Welsh Kennel Club

I would like to thank the WKC for inviting me to judge & my excellent stewards for keeping everything running so smoothly. It was a quality entry & I was pleased with overall soundness. After judging I was talking to a Wolfhound Exhibitor who made the comment that she had never seen an entry of Bloodhounds with such good movement & she hadn’t realised they could move so well – an interesting observation & one I think the exhibitors should take credit for! PD (4 Entries) Abs: 2 1. Clark’s Farlap Keepsake – 8 mths, what a promising young hound , a masculine but not coarse head with a good clean eye, good mouth, lovely long thin ears, correct front with good layback of shoulder flowing into a good topline. Correct bone & well knuckled feet. Obviously given his youth, still needs time to body up. Moved out accurately with excellent drive, covering the ground with ease. Held his own in the challenge & was a worthy RCC. For BP just preferred his sister’s hind angulation. 2. Westron’s , Farlap Kaleb- brother to 1; both have lovely temperament but this guy is a real charmer & was certainly exuding character! Balanced masculine head of good length with a good eye, & pleasing expression. Excellent reach of neck, good shoulder & correct front, very good hind angulation. Correct bone & body for age. Moved well . At the moment not quite as balanced as his brother & just preferred 1’s over all length today but has plenty of time to settle & mature. I am sure he has a good future ahead. LD (1 Entries) Abs: 0 1. Priestley’s, Railway Of Quikotic – B&T yearling, standing has a balanced typical outline , masculine head of good length with an acceptable eye, strong neck , good shoulder & rear angulation, good depth of chest, correct length of loin, good bone. I would like a bit more body. He didn’t do himself any favours on the move hanging his head which emphasised he still needs to tighten at elbow, rear movement was true with good drive. OD (1 Entries) Abs: 0 1. Howie’s & Emrys-Jone’s Ch Marksbury Malfoy- at 5 years this hound had what the other males here didn’t have – i.e. maturity . Balanced , standing over the correct amount of ground, masculine head with correct leathers, good length of neck, acceptable front construction, good spring & depth of rib , well angulated hind quarters. Good body & in good coat. Moved with drive propelling himself from his strong backend. Was pleased to award him the CC PB (2 Entries) Abs: 0 1. Hayden & Clark’s Farlap Krumble - the 3rd sibling from what was clearly a very nice litter, an enchanting young lady; very nicely balanced, feminine head with a lovely expression , correct length of neck to back ratio, well laid shoulder with a good upper arm, straight front & firm at elbow, strong topline, well bent stifles, good bone . In the challenge for the RCC was up against 2 young ladies both looking immature for their age. It might seem strange, therefore, to have awarded the youngest the RCC but today she had the advantage of the puppy ‘bonniness’ over the teenage ‘awkwardness’ & her balance & outline just looked that bit more together. RCC 2. Rowland’s Castledee Santa Baby – just about 8 mths this young lady certainly has things to like, feminine head with a well shaped tight eye, good front & good quarters. Correct length of back with good length of loin. Really wasn’t convinced by this ‘showing lark’ today which, meant that she was a bit hunched & really wasn’t making the most of herself either standing or on the move, but her sympathetic handler did an excellent job in the class of working with her to give her a positive experience. One that needs time & practice. LB (2 Entries) Abs: 0 1. Clark’s, Boru’s Element Of Surprise At Farlap (imp Can) – I gave this young lady a RCC at 6 mths and I still like her, but today didn’t have the maturity for top honours looking young & lacking a little depth of chest. She has good proportions, a pleasing feminine head, a well laid shoulder, straight front with tight elbows, a good topline & correct hind angulation. She excelled in movement being accurate with good drive. One who will definitely have better days. 2. Howie, Emrys Jones & Avery’s , Marksbury Regina At Millvery – balanced bitch of good size & very pleasing proportions. Typical balanced head, good neck, good angulation fore & aft. She has correct substance & good bone. She moved out well covering the ground with good drive. Unfortunately she was slightly ‘out of sorts’ today (maybe a little hormonal?) & wasn’t making the most of herself. OB (2 Entries) Abs: 0 1. Clark & Hayden’s, Ch Farlap Qui Martha (ai) - when I last judged this bitch in 2022 she lost out to her kennel mate, todays limit winner, on maturity although I did say I was confident she would win her title, which clearly she has done! Now fully mature she is an impressive bitch exuding nobility & dignity; feminine head, long & narrow with a good eye, good front with well laid shoulder & good upper arm, excellent firm topline with a strong line, correct hind angulation. Moved beautifully, accurate & exhibiting the elasticity asked for in the standard and the ease of her action really gave the impression of stamina. CC & BOB 2. Hudson’s Graceminster Ruby Slippers (ai) – pleasing bitch presenting a typical balanced outline, I liked her head & expression, good length of neck, balanced angulation, good topline. Correct bone & well knuckled feet. Moved out well. Lovely temperament. At 15 months she was looking a real teenager today (as she has every right to! ) & needs time to body & mature. Helen Almey