Gundog Society Of Wales

I was very much looking forward to finally awarding CC’s in this breed, having owned them for over 30 years. Although I was happy overall with my main winners, I found a number of repeated concerns that I felt the need to highlight. 

The breed standard asks for a cat like foot with toes short, arched and tight. I found a number of exhibits that had hare like feet and some were completely flat. The foot is so important in such a versatile breed that is expected to work on a variety of terrains, so I did penalise those with incorrect feet.

Pasterns were also an issue. So many were either weak and down in pastern or bolt upright. The pastern is such an important part of the dog, providing a shock absorber to the leg and body as the weight of the dog hits the ground. Watch as a horse lands after a fence and look at how the pasterns flex almost to the floor taking the impact from the rest of the leg. It’s no different in a dog. An upright pastern has such a bearing on wear and tear as does a weak pastern. For me, its one part of a dog, particularly in a working breed or running breed, that’s crucial and should never be overlooked. 

The standard also asks for a slight tuck up beneath the loin. I recall when I first saw Vizsla’s in the ring and what struck me was the beauty and elegance and the underline was a part of what defined the breed. I saw so many dogs today that had no shape to the underline and the body shape was almost tubular. 

Finally, tails. The standard states, when moving carried horizontally. You can forgive a puppy that carries its tails a little high, but not an adult dog. So few had correct tail carriage. I had to forgive this to a point and weigh it up amongst other faults. I can appreciate it is unlikely to affect the dog when it works, but it completely spoils the outline of the dog on the move, and I would urge breeders and exhibitors not to let this become the norm. 

On a positive note, the majority of dogs displayed excellent temperaments and overall muscular condition was excellent. 

I surprised myself with some of my decisions and hopefully this critique will explain my train of thought. 

Minor Puppy Dog 

Entries: 2 Absentees: 0 

1ST - Vizslana Veedub von Fielgar NAF TAF (Mrs J & Mr P Hill) – Well bodied 6 month old, pleasing masculine head with a good length of skull and muzzle. Smooth neck running into a well laid shoulder, still to fully develop through the forechest, well boned, pasterns need to strengthen up, has the desired underline, enough turn of stifle and presents a lovely outline on the stack. On the move he is a little uncoordinated at the moment which creates an unbalance. His hindquarters lack strength when moving out and in profile he is overreaching, which affects his outline on the move. Hopefully, this will correct itself as he matures. 

2ND - Ivyvizbridge Ferrari (Mrs Em & Mr Ge Dallas) – I actually preferred this boy on the move to the class winner but the handler would benefit from some ringcraft training to get the best out of her pup on the stack. Masculine in head but would like a more squared off muzzle, good body shape and topline, good bone and excellent feet, enough angulation front and rear and shown in super condition. Just so difficult to assess him when stood.

Puppy Dog 

Entries: 1 Absentees: 0 

1ST - Oroshaza Bernard (Mrs D & Mrs C & Miss K Clubb & Mason & Angus) – Well matured pup in good body condition. Head could have more detail but this could yet develop, enough bone, good feet and slight spring of pastern, elbows could be tighter, lovely body shape and moderately angulated in the rear. On the move he carries his tail well and when he relaxes his topline levels off, he does however have a tendancy to sidetrack due to the slight overreach from behind.

Junior Dog 

Entries: 4 Absentees: 0 

1ST Russetmantle Tangle via Benzali (Mrs H Sutton) – This boy won the class due to his shape when stood. Presents a really nice outline, good for size, enough bone, good feet, elbows tightly in, well sprung ribcage, good expanse of second thigh and moderate angulation. On the move he is rather untidy out and back, but can really use himself in profile, covering the ground well. However, he has a habit of holding his head far too high on the move which is exacerbated by the lead being held up high over the neck. I did ask the handler to tell her runner to drop the lead and allow the dog to display his own natural head carriage, but sadly this wasn’t done. 

2ND 218 - Debian Dionysus for Ruamadra JW (Ms M Kiely) – Another with pleasing breed type, well boned, slight spring to the pastern, front feet need to be tighter, level backed, just enough spring of rib, shown in good muscular condition. A little untidy out and back and needs to develop strength in the rear. Holds his shape well in profile and carries his tail well. 

3RD Debian Dirty Harry (Mrs M Hussey) 

Yearling Dog 

Entries: 3 Absentees: 0 

1ST - Soletrader Rockin Robin (Miss Er O'brien) – Well constructed dog, masculine but retaining the medium size asked for in the standard. Well boned with excellent feet, slight spring to the pastern strong neck which flows into a well constructed front, prominent breast bone and good front fill, deep brisket with a beautiful underline and level back. Moderate rear angulation and a broad width of second thigh for the muscle to lay on. Has super side profile movement, covering the ground with ease, carrying his tail well. Excellent pilot on the end of the lead, who got the absolute best out of her dog. Pleased to award him his first CC with BOB.

2ND - Vizslanya Sarkany JW (Mr S & Mrs K M Challis) – Very different kennel type to the class winner, much stronger through the head and built on stronger bone, excellent feet, good enough shoulder, moderately angulated, has a good topline when stood and on the move, sound enough out and back but not the side profile of the winner. 

3RD Debian Dirty Harry (Mrs M Hussey) 

Novice Dog 

Entries: 0 Absentees: 0 

Post Graduate Dog 

Entries: 2 Absentees: 1 

1ST - Vizash Hunor (Mrs Cm Sharrocks) - Up to size boy, pleasing head with well set ears, clean neck, well filled forechest, deep brisket, level back and good angulation front and rear. A little wide in front on the move and he is a little disjointed in side profile, showing some overreach and having to slightly sidetrack to avoid the front feet. However, his muscular condition was excellent and he had super feet.

Limit Dog 

Entries: 2 Absentees: 0 

1ST 224 - Nevedith Thunder Bolt (Miss E W Newton) – Really pleasing example of the breed for shape and size, I liked his head proportions which had good detailing, strong neck, moderate angulation, straight when viewed from the front and the rear, front feet could be slightly tighter, carries himself well in profile with a good tail carriage. Pushed hard in the challenge.

2ND - Vizslanya Domenkos JW (Mr S & Mrs K M Challis) – A little heavier than the class winner but still of a medium size. Stronger in the head and with more bone, but he stands on excellent feet, slight spring to the pastern, moderate angulation, flowing underline, well conditioned and well handled. Sound on the move but just preferred the overall kennel type of the class winner.

Open Dog 

Entries: 1 Absentees: 1 

Champion Dog 

Entries: 3 Absentees: 0 

1ST - Sh Ch Amarantos Katana for Ertekes JW (Mrs R & Mrs L Da Silva & Sexton) - Such an elegant male with a lovely expression, clean neck into a well constructed front, deep brisket, well sprung ribcage, well muscled loin, moderately angulated front and rear, flowing underline and a level back, moved really well especially in profile. Really loved him for his breed type. In the challenge he pushed so hard for the CC. Pleased to award him the RCC.

2ND 237 - Sh Ch Kincsem Break Every Rule JW (Ms T & Mrs S Watkins & Kain) – Very different in type to 1, pleasing enough head and excellent front construction, correct for size, deep brisket and well filled forechest, well boned but front feet could be better, he presents a good shape overall but he didn’t have the underline that I was looking for. He was presented in superb muscular condition. On the move he has really big side profile movement but does slightly overreach and his tail carriage could be lower. 

3RD - Sh Ch Highforce All or Nothing JW ShCEx OSW (Ms E M Bradley) 

Veteran Dog 

Entries: 1 Absentees: 0 

1ST - Sh Ch Vizslanya Aragonia JW ShCEx OSW VW (Mr S & Mrs K M Challis) – A lot to like about this boy, really pleasing shape and outline when stood, good head shape, well made front with good fill and a deep brisket, well sprung ribcage, good bone and super feet, enough turn of stifle and well let down hocks. Holds himself well on the move, sound out and back and in profile. Another that I seriously considered in the challenge. 

Special Beginners 

Entries: 2 Absentees: 1 

1ST - Debian Dirty Harry (Mrs M Hussey) – This dog was in a couple of other classes but not placed high enough for a critique. Actually not a bad dog, just a little lighter boned and too feminine for me for a dog. His feet could be tighter and he is only a puppy so the front fill isn’t complete, but he has a pleasing outline, well constructed front and rear angulation and a good expanse of second thigh. Carries himself really well in profile and is sound enough out and back. BSBIB

Minor Puppy Bitch 

Entries: 2 Absentees: 0 

1ST - Vizslanya Elvezet (Mr S & Mrs K M Challis) – A very eye catching and balanced puppy showing really good breed type. Feminine head with an alert expression, well set ears, strong neck which runs into smooth shoulders and a good return of upper arm. She already has a well developed depth to her brisket and is well ribbed. Good rear angulation, flowing lines and overall such a steady, balanced and sound puppy. On the move she is correct out and back and she has super side profile movement, carrying her tail well. The first dog that gave me goosebumps today. In the challenge she upped her game and took the RCC along with BPIB

2ND - Ivyvizbridge Graces Gift (Ms E J Milner) – Another lovely puppy, just not as mature and developed as the class winner. She has good bone and feet, is well ribbed, moderately angulated, has a level back, a lovely underline and is so feminine. She is really sound on the move and very correct. She lost out mainly because of her lack of concentration in the ring, as she is far too focussed on the food being offered by the handler and forgets the job in hand. 

Puppy Bitch 

Entries: 2 Absentees: 0 

1ST - Vizslanya Elvezet  

2ND - Mezovad Athena (Miss V & Mr J Parker & Gist) – Up to size bitch and I hope she doesn’t grow on any more. Head was fine but I would like a touch more depth to the muzzle, clean neck, good front construction and front fill, well boned, everything is in proportion, level topline, good turn of stifle and excellent feet. She is sound out and back and moves well in profile. Just preferred size and head of 1

Junior Bitch 

Entries: 1 Absentees: 0 

1ST - Roughshoot Ximenex for Redhunt (Mr P & Mrs S Mcbeath) Really beautiful head and expression on this girl, long, strong neck, would like a better lay of shoulder and return of upper arm and a touch more front fill. Deep enough brisket and well ribbed, good width to her second thigh and showing super muscle definition. A little tense when stood and a difficult dog to work with, but on the move she moves very soundly and covers the ground well. 

Yearling Bitch 

Entries: 3 Absentees: 0 

1ST 236 - Nordicfield Lady Jaeger (Mrs R Warner) – Lovely head on this girl with a squared muzzle and well placed ears, long neck, prominent forechest which is well filled, deep brisket, but could have better front angulation and smoother shoulders. Shown in hard muscular condition, she moves really soundly and holds her topline well in profile. 

2ND - Vizslanya Vorsprung von Fielgar (Mrs J & Mr P Hill) - Different in type to 1 and overall a smaller build, feet could better and pasterns could be stronger, she has enough front fill, a flowing underline with a slight tuck up and moderate rear angulation. Not quite the strength in the rear as the class winner but she moves well in profile and carries her tail well.

3RD - Glenbrows Blush at Tantaraviz JW (Miss C M & Mr T D & Mrs H L Ward & Harrison & Harrison) 

Novice Bitch 

Entries: 4 Absentees: 0 

1ST - Vizslanya Elvezet 

2ND - Ivyvizbridge Graces Gift 

3RD - Mezovad Athena (Miss V & Mr J Parker & Gist) 

Post Graduate Bitch 

Entries: 2 Absentees: 1 

1ST - Roughshoot Red Hot for Redhunt (Mr P & Mrs S Mcbeath) – So much to like about this bitch, she is elegant, has the most exquisite head and expression, strong neck into a super constructed front, exactly the kind of tuck up I was looking for and moderate angulation in the rear. She is sound out and back and carries herself well in profile. Unfortunately, her mouth is not her forte and in the challenge she just wasn’t as collected as the winners. 

Limit Bitch 

Entries: 6 Absentees: 1 

1ST - Glenbrows Rouge JW (Miss V & Mr J Parker & Gist) – A bitch I have judged previously. Beautiful, elegant bitch, head of correct proportions, she has a body built on flowing lines, well filled front, deep chest, excellent spring of rib, muscular hind. On the move she is sound in all directions, covering the ground so easily and effortlessly. Would like a bit more spring to the pastern and handler really needs to allow her to drop her head rather than pull the neck back into the shoulders as this affects the whole front and the balance of the dog. 

2ND - Vizash Heiress of Caorunn JW (Miss G Aynsley) – Splitting hairs between the first two in this class. This dog scores in pastern but doesn’t quite have the return of upper arm of 1. Pleasing head, good neck, lovely underline, well boned, level back, moderate angulation, excellent feet and moved so soundly. 

3RD - Jetset Jitka Danitty at Shelseivad (Imp Cze) (Ms E & Mrs H Davies) 

Open Bitch 

Entries: 5 Absentees: 1 

1ST - Castledogley Firenze JW (Mr D J & Ms E M Hardcastle & Bradley) – What a beautiful elegant girl this is and your hands just flow over her. The most beautiful of heads and a kind but alert expression, well laid shoulder and good return of upper arm, prominent breastbone and well filled front, flowing underline and enough turn of stifle. Super feet and enough bone with a slight spring to the pastern. A little untidy when moving towards you but correct in the rear. Not the biggest in side profile but still balanced and sound and holds her outline really well. Pushed hard in the challenge.

2ND - Nordicfield Dawn Run (Mrs R Warner) – Quite different in type to 1 with more overall substance, a very balanced bitch when stood with a good topline, well boned, super feet and pasterns, good turn of stifle and a well sprung ribcage. A little untidy out and back. I just preferred the size and outline of 1. 

3RD - Perllanside Royal Fanfare (Miss S Davis) 

Champion Bitch 

Entries: 0 Absentees: 0 

Veteran Bitch 

Entries: 4 Absentees: 1 

1ST - Sh Ch Danton Obsession with Tantaraviz ShCEx (Miss C M Ward) – A really beautiful example of the breed with a correct head with strong muzzle, well set ears, strong in the neck which leads into really well laid shoulders, good return of upper arm, well boned, textbook feet and perfect pasterns. Well filled front with the breastbone showing, brisket to the elbow, I would like a slightly better tuck up to the loin but I forgave this this because of her age. When stood her outline is balanced and when she moves she maintains her shape, holds the topline and carries her tail well. No hesitation in awarding her the CC today. For her age she is a real credit to her owner and how lucky is she to have such a great handler on the end of her lead. Pleased to also award her BVIB.

2ND - Sh Ch Vizslanya Sziena JW ShCEx OSW VW (Mr D J & Ms E M Hardcastle & Bradley) – Another lovely example of the breed, albeit just starting to show her age now. Loved her head and expression, well placed ears, well laid shoulder, good upper arm, scored over 1 for her ideal underline with the correct tuck up, shown in hard, muscular condition. Moves soundly out and back but I just preferred the reach and drive of 1 along with overall carriage.

3RD - Sh Ch Recuerdo Monika of Caorunn VW (Miss G Aynsley)