Darlington Dog Show Society Ltd

Darlington Dog Show Society

Championship Show

September 2026

Hound Group

Many thanks to all involved with the Darlington Dog Show society for this invitation. I used to attend this show as a young boy when it was at South Park, Darlington when Sam Pascoe was Secretary; in modern times Mr David Guy is in charge, held now at Ripon Race Course which provides many good facilities for all to enjoy. I only had one absentee in this group that was full of quality exhibits with so much to choose from. A few individuals may well have been disappointed in not making the short list but in my opinion the quality throughout was unusually high. This of course was down to the individual breed judges sending my quality BoB throughout, so thank you.

My initial short list consisted of 

Wrights, Basenji, Ch, NL, Int Ch Mawali Going for Gold, 

Robertson, BGV/Petit, Ch Soletrader Fomo, 

Craig, Beagle Ch Davricard Madonna, 

Munro, Borzoi, Int Ch Azo Ch Cib, Itl Ch Sup Ch, Marakhoff Vaarushka, 

Williams, M/S Dach Cwmdarhian Hot Pursuit,

Phillips W/H Dach, Ch Tendrow Will to Succeed,

Carter, Ibizan Hound, Ch L-Wynd’s Where Shadow Ends JW,

BarKer Rhod Ridgeback, Delianza She’s Timeless JW,

Wheeler Whippet, Ch Ranveli Diki Diki

In the end Group One went to the Whippet, Wheeler’s Ch Ranveli Diki Diki, if you need a template for a breed seminar this is it. For me he is the correct example of a Whippet to study. On inspection he displays true balance with a combination of muscular power combined with strength and grace of outline and all is with moderate proportions. He has good length in head with strength in under jaw with dark expressive oval bright eyes with the best of pigment. His ears are small and rose shaped and fine in texture. His neck has length which is elegantly arched which flows into a clean front assembly with good fill in forechest. His ribbing is well sprung with a firm loin. He is so correct in topline displaying a graceful arch over his loin. He stands on quality bone with neat well knuckled feet. He was presented in excellent muscle tone with fine coat texture. On the move he displayed true reach and drive on the out and back while holding a pleasing profile on the go around.  

Today he won this Group from hot competition and in my opinion well deserved it. Pleased to be informed he went on to Reserve Best in Show. Need I say more!

Group 2 went to

Roberston, Robertson, Robertson, BGV (Petit) Ch Soletrader Fomo. Flash backs to “Jilly” here. This breeder.Exhibitor has produced top draw quality Petits for many decades and continues to do so. On inspection her head is feminine with a slightly domed skull. Stop is clearly defined with a square muzzle with strength in underjaw with a large black nose. Her eyes are dark and oval which gives off such an appealing expression. Her ears are fine and set low. Her neck flows into a clean front assembly with good fill in forechest. She moderate in ribbing which are well let down to her elbows and carried well back to a firm loin. Topline is level which leads to a well set tail. She is well muscled in her rear which leads to short parallel hocks. She stands on correct bone with well padded feet. She displayed a free flowing even stride on the out and back whilst displaying a happy extrovert attitude at all times. Presentation was, as usual, one hundred percent. Will I ‘m sure continue to catch the eye!

Group 3 went to

Barker Rhod Ridgeback, Delionza She’s Timeless JW only 14 months old. A new one to me who possesses quality all through. Feminine in head which display correct proportions with strength in foreface all topped off with well placed ears which are carried close to her head. Her eyes are well set and are round which gives off an intelligent expression. She has good strength in her neck which flows into a clean front assembly with no sign of throatiness. Her ribbing is carried well back to a firm loin. Her ridge has good length with clearly defined crowns. She stands on quality bone with well arched toes and compact feet. On the move she was free and active whilst holding a pleasing profile on the go around. She was presented in excellent muscle tone and her coat was gleaming. She is still a junior but more to come from this one. Pleased to hear the following day that she has gained her crown. So congratulations!

Group 4 went to 

Philips, Std W/H Dach, Ch Tendrow Will to Succeed. Handsome individual of top draw quality. So correct in head which is of the correct conical shape with strength in foreface. Medium almond shaped eyes which give off an intelligent expression with well placed ears. Correct length in neck which is muscular with the desired arch with plenty in forechest. His ribbing is extended well back to a firm loin with good underline. His topline is solid which leads to correct croup and tailset all finished off with a well angulated rear and short strong parallel hocks. He moved out with true parallel reach and drive whilst holding his profile on the go around. His jacket was presented in excellent harsh texture and handled well to gain maximum output. Whilst completing a quartet of high quality Hounds!

JUDGE: Martin Sanders