West Of England Ladies Kennel Society

West of England Ladies Kennel Society

Thursday 23rd April 2026

Dachshund (Long-Haired) and Dachshund (Wire-Haired)

A huge thanks to WELKS for the invitation to judge these varieties for the first time and my wonderful stewards for their help. It was a total pleasure to judge the Longs and Wires today and whilst I found a more consistent depth of quality in the Wires, I thought the best Longs were on par with the best Wires. A family affair of main winners in both varieties; in Longs, the RDCC/BV was the sire of both CC winners, and the CC winners in Wires were half brother and sister.

Dachshund (Wire-Haired) Veteran Dog (2,0)

1. Osbourne’s Derochaise Vincenzo Di Braego. A masculine dog in excellent muscle and coat condition. A little heavier through than 2 but has good proportions. Handsome in head with good balance, held on an arched neck. Fairly moderate in angulation both fore and aft but balanced. He is well ribbed in both width and length. Uses himself well on the move with a pleasing profile stride, topline could be firmer. True up and down. Scored here over 2 in front and coat.

2. Matthew’s Stanegate Billy The Kid at Sonham JW. This dog presents a very pleasing outline and has good overall proportions. Super head and enough neck. Not the front angulation of 1. Good bone and feet. Decent ribbing. Well angulated stifles with strong hocks. A good profile mover but not the accuracy up and down. Coat texture could be better.

Dachshund (Wire-Haired) Minor Puppy Dog (2,0)

1. Christie’s Cloudside Xaiden at Decalleigh. Quality, masculine dog puppy. Lots of maturing to do, particularly in depth and body as he was looking a little tubular on the day but he has a super frame and proportions to grow into, and the time too! Lovely head, eye and expression. Long neck and well angulated shoulder and upper arm. Super bone and tight feet. Holds an excellent topline standing and moving. Really uses himself on the move where he was sound in all directions and drives from the rear. Easy stride. Beaten only by his very lovely sister who is a little more forward. Best Puppy Dog.

2. Osbourne’s Cloudside Xander around Barego. Litter brother and many similar qualities, particularly head, neck and front, perhaps even better in shoulder. A little more together and forward in body than 1. Needs to settle and drop into him hindquarters, not as relaxed into his topline as 1. Whilst displaying a sound profile stride, he wasn’t using himself as well as I’m sure he could.

Dachshund (Wire-Haired) Puppy Dog (1,0)

1. Osbourne’s Cloudside Xander around Barego.

Dachshund (Wire-Haired) Junior Dog (1,0)

1. Palmer’s Drakkina Dragon’s Eye. Very good proportions with adequate ground clearance and leg length. Handsome head with dark, almond shaped eyes. Plenty neck and good shoulder, would like a bit more return of upper arm. He needs to develop in ribcage as he is a little narrow through at present. Good reach on the move and holds a firm topline.

Dachshund (Wire-Haired) Yearling Dog (4,0)

1. Akehurst’s Tendrow Down To The Wire at Bramdach JW. Best for overall proportions and balance here with a lovely flowing outline. He has a lovely masculine head with good length and expression. Shoulders are well laid and balanced in upper arm. Well ribbed and holds a firm topline. Moved the soundest in this class with true movement up and down and balanced stride in profile. Excellent coat. Quality male.

2. Mountford’s Incordemeo Shadow. Not totally dissimilar in outline, he is certainly masculine and a little heavier through than 1 but not overdone at all. Liked his head which had good length and overall balance. Lengthy neck and fairly well made through the front with plenty forechest. Ideal bend of stifle. Not the ribbing or accuracy in rear movement as 1.

3. Davies’ Atahira Finale.

Dachshund (Wire-Haired) Post Graduate Dog (1,1)

1. Mountford’s Lallybrook Royale Jester. A very masculine dog, wouldn’t like any more of him but he has a pleasing outline, holding his topline at all times. Good head with pleasing length and dark eye. Long neck, front well laid back and excellent forechest. Fairly well ribbed back. Balanced rear which he used well on the move to display a very good profile stride.

Dachshund (Wire-Haired) Limit Dog (6,2)

1. Christie’s Cloudside Valentino at Decalleigh JW ShCEx OSW. This dog scored very well for size and substance, he has super proportions too with a flowing outline. Pleasing eye and expression, though could have a touch more foreface for ideal balance in his head. Well made all through and in ideal body. Super feet. Wouldn’t like any less rear angulation. Out-moved this class in both profile stride and trueness on the up and down, holding his outline and showing good activity.

2. Apps’ Calicoe Just Me. Mature dog with sufficient ground clearance. Handsome head with good balance and pleasing expression, preferred this over 1. Enough neck and fairly well laid shoulder, not the length of upper arm as 1. Good forechest and ribbing, firm topline. Would like more bend of stile and second thigh. Moved fairly well.

3. Mountford’s Incordemeo Midnight.

Dachshund (Wire-Haired) Open Dog (5,1)

1. McCalmont’s Covellyn’s Cecil at Silvae (Imp Che). For me, this dog was ideal for size, substance and proportions. He has such a clean and flowing outline, perfectly balanced with excellent ground clearance. Attractive head with lovely eye and expression. Super length of neck flowing smoothly into well laid shoulder, balanced with a long upper arm. Wouldn’t like any less forechest. Scores in ribbing, with tight elbows. Well angulated, balanced, hindquarters with strong, well let down hocks. This dog really comes alive on the move where his defiant carriage was unmatched in this entry. He is sound coming and going, but his profile action is his main attraction, so easy and ground covering. Can be fond of his tail at times but easily forgiven for his excellent temperament and carriage. Excellent coat. DCC.

2. Howlett & Phillips’ Ch Tendrow Malibar JW. Another excellent example of the breed who pushed the winner hard. Slightly more of him but again, he is well balanced and in proportion. Such a handsome head with ideal width of skull and well set ear. Strong neck of good length, well laid shoulders, not quite the length of upper arm of 1, but more than reasonable in this entry. Very good bone and feet. Scores very well in forechest, depth and spring of rib. Lovely flow to his topline and I preferred his finish over the croup to 1. Well angulated rear. Super mover and whilst I felt he was able to match the stride of 1, he didn’t quite have the ease and suppleness to his action. A very worthy champion. RDCC.

3. Akehurst’s Boloria All Spice.

Dachshund (Wire-Haired) Veteran Bitch (2,1)

1. Rowe’s Ch Boloria’s Trick Or Treat JW VW. Such a showy bitch who has a delightful temperament and showmanship about her. She has a nice flow and is very balanced. Pleasing head and super length of neck. Would like a touch more layback of shoulder. Good feet. Well ribbed and holds a firm topline both standing and moving. Uses herself so well on the move with super drive from the rear and a very good profile stride. Carries herself very well. BV.

Dachshund (Wire-Haired) Minor Puppy Bitch (2,1)

1. Rowe’s Cloudside Xamira with Boloria. What a lovely little puppy bitch. She is quite compact in proportions but she is totally balanced. Particularly liked her flow of outline. Feminine head with dark eye. Long neck and excellent front assembly. Already quite forward in body with good forechest and width through the body. Nicely balanced rear. Such a sound mover in all directions, holding her outline very well for one so young. Very good coat. A promising puppy. BP.

Dachshund (Wire-Haired) Puppy Bitch (2,0)

1. Rowe’s Cloudside Xamira with Boloria.

2. Cox’s Bulldaxit’s Wildest Dream. Sweet bitch, another super forward and outgoing temperament. She is feminine and a good size but a little long in proportions. Feminine head, if a touch round in eye. Has super hindquarters with good width of thigh. Her outline and proportions were better on the move where she moved quite soundly.

Dachshund (Wire-Haired) Junior Bitch (4,0)

1. Pughe & Fraser’s Stanegate Sonja. Quite a smart and stylish bitch who has excellent proportions and a really clean and flowing outline. She has a long, feminine head held. Lengthy, slightly arched neck. Well angulated in front, and balanced fore and aft. Really firm topline standing and moving. Good strength to her rear, scoring over 2. Excellent coat. Uses herself well on the move with good accuracy and presenting a very pleasing picture in profile.

2. Seath’s Sunsong Shine Like A Star (AI). She is a lovely size, has very good ground clearance and fairly good angles fore and aft. Lovely head and expression. Excellent ribbing and short loin. Good bend of stifle but would like stronger hocks. Still needs to come together a little on the move as was not able to match the accuracy and drive of 1 today.

3. Hunt’s Drakkina’s Gift Of Dragon’s.

Dachshund (Wire-Haired) Yearling Bitch (3,1)

1. Binks’ Tannahill Lovely Day. Lovely overall proportions and balance here. Feminine head, perhaps could be a touch longer. Pleasing eye and expression. Enough neck and well made front, particularly pleasing length of upper arm. Well sprung ribs, prefer a touch better ratio of length of ribbing to loin. Super hammy rear and strong low hocks. Holds her outline well and moves soundly both ways out-moving 2.

2. Hunt’s Drakkina’s Gift Of Dragons. Up to size but does have very pleasing overall proportions and is solid through the body. Feminine and balanced head, strong neck. More moderate in angulation fore and aft than 1, would like more layback in front. Good ribbing. Quite tidy up and down but unable to match the stride of 1.

Dachshund (Wire-Haired) Post Graduate Bitch (4,1)

1. Binks’ Tannahill Day By Day. This bitch really impressed with her elegant outline and excellent angles fore and aft. Lovely head with alert expression, held on a long neck. Super front assembly with enough forechest. Nice flow of neck, shoulder and topline. Pleasing body proportions and is ribbed well back, though has max length of loin too. Very good bend of stifle to balance. Super mover in all directions. Just needs a little more maturity to finish her off but she was in consideration in the challenge.

2. Hepner Theodorou & Hepner Chapman’s Clipperdown Vivien Leigh. A slightly more substantial bitch with pleasing type. Beautiful head, eye and expression enhanced by dark pigment. A real fidget and not totally in the game on the move but she is soundly made all through and showed glimpses of this moving. Good coat.

3. Matthews’ Sonham Twice As Nice JW.

Dachshund (Wire-Haired) Limit Bitch (5,2)

1. Paterson’s Brumberhill Biscuit to Ambiesque. A very typey bitch who has a smooth and flowing outline. She has good proportions with enough ground clearance. Very lovely head and expression. Pleasing neck into well laid shoulder and upper arm. Super forechest and ribbed well back. Full rump and textbook hindquarters. Super coat and overall condition. Balanced and sound mover but just wanted to see more from her in the challenge.

2. Dickinson’s Derdledash Skyfall at Dakotadax JW. An elegant and feminine bitch with ideal overall body proportions and of a lovely size. Long, head with pleasing details, very good eye and expression. Long neck and set smoothly into well laid shoulders, would like more return of upper arm. Super bone and feet. Solid topline. Strong rear, if quite moderate. True mover coming towards and really uses herself to show a balanced, lengthy profile stride, but not quite the accuracy in the rear of 1. Harsh jacket.

3. Downie’s Tannahill Thalia.

Dachshund (Wire-Haired) Open Bitch (3,0) Three lovely bitches, but 1 stole the show.

1. McCalmont’s Silvae Fan The Flames. Thought this bitch was absolutely super. Spot on for size and substance with a houndy, yet elegant, overall look. Really impresses for her smooth flow of outline and excellent angles fore and aft. Beautiful head and expression, long neck. The best shoulders in the entry and return of upper arm to match. Nice tight elbows, with good bone and feet. She is as long as I would like in overall proportions but totally carries this off with her length of ribbing, short loin and firm topline. Balanced, hammy rear quarters with strong hocks. So stylish on the move, holds her outline entirely and covers the ground with such ease and an exceptional stride. Accurate coming and going as well. Thought she was such a neat package so full of type and quality. BCC & BOB.

2. Howlett & Rowe’s Ch Boloria Oh Darling JW. Another very lovely bitch, slightly heavier through than 1 but still balanced overall with very good proportions. She too is well made all through with excellent angulation fore and aft, and firm in body with good ribbing and topline. Super mover pushing 1 all the way, just preferred the slight refinement throughout and ease on the move of 1. A very worthy title holder and RBCC winner today.

3. Pughe & Fraser’s Bystock Blue Orchid.

Mr L A Johnston