Torquay & District Canine Society

I would like to extend my sincere thanks to Torquay & District Canine Society for the kind invitation to judge the Hound breeds. My gratitude also goes to the committee for their warm hospitality, the venue for providing an excellent lunch, and to my efficient steward, Tracey Hill, who ensured the ring ran smoothly throughout the day. I was very pleased with the overall quality of the entries and would like to thank all exhibitors for bringing their dogs under me. While I did not encounter any significant faults, I did feel that the general movement of some Beagles and Dachshunds could have been improved. However, I was generally delighted with the high standard presented.

Whippet:

P (3,2) 1 HOWGATE & HULL’S, PALMIK RAINDROP, 6-month-old BRINDLE B, A promising puppy with a lovely overall balance. The mouth is correct, with a strong bite. She presents a graceful neck leading into well laid-back shoulders, and a deep chest that supports a sound body structure. On the move, she held a lovely topline, demonstrating good muscle tone in the hindquarters. Her movement was clean and precise for her age, showing great promise for the future. RBOB & BPIB. 2 SHARP’S, SAINTHARP ALL IN GOOD TIME, 7-month old-BLUE BRINDLE WHITE TRIM, Another lovely puppy with a correct mouth and deep chest. Slightly finer boned than the winner, but still showing good overall balance. She held her topline well while moving, though a little unsettled on the move, which is expected at this stage. With more experience, I’m sure her movement will improve as she matures. G (3,4) 1 SHARP’S, CHIPPWHIPP LET THE SUNSHINE, 5-year-old BRINDLE B, A dog of pleasing general appearance with a nice shape and correct breed outline. Her head and skull were slightly finer than some today, but still showing correct proportions and expression. She displayed good front forequarters with well‑laid shoulders and straight front legs. Her topline would benefit from a touch more strength to enhance overall balance, however, her hindquarters were adequate and enabled good ground coverage. On the move she showed a positive gait with soundness and thrust, covering the ground well for type. 2 DURANTE’S, DURANRIDGE CHIC SHADOW, 21 month old BLACK BRINDLE WHITE TRIM B, A very nice exhibit with a pleasing head and correct skull proportions. She had a deep chest and good front assembly with a strong neck into shoulder. Unfortunately, her rear movement was not at its best today, with the left hind not driving as positively, which slightly affected her overall balance on the move. With steadier rear action, she would present a more complete picture. Nonetheless, she has correct type and pleasing overall outline. L (2,2) 1 SHARP’S, SAINTHARP CAN’T GET ENOUGH, 21-month-old BLUE BRINDLE PARTICOLOUR D, A dog of correct Whippet type with a nice head and well‑proportioned skull showing good expression. He has a well‑developed body with sufficient depth of chest and correct spring of rib giving good heart room. He stood bigger in size as expected for a dog, potentially towards the upper end of the height scale. On the move, he showed better gait and drive than the second, covering the ground with good reach and drive, maintaining a firm topline throughout. He was very difficult to separate from the second, and on another day, the placings could easily have been reversed. 2 WOODWARD’S, TERVANTY DRAGON SONG AT PALMIK JW, 20-month-old FAWN B, A nicely presented exhibit with correct overall balance and good body proportions. She had a pleasing head and skull, correct neck into shoulder, and deep chest according to type. Her movement was sound and adequate for the class, though not quite matching the first’s extension and drive on the day. She showed correct outline and typical Whippet elegance, with an honest performance around the ring. O (5,3) 1 WOODWARD’S, TERVANTY MAGIC DRAGON JW, 20-month-old FAWN B, A Whippet of correct type who easily stood out from the class today. She has a good head and well‑proportioned skull with correct expression. Her neck flows nicely into well‑laid shoulders and good forequarters. The body is well balanced with strong hindquarters, enabling very nice clean movement, covering the ground with ease. I was particularly taken by her size, slightly smaller, which I liked in profile, and her positive action around the ring. BOB. Really pleased to see this dog go on to win HG2, very well deserved. 2 SHARP’S, CHIPPWHIPP GEORGIE PORGY, 4 year old BLUE FAWN B, Very close decision between this and the third. Nice head and skull with correct proportions. Good depth of chest and nicely muscled hindquarters, giving strength and balance in profile. Moved well, maintaining a firm topline and showing sound, typical Whippet action. Presented a pleasing overall picture of breed type.

Jak Titchener (DRIFTTZU)