• Show Date: 24/07/2025
  • Show Type: Championship Show
  • Judged by: Tom Mather Contact Judge
  • Published Date: 28/07/2025

Leeds City & District Canine Association

Breed: Hound Group

LEEDS CHAMPIONSHIP DOG SHOW 24/7/2025

HOUND GROUP

My sincere thanks go to the hard-working Officers and Committee of Leeds City and District Canine Association for their invitation to judge the Hound Group. There was a slightly sombre air as the day was marred by two very serious incidents, I send my very best wishes to all involved. I have the greatest respect for those who helped at all levels.

On to a happier note, there was a good selection of Hounds. Before judging three exhibits sportingly did a lap of honour because of our Kennel Club connections: They were the Robertson’s PBGV Soletrader Sophia Loren and their Basset Fauve De Bretangne Ch Dyfrgi's Explosion W With Soletrader and Geeson’s Dachshund (L/H) Ch Abydachs Return Of The Night.

In first place I had the magnificent Irish Wolfhound, Tebbutt’s Ch Caredig Mafioso. He was a standout winner here today. I gave him the CC & BOB at SKC in May when he went on to win Best in Show and I was delighted to see him repeat the performance on Sunday under Robin Newhouse. Strongly made yet with some elegance. Excellent head and expression with very good dentition. Deep, broad chest and good ribbing. Moved out beautifully in the large, well mown ring.

Group 2 was the Rhodesian Ridgeback, Davies’ Gunthwaites Fancy Man JW. A handsome, soundly made dog of lovely type. Flat skull and strong muzzle, Clelan neck and shoulders and good quality bone. Clearly defined ridge and crowns. His strong, powerful hindquarters gave him some propulsion on the move.

Deerhound, Taylor’s Ormanstar Ezra. Has some elegance, good length of head with neat ears and an overall gentle expression. Good depth of chest and very typical topline. Moved out well with an easy stride.

Greyhound Boggia and Graham’s Rubicon’s Songbird By Boughton (imp USA). Presents a lovely profile when stacked. Good length of head, strong jaw and nicely arched neck. Well laid shoulders. Has some breadth over the loins and she is shapely and stands well over the ground. Sound and typical on the move.

Additionally, I also shortlisted the Basenji, Dachshund (Min. Smooth), Ibizan Hound and the Norwegian Elkhound.

Tom Mather