South Of England Basset Hound Club

Thank you to the committee of the South of England Basset Hound Club for their invitation to judge their Special Award Classes. It was a very hot and sunny day which resulted, understandably, in many absentees. I was fortunate to be able to judge quality over quantity. Thank you all for a lovely afternoon and a delicious home prepared lunch. 

SPECIAL AWARD JUNIOR DOG OR BITCH 4 (1)

1st McLean, Mrs P A Lauralee Dreams of Magic At Stookewood 15-month-old red and white bitch with a beautiful balanced outline. One I have judged before and is certainly fulfilling the promise she showed as a puppy. A pretty head of correct plains with clean, dark eyes, a lovely Roman nose and large velvety ears. Her strong, beautifully arched neck flows smoothly into a well-made front assembly. Her back is broad with good length of ribbing; her topline is level and was held on the move. She used her strongly muscled rear quarters to drive around the ring, and looked fantastic in profile with her tail set and carried correctly. 

2nd Jones, Mrs S B & Mr K R Clanwillow Love and Dreams Eye catching 9-month-old tri coloured male; he is full of quality and type. I loved his head which is elegantly domed and has the right amount of wrinkle, his eyes are dark and his ears are large and well-positioned. Balanced in angulations fore and aft, he has good depth of chest with a prominent breastbone and ribs that extend well back. He stands on strong bone with large, well-knuckled feet and beautifully manicured nails. He was true in his movement in all directions. A promising puppy.

SPECIAL AWARD POST GRADUATE DOG OR BITCH 5 (2) 1 W

1st Cooper, Mrs S A Houndsbay Vito Andolini Strongly made 3-years-old tri male. He is nicely constructed and is well-boned and bodied. He has the most handsome domed headpiece with dark eyes and large, wide-open nostrils. His strong, well arched neck fits smoothly into a nicely positioned scapular. He has an excellent depth of chest with well sprung ribs, level topline and slightly arched loin. Balanced in his rear, he is in super condition. He moved steady around the ring, his stern set and carried correctly. 

2nd Unett, Miss H Harvidene Cookoo In The Nest Substantial 2 ½ -year-old tri coloured bitch. Feminine head of correct proportions with slight stop, she has strength to her muzzle with large flews and large, well-positioned ears. She has a good reach of neck and a nicely made front assembly with her elbows fitting snuggly to her chest. Her back is broad, she has depth to her ribcage and a strong, muscular loin, though she was just a little slack in topline. Her rear quarters are broad, though I would prefer more bend to her stifle to balance her front construction. She coped well in the heat and moved with her tail set and carried correctly.

SPECIAL AWARD OPEN DOG OR BITCH 5 (3)

1st Jones, Mrs S B & Mr K R Clanwillow Fire And Ice JW Balanced and powerful 2 ½ -year-old male – a real stallion hound! He looked a picture when he came into the ring with his coat gleaming in the sunlight. Fabulous masculine head with a prominent occiput, he has a lovely depth of flews and leathers set correctly. His strong, arched neck flows smoothly into a super front assembly with a correct return of upper arm and a well-developed forechest, his elbows fitting neatly by his side. Sturdy in body, he is strong in topline with plenty of ground clearance underneath. His hindquarters are full and muscular with well bent stifles and strong low-set hocks. He stands on quality bone with large, well-padded feet and was shown in super condition. He moved soundly driving from his powerful rear. 

2nd McLean, Mrs P A Switherland Gabriella At Stookewood 5-year-old red blanket bitch who looked to be in her prime. Beautiful, breed typical head with kind dark eyes and lovely velvety leathers. Her neck is strong and leads to a good front assembly; she has a super depth of chest with nicely sprung ribs and a broad muscular loin with width to her pelvis. On the stack she had the tendency to lose her topline but maintained it on the move. Lovely profile gait, her hindquarters are broad with width to her second thigh.