Walsall & District Kennel Association

Thank you to the committee of Walsall and District Kennel Association for their invitation to judge at this well run, popular show and for your wonderful hospitality. Many thanks to my two stewards, Lesley and Judith who were most efficient in keeping everything ticking over smoothly. Thank you to the exhibitors for bringing their wonderful hounds, it was lovely to watch such sportsmanship ringside. My only gripe is that there were a handful of hounds whose nails were overdue a trim.

AFGHAN HOUND

PUPPY DOG OR BITCH 1

1st Stainsby, Miss A J Cloudside Alpine Sunset With Carmenote Shapely 6-month-old self-masked gold, a very raw but nicely made puppy. Masculine head with dark, correctly shaped eyes; he has length and strength to his muzzle and face full of adorable monkey whiskers. Nice length of neck into a decent front assembly, he has a good depth of brisket with a well filled in front. I liked his rear that is broad, with well bent stifles and low set hocks. The more he moved around the ring, he grew in his confidence and looked lovely in profile, his ring tail carried correctly. I will keep a watch out to see how he matures. BP

JUNIOR DOG OR BITCH 1

1st Stainsby, Miss A J Cloudside Alpine Sunset With Carmenote See 1ST Puppy

POST GRADUATE DOG OR BITCH 1 (1)

OPEN DOG OR BITCH 2 (1)

1st Drage, Mr M Shimalma Drambule Isjulees Beautifully presented in a long, silky coat this 4 ½ -year-old shaded masked pale gold looks to be in his prime. Refined but masculine head that is nicely chiselled with dark triangular shaped eyes giving the desired eastern appearance and the most majestic mandarin beard – I must confess I do love a mandarin beard! Correct length of neck into a fair front assembly, he is level in topline with a natural saddle and prominent pin bones. He stands on quality bone with large, well-padded feet. He was sound and collected on the move, his ring tail raised in action. BOB

BORZOI

JUNIOR DOG OR BITCH 0

POST GRADUATE DOG OR BITCH 1

1st Johnson, Miss C M Viridis Pink Floyd Tall and mature 6-year-old male. Strong masculine head that is well veined, he has strength to his muzzle and delicate ears that are small and high set. He stands on nicely bladed bone although he is a little loose in pasterns. Good depth of chest, his back is well-ribbed. He has broad hindquarters with length to his second thigh, but I would prefer him to have more strength to his hocks which would enable him to drive more from his rear. BOB

OPEN DOG OR BITCH 1

1st Johnson, Miss C M Viridis Pink Floyd See 1st Post Graduate

WHIPPET

PUPPY DOG OR BITCH 2

1st Price, Ms C A Kierpark It’s Now Or Never Among Silkdance Well grown and promising 7-month-old blue fawn light brindle with white trim male, though I wouldn’t want him any taller. He has a lovely outline and is masculine throughout with an elegant head and lovely arched neck. Good depth of chest and infill, he has a curvy underline and gentle arch over his loin. He has width to his second thigh and low set parallel hocks. He moved well for his age, with his tail carried in a graceful curve. BP

2nd Cartwright, Mrs J Starluxluna Cosmic Alchemy Pretty 7-month-old blue brindle bitch. Feminine, breed typical head with dark oval eyes and lovely pigmentation. She has a correct front assembly, with straight forelegs, and tight, well-knuckled oval feet. Broad, nicely ribbed back, her loin is muscular with correct slope to pelvis and tail set. She moved steadily around the ring, another nicely constructed puppy just not as forward as 1st.

JUNIOR DOG OR BITCH 1

1st Higgenbottom, Miss E, Spademan, Mrs F & Mycroft, Mrs S Crosscroft Seduction JW Lots to appreciate on this balanced 12-month-old fawn bitch, she is very collected for her age and stood naturally over a lot of ground. She has a lovely head and expression, with strength to her muzzle and correct dentition. Her neck is elegantly arched and flows into a super front assembly; her shoulders are well laid, and she has a good return of upper arm. She stands on quality bladed bone and neat feet. Strong, broad rear quarters with width to her second thigh and low set hocks. I really liked this youngster and considered her for top honours, but she became a little flustered with her change of handlers in the challenge.

POST GRADUATE DOG OR BITCH 1

1st Skinner, Mrs K Whitesquall Mionetto 21-month-old curvy brindle bitch. She is a lovely size and shape. I judged this girl when she was just a puppy, and she has filled out nicely and is maturing beautifully. Feminine head that is long and lean, with bright oval eyes and strength to her underjaw. She is balanced in angulations front and rear, with a good depth of chest, curvy tuck up and well ribbed back. Well handled, she moved soundly on the out and back. RBOB

OPEN DOG OR BITCH 3

1st Higgenbottom, Miss E Raveli Royal Touch Super smart 2 ½ -year-old pale fawn. What an exquisite, typey bitch - she is full of curves from the end of her nose to the tip of her tail. Stunning, feminine head with dark oval shaped eyes and pigmentation and super rosed ears. She has a long, neck that is elegantly arched and flows smoothly into a well-made front assembly, her elbows are placed directly under her withers. I loved her spring of rib, she has a broad back and strong muscular loin, sweeping underline and graceful arch over the loin. Presented in tip – top condition, she moved around the ring showing reach and drive and was true in all directions. BOB

2nd Searle, Miss N & Ms M Reffton Tibalt At Whipsearle Cw’25 JW (Sp Imp) Upstanding 3-year-old red and white male of good body and substance. Shown in short, fine coat. Masculine head with good eye shape and expression. He has length and strength to his neck; depth to his brisket with a well filled in front, pleasing tuck up and broad, muscular back. His powerful rear quarters enabled him to move with a light and easy stride, maintaining his topline.

IBIZAN HOUND

PUPPY DOG OR BITCH 2

1st Woodcock Miss V Abbotsoak A Lil Bit Naughty Tall and well grown 9-month-old predominately white and chestnut bitch, she was full of zest today! Beautiful head that is balanced, she has expressive amber eyes and large mobile ears. Lean, slightly arched neck flows into a nicely made front assembly, her forelegs are straight with neat, well knuckled feet. Good depth of brisket, her ribs are flat and extend well back. When she settled, I saw glimpses of typical breed movement, her long tail carried correctly. She is in super muscular. BP & RBOB

2nd Woodcock Miss V Abbotsoak Miss Honey Rangy 9-month-old chestnut and white bitch, littermate to 1st, who was just a little unsure of herself today. She has lovely bone and substance and is nicely made although. Pretty, feminine head with slightly convex muzzle and strength to her underjaw. She is balanced in angulations fore and aft, her ribs extend well back, with a short and muscular loin. Level in topline, she has a slight slope to her croup with a long, low set tail. Not as positive on the move as 1st.

POST GRADUATE DOG OR BITCH 1

1st Woodcock Miss V Abbotsoak Summer Nite Attractively marked typey 14-month-old white and chestnut bitch. I liked her head that is long and well proportioned, her skull is flat with a prominent occiput. She was certainly using her large, erect ears to her advantage today. Her shoulders are set steep with a good return of upper arm; her back is nicely ribbed, but she was just a little long in the loin. Moderate in her hindquarters, she has good length to her second thigh and strong, low set hocks. Shown in super condition, although I think she may look better carrying a little more weight.

OPEN DOG 1

1st Woodcock Miss V Ch Abbotsoak Any Dream Will Do Tall and finely built 7 ½-year-old white and chestnut male of excellent shape and proportions. He looked the part when he entered the ring; agile and athletic with such an elegant appearance – he ticked all the boxes! Handsome breed typical head that is fine and long with large, thin, mobile ears. His neck is long and lean and flows smoothly into a nicely made front assembly. His chest is the desired depth and his breastbone prominent. Moderately angulated in rear, he has length to second thigh and strong, parallel hocks. He moved with the desired suspended trot; he carries himself with an air of dignity and looked a picture in profile. This boy could certainly do a day’s work in the field. BOB

OPEN BITCH 1

1st Woodcock Miss V Abbotsoak Grease Lightnin Graceful 7½-year-old white and chestnut bitch, litter mate to my BOB and another in excellent condition. Refined, feminine head that is slightly greying, clear amber eyes and a strong, lean muzzle. Good length of neck into a decent front assembly, although her chest is slightly deeper than I prefer. She is short coupled, with a curvy underline and broad, muscular loin. She moved well in profile, although just a little untidy coming towards.

ELAINE BOGART (Incitatus)