Hound Association

The Hound Association (Premier Open Show)

Sunday, 20 July 2025

Martin Hewitt (Hunterspark and Pentaki) New Zealand

Once again, my thanks go to Mike Denny and his hardworking team for the invitation to judge the Premier Open Show.

It was an honour to judge Best In Show on the day and I had some great dogs in the lineup sent through by fellow judges. I was spoilt for choice and only fine margins separated the winners.

The PBGV was Best In Show and was an excellent example of the Breed and the Basset Hound was Reserve In Show and an excellent sound dog.

The Beagle was my Puppy In Show.

Thank you to my stewards on the day for their help.

Hamiltonstovare

A good entry of this handsome breed which was a pleasure to judge. All had great temperaments and colour.

PG (3,0)

1 Reilly, Wish Maker for Sufayre

Very nice Bitch. Excellent front and rear angulation which resulted in its free striding correct movement. Very good head planes. Correct short hard feet. Excellent topline flowing into a correct slightly inclined croup. This bitch stood out and was my BOB

 2 Frame, Master Spy for Sufayre

This dog was also a very good mover with Excellent angulation and a very good expression. Very good head, not so good in topline or feet as number 1.

3 Kenmare, Omega Huculska Dolina at Craigmills (Imp Pol)

O (4,1)

1 Graham, Game Changer for Sufayre

This dog had an Excellent Head with correct length and shape. Very good neck and topline. Excellent short hard feet. Excellent angulation front and rear resulting in correct movement. Overall, a very good type and my RBOB

 2 Stuart, Dream Maker from Sufayre

This bitch had an excellent topline, very good angulation front and rear. An elegant bitch. Moved well. Slightly fine head

3 Briant, Star Catcher from Sufayre

Norwegian Elkhound

Overall, this was a very sound breed in most cases excellent temperaments. A pleasure to judge

JD (2,0)

1 Stephenson, Kamgaard Kyffin for Brawdor

Correct compact shape with excellent coat length and texture. Very good tail and tail set, excellent angulation and correct compact oval feet, Alert expression

 2 Young, Laakso Karo at Torloisk

Very good head and expression. Excellent tail set, tight and curled correctly. Good coat with excellent texture. Neck could do with bit more length. Did not want to be mouthed on the day.

 OD (4,2)

1 Stephenson, Bowerhinton Bangalore at Brawdor VW RBOB

This was a 10-year-old dog and a lovely example of the breed. Very sound with excellent movement resulting from correct angulation and feet. Excellent expression resulting from a correct head. Very good tail. Overall, an excellent dog and my RBOB

 2 Stephenson, Norvin Marvel of Brawdor

Excellent expression. Correct coat and tail set. Very good feet. Not so sound in front as No. 1 and feet a little long.

 OB (4,1)

1 Mortimer, Laakso Julaften BOB

Excellent effortless mover with correct front and rear angulation. Correct expression resulting from very good eyes and ears. Excellent tail set, tightly curled over the back. Overall, another excellent dog and my BOB

2 Brown, Ch Laakso Cara

Very good expression resulting from very good eye and correct ear placement and carriage. Very good topline. Moved adequately. Feet a little flat. Coat was lacking thickness and was not abundant.

3 Young, Bowerhinton Baroness of Torloisk