Lancashire, Yorkshire & Cheshire Basset Hound Club

The Lancashire, Yorkshire and Cheshire Basset Hound Club 10th May 2015

Thank you to the Officers and Committee for my invitation to judge at this well organised show, I thoroughly enjoyed my day, my thanks also goes to the two very well organised stewards for their help on the day. This was the first time I had judged using the ramp I am pleased to say this makes the judging process easier as ground clearance is so much easier to assess. I was pleasantly surprised to see some of my concerns of 18 months ago when I last judged have been addressed. However, I still have concerns over ribs, ribs are supposed to be long smooth and without flanging! Eye shape on the whole were satisfactory, as was dentition; I only found one incorrect mouth. All had ground clearance. Sadly a few hounds were penalised for carrying far too much weight a hound of substance does not mean a fat hound, Bassets were bred to work and excessive weight would impede their ability to do so! All hounds were well presented and clean with a few exceptions, I am pleased to say the quality of the entry was very, very high which caused some very tight decisions.

MPD 7, 2Abs (1 transferred)

1st: Padidar’s Rakefoot Assassin’s Creed. Broken tri Smashing little chap with classic head, appealing dark lozenge shaped eye. Nice lip. Soft curling leathers, and good length to neck. Clean shoulders and elbows fitting neatly. Sternum developing well still needs to drop in to crook, nicely angulated front allowing good reach. Ribs of good length with strong level topline. Good tailset and carriage. Rear well developed with strong bone throughout. Feet bunched up taking full weight evenly. Well let done hocks, moved soundly.

2nd: Freer’s Switherland Goldsmith. Red & White. Lovely head with dark eye of good shape. nice depth of lip. Leathers of good length. Strong arched neck fitting into shoulders with good lay back, Well-developed front and nicely angulated, sternum just fitting into crook, ribs carried well back, good topline, tailset and carriage, with well angulated rear. Lovely tight feet. Good bone throughout moving true fore and aft, just lost out on maturity.

3rd: Coultas’ Beachasseur Vegas. Red & white. Large framed, but very much a baby who did not cooperate with his handler and was very apprehensive when being gone over. Much to like, but very difficult to assess but has time on his side and will improve with practice.

Puppy Dog 4

1st: Freer’s Switherland Smart Alec. Blanketed Tri, so much to like and still needing a little time to develop fully! Well balanced and masculine quality head, good eye shape with dark eye, deep lip, prominent occiput with parallel planes. Well set leathers of good length. Neck strong and arched. Well-developed sternum with good front angulation elbows well fitted. Ribs long and rounded reaching well back with good depth of body and strong topline. Correct tailset and carriage. Well-muscled rear nicely angulated. Good bone throughout lovely bunched feet bearing his weight evenly. Moved soundly with both reach and drive with little effort. BPD.

2nd: Freer’s Switherland the Statesman Red & White. Another lovely youngster from this kennel with many of the same attributes but from a smaller mould than 1. Lovely head, good eye colour and correct lozenge shape, deep lip. Well-developed sternum, neat front fitting into the crook. Long smooth ribbing carried well back giving a level topline with good tailset. Muscled up rear and nice bone throughout. Tight feet movement even and true both away and back will change places with his kennel mate I’m sure.

3rd: Archer’s Roamanbay Russian Around. Tri, very typey. Pleasing head qualities with good planes. Dark eye with kind expression. Good bite. Leathers soft and curling. Good arch and reach to neck. Well set front with angulation. Rising topline as a result of long upper thigh. Ample ground clearance. Needs to settle on the move.

Junior Dog 4 (1 W/D)

1st: Luxmoore Ball’s Tanneron Hero’s Quest. Red & White. Masculine head, with good planes, Lozenge shaped eye with good colour and calm expression, leathers well set. Deep lip and prominent occiput. Neck reachy and strong. Good lay back of shoulder and angulation. Prominent sternum and deep forechest. Well fitted elbows. Ribs rounded and long. Level topline held on the move. Rear angulation good with well let down hocks. Good bone throughout standing on tight well knuckled feet. Has ample ground clearance. Moves out powerfully and true.

2nd: Johnston’s Burnvale Stand and Deliver. Broken tri. Larger frame than 1 Strong head qualities. Eyes dark of good shape. Nice deep lip. Strong neck and clean shoulders. Good sternum and front elbows fitting well. Ribs carried well back giving a strong level topline on the move. Muscled up rear quarters. Feet knuckled up but needed his nails trimmed. Massive bone. Moved out well fore and aft.

3rd: McEvedy’s Bassbarr Wizard. Lacks the bone and maturity of both 1 & 2 Good head with darkest of eyes and kind expression. Correct dentition. Lovely ribs reaching well back and firm level topline. Front and rear angulation balanced, plenty of ground clearance. Needs to settle on the move.

Grad Dog 2 (2Abs)

Post Grad Dog. 2

1st Feetham’s Kimbleholme Wizard World. Red & White. What a super boy this is, only just out of junior, and on top form. Not the biggest of dog’s but so balanced with a clean overall appearance. Level both in topline and underline no excess with ground clearance. Masculine head qualities good planes, well defined occiput, lovely depth to lip, mouth correct. Darkest lozenge shaped eye, kind, calm expression. Leathers low set, long and curling. Strong arched neck, clean shoulders and elbows. Well-developed sternum, fitting into his crook, ribs long and rounded, correct tailset and carriage. Nicely angulated front and back. Feet tight and knuckled up, standing four square bearing his weight evenly. Movement parallel and true, reaching in front and driving from well-muscled hindquarters, his movement is both effortless and economical. Close decision RCC.

2nd Beale & Newman’s Woferlow Kane West. Blanketed Tri. What another lovely boy and unlucky to meet 1 today. Larger frame than 1 has massive bone throughout and well up to size. Strong masculine headpiece, lip deep and square, eyes dark with good shape. Long low set folding leathers. Neck long and well arched fitting into well laid shoulders, would prefer a little more length to upper arm, long, strong topline emphasising his good ribs. Quarters muscled up with good angulation. Tight feet. Ample ground clearance, powered around the ring purposefully.

Limit Dog 4

1st Johnston’s Burnvale Quantum. Red & White Very similar to PG winner. Balanced, clean outline with no exaggeration. Classic head qualities, dark eye with correct shape, planes almost parallel with prominent occiput. Leathers set below eye. Neck arched with well laid shoulders and sound even front, ribs carried well back with level top and underline. Quarters well-muscled with good bend of stifle. Neat hocks. Tightly bunched feet. Sound movement but lacks a little in confidence the longer he moved the more settled he became.

2nd King, Ledward & Servais New Bellecombe Ursa Major. Blanketed red & white. Larger frame than 1. Attractive masculine head, dark eye with kind expression lovely depth of lip. Correct dentition. Strong neck with good shoulder angulation, sound front ribs reaching well back giving a good topline, strong rear would like a little more width to lower thigh. Nice feet well knuckled up. Moves soundly fore and after but sadly today he lacked the fervour I have seen at recent shows.

3rd Jawaid’s Darwin De La Casa De La Atalaya black blanket tri. Correct head proportions, dark eye with kind expression mouth good. Leathers well set and curling. Good length of neck, ribcage long and carried well back, strong hindquarters with excellent feet. Moved well.

Open Dog 7 (1Abs)

A very strong class!!

1st Freer’s Switherland Distant Image Red & white. A super boy, balanced Stallion hound of excellent type showing no exaggeration, with ample ground clearance. Correct head proportions, parallel planes with well-defined occiput, beautiful dark eye of correct shape with kind, calm expression. Leathers low set, fine and curling. Has good depth of lip. Strong arched neck fitting into shoulder with a good lay back. Super front construction with a developed sternum fitting evenly into crook. Ribs long and rounded carried well back, level topline and underline. Hindquarters muscled and well angulated. Tailset good and carried sabre fashion. Well off for bone, neat hocks standing square on well knuckled feet bearing his weight evenly. Moved true and parallel with purpose covering the ground economically and with ease, reaching in front and driving from rear. CC & RBIS

2nd McEvedy, Storton & Melbourne’s Ch. Dearduenna Stroganoff at Dereheath. Broken tri. One I have watched from ringside, balanced without exaggeration scores in head and eye shape, calm expression. Good depth of muzzle and correct bite. Well set curling leathers. Strong neck with well laid shoulders, would prefer a little more upper arm. Well-developed front fitting into crook. Sound even front, has good depth of ribbing carried back holding a level topline. Hindquarters muscled and used to full advantage. Tailset on well with correct carriage. Well let down hocks. Feet tight and well knuckled. Impressive on the move.

3rd Seddon’s Ch. Sedonia Royal Intruder. Tri. This is an impressive hound shown to perfection. Chiselled head, almost parallel planes, defined occiput. Dark eye of correct shape, deep lip. Leathers set on low fine and curling. Nicely arched neck with well-placed shoulders. Would prefer a little more sternum not quite enough front to fill his crook. Long ribbing giving firm strong topline, tailset good with tail carried sabre fashion. Hindquarters strong and muscled up. Tightest of feet well bunched. Well off for bone. Covers the ground with little effort.

Veteran Dog 3

A lovely class of oldies who all deserved to be placed 1st!

1st Allen’s Ch. Fivevalley’s Forester. Red & white. A dear old man of almost 11 years with good head qualities and good body shape for his age still holds a level topline and covers the ground well. Giving his all for his handler. BVD & BVIS

2nd Gerber’s Int. Ch. Estafano Z Valachitu. Tri larger framed, Impressive 8 year old. Shows well and enjoys his time in the ring. Lovely masculine head, good body with level topline and strong hindquarters. Moves out well, just a little too much of him for me.

3rd Feetham’s Ir CH. Kimbleholme Magic Wizard Red & White. 10 yr. old and a credit to his owner. Well bodied with good head qualities, massive bone. His movement belies his age as he could give some youngster a run for their money! Sadly doesn’t carry his tail which I believe is the result of being spooked in the ring which is such a shame.

Minor Puppy Bitch 6 (2Abs)

1st Coultas’ You Are My Glitter Van Grunsven. Red & white. Substantial and well up to size for age. Attractive and very feminine. Pleasing head shape, with dark eyes of correct shape, planes almost parallel. Dark eye and correct shape. Nice depth of lip and correct bite. Well set leathers. Elegant neck and clean shoulders. Front needs to develop and drop into crook. Ribbing good and carried well back, firm topline tail set on well and carried sabre fashion. Hindquarters developing would prefer a little more bend of stifle. Plenty of ground clearance. Moves out well.

2nd Newman’s Woferlow Penelope. Blanketed. tri. Not as mature as the winner but a lovely youngster. Feminine head with soft melting expression. Eye lozenge shaped and dark, with nice depth of lip and good dentition. Long low set leathers soft and curling. Good length of neck leading to well laid shoulders and a front which is developing well. Topline needs to strengthen and a little straight in stifle. Tailset good and carrying her stern correctly. Well off for bone. Lovely tight feet, moved well ample ground clearance.

3rd Gray’s Diheath Posh Pawn. Open Tri. Very much the baby in this class. Smaller frame. Lovely head and expression with the darkest of eyes. Parallel planes and prominent occiput. Ears set below eye. Not the bone of 1 & 2. Still has a lot to like and has time on her side Moved well for such a baby.

Puppy Bitch 6 (2 Abs)

1st Brown’s Roamanbay Raisa of St Hubert. Tri. Ultra feminine with a beautiful chiselled head piece, dark eye and good shape, lovely depth of lip with correct bite. Low set fine, curling leathers. Arched neck strong and leading to well laid shoulders, nicely angulated front assembly with prominent forechest which fits neatly into crook, elbows well tucked in. Ribs long and rounded giving a strong topline having a slight rise and level underline. Hindquarters strong and well angulated with good bend of stifle, slightly longer in lower thigh. Hocks well let down. Standing four square on tight knuckled up feet. Tailset good and carriage correct. Moved parallel, true both out and back covering the ground with ease. BPB & BPIS

2nd Pearson’s Roamanbay Russia With Love. Red & white Litter sister to 1 with many of the same attributes and unlucky today. Feminine head with dark eyes and deep lip. Leathers well set. Neck not as long as 1, but good shoulder placement and front. Level topline and underline ribs reaching well back. Would prefer a little more bend of stifle. Move out with purpose

3rd Mitchell’s Rakefoot for Your Eyes Only. Open tri. Lost out here on maturity. Lovely head qualities with dark eye correct shape. Leathers well set. Tight feet with good tailset and carriage, not the ribs of 1 or 2

Junior Bitch 3 (1 abs)

1st Archer’s Cuba Havana Club Vegas Glouosnivose at Roamanbay. Black blanket. Still maturing, but hard to fault. Feminine head and pleasing expression, dark eye lozenge shaped eye, good planes and prominent occiput. Correct dentition. Leathers low and well set, neck strong and well arched. Shoulders clean, front good, sternum starting to fill crook with nicely fitting elbows. Ribbing of good length, long level topline and underline, ample ground clearance. Nice rear angulation. Feet knuckled up and tight. Movement robust and true.

2nd Meldrum & Tennyson’s Malrich Sex in the City at Rumbleton. Red & white. Smaller and more compact than 1, but super sound! Pleasing head and expression dark eye and good shape. Ears of correct length, good bite. Fair length of neck and well arched, shoulders and elbows clean, front even and sound. Sternum well developed. Ribs well sprung. Level topline and correct tailset and carriage. Would prefer a little more rear angulation. Feet tight and arched. Moved out at one with her handler. Preferred the length of 1.

Graduate Bitch 3

1st Pearson’s Roamanbay Russia with Love. (as puppy bitch)

2nd Coultas’ Quantas-Napuca Manilla. Open tri. Feminine throughout, although a little uncertain of herself. There is a lot to like about her Head of correct shape with good eye colour and shape, correct dentition, planes almost parallel. Good ear set. Neck of good length with well laid shoulders would prefer a little more length to her upper arm and ribbing. Ample ground clearance. Level topline, hindquarters strong and well-muscled, powering her strong movement. Feet tight and tailset correct with good carriage.

3rd Feetham’s Kimbleholme Witchcraft. Open red & white. Just loved the way this girl was put together, can’t hide a thing! So feminine, scores in all departments, feminine head full of quality, sound front with prominent sternum, ribs carried well back. Both level topline and underline. Strong rear quarters. Tail carriage good and correctly set. Massive knuckled up feet and well off for bone but still needs time to finish. Moves true reaching and driving.

Post Graduate Bitch 3

1st Freer’s Switherland Tender Image. Red & white. Litter sister to my DCC and another impressive hound. Lovely head shape with deep lip, dark lozenge shaped eye, correct mouth. Leathers long, curling and low set. Neck strong and arched. Shoulders well laid front angulation good with excellent sternum fitting into crook, elbows fitting nicely. Ribs of good length, rear quarters well-muscled. Well off for bone. Good tailset and carriage. Moves purposefully.

2nd Johnston’s Burnvale Noisette Broken. Broken Tri. Smaller mould than 1. Pleasing head with deep lip, lozenge shaped dark eye, good head planes and occiput. Ear set ok. Correct neck, shoulders and ribbing. Angulation good fore and aft, level topline with correct tailset and carriage. Sadly she didn’t move out as I’m sure she can.

3rd Feetham’s Kimbleholme Fariydust. Litter sister to my RDCC and what a beautiful girl she is. Very much of a type and oozing femininity!! Excels in head, body of correct proportions, ribbing reaching well back giving both level top and underlines. Good front fitting into crook. Well angulated front and rear. Tight feet. Sadly not happy in her surroundings but heard she’s been spooked previously which I am sure she will overcome. One I will watch with interest!

Limit Bitch 6 (3Abs)

1st Murray, Melbourne, Storton & Isted’s Diheath Conchita. Broken Tri, who is hard to fault. Lovely, with feminine soft expression. Would prefer just a little more work in her head. Good planes, eye lozenge shape and dark. Plenty of lip with low set curling leathers. Clean shoulders running on from neck of good length. Front sound neatly fitting elbows, depth of rib a little too much for me, however they are long and well rounded. Hindquarters nicely angulated, feet tight. Moves well and true.

2nd Pearson’s Malrich Katherine at Armardio R/W Nice head with feminine proportions, dark eye of good shape not quite the head plains of 1. Low set leathers, arched neck shoulder placement slightly upright ample sternum. Not the ribs of 1 but carried well back, strong topline with slight rise over the loin. Good tailset and carriage. Muscled quarters and nicely angulated. Feet tight and bearing her weight evenly enjoying her day, moved out with purpose and at one with her handler.

3rd Allen’s Fivevalleys Muscadet. Broken tri Lovely feminine head, dark eyes of correct shape well defined stop, Deep lip, low set curling leathers and good head planes. Sweet expression. Long elegant neck leading to well laid shoulders good angulation both front and rear, pronounced sternum Long level topline with slight rise over the loin. Well-muscled but from a smaller mould Tail set on well and carried sabre fashion. Tight knuckled up feet weight carried evenly adequate ground clearance. Sadly not happy today taking too much notice of her surroundings.

Open Bitch 6 (1 Abs)

A very strong class, but the easiest of the day, having judged 1,2 & 3 just 18 months ago and what a difference that time has made - wow!

1st Roger’s & Armstrong’s Switherland Imajean. My last critique said: R/w Balanced throughout. Thought this girl would be my winner, everything in the correct place and very hard to fault! Lovely feminine head, parallel planes, darkest of eyes of correct lozenge shape appealing expression, lip deep and square without being doggy. Leathers set on low, both fine and curling. Long elegant neck, fitting into well laid back shoulders. Sternum well developed and fitting into crook. Ribs long, smooth and well sprung. Strong level topline with good tailset. Well angulated rear with nice bend to stifle. Feet well knuckled standing four square,with weight borne evenly. Movement sound and true both fore and aft. Sadly would not carry her tail. The same is true of her today; I loved her and was absolutely blown away by the improvement in her, what a show girl she’s turned into!! She pulled out all of the stops for me today, showing herself off to full advantage, she gave her all and in return I could deny her nothing. So pleased to award her, her second CC & BIS. I’m sure her third CC and Crown will follow very soon and hope I am there to see it!

2nd Freer’s Ch. Switherland Dream Edition. Broken tri. My last critique said: I have admired this girl from the ringside for a long time and wasn’t disappointed. Broken tri from a smaller mould than one. Lovely head qualities, most appealing expression, dark eye of correct shape, deepest of lips, long well set curling leathers, good reach of neck, neat forechest, nicely angled even front fitting well into crook. Long rounded ribs and strong level topline rear nicely angulated and muscled quarters. Tight feet and good bone throughout. Super parallel movement positive showing both reach and drive. The same stands today and pleased to award her the RCC for the second time. Last time beaten by 1’s litter sister!

3rd Newman’s Woferlow Rock Chick. Blanketed tri. my last critique said: In the past I have seen this girl not wanting to cooperate with either her handler or the judge, so pleased this wasn’t the case today. Balanced with a lovely clean outline. Feminine head and expression, planes good with prominent occiput. Darkest of eyes with correct lozenge shape, ample depth of lip. soft curling leathers set on low. Would prefer a little more length to her neck. Shoulders well laid with adequate sternum. Nicely angulated fore and aft. Strong level topline with deep well sprung ribs of good length. Quarters well-developed and muscled up. Well off for bone. Good tailset with correct carriage. Tightly bunched feet. Her movement is sound both going away and on return, No sign of her uncooperative past another with so many attributes that have been enhanced with maturity.

Veteran Bitch 2 (1 Abs)

1st Walker’s Rakefoot Lady Jasmine. R/W Dear old lady of almost 9 yrs old. Pleasing head and eye good body shape holds topline both moving and on the stack. Nice feet. She certainly enjoyed her outing. BVB

Tina Watkins

(Judge)