Border Union Agricultural Society

My grateful thanks to the Committee of the Border Union A S for their kind invitation to judge at this lovely venue. Also to my two stewards, especially Arthur, who kept me right all the way through. As always, such a well run and welcoming show. Thank you to all the exhibitors for their entry and sportsmanship.

A pleasure to go over some quality dogs, nicely constructed, no exaggerations, fit for purpose and in good, healthy condition. There was such a lot to like but there were also some concerns. Most in clean condition, all had lovely temperaments and most were happy to let me go over them. Movement is so important and a well constructed basset should move correctly. It’s so gratifying to watch a basset move when it has correct structure to allow reach and drive. I was cognisant of all of the issues within Breed Watch and as a breed back on Category Three after the hard work undertaken over the years to get to Category Two, we must be very careful about what we are doing to the breed to warrant a downgrade.

I found a couple of skin issues – be aware and sort it. One had structural ground clearance issues, although any with a bit of excess skin looked to have little clearance. Eyes were mostly clean, healthy and correct, but a real concern were a couple that I found too loose and one very runny eye with coat discolouration. I found ribs to be a bit of a disappointment in some and surprised to find one with flange. Correct ribbing is so important. Some lovely movers with correct parallel movement, reach and drive, but, more than I would have liked moved too close behind and two did a bit of hopping. Movement should be smooth and effortless – reaching and driving - without rocking or jerking. Its nice to see the stern carried correctly, which most did, but a couple carried tails over the back. In stance, some were stretched out too far at the rear which is very unnatural. It may look good to some, but its not the way a basset would choose to stand to support itself so why force it? I do like to find puppies looking, behaving and feeling like puppies and not “the finished article” as in being too early matured.

Puppy Dog 3 (1)

1ST E Cudlip’s Deucecoupe Good Vibrations at Harvidene. 9 month old of good substance and nicely proportioned. Handsome head with reasonable planes, balanced skull, prominent occiput, nice depth of muzzle, good length and curl of leather. Forechest still some developing to do. Good proportion of body, length and arch of neck. Ribs of good depth but still need a little developing of length. Level topline on the stack and on the move. Stern nicely carried. Not overdone in any way. Moved soundly with a lovely rear action going away. Look forward to seeing him mature in due course.

2ND N & C Coultas’s Deucecoupe Four On The Floor. 9 month old tri. Sibling to 1. Ants in his pants today – very much a baby. Handsome head, dark eye, well set on leathers, neck long and with good reach. Shoulder just a tad upright, ribbing well sprung and of decent length. Feet need to tighten a little. Forechest is a little more prominent than 1. Topline level and held well on the move. A happy boy. Still a little loose he will need a lot of time to mature, I think – but that’s no bad thing.

Junior Dog 0

Yearling Dog 0

Graduate Dog 1 (0)

1ST N & C Coultas’s Deucecoupe Four On The Floor. As before

Post Graduate Dog 1 (0)

1ST L McNamara’s Burnvale Echoes and Shadows. 20 months old. A lot to like in this nicely made, happy boy. Hands on, he has good substance and structure. Masculine head, good depth of flew, dark, clean eye and soft expression. Head planes are fair, supple leathers, set very nicely and of good length, angulation front and rear complimented one another. He has the components for power, but his excess weight is holding him back. Prominent sternum, ribs nicely rounded, with good spring and carried well back. Level topline held on the move. Bend of stifle is good and hocks let down sufficiently that this should give him drive. Stern carried very nicely. Hindquarters are muscled and his rear aspect has merit. Would like to see him use what he has to move better – with less weight!

Limit Dog 4 (0) Nice class, all in lovely condition.

1ST C Allchorne’s Nelgus Golden Nugget. So nice to get my hands on this boy and much to like. A handsome red and white 3 year old stallion hound but he so needs his confidence boosted. Clean, and overall a very balanced outline, standing true with no exaggerations, good ground clearance. Ideal furnishings. Handsome and proud, best head planes of the day. Correctly shaped, clean eye, leathers of correct length – more curl would be preferred. Prominent occiput, clean, strong arch of neck, shoulder laid back with good return to decent upper arm, elbow held close to ribs. Prominent sternum. Well sprung ribs, carried smoothly back and supporting a long, level topline. Hindquarters strong, rear angulation is excellent with well let down hocks. He looks powerful and he certainly proved it on the move – reach and drive in abundance, those front and rear angulations showing their worth. I love to see that rear drive coming from right under the body. Parallel movement, so nice to watch going and coming. I forgave him his level tail carriage, but what a difference it would make to get that tail up a little. He’s an eye catching, powerful boy if the shyness could just be overcome. He was a strong contender for my Res Ticket if he had just had more confidence.

2ND A Gambling’s Dizandra Carpe Noctem.  Substantial 3-year-old broken tri. A strong looking boy with a nice outline. Broad skull, clean, dark eye, fair stop, prominent occiput. Neck tending to be a little bit short which pulls at the shoulder angles, these standing a little upright, upper arm is fair. Sits a tad back on pasterns – at times! Forechest – would like a little more prominence of sternum, but fair. Adequately sprung ribs of good length. Topline, strong, level and well held on the move. Hocks nicely let down, rear angulation is good. Strong and firm hind quarters, well muscled, tail carried nicely. Moved strongly if a little close behind.

 3RD SJ Bowers’s Sasilasy Edge of Chaos at Lyonglen

Open Dog 6 (0)

Spoilt for choice in this quality class, all beautifully presented. I was looking for THE very best from each exhibit. Close decision between 1, 2 and 3.

1ST R & L Sutton’s Ch Reveros Power of Love JW. 2 year old Red and White Very smart, in lovely condition and really takes the eye. Such a lot to like here – lovely proportions, everything in moderation, no exaggerations, good ground clearance and balanced outline. Sufficient furnishings. Head proportions are good, medium width of skull, sufficient stop, clean, dark eye, soft expression, leathers set low, of correct length, curl and texture, good depth of flew. Nice reach and arch of neck. Forechest is good but I would ask for just a little more sternum, nicely sprung ribs carried well back. Front angles are just asking to be a little more exact – oh for the perfect dog!. Elbows held tight to ribs. Broad, strong back. Level topline which he held firmly on the move. Strong and well muscled rear quarters, hocks well let down, stifles well bent, standing true all round. Stern carried perfectly. He uses what he has to great advantage and gives of his very best. So nicely handled. He pushed hard for the ticket. RDCC

2ND L & K Blevins’s Ch/Ir Ch/Int Ch Blevwil Kenny Dewitt Cen JW Cen W. Four and a half year old Dark tri, another very smart boy and a totally different type to 1. Shorter in body but still with balance and quality. Handsome head with good planes, clean dark eyes, soft expression, strong muzzle, good stop and occiput. Correct length and texture of leathers. Prominent sternum, ribs nicely sprung and carried well back. Topline level when stacked and on the move, stern carried correctly. Front and rear angles, sufficient to provide a good movement. A very honest boy. He just didn’t have the drive or spirit today that I have previously seen in him.

  3RD E Cudlip’s Harvidene Festive Cheer.

Veteran Dog 1 (0)

1ST C Allchorne’s Ch Nelgus Thyme Bomb JW ShCEx VW.  What a gentleman! A stylish, honest to goodness, quality 10 year old and still giving of his very best for his owner, Balanced on the move, he drives with power and purpose. His head pleases me - planes almost parallel, eyes clear, dark and nicely shaped, good depth of lip, gentlest of expressions. Good depth of flew, correct stop and occiput. Leathers set low, of correct length, fine, curling and all adding to the quality in his head. Strong neck, nicely arched with good reach. Withers to shoulder are strong and shoulder to upper arm nicely laid down at correct angle. Front structure is so sound - prominent sternum and chest sitting nicely into the crook. Good ground clearance. Legs well boned, strong, would prefer feet a little tighter, but this had no detrimental effect on his movement. Ribs rounded and well sprung, extending well back, doing what they are meant to do. Broad back, level topline, stacked and on the move. Strong and firm rear quarters, well let down hocks and good bend of stifle – reflecting his front angle. Strong and broad stern, carried beautifully. He moved effortlessly. A pleasure to go over and award him a well deserved BV DCC and BoB.

Puppy Bitch 3 (0)

I do like to see a puppy out to enjoy the day and be a puppy.

1ST L & K Blevins’s Blevwil Barbara Black Sheep. What a joy. This 6 month old Red and White girl was out to enjoy her first day in the ring and it was a pleasure to go over her – when she stood still long enough. She has an outline very pleasing to the eye, feminine head with a dark, clean eye and lovely leathers, fine and of correct length. An expression to melt you – but with mischief behind it. Good stop and prominent occiput. Nicely arched neck with good reach. Shoulder and upper arm angles are correct and mirror her rear angulation. Sternum still has developing to do, ribs nicely sprung. Topline is excellent, stacked and on the move, stern carried happily and correctly. Very much a baby, she can really move with drive albeit a bit exuberantly at times! A little more bone would finish the picture nicely. Made her handler work today – but such fun, which is what it’s all about at this stage.

2ND E Cudlip’s Deucecoupe Darlin at Harvidene. Smart 9 month old Red and White, still much maturing to do - I liked her expressive, feminine head, nicely domed, with good stop and occiput. Dark, clean eyes, leathers of correct length, curl and texture. Forechest fits perfectly into the crook, sternum developing nicely. Good spring of rib, reaching well back – just looks so good on such a youngster. Good bone, tight feet. Arch and reach of neck good. Topline a wee bit dippy on the stack, but I put this down to her still maturing - it was carried perfectly level on the move. Strong tail, carried as it should. She had powerful drive showing a correct parallel movement and a clean pair of heels. Once she all comes together, she could have a promising future.

3RD H Bailey’s Chique to Chique A Story with A Tail for Longmynd

Junior Bitch 5 (1)

1ST L & J Armstrong’s Lauralee Mystical Magic. Another youngster out for a fun day! A lovely type - 15 months old red and white with some maturing still to do. Feminine head, nice proportions, good planes, stop and occiput. Strong muzzle, dark, clear eye, leathers set nice and low, fine and of correct length, all of her head properties culminating in her lovely expression. Arch and reach of neck just flow into nicely placed shoulders, good angulation. Strongly boned but at the same time, moderate. Good ground clearance. Forechest sits nicely into the crook, with excellent sternum. A good spring of ribs reaching well back and up to her strong topline which is level both stacked and on the move. Rear quarters well muscled and strong. Her skin and coat are in beautiful condition. Too much nonsense in her head today, but she gave a good account of herself on the move.

2ND A & J Meldrum’s Cintal Secret Cawdor. Close decision between 1 and 2. Very similar in type to 1 and a lot of what is said above also applies here. A lot of maturing to do, but it’s no bad thing for this to happen slowly, and she has all the right components to do so. Good bone and substance. Head planes are fair, good stop and occiput, ears set on low and have length, curl and texture. Eyes clear and healthy, would prefer just a little darker and tighter. Lovely arch and reach of neck, good lay and angle of shoulder. Chest sitting nicely into the crook. Ribs strong and carried well back, broad back, topline level and firm, strong rear quarters, tail carried correctly. Good ground clearance here which, together with good angulation front and back, should allow her to reach and drive well, but just didn’t have the motivation of 1.

3RD P A Mclean’s Lauralee Dreams of Magic at Stookewood

Yearling Bitch 3 (0)

1ST L & J Armstrong’s Lauralee Magic Image. Very similar to her litter sister, who won the previous class, this sibling a little more mature. She has a lovely expression comprising a typy skull, good planes, nicely tapered muzzle, clean, dark eye, leathers of good length, fine and curling – lovely to the touch. All of her furnishings meet that particular breed character. Forechest sits properly into the crook, sternum nicely developed. Good bone, tight feet. Shoulder angles are good, ribbing strong, smooth and carried well back - all of her frontage very satisfactory. Neck well arched and has good reach. Strong and level topline. Rear angulation is satisfactory and, had a debate with myself – could those hocks be just a little more let down? This did not deter from the power she displayed going around, although just a tad close behind. Seriously considered for the Reserve Ticket.

 2ND H Manson’s Kenbloom Destiny's Call. Substantial, happy 13 month dark tri. Strong bone. Good head planes, dark eye, good length and curl of leathers. Muscled neck, nicely arched leading down to a good shoulder placement and decent upper arm. Even front with forechest sitting into crook, prominent sternum, ribs of good length, carried nicely back. Broad, strong back, topline fair in stack and carried perfectly level on the move. Just a little straight in hock but still moved out well.

 3RD A & J Meldrum’s Cintal Secret Dunnideer

Graduate Bitch 2 (0)

1ST A & J Meldrum’s Cintal Secret Annan. Slightly shy 16 month old girl and still has a bit of maturing to do. Her planes, stop and occiput are good. Nice width and taper of skull. Very dark, clear eyes, leathers of good length and fine texture, a little more curl would just add to her expression. Forechest a little lacking at the moment, but it sits comfortably enough into the crook. Ribbing is of good length and depth and carried smoothly back, good daylight under. Strong bone and feet. Holds her neck a little short, but well muscled. Back strong and broad, topline level, rear quarters strong and firm. Moved freely.

2ND A & E Birse & Mathew’s Blevwil Gladys Eeya. 5 and a half year old Red and white of nice type. Good stop and occiput, dark, clear eye. Leather nicely set below the eye and of good length. Strong, nicely arched neck. Shoulder is a little on the heavy side which showed on the move that she was a bit “on the forehand” and lacking reach - pulling from the front rather than driving from the rear. Topline could be better, standing a little “bum high”. Rear angulation a bit inadequate. A bit straight in stifle so lacked that essential rear drive. A happy girl and nicely handled.

Post Graduate Bitch 3 (0)

All 3 could change places easily. Just down to impression and preference on the day.

1ST A & J Meldrum’s Clanwillow Jazz Melody at Cintal. 20 months. A different type to most here today, which is nice to see and exercises my brain. Not at all “flashy” - she’s just an honest to goodness girl with much to like under the hands. Broad in skull, planes are reasonable. Dark, clean eyes, curled leathers of good length, fine to the touch. Nicely developed sternum, deep chest, ribbing extending well back. Neck is muscled and arched if a little short, shoulder angles are fair. Just slightly short in upper arm. Elbows held close to ribs. Broad and strong back, level topline held on the move. I would prefer a little more bend of stifle then her hocks would be just a tad more let down. Presented in lovely condition. Powered around the ring showing me what nice pads she has!

2ND C Allchorne’s Nelgus Lucky Charm. A very nice type. 3 years old, only just out of season and not very happy at being touched. What I was “allowed” to get my hands on I liked. She is of lovely proportions and looks so smart in profile. Broad skull, good stop, dark and clear eye, leathers set below the eye, long and fine but would prefer a little more curl. Elegant and muscled neck with good reach. Shoulder angle is moderate and upper arm just a little on the short side. Good depth of chest sitting into the crook and respectable sternum. Her broad and strong back, level topline and firm rear quarters give her an element of power, which she uses effectively. Rear angulation is quite good – doesn’t quite reflect her front but she uses what she has to great advantage showing parallel gait and moving sound both going and coming. She covers the ground smoothly with power, expending little effort. The best mover of the class.

3RD M Woodworth’s Woodrich Precipitus Prudie

Limit Bitch 5 (1)

1ST S Archer’s Roamanbay Reddy to Rock. A type that I like a lot and she does not disappoint in her construction and movement - a strongly made but still feminine two and a half year old girl, with lovely proportions. Looking good in profile. She was a little on the shy side but that might be overcome with patience. Lovely head properties with almost level planes. Stop, occiput, muzzle, flews, dark, clean eyes, good set on leathers, soft and perfect curl. All just make her head so right. Arched, muscled neck of good reach, coming down to correct lay and angle of shoulder, strong and deep chest, sitting well into the crook. A very tidy front construction. Good bone and strong, tight feet. Ribs nicely rounded, of good depth and reaching well back, good heart room and supporting her spine. Broad and strong back, firm rear quarters, a strong stern set correctly. I forgave her level tail on the move. I just love watching this girl’s strong, smooth and free gait – effortless and ground covering. BCC

2ND T Johnston’s Burnvale Echoes and Dreams. Red and white, 20 months old with feminine expression. Domed skull with defined stop and occiput. Clear, healthy eye, fine ears, set low and of correct length, slight cut away of lip detracts from an otherwise nice head. Good arch and reach of neck, well placed shoulder with neat elbows, slightly short in upper arm which impacted reach. Good forechest sitting into crook, level top-line which she held well both stacked and on the move, good body proportions. Lacks in rear angulation which stops her hocks from letting down. Moved out reasonably well but needs a bit more motivation.

3RD Y C Pearson’s Amazing White A Story with A Tail at Armardio (Imp Nld) JW

Open Bitch 7 (1)

1ST Miss H Cudlip’s Harvidene La Bambola. A quality Two and a half year old girl, nicely balanced, strongly made with excellent bone. Pleasing outline stacked and on the move. Feminine head with worthy proportions, good planes, stop and occiput correct, good depth to lip. Dark, clear eyes, would just prefer them a little tighter. Leathers soft, curling and long. Good arch and reach of neck flows nicely to her shoulders. Even front, good depth of chest sitting comfortably into the crook, sternum is moderate. Well rounded and sprung ribs, extended smoothly back to her strong and level topline. Excellent ground clearance. Firm and muscular rear quarters, with stern set on nicely and she carries it well. Rear angulation sitting well provides her with power on the move, her movement being very precise – no energy wasted. All told, she’s very “together” and I could easily see her working the field. Presented in immaculate condition. Handled perfectly. RBCC

Close decision between 2 and 3. Very different but much to like about both.

2ND LA & K Blevins Ch/Ir Ch Blevwil Heres to Harriett. Another quality bitch, a bit smaller in structure, nothing exaggerated and just the right amount of furnishings. She’s a two and a half year old Red and White showing a smart profile. Nicely proportioned, well balanced. Head has good length and width, dark eye of correct shape, ears fine and curling set on nicely below eye level. Chest deep, well developed sternum, good spring of rib extending well back. Plenty of ground clearance. Elbows held nicely into ribcage. Muscled neck going down to broad back, level topline and firm rear quarters, well set on stern which was carried correctly. Very efficient in movement.

3RD S Archer’s Roamanbay Rebellious Flame

Veteran Bitch 1 (0)

1ST L Armstrong’s Ch Lauralee A Kind of Magic. So nicely presented, this well balanced 7 year old girl has long been a favourite of mine from the ringside. Such a nice breed type. Clean outline - nothing overdone or excessive about her and has good ground clearance. Feminine head, very expressive and nicely proportioned. Clean and healthy eye of correct shape, ears set on low, supple, narrow, curling and of good length. Neck is muscled, arched and has good reach. Good angles mirrored front and rear, elbow fits nicely into ribs. Forechest well developed, sits into the crook with ease, displays an even front. Good bone, tight feet. Back is broad, topline strong and level, rear quarters muscled and firm, correctly set on stern. Just not giving of her best today – I’ve seen her move with more enthusiasm.

Aileen M Sharpe

Judge