Thame & Oxfordshire County Canine Society

Thame & Oxfordshire County Canine Society

Premier Open Show

Wednesday 17th July 2024

DEERHOUND

My sincere thanks to the Thame & Oxfordshire CCS for the invitation to judge these classes. The show was extremely well organised and their hospitality, outstanding. Thanks also to my stewards who were kind and very efficient. I am also enormously grateful to the exhibitors for my fantastic entry and allowing me the honour of going over their dogs. I was particularly delighted to see my best of breed make the cut in the group.

All temperaments were excellent and although it was a hot day and all the dogs were panting, I am satisfied that bites were correct. I was particularly pleased to see that all the dogs I went over had good muscling and very typical, tapering Deerhound heads. I believe a Deerhound loses some of its beautiful elegance when the head appears rather broad and heavy.

Special Yearling (6, 2a)

A very strong class, all really promising youngsters.

1. Packway The Enigma (Lucas & Dargonne)

Soundly made young bitch, of lovely proportions. Beautiful head with nicely folded ears and attractive facial furnishings. Good bone, deep chest for her age and correct shoulder placement giving her a pleasing front construction. Nice sloping croup and length from hip to hock. Maintained her topline on the move. She moved freely, with a typical striding gait.

2. Packway Blue Moon (Sandells & Lovell)

Litter brother of my winner. Well-muscled throughout and striking the fine balance of substance and masculinity, without being heavy. Good width of front and correct lay of shoulder, giving him lovely angulation. Moved well with a straight and powerful rear action. He is going through the slightly gangly, teenage stage which made him look less balanced that my 1st, but he shows great promise, and I look forward to seeing him mature.

3. Beardswood Xanthe (Helps)

Limit (4, 2a)

1. Quantistico Lucia to Kilbourne (Edwards)

Beautiful bitch that I have judged before, and I liked even more this time. She particularly excels in her pretty, feminine head with lovely dark eyes and neatly folded ears. Good coat of correct length and texture, adequate depth of chest and nice compact feet. I would have preferred a little more shape to her topline and power in her movement. She feels strong, but doesn’t show herself off to her best advantage on the move. Reserve Best of Breed.

2. Beardswood Xenia (Keane)

I believe this young bitch was attending her first show. Although, understandably, a little shy, she presented a very pleasing feminine picture. Well-muscled throughout, with a lovely shaped head, beautiful dark eyes and a particularly soft expression. Ears nicely set, although I would have preferred them a little smaller. While she does not yet have the substance or balance of my 1st, she has some maturity to come and is already exhibiting a lovely outline, proportions and movement.

Open (3, 2a)

1. Packway Smackfarthing (Lucas & Dargonne)

Lovely, shapely five year old bitch. Attractive head, nice dark eyes and good furnishings. Beautifully constructed front with strong neck, deep chest, well laid shoulders and broad bone. Pleasing width across the thigh. A really well made bitch of a lovely type, displaying the correct proportions and a graceful curvy outline. Powered around the ring with a long, effortless stride; displaying a fantastic combination of femininity and strength. Pleased to award her Best of Breed.

Sue Spring-Arnold