Otterhound Club

The Otterhound Club Open Show

Baginton VIllage Hall

8th April 2018

I was delighted to be asked to judge The Otterhound Club Open Show. I have always been fond of this breed especially their amiable, happy go lucky temperament. The day was a mixture of light rain and sunshine but we braved the outdoors and I was pleased with my winners. My thanks to the exhibitors who are so welcoming in this breed. 

Special Working (2)

1st Mr Griffiths' Pcoh Quebec Both dogs in this class are of an unusual colour. The winner is a 5 yr old with a nice head and draped ears and good eyes. He has a well laid shoulder, good return of upper arm and straight forelegs. Good chest and ribbing, good top line with moderately angulated hind quarters and moved fairly well. Inexperienced in the show ring, he was a little overawed but his confidence grew as he continued to move.

2nd Mr Griffiths' Pcoh Paleface, a bitch rising 7 years and looking well. Very similar to first with a nice head and good front, nice depth of chest with good ribbing and nice hind quarters. Some honourable wounds on her head, she moved as her kennel mate gaining in confidence but she has a little too much haw which led to her placing.

Veteran Dog or Bitch (1)

1st Mrs Ganna's Ch, Ir Ch Keepcot Florin, lovely, quality bitch rising 9 but looking much younger. Lovely length and proportions, beautiful head, eyes and ears of correct set, good length and draping. She has lovely construction, a strong neck of good length, lovely depth of chest and spring of rib, well carried back. Very good front angulation, good top line and moderate hind angulation allowing typical movement with good length of stride and giving the impression she could go all day. Good coat and feet. Pushed very hard for reserve Best Bitch but not shown by her owner there in the challenge and not quite doing her best which just tipped the balance.

Puppy Dog or Bitch (1)

1st Lerego, Salt and Stringer's Tekelgarth Zorro, stood alone but this 10 m pup is a very promising youngster. Good size and proportions and good bone with a nice head and expression and ears of good length with fold. Good coat with some beard already. He has a nice set on of neck running into a good shoulder. Good chest with good depth for age and ribbing carries well back. Strong well muscled hind quarters giving good drive and a good profile gait. Close decision against his sister but today won Best Puppy Dog and Best Puppy In Show.

Junior Dog (2)

1st Harris Pcoh Siebie well grown and shapely white parti-coloured dog only just out of puppy. Nice head and well made all through with a good coat. Moved well in profile but rather proud of his tail.

2nd Griffiths' Pcoh Seiclon brother to winner and another well made dog. Nice head, well laid shoulder and good depth of chest with ribs carried well back. Good hind quarters but his first time out and sadly not used going on the lead. Gradually improved and showed he could move soundly. Nice lad, bite could be better.

Post Graduate Dog (1)

1st Ruston's Keepcot Invincible 2 yr old dog of good size and bone. Liked his head and expression. Shoulder well laid back and a fair forechest. Nice depth of body with good topline and hind quarters. Moved nicely in profile but tends to carry his tail over his back. Good coat and nice feet.

Limit Dog (1)

1st Finch's Ottaryx Marshall, shapely, mature 5 yr male of good size and proportions with good bone. Nice masculine head with good depth to skull and pleasing expression with lovely dark rims to the eyes. Correct set of ears of good length and showing lovely fold. Good face furnishings and nice coat. Strongly made with a good front and chest with good depth, spring and carry back of ribs. Neck flows nicely into good topline. Broad hind quarters with good angulation and well set on and carried tail. He moved well with good extension and a ground covering stride. Best Dog and Reserve Best In Show.

Open Dog (4,2)

1st Gough and Ricketts' Ottaryx Magnum. An interesting class as each had different merits. This dog has a nice happy temperament with a pleasing head and expression. Good sized boy with good front, strong legs and feet. Nice topline, good coat and tail. Would like a little more bend of stifle but he moved out well in profile

2nd Ashworth and Atters' Kingstree Viking a very handsome typical dog standing and has good construction all through. Looked good on the move but unfortunately a bit grumpy and not on top form today.

Junior Bitch (3,1)

1st Leredo and Scott's Tecklegarth Zsa Zsa, sister to puppy dog and very similar. Lovely type with a feminine head nice eye and ear. Good front and nice outline. Well made and good size for age. Nice coat, good bone and feet. Good tail carriage she moved well with good extension. Best Puppy Bitch.

2nd Brown's Pcoh Samphire. Just over a year, she has a feminine head, nice neck and well angulated front. Good body and hind quarters but not easy to assess on the move as her first outing.

Post Graduate Bitch (0)

Limit Bitch (2,1)

Lerego's Tecklegarth Virtue, very attractive bitch with nice proportions. Pleasing head and expression with good eye colour and nice ears and a good coat. Strong neck of good length runs into good shoulders with nice return of upper arm. Very good depth and carry back of ribs with strong loin running into broad well muscled hind quarters. Moved well with good drive, I felt she could do a day's work. Reserve Best Bitch.

Open Bitch (2)

1st Ganna's Ch/ Ir Ch Keepcot Gossip. Very typical bitch of good size and substance with a nice outline. Feminine head but with good depth, lovely expression. Good shoulder and front construction with very good depth of chest and well ribbed back. Good topline and well angulated hind quarters. She moved extremely well and really showed herself off covering the ground with a lovely long stride. Pleased to award her Best Bitch and Best In Show.

2nd Lerego and Baker's Tecklegarth Mabel another quality bitch who is also very well made and typical. Same remarks apply she has a nice head, good eyes and ears and nice outline and well made. She too moved well and showed well. Just preferred leg length of winner. 

Sue Finnett (judge).