Lichfield Canine Society

Lichfield Canine Society Premier Open Show - Sunday 4th January 2026

Judge - Olivia Dalton (Llansansior)

I would like to thank the Committee of Litchfield Canine Society for the invitation to judge at this extremely well-run show. Unfortunately, I was unable to fulfil my appointment last year due to being snowed in, but I was delighted to be invited back this year—thankfully with no snow to contend with. I was very pleased with both the quality and quantity of exhibits on the day, and the show ran smoothly throughout, creating a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere. My thanks also go to my stewards for keeping the ring running efficiently. I’d also like to thank the breed clubs for supporting myself in this judging appointment. Finally, I would like to thank all the exhibitors who brought their dogs for me to assess and who accepted my decisions with such good grace.

Standard Long-Haired Dachshund

Puppy (1,0)

1st - Whitfield- Roberts’ Swansford Opheliadora

Wow, what a youngster. 6 month old black and tan bitch that took my eye as soon as she walked into the ring. Feminine balanced head with lovely carriage & correct dark eyes. Super neck that flows into a well-constructed front assembly. Good length in ribbing. Strong straight hocks and impressive topline which she maintained at all times. Excels in movement with precise footfall. Super shiny coat. Definitely one to watch. BPIB and RBOB.

Junior (2,0)

1st - Partridge’s Ranglewood Xmas Cracker at Riveroyal

Black and Tan dog with masculine head of correct shape. Good eye shape and colour. Correct bite. Well developed forechest with good lay of shoulder and nicely fitting elbows. Good bone and feet. Slightly longer in the hock then I would like but moving with excellent drive and parallel. Held topline throughout.

2nd - Paskins’ Kindeace London’s Calling JW

A shaded red male with an excellent head. Correct bite and eye shape. Nicely clean neck leading into a well-laid shoulder. Slightly less correct in the elbow than the class winner, but preferred his superior in length and rib spring to class winner. Well-balanced firm hindquarters, presented in excellent coat condition. The dog may have been affected by the cold floor today, as his movement wasn’t quite as strong as the first-place dog.

Post Graduate (4,1)

1st - Paskins’ Delsaux Life Goes On at Kindeace

A shaded red male with a masculine head and dark almond-shaped eyes. Correct bite. Exhibited a strong, muscular neck that transitioned smoothly into a well-set front assembly. Broad, oval-shaped chest with ample ribbing. Excellent ground clearance. Moved with free flowing action around the ring with a firm topline at all times. Displayed a beautiful coat in excellent condition. BOB

2nd - Paskins’ Kindeace You Wear It Well A shaded red female with a beautiful head. Correct bite and dark, expressive eyes. Well-balanced overall, with strong front and rear quarters that complement her muscular body. Slightly more ribbing would have been preferable. Adequate ground clearance. Moves with good parallel gait, though she loses her topline at times in motion. Coat slightly curlier compared to the class winner.

Open (3,1)

1st - Paskins’ Kindeace Hit The Rock Jack JW

Another attractive shaded red male from this kennel. Strong masculine head with a good eye and a correct scissor bite. His neck is clean with good length. Not as good in shoulder as I'd prefer but he possesses a deep, well-sprung rib cage. Short loin, with firm strong hindquarters, and a properly set tail. Shown in a glossy well-maintained coat. He moved with a steady gait, demonstrating excellent parallel movement, while maintaining a good topline throughout.

2nd - Turton’s Bay Of Biscoff Biscuit at Damoradaxies

A shaded red male with an exceptionally beautiful head and a lovely, soulful expression. Exhibits correct dark eyes and a proper bite. Has a good neck and front assembly, though a slightly tighter elbow would be preferable. Shows a good chest with substantial bone and an adequate amount of ribbing. Has good rear angulation and length of hocks. On the move today, the dog was slightly close behind but maintained a sound topline. Preferred the movement of the class winner.

Standard Smooth-Haired Dachshund

Puppy (4,2)

1st - Jenning’s Melriding True Colours at Jenivon

A black and tan bitch puppy with an attractive head and pleasing expression. She has a correct scissor bite and good length of neck flowing into well-placed shoulders. For her age, she shows good prosternum and is well angulated behind with firm hindquarters. She is well muscled throughout with a moderate length of rib. She moved and was presented well, maintaining a pleasing outline. Although slightly unsettled following a brief scare, she secured first place in this class on her movement.

2nd - Chauhan’s Raajput’s Enedless Winning

Black and tan puppy bitch, lighter in bone than the first type but still a quality youngster. Very feminine with a pleasing head, correct bite, and dark eyes. Shows excellent neck reach flowing into a well-constructed front and tight feet. Displays a good depth of chest for her age with a good amount of ribbing. Coat is in beautiful condition with a healthy gloss. Presents a strong, attractive outline when stacked, though unfortunately did not move as well as the class winner on the day.

Junior (2,0)

1st - Hinwood’s Longmel Christmas Truffle

A young red bitch with a good feminine head. Correct bite and good dark eye. Quality front with nice tight-fitting elbows. Superior depth of chest with nice clean shoulders. Extremely well ribbed with a good loin ratio. Good ground clearance with correct proportions. Balanced hind quarters. Keeps a gorgeous outline and topline on the move. Very sound and free parallel movement. BOB

2nd - Withdrawn

Post Graduate (3,2)

1st - Ashby’s Rayol Pumpkin Pie at Jaxinorydax

Shaded red bitch with a strong shaped head with correct almond eyes. Good length of neck going into quality layback of shoulder. Well ribbed back with short strong loin. Lovely rear angulation. I would just prefer more bone and slightly bigger in overall size. Moved sound coming and going and with great drive, maintaining her topline in profile.

Open (5,2)

1st - Jenning’s CH Marvale’s Manifesto at Jenivon

Super quality black and tan male. Good proportioned head with an almond eye and attractive expression. Correct bite. Adequate length of neck with a good shoulder. Slightly bigger in the chest than I would like. Strong topline with good ribbing. Wouldn’t want him any heavier. Moves absolutely soundly, covering plenty of ground with both good reach and drive. RBOB

2nd - Hinwood’s Longmel Courvoisier Truffle

Well made red male. Very good head & dark eye, masculine in outlook. Defined neck, very good shoulders and tight elbows. super forehand with plenty of width and good bone. Long ribbing with good extension. Strong loins and well muscled quarters with sufficient angulation. Quite precise on movement and holds himself well in profile while retaining a very good outline. He covers the ground well, moving with enthusiasm. It was difficult to pick between these two dogs as they both had excellent quality. But I preferred the movement to the 1st.

Standard Wire-Haired Dachshund

Puppy (2,0)

1st - Cox’s Bulldaxit’s Wildest Dream

Only 6 months old, yet already a delightful wild boar bitch. A well-made puppy with excellent shape and balance. She has a pleasing head with dark eyes. Long neck flowing into well-laid shoulders and good length of rib. Her jacket is of correct texture, and she has strong hindquarters which she used well on the move. Her movement is accurate and free when not distracted by her puppy exuberance. A very promising prospect for the future. Both puppies were of good quality, but first place was awarded on overall shape and outline when moving around the ring.

2nd - Hunt’s Drakkina’s Gift of Dragon’s

A wild boar bitch with a playful and confident ring presence. Very feminine head and expression with a correct bite. Nice neck and shoulders. Good body proportions with super long ribbing and a short loin, creating a good topline that's maintained on the move. Harsh coat coming through and a proud happy tail carriage. Just slightly longer in the leg than the class winner. Both were lovely puppies, but the class winner had the preferred overall shape.

Junior (1,1)

Absent

Post Graduate (4,2)

1st - Downie’s Tannahill Thalia

Attractive black and tan bitch with a harsh coat. Feminine head complemented by a dark, almond-shaped eye. Strong jaw and a well-arched neck. Shoulders are tight. Good front construction and pleasing length of rib with a strong, short loin. Well boned, with broad, deep feet. Rear angulation matches the front. Moves parallel both front and rear, though a little more drive would be preferred.

2nd - Smith’s Salixian Gracious Wings

A wild boar bitch with an attractive feminine head and expression. She has good, dark eyes and is well balanced in proportion throughout. She moved well, showing elegance and style. However, she was standing high in the rear today, which affected her overall profile both when standing and on the move. Unfortunately 1st held a better topline on the move.

Open (9,3)

1st - Hutchings’ CH Collidach Brook Ling ScCEx

What isn’t there to like about this red bitch. Her dark, soulful eyes complement a beautifully proportioned head. She possesses a strong, well-developed chest of good width. Good arched neck flowing smoothly into a super shoulders set. Tight elbows. Her topline is strong and level, maintaining its shape on the move. Well-proportioned legs with tight, compact feet. Muscular and athletic, she covers the ground effortlessly with long, free-flowing strides. Good harsh wire coat. Well balanced overall with a touch of elegance and truly the “full package.” and exuding real showmanship. BOB

2nd - Paterson’s Brumberhill Biscuit to Ambiesque

Another bitch that I found thoroughly appealing. She possesses an excellent head and eye with a most expressive look. Has an excellent neck and shoulder assembly with a clearly defined keel. Well-ribbed back, and a strong, firm loin that gives her a balanced overall construction. She was presented with a wild boar coat in excellent condition. On the move, she demonstrated great freedom and accuracy of footfall. Maintained a level topline and moves with great soundness and precision. Unlucky to have met the class winner today. RBOB

Mini Long-haired Dachshund

Puppy (3,1)

1st - Whitfield-Roberts’ Dandydayo Cowboy and Kisses

An attractive shaded red youngster with a stunning head and dark, well-shaped eyes. Correct dentition and good front construction. He has excellent length of ribbing and maintains a level topline. He moved around the ring with good drive. This was a difficult decision, as first and second place were very similar in their many good qualities, and I later discovered they are littermates. I felt that the first-place puppy had a marginally better topline, though in truth I was splitting hairs, as both are high-quality puppies. BPIB

2nd - McSorley’s Dandydayo Midnight Cowboy

Another striking young shaded red male with a masculine, hound-type head and correct dentition. Exhibits the most correct front and shoulder assembly, which I actually preferred over the class winner. Shows adequate spring and length of rib, with strong, well-muscled hindquarters that he used effectively on the move. Slightly lost his topline at times when moving today, but this should improve as he matures.

Junior (7,5)

1st - Carey’s Debbiejay Hansel

Cream-colored dog with a lot of expression. Exhibits a strong, masculine head with well-shaped almond eyes. Had a good neck length and an elongated ribcage. Good amount of width and bone. Front and rear angulation are balanced, presenting an overall okay specimen. Moves parallel with good drive. Showed some hesitation on the table but was well-handled.

2nd - Whitfield-Roberts’ Ralines Strike A Pose Dandydayo

Red bitch with an attractive, feminine head and good pigmentation. Correct bite and eye shape. Good length and reach of neck flowing smoothly into well-laid shoulders. Tight elbows with a developed forechest. Good length of ribbing. Still needs to mature and would benefit from more bone, which should hopefully come with time. Free-flowing movement. Good hind angulation with a strong topline maintained throughout.

Post Graduate (6,3)

1st - McSorley’s Barlaine Midnight Charmer

A stunning black and tan male, beautifully balanced with an ideal length-to-height ratio. He has a lovely head and expressive eyes. Correct bite. Nice tight-fitting elbows and good ribbing. He is in excellent coat condition. Displays plenty of ground clearance. His movement was free, flowing, and effortless. Later I found out he was also the sire to my BPIB winner. BOB

2nd - Causier’s Captain Coas

Cream male who has superb pigment. Correct bite and eye shape. Good length of neck and good shoulder set but elbows could be tighter. Okay ribbing length. Good profile movement with hind extension but slightly bum high at times today. Good bone and substance. Tight bunch feet. He lacks confidence but I'm sure that will come in time. Well handled by the owner.

Open (5,3)

1st - Whitfield-Roberts’ Dandydayo She Lives In You

A feminine and attractive red bitch. Displaying a nice length of neck that flows seamlessly into well-laid shoulders and a sound front assembly. She shows a good amount of ribbing, parallel hindquarters, and a strong topline on the move. Good forward reach and drive from behind. Her confident, showy attitude was evident in movement and added to her overall appeal. Beautifully presented. RBOB

2nd - McSorley’s Barlaine Golden Honey

A red bitch with an attractive, well-shaped head. Scissor bite and lovely dark eyes. Her neck is elegantly arched and flows into a well-constructed front with a prominent breastbone. She shows good length of rib and balanced hind angulation. Sound in body with a level topline, she moved around the ring with good drive. Unfortunately, I preferred the overall movement of the class winner on the day, but both were difficult to choose between.

Mini Smooth-Haired Dachshund

Puppy (5,2)

1st - Hutchings’ Teckletowns Kelby Springs into Collidach

A very promising red bitch, brimming with quality. She presents a pleasing head with well-balanced proportions, a correct bite, and a lovely dark eye. Her well-arched neck flows smoothly into well-laid shoulders. She has sufficient depth of chest for her age, with tight elbows. She shows a superb outline when stacked and maintains a strong topline on the move. Her hindquarters are well constructed, producing free-flowing, parallel movement. Undoubtedly full of promise, with plenty of time on her side. I was delighted to award her RBOB and BPIB, and equally pleased to see her go on to achieve HPG1.

2nd - Jennings’ Jenivon’s Secret Wish

Feminine little black-and-tan bitch with all good attributes. She exhibits good neck carriage, correct ears, and expressive eyes. Front assembly is well-formed. Her ribbing is well-developed, and she has a short, strong loin. I would prefer slightly more bone, though this may improve with maturity. She displays good balance both standing and on the move, maintaining her topline while moving with plenty of drive from behind. However, I personally preferred the movement of the class winner. But both were lovely puppies.

Junior (2,0)

1st - Jenning’s Jenivon's Spicebomb

Another pleasing young red bitch puppy from this kennel. She has an attractive head with good eye shape and a correct bite. Sound front construction with good depth of keel for her age, complemented by fair rear angulation. Adequate ribbing and good movement, maintaining her topline well on the move.

2nd - Gittins’ Kalhoun Tiger Princess at Boomerloo

A brindle female of good size, with well placed ears and correct dentition. Eyes are dark and expressive. She exhibits a good length of neck and strong, well-muscled hindquarters. Her elbow placement wasn’t as tight as the class winner’s. Her topline appeared a bit unsettled on the move today, likely due to the cold. Overall, she was handled very well.

Post Graduate (6,1)

1st - Jennings’ Jenvion’s Starfinch

A well-balanced black and tan male with a striking outline stacked and on the move. He has an attractive head and pleasing expression, with a correct bite and well-shaped eyes. Good depth of chest, with sound front and rear angulation, and ribs carried well back. Free movement coming and going.

2nd - Hutchings and Price’s Collidach Splish Splash

A very smart, feminine brindle bitch with a gorgeous head and correct eye shape and colour. She is of a lovely type, well balanced and of correct size. Displays a good reach of the neck flowing smoothly into correctly angulated shoulders. I would have liked to see a more prominent prosternum; otherwise, she would have taken this class with ease. Tight elbows and good ribbing. She has an excellent topline, which she maintained on the move. Particularly admired her strong build and well-angulated hindquarters.

Open (5,2)

1st - Jennings’ Jenvions Miss Marple

A superb red female with excellent breed qualities. Feminine head with properly darkened eyes and a correct scissor bite. Excellent front structure with a prominent prosternum. Deep chest with well-sprung ribs. Short loin leading into strong hindquarters. Well-proportioned overall, with no exaggerations. Moves freely with parallel gait, demonstrating good reach and drive. Maintains a strong topline at all times. A beautiful example of the breed. BOB

2nd - Ashby’s Midlandbulls Willow at Jaxinorydax

A red bitch of solid structure, yet retaining a graceful feminine balance. She has a beautiful head with dark pigmentation. Correct bite and eye shape. Well-laid shoulders, though a slightly more pronounced prosternum would be preferable. Elbows are tight-fitting, with well-sprung ribs. Powerful hindquarters. Displays a level topline while moving.

Mini Wire-haired Dachshund

Puppy (1,1)

Absent

Junior (1,1)

Absent

Post Graduate (4,2)

1st - Hutchings’ Collidach Delta Storm

A wild boar bitch with a good head and well-shaped eyes. She has a good length of neck that flows smoothly into a correct front assembly. Her ribbing is well-developed with a short loin, and she has ample ground clearance. Overall, she presents a nice balance and moves with drive and purpose. Unfortunately, she lost her topline at times today on the move during the BOB challenge, possibly due to feeling the cold.

2nd - Fletcher’s Collidach Dusty Storm

Another attractive dog from this kennel. A wild boar dapple bitch with a strong head and correct bite. Well-constructed front and nicely ribbed. The coat shows good harshness. Slightly taller in leg and a bit shorter in body compared to the class winner. Though I preferred the topline on the move to this dog. Shows good reach and drive on the move.

Open (5,2)

1st - Dance’s Emem Hazel Sunshine JW

I first evaluated this bitch as a youngster a few years ago, and it has been a pleasure to see her mature so well, remaining as impressive now as when I first judged her. She is a beautiful, houndy-headed bitch with dark, oval-shaped eyes. Scissor bite. She has a good length of neck flowing into well-set shoulders, tight elbows, and a well-ribbed back. Good rear anglation. Harsh wire coat of excellent quality. She is balanced, moves confidently and effortlessly, covering the ground with ease, and maintains a firm, level topline in profile. BOB

2nd - Price’s Collidach Thomas Tank

A male wild boar with an exceptionally handsome and masculine head, striking eyes, and expressive features. Correct scissor bite. Well-proportioned neck that enhances the front assembly. Excellent rib length. Harsh, well-textured coat. Maintains a firm topline both in motion and when stacked. Well-angulated and demonstrating strong drive. Moves straight and parallel. Simply unfortunate to have competed against the first-place dog today. RBOB