Lancaster & District Canine Society

LANCASTER AND DISTRICT CANINE SOCIETY. OPEN SHOW. 9TH AUGUST 2025

HOUND GROUP

I had the most enjoyable day at this very happy and welcoming show. Thanks go to the Committee for inviting me. My very capable and smiley steward, Alice, kept me well organised and the classes running efficiently. Exhibitors must be thanked for being so sporting with my decisions, in the way that they respected and congratulated each other and this gave the whole day a very happy feel. Thank you for allowing me the pleasure of going over your dogs.

The uneven, unrolled fibresand surface may have affected some movement today. It certainly didn’t suit all the dogs so that made assessing some of the movement a little tricky, especially a few of the shorter legged breeds.

All of the dogs were in lovely condition, spotlessly clean and all with such lovely temperaments. I had so many sloppy ear and nose licks as I went over dogs and one almost licked the watch off my wrist. It just showed me that the dogs were happy for a stranger to get up close and personal! Mouths were good and ribs were mostly good. Just one tail I found to have a kink. Eyes all clean without runs. No over done-ness. All fit for purpose.

I was really pleased with my final line up of the Group and the Puppy Group. I really must mention the PG1 who also took Best Puppy in Show. It was definitely a “hound day”. My Veteran Group line up was so pleasing, large and small all looking endearing and moving like the troppers they have become.

If I can say anything of significance, it must be the great joy I felt when my Group winner went Best in Show out of an AVNSC class. I am sure that this is probably an infrequent occurrence for a numerically small and, in the UK, a rare breed which does not have Champion Status and has very few breeders in this country, so I hope that this can be a step for the breed to be more noticed.

I wish that I could put pictures of the class winners on here but as I can’t I will do my best to describe what I had in front of me.

Afghan Hound P 1 (1)

Afghan Hound Jr 1 (1)

Afghan Hound PG 0

Afghan Hound Open 1 (0)

1. PARKER’S SAXONMILL MAJIC MOMENT AT KHATIRA (D) Beautifully presented. Balanced stacked and on the move. Coat with correct feel and length in appropriate areas. Typy expression, long foreface dark eye, minimum stop, prominent occiput going into strong neck of good length. Long, sloping shoulder nicely set back and strong going down to well boned, straight legs and nicely sprung pasterns. Good spring of rib and chest deep. Elbows well fitting to ribbing. Level topline flowing to nice fall away to stern which was well carried. Active and flowing movement. BoB

Borzoi Puppy 0

Borzoi Jr 1 (0)

1.DAWSONS’S STUBBYLEE AT SUNRISE (B) Red sable 14 Months very nicely made, quality bitch, looking beautiful on the stack, but needing time to mature. Long, lean head with good proportions and characteristics. Dark, alert eye, nicely filled below. High set ears, folded back but active when being naughty! Neck long and nicely arched. Clean, sloping shoulder to forelegs with nicely bladed bone. Good feet. Chest still needs a bit of time to develop. Carried her tail nicely. A bit full of nonsense and giving her handler an “interesting” time but I think she’s worth watching in future.

Borzoi PG 1(0)

1. DAWSON’S STUBBYLEE AT SUNRISE (B) as previous class

Borzoi Open 1(0)

1. DAWSON’S MISCHRAN THE SEQUEL FOR STUBBYLEE JW (D) Substantial and well muscled 2 ½ year old Grey & White male of very nice type and good proportions. Balanced stacked and on the move. Strong head with lovely profile. Dark, alert, almond eyes, small ears set high held back until alert and mobile. Neck strong and long with slight arch leading down to clean, bladed shoulders, bladed legs with good bone. Chest deep with sufficiently prominent breastbone, good length of ribbing. Gracefully curved, strong back, powerful loin and all nicely balanced. Muscled thigh, well bent stifle, hocks parallel and nicely let down. Tail carried well. Effortless movement. BoB and G2

Dachshund MSH Puppy 1 (1)

Dachshund MSH Jr 2 (0)

1. CLEWES’ FRYSTONDAX SKYE AT SHARDBECK (B) 15 months old. She has a pretty head with good length of neck. Prominent sternum in full chest, well ribbed, good toptine held on the move. Strong loin. Good bone and feet. Correct tail carriage. I think today’s surface did not suit her little legs as she hopped from time to time bur otherwise moved out well.

2. BARR’S BRONIA’S ANNETTA. (B) 16 month old with pretty feminine head, Good stop and occiput, dark eye, good expression, correctly laid and textured ears. Nicely arched, long neck, shoulder angle to upper arm return good, a little weak in pasterns but that may have had something to do with the very uneven floor afftecting her stance and movement! Level topline held on the move. Would prefer ribbing carried back a little more. Moved out with drive and enthusiasm.

Dachshund MSH PG 2(0)

1. HARDY’S ROSSMIA KENSINGTON BEAUTY (B) 3 yo very feminine red bitch. Balanced on stack. Would prefer more depth of body. Quality head with eyes of correct colour and shape, slightly arched skull, sufficient stop, ears sitting nicely to cheek. Good length and arch of neck leading smoothly into her front assembly. Prominent sternum in a full forechest. Broad shoulder blade, muscled and nicely angled to upper arm, legs correctly placed under lower body . Her ribs extend well back, body long and full, topline level and carried well on the move, short, muscular loin. BoB

2. DAVIES’S STARGANG PENNY LANE (B) Different type to 1. 4 yo old who was unfortunately rather shy and lacking confidence today so I couldn’t get hands on properly without spooking her even more. I sincerely hope that she gets over this.

What I did manage to find – Dark almond eye, ears rounded and set against cheek, very mobile when alerted. Clean, slightly arched neck coming down to a long shoulder blade, good return of upper arm. Good forechest and keel, compact body, well muscled, would prefer ribs carried a little further back, good topline and underline. Strong quarters, angulation correct with front. She moved beautifully with drive and reach and with parallel action.

Dachshund MSH Open1(0)

1. HARDY’S ROSSMIA KENSINGTON BEAUTY (B) As previous class

Dachshund WH Puppy 0

Dachshund WH Jr 0

Dachshund WH PG (1(0)

1. CARTER’S WYREVIEW OCTAVIUS (D) Substantial, quality male with a lot to like. Very assured and confident. Balance stacked and on the move. A nice type with nothing exaggerated. Good, masculine head, lovely breed furnishings, correct planes, dark almond shaped eyes with so much expression. Long, arched neck flowing into acceptable lay of shoulder. Upper arm just a tad short causing him to roll a little on the move and affecting forward reach. Prominent breastbone in full forechest. Body long and muscled, ribs carried well back. Firm and level topline, held on the move. Good underline. Super bone. Uses his well angulated rear quarters giving him sufficient drive but front didn’t let him reach to match. Perhaps today’s surface did not suit. BoB

Dachshund WH Open 0

Deerhound Puppy 2 (0)

1. BARRET’S STRANWITH TOR (D) Well constructed quality puppy, 8 months old enjoying his day out. He still has a long way to go in maturing. Masculine and without coarseness. Lovely shaped head with neat rose ears and expressive dark eyes, giving the typical breed expression. Nicely muscled neck and strong forechest. Shoulder well laid, broad forearm, legs nicely boned, compact feet. When he relaxed into his stride, he had a nicely balanced profile and moved out well with great dignity. Arched loin with firm muscling leading to stern of good taper and length, well bent stifles and good length from hip to hock. Coat still to thicken up but has the right makings. BoB and BP and PG3

2. BARRET’S STRANWITH THALIA (B) 8 month old girl, litter sister to 1. Very immature and only wanted to be with her brother. It made assessing her movement quite testing! But - she has quality and presence. Once her handler settled her, she is beautiful on the stack and on the move, is very reachy and strongly driven. Very feminine with typical breed expression from her dark eye, good stop and occiput and head shape, soft, rose ears. Her front has still to deepen but the basis is there and she’s young. Legs have good bone, feet compact. Well bent stifles, strength and power. She had so much maturing to do, but so lovable. I was well licked.

Deerhound Jr 1 (0)

1. BARRET’S STRANWITH THALIA (B) As previous class

Deerhound PG 2 (1)

1. BARRET’S STRANWITH THALIA (B) As puppy class

Deerhound Open 3(2)

1. BARRET’S STRANWITH TOR (B) As puppy class

Rhodesian Ridgeback.

It was lovely to see some with the correct stride for the breed. It looks so fitting for this hound breed that it moves correctly and it balances the whole integrity of the construction.

Rhodesian Ridgeback Puppy 1(0)

1. CYPRIEN’S JOCERIK ELLA ANGAN (B) 8 months old, red wheaten, very typy and full of quality. Nicely balanced profile stacked. Head - Broad skull with well define stop, dark eye, rounded ears set close all giving typical breed expression. Good depth of chest for age but still with some maturing to do. Clean shoulder, nicely sloping down to strongly boned forelegs. Feet / pasterns need to tighten a little bit. Neck muscled and flowing into strong back, ribs carried well back. Would prefer just a little more depth of body but she’s still very young. Beautifully level topline, good loin, strong quarters. Lovely rear drive and front reach. All will no doubt come together as she matures. BP and PG4

Rhodesian Ridgeback Jr 4(2)

1. PRITCHARD JONES’ MISSION WILD WIND OF LUANDA (Imp SVK) (D). Substantial male of quality and at almost 13 months old already nicely balance both stacked and on the move. Masculine head, eye is dark and of correct colour, such an intelligent expression. Ears carried close to head and set correctly. Strong and muscular neck leading into well laid shouder and down to heavily boned forelegs. Could have very slightly more depth of chest but he is still very young. Moves out with reach and drive and with the correct stride for the breed.

2. HANCOCK’S STASIMELSIE ASHWAGHANDA (B) Pretty, feminine 16 month old bitch who is a tad lighter in bone than 1. Dark, round eye, broad skull, well set ears all giving her a gentle but intelligent expression. Clean neck of good length, preferred the depth of chest of 1 but she’s still maturing. Ribbing needs to be a little deeper to allow the elbows to be a touch closer to the body. Nicely balanced on the move Well handled.

Rhodesian Ridgeback PG 3(1)

1. KERR’S PRIORPARK PURE THEATRE AT BUHERA (B) Wheaten bitch, 21 months old, beautifully balanced. She has a very pleasing head, nicely proportioned, a well defined stop, good length of muzzle and good depth. Lovely dark eyes, nicely set and shaped ears giving her a breed specific expression. Strong and long neck with good reach, chest and body could do with a litle more depth. Shoulders nicely laid, forelegs straight, sufficient bone, a little tightening of elbow would be better. Pasterns need some strengthening – still time. Level and strong topline, good loin and tail set. Good spring of ribs which are carried well back. Hindquarters strong and muscled, good turn of stifle and hocks are well let down, this whole assembly giving her effortless drive.

2. HANCOCK’S STASIMELSIE MACE (B)  6 year old red wheaten bitch. Broad, flat skull with round, dark eyes and correct ear set. Muzzle could be a bit longer / deeper. Strong and muscular neck leading to well laid clean shoulders, a good depth of chest, would like more substance to bone, well sprung rib carried well back, well-muscled quarters and upper thigh sufficient turn of stifle, hocks nicely let down. I expected to see her move a bit better. Maybe an off day.

Rhodesian Ridgeback Open 8(3)

This was a lovely, quality class, decisions were close and all had their own merits and winning qualities. 1st and 2nd could change places any day.

1. PRITCHARD JONES’ KALAHARI SUN OF LUANDA AT AFFRHODA(IMP SVK) (B) This lovely 3 yo bitch presents a strong image of the breed. I liked her balance, quality, substance and looks. She has it all. Head qualities – dark eye, set well apart, skull broad and flat, well defined stop, ears wide then tapering, held close to head, strong jaw. Neck of good length clean and muscular leading down to a well laid sloping and muscular shoulder. Elbows tucking nicely to her ribs and her body deep. Ribbing deep and long and caried well back. On the move she had powerful drive and reach and displayed the correct stride for the breed. BoB and G4

2. WHITESIDE’S JIMANNS JACKASS (D) Balanced 4yo male. A little finer in bone that 1. Head of correct proportions, flat skull and reasonably defined stop, dark round eyes. Good length of muzzle with fair depth, correctly shaped ears carried close. A long, muscular neck, leading into a nicely laid shoulder, straight legs then down to elbow sitting nicely into his body which is of good depth. Ribbing deep, long and well sprung, carried well back. Good forechest and front assembly with ample depth. He has a level topline which is held on the move. Loin is strong and tail set is good. Excellent hind quarters with defined muscle, and good length of second thigh. Hocks strong and well let down. He moved out effortlessly with the correct stride for the breed.

3.CYPRIEN, PORTER AND WILLUNAT’s HONEYBUSH CLOUDS NOVEL PRINCESS ZOLA WITH JOCERIK JW (IMP DEU) (B).

AV Import Open 1(0)

1. BINNERSLEY AND TOMKINSON’S B & T COONHOUND. XTREME MR PRESIDENT V D MERGELHOEVE AT MORTHOUND (IMP NLD) (D). What a great pleasure to have this 4 yo hound to go over. And I did this with a smile. He certainly made his presence felt with his wonderful, happy vocal passage around the ring. A hound of great substance, power and strong bone. Very laid back attitude but I think that belies a very intelligent and determined brain. The eyes and expression say it all. Clean, masculine head, level planes, medium stop, ears set on low and of correct length, muscled neck going down to well laid shoulder, elbows tight to side reaching to base of defined forechest and well rounded ribs. Straight and well boned forelegs. Muscled, level topline leading to powerfully muscled rear quarters, long thigh and nicely bent stifle. Stern carried well. The whole construction provides an easy, powerful and driven movement with an evident forward reach and even stride. BEST AV IMPORTED BREED REGISTER.

AVNSC Puppy. 3 (0)

1. PEARSON’S BASSET HOUND. (B) AMAZING WHITE A STORY WITH A TAIL AT ARMARDIO (IMP NLD). A substantially made, quality young lady. A classic head which we don’t find very often now. A lovely skull with correct stop and occiput, good planes and something not often seen, beautiful lace ears of correct length, fold and texture. Dark eye full of breed expression. Arched, strong neck leading into shoulders nicely laid back if a tad heavy. Correct forechest with prominent sternum and fitting nicely into crook. Strong bone. Deep and well sprung ribbing carried nicely back and supporting her long, strong back with level topline which she held on the move. Stern carried correctly in a relaxed, sabre fashion. Correct angulation both fore and aft allowed her to reach well out in front and drive strongly and correctly from the rear – and very few can be said to do this in the ring today. BEST AVNSC PUPPY and PUPPY G2

2. PORTER’S OTTERHOUND. OTTARYX CHAOS (AI) (B). A really happy, active and outgoing youngster. Kind,eye in a deep and domed head, stop and occiput defined but not overdone. Good length of ears set on correctly on a level with the eye, reaching to nose when drawn forward and folding when relaxied. Long and strong neck leading into well laid shoulders and strongly boned forelegs and nicely sprung pasterns. At 11 months old she still has time to mature into her depth of chest. Deep and oval, well sprung ribs carried well back, level and broad topline. Power comes from her rear quarters which she uses to advantage. Nothing exaggerated about this girl.

3. RIMMER’S BEAGLE. BRAVEAIR INNER PEACE.

AVNSC Jr 1 (1)

AVNSC PG 0

AVNSC Open 4 (0)

1. HOUGH’S HAMILTONSTOVARE. SECRET AGENT WITH SUFAYRE (D). Almost 3yo. Mature and assured. Standing true and well balanced when stacked. Clean lines and nicely coated. Masculine head, slightly arched skull with nicely defined stop and parallel lines, longish muzzle - a head full of breed character. Excellent length of neck, flowing down into well laid and muscular shoulders. ribs long with decent spring. Strong, level topline, powerful hindquarters with well developed muscle which he used on the move with power and elegance. Stern well set and carried with very slight curve. He carries himself well with drive and reach, parallell and true when viewed both going and coming. A nicely proportioned, handsome boy and certainly fit for endurance work.                BEST AVNSC. HOUND GROUP 1. BEST IN SHOW

2. RIMMER’S BEAGLE. BRAVEAIR CLOVER’S MAGIC. Very enthusiastic and happy 20 month B old of good substance, still a few months maturing to do. Feminine head, large dark appealing eye and expression, defined stop, all showing breed character. Leathers of good length, set low and finely textured. Slight arch to strong neck letting down to well laid shoulder. Chest nicely let down, sprung rib carried well back, good loin, level and muscular topline, stern carried well. Nice size and proportions - balanced all round and moving out well.

3. PEARSON’S BASSET HOUND. ARMARDIO WIND OF CHANGE JW. 

Thank you to the Whippet Judge, Craig Tyson, for putting through this sound, stylish and outgoing youngster. Craig will give him a more accomplished write up, but as PUPPY GROUP 1 I have a VERY brief critique for him.

WHIPPET   MALLINSONS’S EDENWHIP OREGANO (D) Well balanced young male, mature and confident for his age. Stands true and has a nice flow of outline. Lovely head with muscular arched neck, deep chest with good forequarters, ribs long and nicely sprung. Strong topline, powerful hindquarters with well developed muscle. He carries himself well with drive and reach. Moved and handled beautifully. G3 AND PG1.

No doubt Craig was as thrilled as I was to see his BoB awarded BEST PUPPY IN SHOW.

Aileen M Sharpe

Judge