DRIFFIELD CHAMPIONSHIP DOG SHOW

Judges Critiques

Miss J DOVE

Judging: Hound Group

I was delighted to have judged this top quality Group today, it is always satisfying to have good Hounds to go over & judge& I was very happy with all my final placings & my shortlisted exhibits.

My final cut included the very handsome & immaculately presented ,mature at only 13 months, Robertsons PBGV male SOLETRADER HAPPY AS LARRY, who although is just into Junior did not look out of place in this excellent line-up.

The Basset, Allchornes CH. NELGUS THYME BOMB JW Shcex .Substantial, impressive ,well balanced tri-coloured male who at 7 yrs old still looks as if he is totally fit for purpose & in tip -top condition & sound throughout..

The tall , elegant Deerhound ,who I have admired from a youngster. Taylors CH. ORMANSTAR DARK SHADOW, well constructed & muscled 3 yrs old male who I considered strongly for Group 4 but just preferred the Wolfhound on the final run.

Lovely Pharaoh bitch Merryweathers MULTI CH.VASKURS MONI MAKER QUIWIDOFFER ,a very special Hound that I have watched for several years & loved her style & presence ,but today had to give way to the excellent condition & movement of my final four.

Group 1 ; was the exquisite lemon/brindle & white Whippet bitch Akerboom & Schaaf-Akerbooms CH.CREME ANGLAISE`S THISTLE BE PERFECT.As soon as she entered the ring & I watched her move she was my winner & she did not disappoint .She is of correct size ,oozes type & quality & I loved everything about her .So sound, elegant & with no exaggeration, at one with her handler who really got the best out of her. She was definitely one I would have taken home.

Group 2 ;Harvards CH.ANNAVAH PRINCESS TIARA. Top class tri-colour Beagle bitch who, for me ,has all the essentials & is so true to the breed standard. Feminine with great overall balance & substance, beautiful head & eye, excellent overall conformation ,standing four square with correct feet, long reaching movement with great drive & purpose.

Group 3; Carruthers CH. AIKTON ALEXANDER AT STONEGATE .Another superb Hound,4 yrs mature S/W Dachs male, this is one of my favourite breeds & he really is a very special boy with a gorgeous head & eye .Looks super standing & is totally sound front & rear ,moving with great stride & drive ,keeping his topline perfectly on the move. I recently gave him the CC & BOB  at the SKC & he did not put a foot wrong in this well presented & highly competitive Group.

Group 4; Sheppards CH.GAELMARQUE TREASURED BY GOLDSMITH JW ,lovely top quality Irish Wolfhound bitch ,mature at just 2 yrs,she has great size & substance but still has super type & elegance which is not easy to find in this giant breed. She is feminine ,well balanced with lovely outline & correct topline, excellent front & hind co-ordination on the move, sound throughout ,moving powerfully around the big ring ,lovely feet and bone. Beautifully presented & handled. 

Jenny Dove { Judge}