Birmingham Dog Show Society Ltd

Birmingham National 2025

Hound Veteran Group

A quality group of veterans which were a pleasure to cast my eye over. I made a shortlist of just 6 dogs but easily could have pulled more.

Group 1. Spademan, Morris & Waddell’s Ch Crosscop Let It Shine for Supeta JW OSW. This 7 yr old Whippet bitch was a sheer delight and a pleasure to go over given her correct construction. Totally feminine, she presented a beautiful flowing outline with long, elegantly arched neck, the best of shoulders, firm topline with the desired arch over the loin and tail set on low which she carries correctly. Super headed girl with a captivating expression; flat skull of good length, the best of eyes and ears, tapering muzzle of correct length to balance and good underjaw. She stands true on well arched feet and certainly didn’t disappoint when gaiting, moving true on the down and back and with a lovely easy length of stride on the go around. Shown in super nick.

Group 2. Raymond’s Ch/VDH Ch Dialynne Peter Piper. This 9 yr old Beagle dog is no stranger to me, having done him very well previously. Today he still appealed and ran the Whippet all the way. Carrying good bone, he presents such a super outline with slightly arched neck of correct length to balance, firm through the topline, excellent ribbing, deep brisket, muscular loin and stern set on high and of good carriage. Masculine headpiece which is well proportioned, expressive eyes of good colour, ears set on low and scissor bite. Good angles front and rear, naturally standing true in front on super feet and muscular quarters with well turn stifles. Gaiting freely on the go around and simply cannot be overlooked.

Group 3. O’Day’s, Buchanan & Maclaren’s Ch Tarmachan Black Ice WW18. 8 yr old Basset Griffon Vendeen (Grand) bitch who greatly appealed and was a pleasure hands on. There is no mistaking her sex but she carries super bone and substance. Well-balanced in outline with good length of neck, firm level back, ribbing carried well back, muscular loin and tail correct for both set and carriage. First class head and expression; elongated skull with desired dome, dark oval-shaped eyes, ears of good length and set on low and correct length of muzzle to balance. Excellent layback of shoulder, elbows held close to the body and stands nice and straight. I thought her quite outstanding on the go around, having great freedom of movement and she carries herself so well.

Group 4. Brady’s Ch Classicus Azim For Bordercot. The final one to place was this 7 yr old Saluki dog and he was another who was a pleasure to judge. Shown in first class condition, he appealed for type and presented a lovely balanced outline. Long, muscular neck, firm backline, good depth to brisket, correct underline and tail set on low and of good carriage when gaiting. Most attractive head; long and narrow as desired, expressive oval-shaped eyes and correct dentition. Soundly constructed all through and stands true in front on correct feet for the breed. On the move, he pleased on the down and back, and was a delight on the go around with his seemingly effortless flowing gait.

Also making the shortlist were the Afghan Hound, Reed’s Ch Cloudside Sunstrike JW, and the Dachshund (Smooth-Haired), Wand’s Wanderhund California Girl.

Judge: Tim Ball