MOORE & DEAN Brontillow Canterbury Bell To Diefiur

Res: MCCALMONT & HANNEY Ch Silvae Time After Time At Bronia

Good Citizen Dog Scheme Bitch (9)

1st: HOWE Bramalodge Baby I'm Yours, VHC in a strong Limit Class, looks so lovely in stance, 20 month with lovely head & expression, long well arched neck, enough forechest on good legs & feet, ribbing is well sprung, good topline, short loins , tail correctly set. Her quarters are very well made with plenty of length to her second thigh. Quite sound coming & going, she retains an appealing outline in profile but today I felt she needed & could open her gait & cover a little more ground. In fabulous coat & superbly presented

2nd:HOWE Bramalodge Beeswing

3rd: CLAYTON-SMITH Cairparavel Mary Quant

Daniel Roberts