Hound Association

The Hound Association Ch. Show

19th July 2025

BEST IN SHOW

It was a huge honour for me to have been invited to judge Best In Show at the Hound exhibitors favourite show of the year.

Excellently organised and as usual a great atmosphere, even though due to the poor weather the show had to all be judged indoors.

It was a lovely Group with many top quality exhibits including the top winning Sloughi Woodgate Boggia & de Souza’s XANDU KHAN SCHURU-ESCH-SCHAMS (IMP DEU) who I have previously awarded BIS at a prestigious Hound show and who unfortunately had to give a lap of honour as he is closely connected to this clubs organisers but I feel he still deserves a special mention.

I shortlisted 9 top class hounds who all gave their best but had to give way to the magnificent 2 ½ years Irish Wolfhound male CH.CAREDIG MAFIOSO. I have admired him from the ringside and was even more impressed to go over him and appreciate his super qualities, substance and style. He moves so soundly and with ease which is so rare for such a massive hound. I absolutely love him and for me he won this special Group with ease.

Reserve Best In Show and Group 2 was another favourite of mine, Green & Ratcliffe’s CH. CROSSCOP BUMBLE BEE BY ARRODARE. Superb 4 years Whippet bitch, feminine ,classy hound who oozes quality and type. She is correctly constructed throughout with no over exaggeration and fine flowing lines. Lovely true mover and one I could easily take home. I have previously awarded her a CC and she is still as lovely as I remember ,and she is still not in her prime!

Group 3 was a very impressive 2 ½ tri-colour Basset male, Rodger’s CH.SWITHERLAND BAZOOKA. Absolutely precise to the standard, handsome and strong throughout, looked great standing with excellent overall balance and length , his movement is superb and so proud moving around the ring, he is a credit to his breeder.

Group 4 was Hukeshoven’s JOUR APRES JOUR CHERRY BOMB, only 18 mths PBGV bitch, a very special youngster who although was still quite immature compared to many in the line-up she is absolutely gorgeous in so many ways. Pretty and feminine and so well made throughout, sturdy, well bodied and very sound front and rear, with lovely front reach and powerful drive behind. In super harsh coat and hard condition. Apparently her first CC and I am sure she will have many more to come.

BEST PUPPY IN SHOW

Another very nice line-up with many promising youngsters, obviously the usual inexperienced babies who coped very well with their first shows and the intrusive tannoy system. I had pulled 11 into the final cut, particularly to give some an extra chance to get all their legs going in the same direction and I was very happy with my final 4.

Best Puppy was the very striking Pharaoh Hound Merryweather, Fletcher and Hall’s VASKURS LADY GAGA QARMOTTER VON YNCHREENOD (IMP SWE)

What a name! But what a lovely bitch, I had previously short-listed her in BIS but at only 11 mths she lacked the maturity, but in the competition she won easily. She is a very lovely youngster who is top quality throughout and she really made the ring her own on the move, so sound and her side-movement is exquisite. I have no doubt she has a great future, really was on top form today.

Res Best Puppy: Threadgold’s LAAKSO KATJA, N. Elkhound. Another who is very mature at nearly one year, very well presented ,feminine bitch with lovely head, dark eyes with correct expression, short and powerfully made with excellent body and tuck-up. Lovely feet with super front and hind co-ordination, correct tail, set and carriage. Smashing pup who was just outmoved by the very exuberant Pharaoh today.

Puppy Group 3: Perkins & Van der Schaaf’s SILKRIDGE MISTLETOE SMOOCH.

Nearly 7 mths red/white Whippet bitch, she is a real Bobby Dazzler. I liked everything about her ,so pretty with a very dark eye, feminine throughout, excellent size with lovely flowing angles all in the right places. Looked lovely standing with correct top-line and such a true, easy mover.

Puppy Group 4: Dunsdon’s M WAMI’S FIRED UP READY TO GO TO MAWALI (IMP SWE)

Very impressive at only just 6 mths red/white Basenji male. Handsome head and eye, with super ears and set, correct level parallel lines side on, lovely crested neck into well laid shoulders. Excellent short level back with tuck-up. Correct feet and pasterns. He stands square with a lovely prickle to his coat and moved soundly front and rear. Good tail and set.

FOXHOUNDS

It was a pleasure to judge this lovely old breed and it was great to see a better entry than I can remember for many years. Hopefully they are increasing in popularity in the show ring as we don’t want to lose the classes for this true English Hunting Hound. I believe that we also had the presence of two different Hunt kennels today ,may it continue.

Junior Dog : 1

1st: Davenport’s CHESHIRE PESTER.

16 mths tri-colour. Masculine head and dark eye, long neck into powerful well laid shoulders .Good substance with correct feet. Level topline with powerful , muscular hindquarters. Has a lot of style ,just quite a handful on the move today.

Special Beginners Dog: 1

1st: Davenport’s CHESHIRE PESTER. As above

Open Dog: 1

1st: Carroll’s BARLOW DESMOND.

Upstanding 4 yrs tri-colour. Masculine throughout with great length, well bodied and has excellent overall balance. Good front and hind co-ordination with correct feet. Lovely tail, set and carriage, super mover. At first a little apprehensive but got better as the class progressed and I was pleased to award him Best Dog and BOB.

Veteran: 1

1st: Griffith’s DAZZLEBY CHORISTER

Handsome old man at 10 ½ yrs old. In fine body and condition he has a masculine head and dark eye, correct ears and set. Good length of neck into muscular well laid shoulders. Good depth and length with moderate hind angulation. I like his style but just outmoved by the younger male today. Res Best Dog.

Special Open Working : 1

1st: Truscott’s CHESHIRE CHAMBERMAID RAF.

7 yrs tri-colour bitch, mature and in her prime, I liked everything about her ,she has a lovely classic head, dark eyes and oozes type and quality. In great body and muscular condition, excellent overall conformation with good bone and feet. Moved soundly when settled but not experienced in the show ring so was out-moved in the challenge for BOB even though I slightly preferred her overall type. Best Bitch.

Yearling Bitch: 1

1st: Truscott’s CHESHIRE DELTA RAF

22 mths tri-colour. Another excellent feminine hound who has a lot to like about her. She is well constructed throughout with a lovely head and keen expression. Excellent outline and topline with good tail and set. Very exuberant she just needs to settle on the move but nothing a bit of practise won’t fix. Good front and hind co-ordination, nice feet. Res Best Bitch and Best Special Beginners.

Special Beginners Bitch :1

1st: Truscott’s CHESHIRE DELTA RAF. As above.

Open Bitch: 2

1st: Truscott’s CHESHIRE CHAMBERMAID RAF As above

2nd: Carroll’s BARLOW DEBBIE

4 yrs tri-colour, litter sister to BOB winner and heavier in style and type to this class winner. Well bodied with good length and depth, nice tail and set. Preferred head and eye of winner but handler got the best out as Debbie on the move and she has good style.

Jenny Dove ( Judge)