Three Counties Agricultural Society

Three Counties Agricultural Society Championship Show

Saturday 6th June 2026

Critique

Thank you to the committee of Three Counties for inviting me to judge at their Championship show. With wet weather forecast I was dreading judging indoors as always prefer an outdoor ring to judge hounds, however the Society ensured we had large rings with plenty of space for exhibitors meaning I could get a good assessment of each dog, this was appreciated. Special thanks to my two excellent stewards who kept my ring running smoothly. Finally thank you to my exhibitors who all waited patiently to be seen as we were scheduled later in the ring.

Otterhounds

A quality entry of this super breed, all dogs had good breed type, excellent coats and good feet. Some promising youngsters too bode well for this vulnerable native breed. 

Post Graduate Dog

Entries: 2 Absentees: 1

1st. Ottaryx Carson (ai) (Mrs J & Mr F Rooksby). 20-month-old male with lovely head proportions, distinct stop and good muzzle and nose. Lovely eye and expression with correct set ears of good length. Strong neck going into well laid shoulders although a touch shorter in upper arm. Very good feet and sufficient bone. Good depth of chest for age, and a good top line. Balanced moderate hindquarters although could do with more second thigh. Super coat texture and although still not mature, in good condition. Moved well, hind movement could be stronger but looked lovely in profile.

Open Dog

Entries: 2 Absentees: 0

1st. Teckelgarth Musket* (Miss M K Lerego). 14-month-old with a superb head piece, masculine and imposing with strong muzzle, good nose and excellent underjaw. Lovely eye and expression with correct ear set of good length. Excellent strong neck going into a very good front with well laid shoulders, balanced return of upper arm and super bone and feet. Well sprung ribs with decent depth of chest for age and strong topline. Moderate hindquarters with good first and second thigh and in excellent coat and condition for one so young. Tail carried slightly over the back, but still a young dog so can forgive this for now. Very sound mover with lovely long stride and one with a promising future, I’m sure. Reserve Best Dog.

2nd. Olphae Governor JW (Mrs S Lewis). Another quality male with a super head, strong muzzle, and balanced proportions. Super eye and expression and excellent ears. Strong neck going into another very good front with balanced return of upper arm and very good feet. Not the depth of chest or spring of rib of the winner, but again another fairly young dog who has time on his side in this slow maturing breed. Excellent topline and balanced moderate hindquarters with good first and second thigh and a correctly set tail. Lovely mover, especially in profile with good length of stride. A close decision between first and second.

Veteran Dog

Entries: 1 Absentees: 0

1st. Ch Olphae Charman VW ** (Mrs S Lewis). An old favourite of mine who I have judged before and seems to just get better with age. Quality 8-year-old male with the most majestic head piece, super strong muzzle, good nose and excellent expression. Lovely strong neck going into well laid shoulders with balanced return of upper arm and excellent bone and feet. Super depth of chest with well sprung ribs and excellent topline. Lovely balanced moderate hindquarters with good first and second thighs and correct tail. Lovely mover in profile and sound up and back. An eye-catching male who for me defines this beautiful breed. Presented in super harsh coat and condition. Delighted to award him Best Dog, Best of Breed and Best Veteran in Breed. He was shortlisted in a quality group. 

Post Graduate Bitch

Entries: 3 Absentees: 2

1st. Teckelgarth Manon* (Miss M K Lerego). Very promising 14-month-old bitch with a super head, balanced skull to muzzle proportions with distinct stop and lovely intelligent eyes and expression. This bitch has a glint of naughtiness in her which I really enjoyed. Correct ears of good length and a super neck going into a very good front with well laid shoulders, balanced return of upper arm and super feet. Well sprung ribs for age with an excellent topline and balanced moderate hindquarters. A lovely mover, especially in profile and super breed type. Another with a promising future, I’m sure. Reserve Best Bitch. 

Open Bitch

Entries: 3 Absentees: 2

1st. Teckelgarth Kalliope (Miss M K Lerego). Quality bitch who was a touch overwhelmed initially however seemed to settle once she was moving. Excellent head and expression with strong muzzle, good nose and super ears. Excellent neck going into a very good front with well laid shoulders, balanced return of upper arm and excellent feet and bone. Good depth of chest with well sprung ribs, strong loin and balanced well-muscled hindquarters. Lovely sound mover with good length of stride and excellent breed type. A really beautiful feminine hound. Best Bitch and Best opposite sex in breed. 

Veteran Bitch

Entries: 2 Absentees: 1

1st. Ch Teckelgarth Zsa Zsa (Miss M & Mrs C Lerego & Wheatley). Almost nine-year-old bitch with a super head and nose, strong muzzle and skull and good eyes and ears. Very slightly upright in shoulder although upper arm is balanced and she has super bone and feet. Well sprung ribs with balanced moderate hindquarters. Topline dipping slightly when she is stood but still in great condition give her age. Super coat texture and moved well, especially in profile. 

AVNSC Hound

Puppy Dog

Entries: 3 Absentees: 0

1st. Foxhunt A Mark Left Behind (Imp Aust), Breed: Foxhound (Miss C & Miss B & Mr J & Mrs C Millward & Bryson & Bryson & Bryson). An interesting dog to judge, and very different in type and style to the hounds I am used to seeing in my local pack this young male gives the impression of a powerful masculine hound. Super head with flat skull, strong muzzle with good underjaw and moderate stop, with beautiful eyes and expression and good ears set correctly. Strong arched neck going into well laid shoulders with good return of upper arm, super bone and excellent feet. Good length of rib with decent spring for age. For me he could be slightly shorter coupled, and I would like a touch less angulation in his hindquarters, as this is a galloping breed, not a trotting dog, however he does have excellent first and second thigh and presented in super condition with plenty more to come. Excellent stern set on high and carried correctly on the move. Still needs to come together in front movement but drives well at the rear and sound in profile. The most together of the puppies entered today and happy to award him Best AVNSC Puppy. Congratulations to his owners on taking Hound Puppy Group 2. 

2nd. Henissy Fenton, Breed: Harrier (Miss C Farrar) 7-month-old puppy with lovely head and expression, super eye shape and good ears. Nice strong neck going into excellent lay of shoulders and balanced return of upper arm with good bone and feet. Well sprung ribs for age with well-muscled loin and balanced hindquarters. Still needs to strengthen in rear movement although lovely in profile and overall type.

3rd. Henissy Fergus, Breed: Harrier (Miss C Farrar)

Junior Dog

Entries: 3 Absentees: 2

1st. Henissy Firefly, Breed: Harrier (Miss C Farrar). 14 months old who was playing up for his handler. Super head and expression, excellent forequarters with well laid shoulders and super feet. Well sprung ribs of good length and balanced moderate hindquarters with good second thigh. Excellent coat and condition. Lovely mover in profile, still needs to come together coming and going. A promising young hound once he settles. 

Post Graduate Dog

Entries: 3 Absentees: 0

1st. Henissy Fiver, Breed: Harrier (Miss C Farrar). Quality Harrier with super head and lively expression, lovely flat skull and excellent ears. Excellent length of well arched neck going into a well laid shoulder, balanced return of upper arm and super bone and feet. Well sprung ribs with excellent topline, strong loin and balanced well angulated hindquarters with good second thigh. Well set tail and super mover, especially in profile. The most together on the move of the three in this class and overall, a quality hound. Reserve Best Dog. 

2nd. Chistoso Sand in Your Shoe Lizanthe (Imp Fin), Breed: Sloughi (Mrs E A Porteous). Sand male with lovely, elegant outline and sad expression. Balanced muzzle to skull proportions with good triangular ears going into an elegant neck of good length. Good shoulders with flat bone and moderate upper arm, good pasterns and well arched feet. Good depth of chest being well ribbed up and good top and underlines. Moderate hindquarters presented in lean well-muscled condition. Not so happy on the move today and I would like a bit less picking up in his front movement. A dog of lovely breed type, however.

3rd. Henissy Firework, Breed: Harrier (Miss C Farrar)

Open Dog

Entries: 4 Absentees: 2

1st. Am Ch Hallam Desert Phoenix Bakhu’s Max One in A Million (Imp Usa), Breed: Pharaoh Hound (Miss S & Mr G & Miss K & Mr D Parker & Stevens & Williams & Carota). Quality Pharaoh hound with the most beautiful noble head and expression, with correct wedge shape, parallel planes and super eyes, ears and pigment. Excellent front construction with well laid shoudelrs and balanced return of upper arm and excellent bone and feet. Excellent depth of chest with well sprung ribs of good length and strong loin. Balanced moderate hindquarters with super first and second thigh and presented in excellent solid muscled condition. A super moving dog being free and flowing in profile and sound up and back. I awarded this dog his third Challenge Certificate just a couple of weeks ago, he is probably one of the best hounds I have judged of any breed. Delighted to award him Best Dog and Best AVNSC and very pleased to see him take Hound Group 2 behind the beautiful Whippet. Congratulations to his owners. 

2nd. Azravi’s Marked by The Sunrise at Kirjojax (Imp Nor), Breed: Greyhound (Mrs J & Mr R J Wilce-Quinton & Quinton). Upstanding male greyhound of generous proportions with super head, flat skull with balanced muzzle of good length and lovely eye and expression. Excellent length of neck going into well laid shoulders with balanced return of upper arm. Excellent depth to his chest although would like a bit more spring of rib as a touch flat sided. Very good topline with strong loin and balanced hindquarters. Lovely low reaching movement in profile. A hound with plenty to like. 

Puppy Bitch

Entries: 3 Absentees: 1

1st. Henissy Feather, Breed: Harrier (Miss C Farrar). Very pretty 7-month-old with super head and expression, excellent eye shape, nice flat skull and good ear set. Excellent length of neck going into well laid shoulders with balanced return of upper arm and excellent bone and feet. Well sprung ribs for age and an excellent topline with balanced hindquarters. A touch overwhelmed today, she was the most together on the move of the two in this class. Best Puppy Bitch.

2nd. Henissy Festive, Breed: Harrier (Miss C Farrar). Litter sister to the winner and many of the same comments apply being similar in type and style. Unfortunately, not so happy to be examined today or on the move, but lovely overall example of the breed, just needs to build in confidence. 

Junior Bitch

Entries: 2 Absentees: 0

1st. Henissy Fidget, Breed: Harrier (Miss C Farrar) 14-month-old bitch of lovely type and the most together. Aptly named ‘Fidget’ she did not want to stand still for long! Super head and expression with excellent neck going into well laid shoulders, super bone and feet. Well sprung ribs with nice strong loin and balanced hindquarters of good angulation. Most together on the move of the two in this class.

2nd. Henissy Feebie, Breed: Harrier (Miss C Farrar). 7-month-old puppy with lovely head and eye shape and much the same in type to her litter sisters in the puppy class. Super shoulder with good return of upper arm and excellent feet. Well sprung rib for age and balanced hindquarters, not as together on the move as her more senior kennel mate so had to settle for second today. 

Post Graduate Bitch

Entries: 3 Absentees: 1

1st. Henissy Farthing, Breed: Harrier (Miss C Farrar). 6-year-old Harrier with lovely head and eye shape, excellent length of neck going into well laid shoulders with balanced return of upper arm, good bone and feet. Well sprung ribs with strong loin and balanced moderate hindquarters. Lovely well-muscled condition and super easy free movement. 

2nd. Amenediel's Minnihaha at Superbiam, Breed: Bavarian Mountain Hound (Mrs V Fairburn). 21-month-old with super feminine head and expression and excellent ears. Strong neck going into well laid shoulders and good return of upper arm. Still needs to spring in rib but ribs of decent length and good strong loin. Hindquarters could be stronger but moved well enough. Lovely coat, colour and condition. Still a young bitch who is not yet fully mature, but plenty to like.

Open Bitch

Entries: 3 Absentees: 0

1st. Ch Moorlander Cacharel, Breed: Bloodhound (Miss Jill Harrington) Beautiful bloodhound with most noble of heads and super expression. Narrow skull with balanced muzzle tapering well with good flews and parallel head planes. Excellent ears of good length and strong, long neck going into well laid shoulders with balanced upper arm and super bone and feet. Well sprung ribs of good depth with a strong loin and balanced well angulated hindquarters. Super muscle tone and condition and correct set stern carried well on the move. Lovely typical movement for the breed being elastic and free. A quality bitch who I have also seen working in the field. Happy to award her best bitch and best opposite sex AVNSC in today’s entry. 

2nd. Ir Ch Aabidah De Polvo Magico (Imp Aut) Cw24 Cjw24 ShCEx, Breed: Sloughi (Mrs A Carter). Feminine sand coloured Sloughi with elegant head and balanced muzzle to skull proportions. Eyes are a touch rounder than I’d prefer however has good triangular ears set correctly. Good length of neck with moderate lay of shoulder and very good upper arm. Slight spring of rib with good depth to chest and balanced moderate hindquarters. Long lean muscle and light free movement in profile. Reserve best bitch. 

3rd. Henissy Fancy, Breed: Harrier (Miss C Farrar)

Veteran Bitch

Entries: 2 Absentees: 1

1st. Frenzy at Henissy Aw(s), Breed: Harrier (Miss C Farrar) 12-year-old Harrier with a good head, flat skull and nice eye shape. Nice lay of shoulder with good bone and feet and balanced hindquarters. Carrying a few extra pounds but we can forgive her with age. Moved well enough today to win best veteran.

AV Imported Breed Register Hound

Post Graduate Dog

Entries: 2 Absentees: 1

1st. Chestnut Bleu Hippolyte (Imp Swe), Breed: Basset Bleu De Gascogne (Mr M & Miss D & Mrs C & Miss H Hunt & Hunt & Barber & Barber). Promising two-year-old Basset Bleu de Gascogne with super masculine wedge-shaped head, beautiful eye and gentle expression and excellent ears. Strong arched neck going into strong forequarters with slight crook and tight elbows. Very good feet and bone. Good sternum with well sprung ribs of good length, good topline and balanced well-muscled hindquarters. Very together on the move being sound in all directions and good drive from the rear, holding his topline and tail correctly. A quality hound who really impressed me for type and movement, happy to award him best imported register in todays entry. 

Junior Bitch

Entries: 1 Absentees: 0

1st. Chestnut Bleu Isabeau for Matthew (Imp Swe), Breed: Basset Bleu De Gascogne (Mr M Hunt). Just one year old Basset Bleu de Gascogne with a feminine head and good expression. A touch more stop in her foreface than I’d prefer but good eyes and ears. Good length of neck with decent sternum and well-made shoulders and feet. Well ribbed up with a well angulated hindquarter and excellent colour and condition. Moved well for age, especially in profile. Still needs to come together in front but a promising hound. 

Open Bitch

Entries: 2 Absentees: 0

1st. Ir Ch Stonemartin Bron, Breed: Azawakh (Mrs D Searle). Elegant bitch of lovely breed type, super head being lean with flat cheeks and skull and lovely eye shape. Good overall proportions being slightly higher than long she has good moderate front angulation with long upper arm and correct bone. Excellent topline and good tuck up with moderate hindquarters with good long lean muscle and super coat and condition. The more together on the move today of the two in this class with good high action light trot. Best Bitch and Best Opposite Sex Imported Register Hound.

2nd. Stonemartin Ailbe with Katanga ShCEx (IKC), Breed: Azawakh (Mr R J & Miss C Gunn). Another beautiful Azawakh with excellent head, neck and forequarters and overall balanced proportions. Not happy today going down on her hocks when stood and unsettled on the move. I have seen this bitch before and know she can show better so wonder is something upset her today. She is a quality bitch however, just not her day today. 

David Knights (Lelaps)