Highland Canine Association

My first time at this friendly show and my thanks go to the committee of Highland Canine Association for their invitation to judge and their wonderful hospitality on the day.  Thank you too to my lovely and efficient steward, Nicky Cuthbert, and all those who entered for allowing me the privilege of assessing their dogs. Deerhound PG (1, 0) Harvey’s Kilbourne Aoife. Blue-grey 2-year-old bitch. Typical head and topline with harsh, close lying coat. Straight front. Would have preferred more strength of neck and more body overall. Moved with an easy stride although a little lacking in drive. O (2, 1) Swanson’s Altimarlach Balnabruich. Rising 3-year-old dark blue-grey bitch of good size and proportions. Feminine expression, strong neck leading into nicely angled shoulders, plenty of forechest and good depth of brisket. Correct topline which she held on the move. Typical coat. Moved well in profile. Would’ve liked a little more width behind. BOB. Beagle O (1, 0) Stewart’s Dughallmor Iceman. 9-month-old tricolour male. Attractive head with well-defined stop. Good length of ear, slightly arched neck leading into level topline. Good front angulation and front infill. A little too much length of leg at this stage. Tail carried well on the move although somewhat unsettled throughout. BOB. Rhodesian Ridgeback (4, 0) 1 Ritche’s Jimanns Hell on Heels ShCEx. Lots to like about this handsome 3-year-old red wheaten bitch who caught my eye on the initial go-around. Well bodied with balanced angulation and good muscle definition. Ribbed well back and strong loin. Moved with purpose and drive around the ring. BOB and HG4. 2 Field’s Kalabaney Highland Lass. 16-month-old red wheaten female with some maturing still to do. Many of the same attributes as 1 but out-moved today. Irish Wolfhound O (3, 0) 1 Hanlon’s Strathmithie Ghillie Pot at Achnagonlan. 2-year-old wheaten male of good size and lovely coat and condition. Masculine head and expression. Strong neck, pleasing topline although would’ve preferred a little more length overall. Straight front and tight feet. Moved around the ring with ease. BOB and HG2. 2 Hanlon’s Bribiba Highland Dancer at Achnagonlan. 2-year-old black bitch of good overall shape and proportions. Pleasing head and strong, arched neck. Would’ve preferred a little more angulation in front. Outmoved by 1 today. Borzoi O (0, 0). Basset Hound O (4, 0) 1 Cruickshank’s Burnvale Dazzling Diamond at Culsalmond. I liked this red blanket/wh 4-year-old bitch very much. Pleasing head with feminine expression, well flewed, long velvety ears, muscular neck and level topline. Would’ve preferred to see a little less haw. Good for size overall. A tidy mover, she held her topline nicely on the move. In the breed ring she moved out well carrying her tail aloft. Moving on to the Group however, she’d had enough. Sadly her tail carriage told the story and it cost her a place. BOB. 2 Miller’s Mandala Z Sennej Krainy of Tayjinx (Imp Pol). Another 4-year-old bitch of nice type. Blanket tri, more heavily flewed than 1 but not overdone. She impressed with her profile movement but when stacked, looked a little short in length. AV Hound Imp (0, 0). AV Hound NSC PG (6, 1) Spacey’s Inchydoney Memories Vlady Muscat at Hallimans (Imp Fra). At not quite 2 years of age, this red fawn Greyhound bitch took my eye early on in the class. The epitomy of elegance and grace, she presented a pretty picture indeed. Feminine head and expression, adequate length of neck, good spring of rib carried well back with balanced angulation front and rear. Straight front with a deep brisket and plenty of heart room. Good bone and feet well-knuckled. Moved out well in all directions. Needs to grow in confidence to reach her full potential. Class winner and HG1. 2 Swanson’s Altimarlach Beitidh Putans. 10-month-old red Standard Smooth Dachshund puppy bitch with super head and expression although ear set could be a little higher. Clean neck and good shoulder placement. Level topline with slight rise over loin. Tail carried well on the move. Good ground clearance. Moved true out and back. AV Hound NSC O (3, 3). AV Hound MP (2, 0) 1 Miller’s Timpetoes Skyjo with Tayjinx Imp Deu. 8-month-old tri-colour Basset Hound male displaying the shiniest of coats in the sunshine. More settled now than in the earlier breed class he gave a much better account of himself moving out proudly, tail aloft, around the ring. A little bum-high at this stage but should settle with maturity. 2 Bowers and Marshall’s Dollydash Star of the Seas at Lyonglen. At just 6 months of age, this young wild boar male was overcome with the excitement of his first show and so unfortunately, I was unable to go over him or properly assess his movement. I look forward to seeing him in the ring again once he has settled down to the job. AV Hound P (4, 1) 1 Swanson’s Altimarlach Beitidh Putans. See above. 2 Swanson’s Altimarlach Diabhal Dubh. Another nice example of a Standard Smooth Dachshund from this kennel. Litter brother to 1 and same comments apply. Just preferred the movement of 1 today. AV Hound PG (5, 1) 4-year-old fawn wh/trim Whippet male. Masculine head and expression, long, elegant neck, smooth shoulders and good topline which he held on the move. Would’ve preferred a little more depth of brisket. Moved well in profile and true coming and going. 2 Harvey’s Kilbourne Aoife. See above. AV Hound O (3, 1) 1 Robertson & McVey’s Zigouse Fly Me to the Moon via Kastrach. 5-year-old fawn brindle wh/trim dog. Good for size and moderate throughout. Pleasing head and expression. Fine ears. Shown in good muscular condition. Moved well in profile and true coming and going. Handler struggled to show him to advantage today but I saw enough to give him the class and later, HG3. 2 Spacey’s Inchydoney Memories Talisman at Hallimans (Imp Fra). Handsome 3-year-old red fawn male who was a little reluctant to be gone over today. Nicely constructed – I loved his outline. Good depth of brisket and well filled in front. Moved well in profile but out and back a little untidy. AV Hound V (3, 1) Scanlon’s Kinabula’s All About the Bass JW ShCEx OSW VW. I have judged this lovely light wheaten girl before and today, at 8 years of age, she looked and moved better than I’ve ever seen her. Pleasing head with dark eye and feminine expression, strong neck, good lay back of shoulder, excellent fill in front and depth of brisket, strong bone, balanced angulation, tail well set on, tight feet. A worthy Hound Veteran winner. 2 Bowers’ Celtic Lore’s Golden Archer at Lyonglen (Imp USA). 7-year-old liver nosed male. Nicely constructed throughout. Moved well in profile but a little untidy out and back. AV Scottish Native Breeds O (15, 7) McNiven, Bryson & Bryson’s Dajaveil Tromie Meadow. Lovely eye-catching black Scottish Terrier bitch of 16-months of age. Typical head and expression, muscular neck, deep chest, ribs well sprung and level topline. Shown in super condition, her harsh outer coat was gleaming. Level gait. True coming and going. 2 Long’s Talraz Signs of Spring at Bearbria. Much to like about this 14-month-old slate grey/wh Bearded Collie male who was unlucky to meet 1 today. Nicely proportioned throughout with typical head and moderate length of neck. Ribbed well back with good spring. Balanced angulation with just the right amount of muscle. Dense double coat in wonderful condition. Covered the ground effortlessly. AV Members Highland Stakes O (12, 3) 1 Warden’s Noblemoon Tak The High Road To Glentochty VW. Handsome 8-year-old Golden Retriever male who belied his age in this class. Shown in excellent condition. Lovely head with gentle, but masculine expression. Good length of neck, straight front with good infill and depth of brisket. Neat feet. Good lay of shoulder and level top line which he held on the move. Moved well in all directions. 2 MacDonald’s Riskerytree The Countess. 3-year-old grey Skye Terrier bitch in excellent coat and condition. Strong head and jaw with scissor bite. Dark eye. Nicely proportioned throughout. Good angulation and strong quarters allowed her to move effortlessly around the ring. True coming and going.

Fiona Finch