Kent County Canine Association

Kent County Canine Association – All Breed Open Show – 22nd February 2026

My thanks to the show committee for inviting me to judge at this very hospitable show. My sincere thanks to the very efficient ring steward who kept the ring running so smoothly and always had a cheerful disposition. Thank you also to all exhibitors for your entry and for accepting my decisions in a sporting manner.

A.V.N.S.C. Hound

Class 1 Puppy (1 Entries) Abs: 0

1. Clarke’s Briarmist Fire and Ice to Tekalhaus (Imp Aus), 7mths. lovely head which is long and has a feminine expression. Nice neck with length. Good overall balance and was moderately long. Moved well with free-flowing gait. Well-schooled for one so young. Promising puppy. Best Puppy AVNSC.

Class 2 Junior (2 Entries) Abs: 0

1. STRANGES’ AMENEDIELS FRANKIES CHOICE AT CAZDACHS, smart young male 17 months. Nice medium sized hound and balanced in profile, pleasing broad head, nice dark brown eye, with defined stop and good ears, set correctly close to the head. Well-made throughout, good bone, moves well when he settles.

2. Oorloff’s, Convica Gold Fusion, lovely breed type to this Basenji, her outline is very good demonstrating the bred required short back and high on the leg look in profile. She caught my eye when she entered the ring. Nice head, correct length of neck, short back and nice moderate angulation front and rear. I prefer to see basenjis with the correct tight oval feet, and this cost her further progression in this class.

Class 3 Post Graduate (7 Entries) Abs: 4

2. Wilson’s, Delsaux Happy Ever After. Beautiful head with pleasing expression. Good length to neck. Deep keel. Good rib length and loin. Carries topline well. Moves with drive. Well handled. Reserve Best AVNSC.

3. Valentine’s Empetthounds Genesis Into Tiffwazz. Lovely head with a pleasing head and expression, carried on a long muscular neck. Good front with correctly placed shoulders and pro-sternum. Correct top and underline maintained on the move. Moved okay.

Class 4 Open (7 Entries) Abs: 3

1. Panayiotis’ Ynchreenoo Gold Edition, lovely moderate outline to this female. Really caught my eye in the class. Nice head with long skull, and medium high set mobile ears, long lean neck, nice topline, firm feet, and strong hindquarters. Once she settled moving around the ring, moved well. Best AVNSC. Hound Group 2.

2. Strattons, IR/LUX/BEL CH. Justartee This Is Me JW, she is taller than I prefer but retains the elegance a Basenji should have. Carrying good coat and colour especially for the time of year, which is short and fine. Nice head, lovely wrinkle, with a nice dark eye. Nice front and chest with some infill, forelegs straight, but I would prefer a more compact foot. Short back, deep brisket, and moderate angulation. Handed well.

A.V. Imported Breed Register Hound

Class 5. Open (3 Entries) Abs: 0 – lovely class to judge with plenty of quality.

1. Searle’s, Stonemartin Bron, Azawakh female of lovely breed type. Very appealing as she entered the ring, providing the required high on the leg and lean elegance appearance. Feminine head with a good expression, correct almond shaped eye with a high set ear, good neck & shoulders, shown in lovely coat & condition, she is balanced & a good mover showing a high action moving around the ring. Best A.V. Imported Breed Register.

2. Cunninghams, Buena Vista at Pokitaru, really caught my eye as did the class winner. Such a lovely balanced female and looks very capable to complete a full day working. Lovely head and expression, correct round eye, good low set ears as required with good length, strong jaw, good front, level topline, and muscular hindquarters. Good bone. Promising career ahead. Best Puppy, Reserve A.V. Imported Breed Register.

BASSET HOUND

Class 6 Puppy (1 Entries) Abs: 0

1. McLean’s, Lauralee Dreams Of Magic At Stookewood, a feminine hound puppy, lovely balance and type at this young age. Nice head and expression with good eye and well-set ears. Good reach of neck into a well laid shoulder, giving a balanced outline. Stands over sufficient ground. Moved out well. Promising puppy. Reserve Best of Breed and Best Puppy. Hound Puppy Group 4.

Class 7 Junior (0 Entries) Abs: 0

Class 8 Post Graduate (1 Entries) Abs: 0

1. Gray’s Short Legs Reijvi Light Up The Sky (IMP NLD), Nice head and expression. Nice outline with level tope line, good length of neck, nice head, eye and correct bite. Her front is a little heavy for me on the day, muscular strong hindquarters, and moved okay.

Class 9 Open (3 Entries) Abs: 1

1. McLean’s, Lauralee Dreams Of Magic At Stookewood. Lovely balanced female, with good proportions. She has sufficient substance. Nice head with a slightly domed skull, defined stop and strong jaw. Dark lozenge shaped eyes, with supple low set ears. Muscular neck, with laid back shoulders and long, deep body with well-sprung ribs. Sufficient ground clearance. I preferred her front. Very good large well knuckled feet and muscular hindquarters. Moved well with a powerful stride. Much to like. Best of Breed. Hound Group 3.

2. Gray’s, Quantas - Napoca Olaf (IMP ROM), I liked his outline and his masculine type. Nice head, and topline, medium neck, as he was looking loaded over his shoulders on the day, but well ribbed and muscular rear. Well-handled on the move.

DACHSHUND (MIN LONG HAIRED)

Class 14 Puppy (4 Entries) Abs: 0

1. Neasby’s, Erinshore Red Robin for Ulani, smart puppy who was well schooled and handled. Lovely head and expression, long muscular neck, correctly angulated front and rear quarters and moderately long and short strong loin. Well balanced and caught my eye. Moved with a free-flowing stride. Promising puppy. Reserve Best of Breed and Best Puppy. Hound Puppy Group 3.

2. Valentine’s, Lampcien Fatal Attraction to Tiffwazz. Another lovely puppy in this class, nice head, eye and expression, correct bone, ribbing and moderately long body, she held her topline on the move. I preferred the front and movement of the class winner on the day.

Class 15 Junior (0 Entries) Abs: 0

Class 16 Post Graduate (1 Entries) Abs: 1

Class 17 Open (2 Entries) Abs: 0

1. Fairchild’s Restinim Mr Pip, Another pleasing example of this breed today. Lovely overall balance with little exaggeration. Lovely head and expression, with nice almond shaped eye. Shown in glorious coat, and condition. Correct front assembly. Moderately long body, well ribbed, and full strong hind quarters. Moved well. Best of Breed.

2. Broad’s, Bronia Wolfgang Puck, Smaller type, but has a nice head and expression, with dark eye. Good forechest and ribbing goes well back. Nice topline on the move and moved okay.

DACHSHUND (MIN SMOOTH HAIRED)

Class 18 Puppy (2 Entries) Abs: 2

Class 19 Junior (1 Entries) Abs: 0

1. Sommers’s, Penjulai's over The Moon, nice overall balance with little exaggeration. Lovely coat and condition. Pleasing head and expression, nice length of neck and level top line. I would prefer the front feet to be more full and tighter. Well-handled and moved well around the ring today. Reserve Best of Breed.

Class 20 Post Graduate (6 Entries) Abs: 3

1. Sommers’s, Ruletadax Queen of Hearts for Penjulai, Lovely balance to this female, and moved well around the ring. Nice head, good forechest, and length of neck once settled. Handled to maximum effect.

2. Casey’s, Cootscanis star at Eversden, nice outline and balance to this female. Pleasing head, eye and ear set. I would prefer a better layback of shoulder to lengthen the neck and improve the front movement a little more. That said she her handler moved her to maximum effect.

Class 21 Open (6 Entries) Abs: 3

1. Stange’s, Bronia's Armand at Cazdachs, smart male, that caught my eye. Lovely breed type with good overall balance, and outline on the move. Correct long and conical head, dark eyes and a lovely expression. Good length of neck, and nice front with long shoulder blades and robust rib cage. Good underline with good ground clearance. Moved well with handler. Best of Breed.

2. Sommers, Judy Rainbow over Penjulai, nice outline and well handled. Nice compact body, head is conical, good length of neck, well laid shoulders, and held topline. Good ribbing, balanced rear. Good ground clearance. I preferred the head and expression of the class winner.

WHIPPET

Class 26 Puppy (5 Entries) Abs: 2 high quality class.

1. Smith’s, Collooney Devil’s Advocate, what a promising puppy and caught my eye as soon as he entered the ring. Lovey head which is Long and lean, and a powerful jaw. Rose shaped ears with fine texture. Long and muscular neck, shoulders well laid back, deep chest with plenty of heart room and defined tuck up. Hidquarters strong and with broad thighs. Well balanced throughout and demonstrating power and elegance. Lovely free action when moving around the ring. Best of Breed and Best Puppy. Hound Group 4 and Hound Puppy Group 1.

2. Hunters, Katiesues Attraction at Salatini, another puppy with a promising career ahead. This female as an elegant outline, lovely head and well-set ears, long and muscular neck and her front is straight, with well laidback shoulder. Muscular hindquarters with well-developed second thigh. A little unsettled today but once settled her free action was evident.

Class 27 Junior (1 Entries) Abs: 0

1. Griffiths, Pelyma certainly Snazzy, overall sound and has a nice outline. Very elegant female. Nice expression, long neck and well filled front. Correct muscle tone and angulation all through. Free movement, whilst holding her topline and tail correctly. I prefer to see pasterns with a little more spring.

Class 28 Post Graduate (8 Entries) Abs: 5

1. Smith, Palmik I Believe In You At Cryhavoc, feminine with a lovely outline. Lovely head, eye & expression. Good length of neck, and shoulders well laid back. Good depth of chest and nice top line. Balanced angulation fore & aft. Moved with free movement around the ring. Lovely breed type.

2. Wilson’s, Boughton Busy Lizzie for Hamiltonhill. Nice head, and eye. Good front, good turn of stifle but she is a little longer in loin. That said she is an excellent mover. Not quite the balance of the class winner but a nice female.

Class 29 Open (3 Entries) Abs: 1

1. Longhurst’s, Abbeyhurst Dancing Queen JW, Lovely outline to this female. Nice head, which is long and lean, well set fine ears. Long arched neck, and good layback of shoulder. Free, tireless and efficient side profile movement, hindquarters strong and broad and therefore had plenty of drive. Well handled. Reserve Best of Breed.

2. Edwards’ Silkridge Yoko Ohno. Another nice one with lots to like. Lovely balanced outline. Beautiful head, and expression. Good topline and underline, deep chest, and correctly angulated rear. Moved well in all directions just not as neat on the move as the class winner.

A.V. HOUND VETERAN

Class 30 Veteran (9 Entries) Abs: 3

1. Boydell’s, Nightwind You Can’t Stop The Beat JW, smart and dignified hound defying his age. Nice head with long skull and dark eye. Low set ears and strong jaw. Neck long which was carried proudly. Straight front and elbows close to ribcage. Level back and powerful hindquarters. Smooth and springy gait and held his tail raised when moving. Ring to tail. He would have benefited from a larger ring, but his movement was lovely to see. Shown in super condition and in fine coat.

2. Byron’s, Jasarat Gucci, another in lovely condition. Lovely head and expression with fine ears. Straight front with good bone down to well arched neat feet. Long neck and deep chest. Strong hindquarters, which are broad across thighs. Moved very well in all directions. Well handled.

HOUND GROUP

GROUP 1: Storey, Storey and Piehl’s, Ch Kiromol Heaven Can Wait (AI) Rhodesian Ridgeback. Impressive looking male, who caught my eye for balance. Handsome and upstanding as the breed standard requires. 6-year-old male, who is in his prime, with correct ridge and crowns. Masculine head with flat skull, bright eye, strong jaw, and ears of medium size. Enough length of neck which is strong. Slopping shoulders which are clean and well-muscled and straight front. Balanced angulation front and rear, powerful back with strong loin. Deep chest and moderate ribs. Excellent feet with well arched toes. Excellent free and active movement when viewed from all angles, but he is a picture of his breed when going around the ring. He looked fit for purpose and capable of his task. Congratulations on Best in Show later in the day.

GROUP 2: Panayiotis’ Ynchreenoo Gold Edition, Pharaoh Hound

Happy to have previously awarded best AVNSC earlier in the day, still caught my eye later in the day when standing in the Houd Group. As said previously she has a lovely moderate outline. She was more settled in the group and she moved beautifully.

GROUP 3: McLean’s, Lauralee Dreams Of Magic At Stookewood. Basset Hound

Such a balanced and quality female. As a working hound breed, she is fit for purpose, and demonstrates a strong, active and capable hound. As mentioned previously she has sufficient ground clearance and moved well with a powerful stride around the larger group ring. Much to like.

GROUP 4: Smith’s, Collooney Devil’s Advocate, Whippet.

What a promising puppy and he caught my eye again as he entered the larger group ring. As mentioned previously I am impressed by the breed type of one so young, but this breed does maintain a high level of breed type across the community. Well balanced throughout and demonstrating power and elegance. Lovely free action when moving around the ring.

HOUND PUPPY GROUP

GROUP 1: Smith’s, Collooney Devil’s Advocate, Whippet. This puppy had a good day! He continued to perform so well and never put a foot wrong. He demonstrates the breed standard requirements balanced, power and strength with elegance and grace of outline. Fit for purpose. A career I will watch with great promise.

GROUP 2: Storey, Storey and Piehl’s, Kiromol Ain’t Misbehavin (AI) Rhodesian Ridgeback Another impressive puppy in the puppy group today, with lots of breed type. Lovely feminine head and expression, flat skull, and strong jaw. Good length of neck, layback of shoulder and strong back and loin. Balanced angulation front and rear. She has good depth of chest and straight front, and excellent feet with well arched toes. Light wheaten colour with short dense coat. She moved with such a lovely free and active gait, she was a pleasure with watch, and she clearly enjoyed her day. Lovely puppy with a promising career ahead.

GROUP 3: Neasby’s, Erinshore Red Robin for Ulani, dachshund (min long haired). Another smart puppy in the group who was still performing well for his handler. Lovely head and expression, long muscular neck, correctly angulated front and rear quarters and moderately long and short strong loin. Well balanced and caught my eye. Moved with a free-flowing stride. Promising puppy.

GROUP 4: McLean’s, Lauralee Dreams Of Magic At Stookewood, Basset Hound. Lovely hound puppy, with great balance and type at this young age. She continued to move well around the larger ring. Good reach of neck into a well laid shoulder, giving a balanced outline. Stands over sufficient ground. Moved out well. Promising puppy.

RESERVE BEST OF BREED HOUND COMPETITION

1. Simkin’s Simeldaka Sliema Madame, Beagle. What a lovely example of the breed. Sturdy and compact hound, without coarseness. Nice head with slightly domed skull, strong jaw and broad nose. Dark eye and long ears with the required rounded tip. Slightly arched neck, which is strong, into good shoulder and has a level topline, she has balanced angulated front and rear, and well-muscled hindquarters. Moved with a level back, and her stride was free and long reaching. Congratulations on winning Best of Reserve BOB’s in Show.

2. Storey, Storey and Piehl’s, Kiromol Ain’t Misbehavin (AI) Rhodesian Ridgeback Another impressive placing for this puppy, after winning PG2 in the puppy group today. My previous comments stand. She was a pleasure with watch, and she clearly enjoyed her day. Lovely puppy with a promising career ahead.

Judge Paula Steele – Akmar Basenjis