Houghton Le Spring Canine Society

Houghton le Spring Canine Society – 9th November 2025

With thanks to the wonderful stewards Jonathon and Dave who kept the ring running smoothly. I was very impressed with my principle winners and had a lovely Hound group to make decisions with.

Basenji Post Graduate (3, 2abs)

1st Sharp-Dixon & Reyes Convica She’s Got the Look

Very smart red and white bitch of 9 months of age who moved with purpose and drive. I liked her nicely shaped head, dark almond eye and small pointed ears. She was very well schooled and presented. BP & PG3.

Basenji Open (4, 2abs)

1st Knowles’ Sarawana Dragon’s Conquest JW

A bitch I have judged previously who continues to impress and live up to her early promise. I first saw her at just 6 months of age, and now at almost 2 years she is still beautifully light on her feet, moving out in an effortless manner. I liked her for size and shape and she has a wonderful outline. This girl is a lovely type and oozes Basenji character, being aloof and stubborn! Preferred the femininity of 1. BOB.

2nd Casentieri Alchez Live for the Night

This black and white bitch of just 10 months of age was not cooperating at all with her handler today. She is well made and was heavier throughout than 1. Her eye is beautifully dark and the correct almond shape. She stands on small narrow feet and moves out well when she chooses to.

Borzoi Post Graduate (2)

1st Dover’s Palamedees Arian Khrysos at Keanver JW

Large white and gold male of 3 years. He is masculine, well balanced and graceful. Shown in great condition with a beautiful coat today. On the move he was free with a straight long reach and his topline was wonderful both stacked and moving. His head is balanced and shows veining. BOB.

2nd Conroy’s Everwyck Caladria at Enolam

This sweet girl of 20 months was not as mature as 1st today. She is very feminine with a nicely shaped head, good topline and a nice bend of stifle. I liked her overall shape and balance. Overall she conveyed elegance and grace so well associated with the breed.

Dachshund Min L/H Post Graduate (7, 1abs)

1st Bell’s Indiko A Touch of Cream at Tolberg

An easy winner today, she stood out for type and quality immediately. At only 11 months of age she demonstrates so many desirable qualities and I loved so much about her. Her outline is super; so clean and emphasising a wonderful slightly arched, long neck and excellent topline which she held on the move. She is a good size and and a well balanced head with good proportions. Her expression is so sweet and feminine and her eye is dark and almond shaped. She was shown in beautiful soft coat with nice feathering and presented wonderfully. BOB, BP, Hound Group 2 & Hound Puppy Group 1.

2nd Kirby’s Deliciaedax Kiss And Tell

Silver dapple male of 19 months. He was very unsettled initially but once he got his head in gear, he went well. Shown in good coat and well presented. I liked his skull shape, being long with correct tapering. He has medium sized dark eyes and well set ears.

3rd McNulty’s Kenbloom Nix Boxwood at Abbykiera

Dachshund Min L/H Open (4,1 abs)

1st Bell’s Indiko Cast in Cream at Tolberg

Litter sister to the previous class winner and also showing so many desirable qualities. This girl is cream and also has a gorgeous straight and soft coat, super outline, melting head and nicely shaped dark eye. Today she lost out to her sister for BOB who I felt had a stronger rear both stacked and on the move. Easy class winner here.

2nd McNulty’s Kenbloom Nix Boxwood at Abbykiera

This shaded red bitch of just 6 months was from a larger mould than 1st. She has some maturing to do and I wondered if this was her first time out as she was determined to give her handler a hard time. I liked her outline, good shoulder placement and strong topline.

3rd McNulty’s Unlocked Heart at Abbykiera

Dachshund Min S/H Post Graduate (4, 2abs)

1st Cumberland’s Mumysami So Distinct

I really liked this mature shaded red bitch. At almost 6 years of age she presents a lovely package. Her shape and outline are super and she had the best front assembly in this class. Her neck is strong and of a nice length, leading to well placed shoulders. Her tailset and carriage is good and she looks great when moving out. A very smart girl.

2nd Cumberlands Mumysami Star Spangled

A 2 year old black and tan bitch who is balanced and with good bone. I liked her keel and chest and she has a super underline. Overall she is great for size and shape. She moved out well with purpose and drive.

Dachshund Min S/H Open (3)

1st Cumberland’s Mumysami Beth Level of Crazy JW

A shaded red bitch of almost 3 years. For me she was the best shape, with a firm topline, excellent front assembly and nice eye. Her head is a very nice shape and she has a feminine expression. Her ears are well set and she has excellent feet. She was handled and presented beautifully to really get the best from her. Pleased to award her BOB today in good company from her kennelmates.

2nd Cumberland’s Mumysami So What TAF

Another super hound from this kennel, this one being the litter sister to my previous class winner. She too has a super, clean and firm outline from well placed shoulders to a very nice tail set. Today was presented a stubborn attitude and was not as cooperative with her excellent handler. That said, she her qualities could not be denied.

3rd Richardson’s Teckeltown Elton John

Irish Wolfhound Post Graduate (1)

1st Taylor’s Bribiba’s Highland Prince at Critataylor

An impressive young male of 20 months who has not yet reached full maturity yet. He oozes Wolfhound breed type and has good substance and bone for his age. He is balanced with a lovely outline, emphasising his shape. I loved his masculine head which is long and with the correct proportions. Well handled.

Irish Wolfhound Open (1)

1st Taylor’s Bribiba’s Calamity Jane at Critataylor

Another wheaten, this one a mature 3 year old bitch. She too has so much breed type. I loved her balance, outline and size. She has ample substance without losing her femininity and was very steady and composed on the move. She has a super depth of chest, good ribbing and a lovely bend of stifle. Her head is the correct shape with a beautiful dark eye. She stands well with a nice lay of pastern. BOB & Hound Group 4.

Rhodesian Ridgeback Post Graduate (3, 1abs)

1st Mackfall, Mackfall & McIntosh’s Africaner Zavanna Breeze JW

A really lovely feminine bitch who conveyed the image of substance and power. She presents a beautifully balanced outline with a strong long neck, clean shoulders and a firm broad topline. At 14 months she presents a mature package for her age with good bone. I liked her head, nice eye and she stands on a lovely front assembly. Her rear is constructed beautifully and this showed on the move where she powered round the ring freely. She was shown in super condition and was well handled to really get the best from her. I will watch her future with interest and feel she has much success on the way. BOB & Hound Group 1 in strong company.

2nd Hall’s Msingi Fancy That at Cynami JW

Another young bitch who had lots to like. She is so feminine and from a smaller mould than 1st. She too has a lovely outline and topline and I loved her correct bend of stifle, tailset and underline. Her front is so well constructed with a nice chest, shoulder placement and good bone. Today though she was not placing much weight on her rear left foot which really showed on the move. Well handled.

Saluki Post Graduate (1)

1st Dugdale’s Gayledale Hurricane of Hera

This ultra feminine parti coloured bitch was so graceful and free moving. Her head is super: being long and narrow with good eye shape and correct ear set. She was shown in super condition and presented a lovely eye filling image. The noise of the hall unsettled her in the group which was a shame. BOB. A lovely girl with so much to like.

AVNSC Hound Open (4, 3abs)

1st Lumley’s Swansford Diadora

Black and Tan Long Haired 3 year old Dachshund bitch. Such a happy showgirl who was presented in good coat. She is a nice shape and has an excellent front construction. Her head is pretty and a nice shape. Best NSC.

AV Import Register Hound (3)

1st Wyer, Marshall Wyer & Shannon’s Valabaude Solange (Griffon Fauve de Bretagne)

What a lovely outgoing youngster of 16 months! She has the sweetest of natures and looked like she enjoyed every second of being in the ring. I loved her head which had a nice eye and correct ears. On the move she powered round, moving so freely. She stands well and covers a lot of ground as would be expected by this breed. Presented and handled beautifully. Best AV Import Hound.

2nd Middleton’s Caelestibleu Suede Shoes (Basset Bleu de Gascogne)

A well schooled blue, black and tan bitch. Almost 2 years of age and shown in good condition. She is very well schooled and presents a nice picture. I particularly liked her front assembly with deep chest, and a prominent sternum. Her tailset is good and she carried her tail correctly. Her head is nicely shaped and she has a sweet expression with a nice dark brown eye.

3rd Clifford’s Valabaude Violette (Griffon Fauve de Bretagne)

Group 1 - Mackfall, Mackfall & McIntosh’s Africaneer Zavanna Breeze JW (Rhodesian Ridgeback)

Group 2 - Bell’s Indiko A Touch of Cream at Tolberg (Min L/H Dachs)

Group 3 – Goldberg’s Molesend Linnet (Beagle)

A mature Tan and white beagle of just 7 months of age. She is a lovely shape and size with a super clean outline. She has a pleasing head framed by nicely set ears. Her neck is long and she has a good depth of chest and ribbing for her age. Her topline is level and she holds this on the move. Her tail carriage is good and she moved out nicely.

Group 4 - Taylor’s Bribaba’s Calamity Jane at Critataylor (Irish Wolfhound)

Puppy Group 1 - Bell’s Indiko A Touch of Cream at Tolberg (Min L/H Dachs)

Puppy Group 2 - Goldberg’s Molesend Linnet (Beagle)

Puppy Group 3 - Sharp-Dixon & Reyes Convica She’s Got the Look (Basenji)

AV Hound Puppy (9, 6abs)

1st Sharp-Dixon & Reyes Convica She’s Got the Look (Basenji)

2nd Kirby’s Deliciaedax Dominion

3rd Kirby’s Deliciaedax Noir Majeste

AV Hound Open (6, 3abs)

1st Dover’s Palamedees Arian Khrysos at Keanver JW

2nd Middleton’s Caelestibleu Suede Shoes

3rd Clifford’s Valabaude Violette

AV Hound Veteran (7, 4abs)

1st Casentieri’s Lambada Mysterious Talisman (IMP)

9 year old Red and white Basenji who filled my eye upon entering the ring. I loved her head which has good wrinkle, well set ears and a dark eye. She has a lovely strong neck of good length and well set shoulders. Not showing her age at all and showing the youngsters how to do it! I simply loved her lofty head carriage and ‘look at me attitude’!

2nd Knowles’ CH Tokaji Klassic Trickster at Sarawana VW

An upstanding tricolour male who is shown in excellent condition. Not showing his ten years of age in any way, he moved out beautifully and was so free and light on his feet. He is masculine and has a lovely head with sufficient wrinkle and nicely shaped dark eyes. He is high on his leg but a little heavier across the shoulders today. Pushed 1 hard.

3rd Lumley’s Dagastren Martha My Dear

Judge: Lynn Bailey