Basset Hound Club

Basset Hound Open Show- March 2026

A huge thank you to the club for inviting me to judge, such an honor. I found so many lovely exhibits and the atmosphere around the ring fabulous, so supportive and friendly just as it should be. I must also mention my super-efficient steward who was amazing and the hospitality. A thoroughly enjoyable day and wonderful hard working committee.

Class 1. Baby Puppy Dog Entries: 1 Absentees: 0

1st Clanwillow Love and Dreams (Mrs S B & Mr K R Jones)

What a super start to the day, such a promising puppy. Lovely shape, good bone and substance throughout, nice head, moved away and back true, ears long, tail ok. Loved his breed type, shape and proportions. Good topline for one so young. I will watch with interest as just adored him. Best Baby Puppy in Show.

Class 2. Baby Puppy Bitch Entries: 1 Absentees: 0

1st Clanwillow Summer Loving (Mrs Sb & Mr Kr & Ms K & Ms C Jones & Jones & Holland & Ramunno)

Sister to the dog and another with super breed type and lots to like. She just needs time to grow into frame. Nice type with good bone and substance. Good tail and balanced front and rear. Lovely big nose. Moved fine for age.

Class 3. Veteran Dog Entries: 4 Absentees: 1

1st Nelgus Thyme Flies ShCEx (Mrs C Allchorne)

Loved his type and bone. Moved away and back true. Good rear drive and outline on the move, holding a steady topline. Super houndy head, big squishy nose and curl to ears. Best Veteran in Show.

2nd Wellsbayview Sorrento (Mrs L A Saunders)

Lovely plains to head. Well bodied and overall balance. Super type. Good profile movement, just lacking rear drive of 1. Super tight well-padded feet.

3rd 33 - Diheath Really Cosmic at Kejana (Miss D, Mr K P, Mrs J A & Miss N E Melbourne & Hirst)

Class 4. Minor Puppy Dog Entries: 0 Absentees: 0

Class 5. Puppy Dog Entries: 1 Absentees: 1

Class 6. Junior Dog Entries: 2 Absentees: 0

Two very differing types but lots to like about both.

1st Diheath Cracker (Miss D & Miss J Melbourne & Murray)

Lighter framed boy, but well proportioned. Good head and curl to supple ears. Lovely profile movement and good topline. Well ribbed back and strong topline. Excellent tight well-padded feet and strong pasterns. Moved true away and back. Really liked overall shape and proportions.

2nd Clanwillow Kiss of Fire (Mrs Lucy & Mrs Sb Martin & Jones)

Heavier set male who was also well made. Super bone and substance. Excellent rear angulation. Moved true away and back just not the front reach of 1. Super houndy head and full of type with lovely teeth.

Class 7. Special Yearling Dog Entries: 1 Absentees: 0

1st Malrich Shaken Not Stirred (Mr M & Mrs D Ellrich)

Smaller overall frame and type but still in relative proportion. Balanced overall, moved away and back true. Super strong topline. Good eye shape and teeth. Lovely tight well-padded feet. Shown in lovely hard condition. In challenge moved well and truest to take Best Dog.

Class 8. Post Graduate Dog Entries: 2 Absentees: 0

1st Diheath Chekov JW (Miss D & Miss J Melbourne & Murray)

Good head. Lovely big well-padded feet. Carrying little weight over neck/shoulders today. Ribbing well back. Moved well in profile, good topline. Liked his type, bone and overall shape.

2nd Roamanbay Reddy The Eagle (Mr S Archer.

Diff type to 1. Good bone, Moved ok but lacking use of stern today. Just not angulation 1. Super coat, lovely hocks and shown in super condition.

Class 9. Limit Dog Entries: 5 Absentees: 0

1st Nagyhegyi Pajkos Taylors of Harrogate (Imp Hun) (Ms D & Mr C Fekete & Pearce)

Really liked this boy’s overall shape and type. Good head and ears with fold and supple. Used stern well on the move. Super big, tight well -padded feet. Tight elbows and lovely depth with enough clearance. Well ribbed back. Strong rear. Lovely powerful hound full of quality. Just lost out in challenge as didn’t move as well coming as did in his class. Reserve Best Dog

2nd Clanwillow Fire and Ice JW (Mrs S B & Mr K R Jones)

Striking male with good bone and body. Stood a picture, just not front angulation of 1. Super balanced hound with good feet. Good use of stern. Well-muscled and shown in superb condition. Moved away and back true, keeping good topline in profile.

3rd Wildebeest Will V Grunsven (Imp Nld) (Mrs Vl & Mr Rj Green & Smits)

Class 10. Open Dog Entries: 2 Absentees: 1

1st Am Gchs Clanwillow Back to Th Future (Mrs S B & Mr K R Jones)

Another striking male full or presence. Of lovely type, shape, width and forechest. Good tight well-padded feet. Nice head and expression. Super clearance, proportions and overall shape . Away and back true just lost out on top awards in challenge a topline not as strong today. A quality male and am sure on another day and more space would be in top honours.

Class 11. Special Beginners Dog Entries: 0 Absentees: 0

Class 12. Veteran Bitch Entries: 3 Absentees: 2

1st Clanwillow Shining Bright (Mrs S B & Mr K R Jones)

Super sound girl. Good ribbing moved well away and back true. Lighter frame but good proportions, lovely ground clearance. Good outline in profile.

Class 13. Minor Puppy Bitch Entries: 0 Absentees: 0

Class 14. Puppy Bitch Entries: 4 Absentees: 1

1st Lauralee Mystical Magic (Miss L & Mrs J Armstrong)

Stole the show for me today, such a super shape and breed type. Excellent front angulation and length of upper arm. Clean lines, good body with clearance. Lovely length to height ratio, super ribbing. True away and back with a strong topline. Just enough bone for now. Lovely expression and ear set. Good feet, will watch as she matures with interest. Reserve Best Bitch, BPIB, Reserve Best in Show and Best Puppy in Show.

2nd  Nagyhegyi Pajkos Double or Nothings at Houndria (Imp Hun) (Ms D & Mr C Fekete & Pearce)

Good bone and lovely feet. Nice overall shape and type. Good forechest and clearance, lovely condition. Lots to like just needs to develop as matures and settles. Head plains, eye, lovely strong teeth and ear set ok. For age moved ok, just needs to strengthen topline, which should come.

3rd Becky V Grunsven at Braithwell (Imp Nld) NAF TAF (Mrs V L Green)

Class 15. Junior Bitch Entries: 4 Absentees: 0

1st Astra Vgrunsven at Bassluxe (Imp Nld) (Mrs J Hampton)

Just loved this girl’s presence, shape and breed type. Good head with lozenger eyes, curl to supple ears. Super front and rear angulation, with excellent width to second thigh. Good bone, nice big tight feet. Good length to height and ground clearance. Moved away and back true, good use of stern. Super profile shape which was held on the move. No hesitation in awarding Best Bitch and Best in Show.

2nd Lauralee Magic Image (Miss L & Mrs J Armstrong)

Sister to 1st in puppy and much of the same applies. Good forechest and balance, slightly more length. Moved well. One I’m sure with a bright future.

3rd Clanwillow Kiss The Girl (Mrs S B & Mr K R Jones)

Class 16. Special Yearling Bitch Entries: 2 Absentees: 1

1st Malrich Jive (Mr M & Mrs D Ellrich)

Lovely head carriage, good neck into front angulation. Good rear angulation and ribbed back. Moved true away and back. Strong topline. Needs to mature into self.

Class 17. Post Graduate Bitch

Entries: 5 Absentees: 1

1st Astra Vgrunsven at Bassluxe (Imp Nld) (Mrs J Hampton)

See 1st Junior

2nd Your Faith Van Grunsven at Bassluxe (Imp Nld) (Mrs J Hampton)

Head ok. Good bone and clean shape. Balanced front and back. Neat feet. Well bodied with width throughout. Moved away and back true just not the reach of 1.

3rd Diheath Marta (Miss, Miss & Mr Melbourne, Murray & Fitzpatrick-Odahamier)

Class 18. Limit Bitch Entries: 5 Absentees: 2

Such a shame these girls weren’t happy with hall which showed in lack of use of stern on the move.

1st Roamanbay Reddy to Rock (Mr S Archer)

Really well muscled and shown in hard condition. Good neck in correct front angulation. Topline could be stronger. Enough rear angulation. Good bone and body.

2nd Nefritis Black Beauty at Braithwell (hun Imp) (Mrs V L Green)

Not quite the overall balance of 1. Ok for bone . Good rear angulation and width of second thigh. Moved ok away and back. Super tight feet. Lovely expression.

3rd Diheath Elvis (Miss, Miss & Mr Melbourne, Murray & Fitzpatrick-Odahamier)

Class 19. Open Bitch Entries: 4 Absentees: 2

1st Beckshounds Luminara JW (Mrs L A Saunders)

Good profile outline and that of a powerful hound. Moved well away and back and good profile shape. Super topline on the move. Houndy head, ears could be more supple. Good forechest. Clean lines and good body condition, super width throughout.

2nd Roamanbay Rebellious Flame (Mr S Archer)

Well-muscled just not the profile outline of 1. Moved away and back true. Good feet and enough bone. Nice head.

Class 20. Special Beginners Bitch Entries: 0 Absentees: 0

Class 21. Brace Entries: 1 Absentees: 0

1st Place

Mrs S B & Mr K R Jones

Two super examples of breed type and moved well together.

Donna Kirkwood-Emery

(Helydon)