West Of England Ladies Kennel Society

West of England Ladies Kennel Society Monday 28th April 2025 Beagles I thoroughly enjoyed my day awarding CCs for the first time in this breed, thanks indeed to the exhibitors for their entries and the sportsmanship they showed throughout the day. It was a very warm and sunny day and I have no doubt some were adversely affected by this. Although we were lucky to be allocated a large ring, it was directly situated beside multiple loudspeakers which did upset a few of the youngsters, I was a little forgiving in these circumstances. Otherwise, without exception, temperaments were very good. A very positive reflection for the future of the breed was the number of quality young bitches present on the day, by the end of the Novice Bitch class, I had a number of young bitches in my mind worthy of green and white cards. Veteran Dog (5,3) 1. Taylor’s Deaconfield Kingcraft. Tricolour. This well-proportioned and balanced chap was a very pleasant start to the day. Still a young Veteran but nevertheless, carrying his years very well with no hint of coarseness and a lovely head and expression. Compact and sturdy, he is very well made all through with super angles fore and aft. Holds a firm topline on the move where he goes on a balanced stride, even if not that of my main dog winners, very true up and down. BVIB. 2. Murphy’s Black Royal at Rhosyndu VW. Tricolour. A super showman shown in admirable condition. Masculine in head if not the expression of 1. Would like some more angulation in front but has excellent rear quarters with strong hocks. Moved well up and down but not the stride of 1. Minor Puppy Dog (4,1) 1. Lewis’ Fallowfield Charming Boy. Tricolour. Quality, typey and striking pup. Indeed, he has a ‘charming’ head and expression. Good overall proportions on the stack, though wouldn’t like him any shorter in rib. Level topline, good depth and spring of chest for age, ok tailset. Really opens up in profile on the move but needs to settle coming towards. BPD. 2. Binks’ Tannahill Knockout. Compact hound and looking fairly together on the stack. Lovely long neck and fairly well laid shoulder. Another in good body with super fill of forechest, preferred his balance of rib to loin over 1. Excellent rear with good width to thigh. Not as together on the move as 1, he too could settle in front and was unable to match 1 in profile. 3. Philpott’s Charterwood Carson. Puppy Dog (1,0) 1. Baker’s Bondlea Choirboy. A touch big and could be more compact. Pleasing balance of head with ok expression. He has a lovely length of neck and a well made front, nice flow of topline but could be shorter in loin. Super rear, well bent stifle and let down hocks. Could be tidier coming and going but has a good stride in profile. Junior Dog (7,0) A mixed class and I realise 1 & 2 are very different but each have their own virtues. 1. Jones & Jepson’s Eardley Trot On. Tricolour. A well sized, classy and very smart-looking hound. Wouldn’t like him any more compact but he still retains overall balance. Beautiful head and expression, lengthy neck. Fair layback of shoulder and good return of upper arm, excellent forechest. Enough length of ribbing and short loin. Would like him more true coming and going but goes well in profile on a balanced stride holding a solid outline. 2. Tanners’ Felinoak Griffyn. Tricolour. In contrast to 1, this dog is up to size and longer than ideal. Though he is strong, he is still of quality and not coarse. Masculine, balanced head and appealing expression. Textbook front construction, super angles both fore and aft. Admired his smooth flow of neck into shoulder. Can sometimes slope in topline on the stack but holds it well on the move where he covers a lot of ground. Both 1 & 2 were shown in excellent condition. 3. Murphy’s Bayard Seal Of Approval at Rhosyndu JW. Yearling Dog (2,0) 1. Taylor’s Rosanka O’Neal by Deaconfield. Tan and white. Better for size and liked his compact appearance. Well off for bone and substance. Pleased enough in head, eye and expression. Good depth and ribbing with a short loin, though could be cleaner in topline. Fairly well laid front balanced with moderate rear. Moved well. 2. Fellows’ Rosanka Bridges. Tan and white. Many things to admire about this dog but he appeared a little heavy today, I felt he could have carried a touch less weight. Pleasing head, albeit not the expression of 1. More than well off for forechest with excellent front construction. Excellent outline on the stack, better than 1, but lost it a little on the move. Very well ribbed and a moderate rear. Moved well in all directions, particularly in profile. Novice Dog (2,0) 1. Baker’s Bondlea Choirboy. 2. Clarke’s Lilleagle Benjamin Bunny with Geaamour. Tricolour. Rather too big and strong but that being said, he was very balanced and all in proportion for his size. Very good angulation fore and aft with a smooth and typical outline. Particularly pleased for his l upper arm which had length and ample return with neat elbows. Good width of thigh and well muscled hindquarters. Head could be cleaner and more refined. Never quite settled into his stride on the move. Graduate Dog (2,0) 1. Hooper’s Davricard Jacobean at Torbers. Tricolour. Macsculine dog who pleased for type and overall construction. Pleasing head and kind expression with well set ears. Certainly sturdy but I would have liked a touch more leg length for ideal proportions. In good body with a firm topline. Though sound, he was not using himself on the move or carrying his stern quite so well today but I forgave him in the heat and he won the class on overall soundness and type. 2. Giles-Wyatt’s Clarismore Crown Prince JW. Tricolour. Liked his head which has excellent balance and appealing expression. Has a very well made front with excellent infill of forechest. Short coupled but topline tended to slope slightly. Good depth and well sprung ribs. I’d have liked more strength overall to his hindquarters. Not as sound up and down as 1. Post Graduate Dog (1,1) Limit Dog (8,2) 1. Havard’s Annavah Justify. Tricolour. A compact and sturdy male of a good size and excellent proportions. He is full of type and quality, and showed himself off to advantage at all times. Super head, eye and expression. Excels in front construction and has quality bone right the way down to his well knuckled feet. No shortage of depth of chest but ribs could be slightly more sprung. Well set and carried stern and completely balanced rear quarters. He really opened up on the move; has excellent drive from the rear contributing to a long profile stride, and it was his overall freedom and suppleness on the move ultimately secured him the DCC. 2. Jayes’ Rossut Zavier at Sandylands. Tricolour. Slightly more of this male but no less type or quality. Correct overall proportions. Pleasing head, but perhaps not the expression or cleanliness of throat of 1. Super layback of shoulder and balanced upper arm with neat elbows. Scores in ribbing and has a short, well muscled loin. Well angulated hindquarters with pleasing width of thigh. Somewhat of a stallion on the move with tremendous drive from the rear in profile and balanced reach. He is also very sound up and down and holds his outline and stern well at all times. RDCC. 3. Hardisty’s Blunderhall Jacks The Lad JW. Open Dog (6,2) 1. Jones & Jepson’s Eardley Ready For Anything. Tricolour. Super for size and good proportions too. Nothing exaggerated here presenting excellent balance in angulation. Very pleasing in head and expression, where he scored over 2. Good reach of neck into super front construction. Sound as a pound on the up and down and whilst he had a balanced stride, he couldn’t match my DCC or RDCC when it came to the challenge. Presented in first class condition. 2. Beard’s Ch Kellitcreed Sweeney Tod. Tricolour. A smart and showy dog of the correct compact proportions. I liked his clean neck, firm topline and excellent tailset. Not the expression, front angulation or strength in the rear of 1. He uses every inch of himself on the move with active and purposeful strides, holding his outline and stern very well too. Veteran Bitch (5,1) 1. Davies’ Barrvale Grace. Tricolour. A well balanced head with pleasing expression. Admired her topline which totally flowed from her neck right to her well set tail. She is in super body and condition. Good shoulders but a touch short in upper arm. She won this class on her movement where she covered the ground with long and free strides, and keeps her topline at all times. BVB. 2. Roberts & Spearing’s Linkenlees Lyric ShCM ShCEx VW. Good head with slightly domed skull and well set ears, expression could have been a touch softer perhaps. Quite moderate in angulation both fore and aft. Super ribbing, level topline and firm loin. Not quite the stride or freedom of 1 on the move. 3. Roberts & Spearing’s Linkenlees Laurina ShCEx VW. Minor Puppy Bitch (4,1) 1. Goldberg’s Molesend Kiwi. Tan and white. Lovely quality puppy, up to size but still of the correct proportions nonetheless. Thought she had a lovely head, dark eye and pleasing expression. Good to go over with a firm topline and super angles front and rear. Has time to drop in chest. Lovely thick tail. Sound mover in all directions. She was affected by the loudspeaker at the beginning of the class but she was solid on the table for my assessment and eventually raised her tail at the end of the class. 2. Lewis’ Fallowfield Merry. Tan and white. Indeed she is merry! Feminine, if a little long and narrow, in head. Longer in proportions than 1 but is well angulated and balanced fore and aft. She is already well developed in the body with excellent infill, depth and spring of chest. Free mover on a lengthy stride. Clean lines, just appears a little rangey at present. 3. Philpott’s Charterwood Just Amber. Puppy Bitch (2,0) 1. Craig’s Davricard Bianca. Tan and white. Thought this bitch looked an absolute picture on the stack with such a clean and flowing outline. Totally spot on for size, balance and proportions. Beautiful head, eye and expression, framed by well set ears. I found nothing out of place hands on, she is a delight to go over and excels in layback of shoulder. Ideal depth and width through the ribbing and body. Though a sound mover with balanced reach and drive, she just showed her age slightly and needed time to fully settle into her stride I felt, so had to settle for RCC behind the Junior who never put a foot wrong. Nevertheless, full of class and quality and very exciting to judge. RBCC. 2. Philpott’s Charterwood Impact. Tan and white. Thought this was another lovely bitch who presented a good outline stacked, short coupled and compact. Pleasing head and expression, if not that of 1. Slight arch of neck and fairly well angled fore and aft. Just a touch raw and narrow in the body compared to 1. She too was not fully focused on the move but moved well enough to display true movement. Junior Bitch (5,0) 1. Goldberg’s Molesend Impish. Excellent bitch who combines sturdiness with femininity and quality perfectly. She scores for balance, compact proportions and her clean outline. Sound and quality bone and stands on super feet. Houndy, yet feminine head of fair length. Dark enough eyes with such a soft expression. Very pleasing to go over, in ideal body and condition. Short coupled with correct amount of tuck-up. Thick stern set on well. Excellent temperament. She may not be the biggest of movers but she was foot perfect up and down and never missed a beat in profile. Her strides were totally balanced and free, and her topline and tail carriage never faltered. In the challenge, she was seemingly unphased by the heat and continued to consistently perform to take the BCC and ultimately BOB. 2. Tanner’s Felinoak Hennessy. Tan and white. Another super bitch and no disgrace to be stood second here. She has a flowing outline and is so well balanced in her angulation, I would just prefer her shorter in body for ideal proportions. Much to admire, no less than her clean neck, smooth layback of shoulder and firm topline. Feminine head, if not the detail in it of 1. She is very much a showgirl and moves with an exceptional length of stride. 3. Wright & Mitchell’s Parkebreeway Parsnip at Huntshill. Yearling Bitch (6,3) 1. Taylor’s Rosanka Harlow by Deaconfield. Tan and white. Perhaps up to size but fairly well proportioned. Lovely feminine head with a dark eye and pleasing enough in expression. Long, slightly arched neck into a fairly good front. A touch more rear wouldn’t go a miss for absolute balance in angulation. Holds her topline on the move where she goes freely and with no shortage of enthusiasm. 2. Hardisty’s Blunderhall Saucy Sally JW. Tricolour. Thought this bitch would be a comfortable winner of the class as she immediately impressed for her size, clean and striking outline, and compact proportions. Beautiful head proportions, dark eye and lovely expression. Shown in super condition, her coat was gleaming in the sun. Perhaps she could be more true out and back but she had a very good stride in profile. Unfortunately, she was suffering from ‘Beagle Tail’ today which cost her the class (3rd was not carrying her tail either). 3. Philpott’s Charterwood Hostess. Novice Bitch (3,0) A tough decision between 1 and 2 here, both full of quality but quite different to each other. Preferred 1 for her size and sturdiness, but perhaps a touch longer in overall proportions. Preferred 2’s more compact proportions though she is a little tall. 1. Craig’s Davricard Melody. Tricolour. Such a lovely bitch with the same stamp of type and quality of her kennelmate in the Puppy class. Beautifully balanced head and soft, appealing expression. Very much admired her flow of neck into shoulders, which are so well laid and smooth. Very well bodied with excellent depth and length of ribbing. Totally balanced hindquarters and particularly admired her width of thigh. Sound on the move and covered the ground very well in profile. 2. Goldberg’s Molesend Jazzy. Another quality youngster and even if she is up to size, there is no denying her femininity throughout. Free from any coarseness, she has fair length to her clean and well balanced head. Smooth neck and well made front. She impressed me most for her great activity and totally free and easy stride. Quite athletic in outlook and action and like her kennelmates, in optimum condition. 3. Coates’ Gladstyle Carmen Collected. Graduate Bitch (4,3) 1. May & Randles’ Janfrey Bellvalley Freda. Tan and white. Lovely size and has super angles fore and aft. Compact in body but could perhaps have a touch more length of leg for overall ideal proportions. Pleasing to go over with plenty forechest and super depth and spring of rib. Front movement could be a touch more settled but she moved well when viewed from the rear and side. Post Graduate Bitch (3,1) 1. Lewis’ Velenco True Love for Fallowfield. Tricolour. Very pretty and feminine in head, with an appealing expression from her well-shaped eye, but I thought she was a touch short in the muzzle. Admired her size and proportions. Flowing outline, long neck and super balance of her very well angulated quarters. She comes alive on the move, powering from the rear with quite an open stride. 2. Kimber’s Coachbarn Cresta. Tricolour. A longer cast bitch and more moderate in angulation than 1. Feminine head with a nice dark eye. Perhaps not as forward as 1 in body or depth, but she was in super condition and held a firm topline. Well muscled, strong hindquarters. Moved well and showed herself off to advantage. Limit Bitch (4,1) 1. Griffin’s Clarismore Twist And Shout. Tan and white. Certainly compact in proportions and has a pleasing outline and balance. Well proportioned head, held on a strong neck of good length. Well off for bone. She is very pleasing to go over with a well made front and good body. I would just like her a touch more refined as I felt she looked a little heavy through today. Free mover with a good length of stride. 2. Wright & Mitchell’s Huntshill Usual Suspect. Tricolour. Lovely head and expression, which I preferred to 1. Perhaps not as compact as 1 but not overly long and has a correct outline. Fairly well laid shoulders but a touch short in upper arm. Super length of ribcage and strong loin. Moderate rear with good strength. Not the movement of 1. 3. Breeze’s Dufosee Honestly of Parkebreeway. Open Bitch (7,1) 1. Havard’s Ch Annavah Princess Tiana. Tricolour. Most impressive for overall proportions, balance and outline. Full of type and quality. Well proportioned and balanced head with a lovely dark eye giving an appealing expression. Would like her cleaner in throat. Rather textbook in construction, she is a pleasure to get your hands on. No denying she is totally sound on the move with the ability to cover the ground with exceptional reach and drive. She impressed me greatly on the first go-around in this class, continuing to move well enough to comfortably win it and at this point, I thought she would be my CC winner. Unfortunately, she completely packed up in the challenge and had to give way to the younger bitches. She has undoubted quality and I am grateful to have judged her. 2. Binks’ Tannahill Calissa. Tan and white. Thought this bitch was a lovely size and type. Excellent proportions and balance and had a typical outline. Totally feminine in head with a pleasing expression. She too was very nice to go over and moved out well, just unable to match 1, perhaps partly owing to her inclination to not cooperate with her handler. 3. Davies’ Ch Annavah Nocturne at Barrvale. Mr L A Johnston