Norwegian Elkhound Association Of Scotland

Thank you to the Committee of the Norwegian Elkhound Association of Scotland for inviting me to judge at their Open Show, you made me feel so welcome. Thank you for the lovely gift and the beautiful flowers. My steward, Linda did a sterling job – it was hard to believe that it was her first time stewarding.

It was wonderful to watch such sportsmanship ringside, and it was most appreciated to hear clapping and cheering for the winners. Most importantly, thank you to the exhibitors for giving me the opportunity to judge your marvellous hounds.

Baby Puppy Dog/Bitch 0

Puppy Dog 1

1st Stephenson, Mr M & Mrs L Kamgaard Kyffin For Brawdor Promising 7-month-old, he is well grown and full of character. Masculine, breed-typical head with dark eyes and high set ears. His neck flows smoothly into well positioned shoulders. He has a good depth of chest for his age, with plenty of infill. He is moderate in his rear, with strong parallel hocks. He moved well around the ring with a light and easy action. One to watch.

Junior Dog 1

1st McPeake, Mr G Laakso Joulu Exuberant 17-month-old who was playing up his handler today. Nicely proportioned wedge-shaped head, with strength to his underjaw and correct dentition. Strong neck of moderate length into a decent front assembly. He is deep in brisket with nicely rounded ribs and a short loin. I would prefer to see him carrying a little more substance. Pleasing side gait, but just a tad close coming towards.

Yearling Dog 2 (1)

1st McHugh, Mrs V J Kamgaard Kloudberry Jam For Conrick 22-month-old who presented a lovely square outline. Masculine typey head with erect ears and dark, correctly shaped eyes. His chest is deep with plenty of width, and his back is broad and muscular. This boy stands on quality bone with neat, tight feet. Strong in topline with good tail set and curl. He scored highly with his effortless movement around the ring.

Post Graduate Dog 2 (1)

1st Shields, Ms L Ravenheim Wulfgar Lothbrok For Lochlannach Headstrong 3-year-old male, he has a good overall shape and is of correct proportions. Strong neck into well-laid shoulders, he has a good depth of chest with a nice infill to front. He is moderate in his rear with short, parallel hocks. Level topline which he held on the move. Lovely, dense coat.

Limit Dog 2

1st McPeak Treswkha Tork Upstanding 4 ½ -year-old male. This boy presented a smart, compact outline on the stack. I liked his masculine head, which was balanced and correctly shaped. Pleasing front assembly with a nicely placed scapular and good return of upper arm. His back is strong and well-ribbed with a short, muscular loin. Powerful rear quarters which he used to drive around the ring.

2nd Gray, Miss B C Laakso Look Who’s At Grasilva (AI) 2-year-old male. Strong, masculine head with obvious stop and firm, pointed ears. He has a fair depth of chest with well-rounded ribs and nice length of loin. His feet were a little larger than I would prefer and he stands with them turned slightly outwards. I think this boy would look better carrying a little more weight. On the move he covered the ground well.

Open Dog 4

What a fabulous class to judge!

1st Cowper, Mrs J E Ch Graythor Augustus At Rothenborg Top class 2-year-old male, he is powerfully made all through. This boy caught my eye when he entered the ring with his impressive appearance and superb square outline. I loved his masculine head with the darkest of eyes that gave him an alert and friendly expression. His neck is strong and flows into an excellent front assembly with a correct return of upper arm. His chest is deep and well-ribbed, his topline straight and level. He has width to rear with strong parallel hocks. Good high tail set and curl. Presented in tiptop condition, he moved with a beautiful, free and effortless movement - this boy could work all day – he was just my cup of tea! BD & BIS

2nd Maun, Mrs T Ch Bowerhinton Bassanio Upstanding 5-year-old male, he has a compact body and is powerful in his appearance. Another top draw male. Masculine, breed typical head with a wonderful expression. He is well made in front with slightly sloping shoulders and elbows closely set in. He stands on quality bone with small, correctly arched feet. He has a good depth of chest with a super spring of rib and a short, muscular loin. Moderate in his rear, he moved with an easy and free gait. He pushed hard for top honours. RBD & RBIS

Veteran Dog 1

1st Mortimer, Miss T Ch Laakso Canute Handsome 7-year-old male who is compact in outline and was presented in super coat. Strong, typey head with high set mobile ears and expressive oval eyes. He has a muscular neck that fits smoothly into a good front assembly, he stands on quality bone, with strong pasterns though I would prefer more of an arch to his toes. He has good depth to his chest, and his back is broad and level. His tail was well curled but was beginning to drop in the Veteran challenge which spoilt his outline. Sound, steady mover.

Special Vintage Dog/Bitch 2 (1)

1st McHugh, Mrs V J Kinderhorn Espen Of Conrick Wonderful 11-year-old boy, a real credit to his owner, he is in super condition for his age. I loved his noble head, with his dark muzzle, gracefully greying. He is moderated in his angulations front and rear. His back is broad and well-ribbed, he maintained his topline on the move. Good tail set that was tightly curled and a well-kept double coat. His stride was even and effortless, although he was just a little loose in his front movement. BVD

Puppy Bitch 1

1st Simmonds & Mott, Ms S & Ms M Kamgaard Kariad Stunning 7-month-old bitch, littermate to the BPD with all the same qualities and then some. I could have taken this young lady home with me! I loved her beautifully proportioned wedge-shaped head, with the eyes as dark as night giving her an adorable expression. She has strength to her neck with a well-made front assembly; her forelegs are straight with strong pasterns and the best of feet. She has a quality coat that is a fabulous shade of silver grey with black tips. Very composed on the move, this young lady should have a bright show career. BPB, BPIS & RBB

Junior Bitch 1

1st Mortimer, Miss T Laakso Julaften Lots to like on this 17-month-old bitch. She set the bar high. For me, she was one that the others would have to beat. She has a lovely compact outline on the stack. She is firm in body and has plenty of substance. Balanced, feminine head with correctly shaped eyes and high set mobile ears. Her strong neck flows smoothly into well-laid shoulders. She has good depth of brisket with a lovely spring of rib and a short, powerful loin. She moved around the ring with a light and easy action. Shown in a close, abundant coat her well-set tail tightly curled. BB & BOS

Yearling Bitch 1

1st Shields, Ms L Kamgaard Kast A Spell For Lochlannach Well-presented 22-month-old bitch. Feminine wedge-shaped head with a lovely expression. She is strong in neck with a decent front assembly, although she is slightly longer in the back than I prefer. She has a good length of leg and tight feet. Her tail is nicely set and well carried. When she was moved at the correct pace, she got herself together and moved with a free and easy gait.

Post Graduate Bitch 2 (1)

1st Shields, Ms L Kamgaard Kast A Spell For Lochlannach see 1st Yearling Bitch

Limit Bitch 2 (1)

1st Gray, Miss B C Laakso Good As Gold 4-year-old bitch with the most fabulous temperament, she certainly matches her name! Pretty, wedge-shaped head with dark eyes and mask. Decent length of neck into a fair front assembly, I would just prefer more length to her upper arm which would enable her more reach in her movement. She had the tendency to stand with her front feet slightly wide. Level topline which she held on the move. Shown in close, abundant coat. A lovely partnership.

Open Bitch 3 (3)

Veteran Bitch 3 (1)

1st Hennessey, Ms M C Bowerhinton Bombette 9-year-old bitch shown in excellent condition. She has a lovely square and compact outline. Feminine, nicely proportioned head with dark eyes that give her a friendly expression, she was very alert and giving her handler her full attention the whole time. Moderate in angulations front and rear, with good depth of chest and well curved ribs. Good double coat, that was nicely presented. She moved out well, covering the ground with a free and easy action. Another who could easily to a full day’s work. BVB & BVIS

2nd Gray, Miss B C Grasilva Silver Vine Lovely10-year-old bitch who was full of the joys of Spring! It was delightful to watch her enjoying her time in the ring. She stands with a shapely silhouette and moved around the ring with her head held proudly. Shown in plentiful coat with her tail tightly curled over her back. She is just a little loose in her pasterns and not quite the movement of 1st.

Brace 2 (1)

1st Mortimer, Miss T - This pair moved so well together, it was hard to believe that this was their first time in a brace class. I could have watched them move in unison all day – I tried but the handler had had enough after 4 laps of the ring!

ELAINE BOGART (Incitatus)