Taunton & District Canine Association

Taunton and District Canine Association 15th June 2024 Thank you to the committee for inviting me to judge at their open show. There was a lovely atmosphere and the venue was really lovely. My stewards were excellent and kept everything running at a fair pace. They certainly kept me on track - thank you. As always thank you to the exhibitors for allowing me the privilege of going over your dogs and for accepting my decisions with grace. It was sad to have the day slightly marred by two exhibitors who were fighting/arguing as they came into the ring and continued to do so until I intervened. We don’t all have to be friends but this is a hobby and this kind of behaviour is not acceptable, it ruins the day for the judge and other exhibitors. I was sad to learn that this is not the first time this pair have behaved like this - I urge you both to consider your actions and try to remain civil at shows for everyone’s sake - not least your own. I was very close to dismissing you both from the ring and getting the secretary involved. Other than this, a lovely day was enjoyed by all. I found some lovely examples of the breeds in the classes I judged with some really promising youngsters coming through. I was also pleased at the high calibre of handling in the classes today. Although the younger ages need to practice the basics and sharpen up a bit. It was the oldest age group that gave me the toughest challenge, all four are experienced and skilled handlers, it was a joy to judge and test you. Junior handling 6-11 years (6,1) 1 - Alfie Nichol - A smart young handler, just needs to sharpen everything up and practice his patterns. I like the rapport with the dog and his gentle way in the ring. He was super polite and patient with his dog that had been spooked. 2 - Luke Sanders - Another smart young man who took his time and was quiet and calm during his performance. A good effort on the pattern work but needs to learn and practice basic patterns. I particularly liked, with both boys, that they were polite and quiet, very understated in their efforts - don’t lose this! 3 - Merryn Standlick Junior Handling 12-16 years (5,0) 1 - Texas-Lee Taylor - a strong performance from this young lady. Straight lines and tight corners. Always aware of my position and where her dog was at all times. Sharp performance, just practice the more advanced patterns. BJH 2 - Harriet Dudfield - a cool and collected young lady with a difficult charge. Kept her composure most of the time, try and keep cool even when it feels like it’s unravelling. Tidy pattern work and presentation of her dog, again always aware of where I was standing and did not over fuss. 3 - Rosie Ann Emmerson Adult Handling 17-39 years (5,2) 1 - Alysha Branchflower - I have judged this handler before and she gets better each time. She always listens to my feedback and employs it. She shows improvement every time. Showing a large dog in a small ring today, she managed to cleanly execute the pattern work and was the most accurate in the class. Just still needs to work on those nerves - have the confidence in yourself, you know what you’re doing! BAH & Best overall 2 - Kathryn Sellick - A tidy handler, always aware of my position and showed accuracy in her lines and corners. Tidy lead at all times and was always communicating with her dog - loved the rapport with this pair. Just needs to revise more advanced pattern work and then you’ll be a hard one to beat! 3 - Leah Chugg Adult handling 40+ years (6,2) These four were amazing today. I could spend all day trying to split them and still be there now. At the end of the day it came down to being hyper critical and honestly, you guys are so polished and strong - thank you for making this difficult. 1 - Mrs Marguerite Mcshane - A really polished handler who has a lovely rapport with her dogs. I have judged her before and I remember being impressed then. So accurate with her lines and corners, presents her dogs to perfection. She has the most lovely unassuming attitude and wonderful sportsmanship. A pleasure to judge. 2 - Zoe Adey- another really accomplished and accurate handler. So kind and gentle with her dog. Gives the impression of being really calm and collected. She worked hard today and pushed hard for the win. I just felt that 1st was a bit tighter on her pattern work but it was a close call. 3 - Vikki Marshall Wire Haired Dachshund Post Grad (7,1) 1- Sanders’ Knottsrose Olaf Soundest mover in the class - clean fore and aft. Striking young male, lovely masculine and balanced head. Strong neck into well laid and oblique shoulder, well ribbed and well back, breast bone prominent. Good feet. Front angulation correct, with correct length of upper arm. Level topline maintained on the move. Correct tail set BPIB & RBOB 2- Pugh & Fraser’s Stanegate Stefan at Bystock Pleasing male with good ground clearance. Good depth of chest, ribbed well back. Topline level and slight rise over loin. Correct front and rear angulation - moved out well 3 - Parker’s Vixendax You And Me at Zorionadax Open (3,1) 1 - Ellis’ Vixendax Venus Starlight Lovely constructed bitch, 2 years old. Good front, ribbed well back, prominent breast bone. Strong over her topline and maintained this on the move. Super clean movement fore, aft and in profile. Good ground clearance, plenty of bone. Rear and front construction correct. BOB 2 - Effer’s Greyhayne Hector Nice male, good head with nice dark eye and correct ear set. Good front, prominent breast bone, well ribbed and well back. Strong in the loin and level topline. Moved well in profile. Mini Wire-haired Dachshund Post Grad (2,1) 1 - Umfreville’s Dogrose Bee of Sound Mind Nice head with correct ear set. Good neck into OK shoulder. Front and rear angles OK. Rib well sprung, breast bone prominent. Topline level with slight rise over loin. Tail set correct. Good movement in profile. BOB Open (1,1) Smooth-haired Daschshund Post Grad (5,1) 1 - Stark’s Gobannium Made of Honour JW Pleasing dog of good proportions. Good front and rear angulation, ribbed well back and prominent breast bone. Level topline, maintained on the move. Good return of upper arm and shoulder placement. Cleanest mover in the class. RBOB 2 - Parker’s Malpaspups Coco at Zorionadax Nice bitch of good proportions. Pretty head, nice dark eye and ear placement. Good length of neck into well laid. Well ribbed and well back. Good topline maintained on move with light rise over loin.Good rear. Moved well in all directions. 3 - Jones’ Cwmdarhian San Antonia at Adnerb Open (2,0) 1 -Stark’s Adnerbs Von Vision of Gobannium JW OSW Pleasing mature bitch of 5 years. Lovely pretty head with good dark eye and ear set. Good length of neck into well laid shoulders. Sound front and rear construction. Ribbed well back, level topline. Moved soundly in all directions. BOB and delighted to see her take HG3 2 - Ashby’s Rayol Dallas Cowboys at Jaxinorydax Lovely very raw young dog. Lots to like about him. Lovely head, dark eye and correct ear set. Lovely neck into well laid shoulders. Ribbed well back, good depth of chest. Good rear construction. Very immature on the move but one to watch. RBOB & BPIB Mini Smooth-haired Dachshund Post Grad (4,1) 1 - Wilkinson & Wakeham’s Bronia Donatello for Wakywilks Pleasing young male with lovely head. Good neck into well laid shoulder. Level topline with slight rise over loin. Good depth of chest, ribbed well back. Excellent feet and bone throughout. Moved the best in the class. RBOB & BPIB 2 - Goodall’s Stargang Eternal Flame Lovely little bitch of good proprtions and angulation. Good topline held on the move. Nice tight elbows. Good depth of chest. Ok angulation fore and aft. Moved well in all directions. 3 - Small’s Daxmellor’s Emerald For Devondax Open (8,4) 1 - Wilkinson & Wakeham’s Bronia Valentina for Wakywilks pleasing bitch of good size and proprtions. Sound front, and good rear construction. Ribbed well back, level topline with slight rise over loin. In hard condition. Moved the best in the class. BOB 2 - Tree’s Keimantre Molly Moo Another nice bitch of good proportions. A little low on the leg but pleasing overall shape. Good feet and plenty of bone throughout. Good topline and in good condition. Moved well in all directions. 3 - Small’s From Redteckel Story Maxin for Devondax Long-haired Dachshund Post Grad (3,1) 1 - Partridge’s Pettigans Viva La Vida by Riveroyal Lovely bitch of excellent balance and shape. Sound front and rear construction, good bone through out. Lovely head with correct proportions. Level topline with slight rise over loin. Moved cleanly in all directions. RBOB & BPIB 2 - Turton’s Bay of Biscoff Biscuit at Damoradaxies Lovely masculine hound, loved his head. Good neck into good shoulders, ribbed well back, level topline held on the move. Good feet and bone. Moved well, just out moved by 1. Open (3,0) 1 - Burley & Way’s Swansford Almadora Nice hound of pleasing proprtions, Good depth and prominence of chest. Good neck into good shoulder. Level topline with slight rise over loin. Correct tailset, carried well on the move. Moved truly and soundly in all directions. BOB 2 - Rees’ Sundayshill Blackberry sound hound of good construction. Pleasing head and eye. Good neck into well laid shoulder. Level topline held on the move. Good anguialtion fore and aft. Moved soundly but out moved by 1 today. Mini Long-Haired Dachshund Post Grad (5,1) 1 - Way’s Ralines Ways and Means Beautiful bitch. Loved her head, so pretty and feminine. Graceful neck into well laid & oblique shoulders. Fabulous feet and bone throughout. Level topline with slight rise over loin. Good depth of chest and ribbed well back, breast bone prominent. Fabulous movement in all directions. BOB, BPIB and pleased to see her HPG1 - good luck for BPIS! 2 - Small’s Minard Darque Red for Devondax Nice hound of good proportions. Pleasing head, good neck into OK shoulder. Good depth of chest and ribbed well back. Good feet, good bone. Level topline, slight rise over loin, good tail set and carriage. Moved out well. 3 - Norris’ Criscan Que Paso Open (4,2) 1 - Small’s Kenduzo Monday Mojito at Devondax JW Nice proportioned bitch with good depth of chest and ribbed well back. Good topline maintained on the move. Sound front and rear construction. Pretty head with dark eye and correct ear set. Moved out really well showing reach and drive. RBOB 2 - Brown’s Devoncream Ice Mimosa Nicely proportioned hound, good length. Good front and rear construction, moved a little reluctantly. Pleasing head with nice dark eye and correct ear set. Tibetan Spaniel Puppy (2,0) 1 - Quest & Conibere’s Back in Black with Devontibs Pleasing 6.5 month old male, lovely head with correct ear set. Correct bite, adequate depth and witdth of chin. Nice dark eye with correct shape and set. Adequate neck into ok shoulder. Well sprung rib and well back. Good tail set and carriage. Good feet. In fab condition. Moved cleanly fore and aft. BPIB 2 - Beasley’s Baarnaytoms This is Me Nice young bitch, loved her head and expression. Correct bite, nice depth and width to chin. Correct ear set. Nice neck into well laid shoulders. Ok topline, good front with sight bow. Good tailset and carriage. Moved well in profile. Graduate (7,0) 1 - Crockerne Moon Dancer Balanced bitch with lovely head, correct bite, nice width and depth to chin. Correct ear set. Stood in profile just catches your eye. Shoulders well laid, slight bow in front, level topline, correct tailset and carriage. Good depth of chest and strong across the loin. Moved soundly in all directions. RBOB & BOS 2 - Quest’s Chenrezi Just You and I Slightly heavier throughout. Nice head, correct bite, adequate width and depth to chin. Good dark eye with correct shape. Nice ear set. Good neck into well placed shoulders. Strong across the back and loin. Well sprung in rib, Lovely hairy hare feet and good front and rear construction. 3 - Bevis’ Skyvana Free Spirit of Starlance JW Limit (7,3) 1 - Penny’s Chenrezi Ti Amo Pretty bitch who won this class on movement. Classy head with appealing dark eye, correct bite and nice width and depth to chin. Correct ear set and movement. Good neck into well laid shoulders. Good depth of chest with well sprung rib, well back. Level topline held on the move. Tailset correct and carried well on the move. Hocks well let down and straight. Good angulation throughout. 2 - Hirstwood’s Quintrelle I Believe Nice bitch with another pretty head. Nice feathering though out. Good neck set on well. Good depth of chest with ribs well back. Good topline held on the move. Excellent feet and feathering . Correct tailset and carriage. Moved out well in profile with apparent bow in front. 3 - Clover’s Chenrezi No Ordinary Love Open (7,2) 1 - Quest’s Lilileian Louis Vuitton JW ShCM ShCEx (IMP FIN) Lovely balanced male. Lovely typical head with correct ear set and dark correct eye shape. Correct bite with good depth and width to chin. Good neck into well laid shoulders. Front well under and slight bow evident. Well ribbed back, good depth of chest. Level topline and correct tailset and carriage. Good hare feet and lovely feathering in all the right places. Moved soundly in all directions. BOB and delighted to learn he went UG4 2 - Bevis’ Bruesown Keziya With Starlance Nice bitch with pretty head, coorect bite and good depth and width to chin. Correct ear set and use when prompted. Good neck into good shoulder. Good front with slight bow and correct angulation. Good topline maintained on the move with correct tail set and carriage. Good feet with lovely gloves. Moved soundly in profile. 3 - Hirstwood’s Quintrelle Colour Me Pretty Andrea Keepence-Keyte (Alandobel)