Midland Counties Canine Society

I would like to thank the committee of Midland Counties for inviting me to judge Basset Griffon Vendeens at your Championship show. It was a real privilege to be asked. I was grateful to have had two most efficient stewards, Karen and Mick who both worked tirelessly help my ring run smoothly.

There were many wonderful hounds here and I had a great depth of quality throughout many classes. Decisions and placements in some of the classes were made on very fine margins.

Thank you to the exhibitors for bringing their wonderful hounds and for accepting my decisions in a sporting manner.

PUPPY DOG 0

JUNIOR DOG 0

POST GRADUATE DOG 1

1st Mr T & Mrs D Bartley Erylan Poseidon De La Mer JW Lots to like about this well grown and strongly made 21-month-old tri. He has the most wonderful, happy temperament. His breed typical head is enhanced with his lovely beard and moustache. His muscular neck flows into a nicely made front assembly, forelegs are straight and well-boned. He has a quality, harsh coat. Movement around the ring was free and accurate, using his well-muscled rear to his advantage. RBD

OPEN DOG 3

1st Mrs S, Mr O, & Miss E Robertson Ch Soletrader Happy As Larry Impressive 2-year-old tri who is full of quality. This top-draw male had great presence when he entered the ring. Masculine, slightly domed head of correct planes with lovely dark eyes with leathers set on low. His strong, well-muscled neck flows smoothly into an excellent front assembly; he is strong in bone down to his correct spring of pasterns and neat tight feet. His chest is deep and well ribbed, he is level in topline. He excelled on the move with his brisk free movement, driving from his strong hocks, with his tail set on high and carried sabre fashion. BD & BOB

2nd Mr T & Mrs D Bartley Erylan Zeus Roi Des Dieux ShCEx Nicely balanced 6 ½ -year-old tri. He has the most fabulous head that is slightly domed, with lovely dark eyes and fine, supple ears. He has a good length of neck which flows into a well-made front. His forelegs are straight, and he is well off for bone. He is strong in topline, with width to his croup. Shown in good coat and condition, he moved soundly around the ring.

3rd Mr C, Mrs L & Miss S Brown Ir Ch Erylan Chaud Comme Hades An Ch 23 Cw 24

VETERAN DOG 3 (1)

1st Mr T & Mrs D Bartley Erylan Loki Maitre Du Mal VW Substantial 7-year-old tri with a pleasing masculine outline, I liked his balanced proportions. Handsome head, with dark oval eyes, and low set ears. He is well-boned and bodied with a good spring of rib and short, muscular loin. His hindquarters are strong, with width to his thighs and good bend of stifle. He moved true on the out and back. BV

2nd Mr & Mrs R Moore Afterglow Dough Ble Impact 8-year-old tri who enjoyed his time in the ring – and my, wasn’t he vocal! He is balanced in angulations fore and aft. He has a good depth of chest; his back is nicely ribbed and they extend well back. On the move he was sound, his tail constantly wagging. Shown in a good, harsh jacket.

SPECIAL BEGINNERS DOG 0

PUPPY BITCH 2

What a wonderful class of puppies! Both puppies were extremely confident and well reared, I will enjoy watching their progress with interest.

1st Mr R, Mrs G & Miss E Foote & Mcaulay Erylan Passiflore I really liked this eye-catching 6-month-old sable. Everything is there! What a delightful, well-proportioned and balanced puppy. She has a pretty head with dark oval eyes and lovely, low set ears. She has a well constructed front assembly, with her elbows just sitting nicely under her withers and has a good depth of brisket. Her hindquarters are moderate and nicely muscled for one so young. A promising youngster, she should have a bright future. BP

2nd Mr R, Mrs G & Miss E Foote & Mcaulay Erylan Phoebe Petit Bijou Pretty 6-month-old tri who was very collected for her age. Lovely, well-proportioned head with correct length of fore face and nicely folded low set ears. Her shoulders are clean, she has a good depth of chest and a prominent sternum. She is well boned with neat, tight feet. Pleasing side gait, just a little loose in front at present, which I’m sure will tighten up as she matures. Another promising puppy.

JUNIOR BITCH 1 (1)

POST GRADUATE BITCH 0

OPEN BITCH 5 (2)

What a quality class with some difficult decisions.

1st Mr R & Mrs H Allenby Ch Soletrader Fun Times for Rangali JW Super smart 3-year-old sable who was presented in good muscular condition and a rough, harsh coat. This top-notch girl presents a quality outline on the stack. Her beautiful, feminine head is slightly domed, with dark oval eyes and pigmentation. Her shoulders and fore chest are first-rate and contribute to her excellent front assembly. Her elbows are placed close to her body. She has a strong, level topline, a well ribbed back and a short, muscular loin. Her rear quarters are broad and well-muscled with a good bend of stifle and parallel low set hocks. She looked wonderful in profile, her tail set on high and carried proudly. BB

2nd Miss C L & Mrs E Cooper & Cadmore Ch Soletrader Missy Elliott JW Stylish 2 ½ -year-old sable and white who is bang on for size. She has a fabulous, breed typical head of the correct proportions, with the darkest of eyes and lovely folded ears. Her strong, muscular neck flows into quality, well-laid shoulders. Her brisket is deep with a prominent sternum, she is level in topline and has a short, muscular loin. Her well-muscled rear quarters and low set hocks enabled her to drive around the ring, accurate in her footfall. Beautifully presented. RBB

3rd Mrs A Taylor Erylan Pois De Senteur for Nottorg Ir Jch Cjw24

SPECIAL BEGINNERS BITCH 2 (1)

1st Mr & Mrs R Moore Probert Calypso Typey 2-year-old Tri who is finely built. She has a pretty, slightly domed head with dark oval eyes and pigmentation. She is balanced in angulations; her forelegs are straight, but she has the tendency to turn her feet out. Her chest is deep and nicely ribbed, and she maintained her topline on the move. Presented in a lovely, harsh coat. She moved true with a pleasing side gait, carrying her tail proudly. BSB

ELAINE BOGART (Incitatus)