Devon County Agricultural Association

Devon County Premier Open Show – 15th May 2025

Beagles

Judge: Jane Whitton (Haggatty)

First of all, I would like to give my thanks to Devon County Show’s society who invited me to judge. The welcome I received was absolutely wonderful and I had a most enjoyable day - even the weather played ball! To the competitors who gave me their entries, thank you for the honour of being able to assess your wonderful hounds. I was spoilt for choice and results could have easily been different on another day so thank you to all of you.

POST GRADUATE (5,1)

1st – Kingsland’s Carvaha Artful Dodger from Redcap

At just 6 months old this tan & white dog is certainly still raw, however the promise he shows is just undeniable at what was his first outing. He stood square with a good forechest, level top line and decent hind angulation. He has a lovely, elegant length of neck and a set of decent leathers with a correct melting expression. It was on the move though that he came into his own though and as the class went on and he relaxed, this got better and better with excellent ground covering straight movement. I was pleased to award him BP and thrilled to see him later continue to improve with experience and go PG2 in a very good group.

2nd – Quantick’s Parkbreeway Rumour

15mth old male blanket tricolour. Lovely masculine head with dark eyes and beautiful long leathers that flows into a nice level topline and good tail set. Very good bone and hind angulation with tight feet. To be picky I would like to see a slightly longer leg to balance out the height to length ratio, but he is still maturing, and this should balance out. On another day he and the winner would swap places easily and a lot still to come with this boy.

LIMIT (5,1)

1st – Murphy’s Bayard Seal of Approval at Rhosyndu JW

15mth old male blanket tricolour. A young hound who will mature into a true stallion hound. He is all handsomely masculine without a hint of coarseness, having a soft expression with lovely dark eyes, correct bite and long low set leathers. Very good length of neck leading into a strong, compact level topline with nicely laid shoulders, depth of chest, balanced limbs and well angulated quarters. He moved freely and true with an excellent, ground covering length of stride that looked like he could go all day. Pleased to award him BOB and see him go on to take HG4 later in the day in a very large Hound group.

2nd – Mitchells & Wright’s Huntshill Up to Trouble

5yr old male blanket tricolour who has retained his lovely dark blanket. Beautiful head with good pigmentation and length of muzzle and nice low set ears. Would like to see touch more length of neck and lower leg to balance out his height to length ratio however overall, he is a picture of a smart mature hound who has well laid-back shoulders and well bent stifles. Topline is level and firm and his movement was straight and true.

OPEN (4,0)

1st – Breeze’s Parkbreeway Wyseman JW

3.5yr old male tan & white who is of a more solid mould than some of the others. A totally masculine hound presenting a handsome head with the loveliest of long low set leathers and a melting expression. Well-muscled, he has a very strong level topline with good angulation all over and lovely compact loins. Moved with real drive thanks to his powerful hindquarters and pushed hard in the challenge, and it was a closely run contest. RBOB.

2nd – Mitchells & Wright’s Huntshill Usual Suspect

5yr old broken tricolour bitch and litter sister to 2 in previous class. Nice head and expression leading into good length of neck and strong, level topline and good tail set. Would like to see more forechest on her but good depth to her chest overall and well sprung ribs. Excellent hind angulation and lovely tight feet.