It's always an honour to be invited to judge a breed club show, particularly when it isn't one's own breed - although I guess I have been around Wolfhounds long enough now to call them my "adopted" breed. This was my fifth time giving C.Cs in the breed since 1992, the last being East of England in 2001, so it was interesting to see what changes would be noticed. The first shock was the inordinately high level of absentees - even for this breed - of over fifty!
I was very lucky in having very few of the tall, narrow, wispy sort as I like a Wolfhound to project a look of "power" which has nothing to do with sheer size but rather like a coiled spring waiting to explode into action. Having said that, "great size" and "commanding appearance" were generally lacking. Few moved really well coming and going, but it was not as bad as I had been expecting. Those who could hold their outline going around were at a definite advantage as I like to make most of my decisions on the moving dog.
My biggest shock of the day was mouths. Last time I wrote that I could have counted the number of correct mouths in the males on one hand - after a couple of amputations. This time I had got right to the upper dog classes before I came across any that worried me - and then only a few with worn-down incisors or level bites. A puppy dog class with all correct mouths is quite something in a giant breed.
Feet also seem to be better, with fewer flat or weak ones, but several failed in pasterns, either having them too short and rigid or rather weak and not up to doing the shock-absorber job so vital in a galloping hound. Road-work would undoubtedly have benefited some in this area as well as general hardness and fitness.
Coats were generally hard and serviceable, not too long and weak, and looked weather-resistant - I've never been impressed with pretty whiskers. Some forefaces could have been longer and more "punishing" and a few had too much "stop".
Most had decent width between the elbows but there were hardly any with a proper slope to the upper arm to get the elbows back to where they should be. Upper thighs of good width now seem to be in the majority, although one or two had longer, weaker second thighs that did not balance them. A lot of toplines were rather flat on the move but few had shoulders up their necks, most bodies were adequately roomy and most temperaments were friendly and welcoming on approach and nearly all had ears carried well back regardless of size.
Although some classes were weaker and rather depleted, I was pleased with both Challenge line-ups under the circumstances. I had tried to reward houndy shaped ones with leg length and purposeful movement where I had a choice, but I'll have to leave it to others to decide if I found them!
The first ime I gave C.Cs in the breed, the dominant sire proved to be Ch. Seplecur Danny, who sired the winners of ten of the fourteen classes. The most successful one this time seemed to be Ch. Caredig Jupiter, who was responsible for the Dog Reserve C.C., the Bitch C.C. winner, and the Best Puppy.
Puppy D (11, 6 absent)
1st: Boyns' Solstrand Yamungo of Brindeckel. 8 months dark brindle. The
most ready of the bunch. Shapely body with good depth and length to his
ribcage. Balanced front and rear angulation, well-boned and good feet. Flipped
his wrists a bit coming at me but otherwise quite collected in movement for his
age.
2nd: Rowe's Kilrein Christmas Night. 9 months lighter brindle who is not
as well developed in body yet and needs to curve-up, but he is a free mover on
good feet.
3rd: Guntrip's Ainsea The Lancer
Junior D (8, 2 absent)
1st: Warwick's Cairnstorm First Edition. 13 months and a shapely dog who
is a very free mover from the side and O.K. coming and going. Decent shoulders,
feet and good width of thigh and a body developing nicely. Preferred his head
and width through the front.
2nd: Burt-Hughes' Windspray Dante's Sonata. Scopey 17 months lad and,
although older, looks as though he needs more time. Plainer head but nice flow
of neck into topline and a good underline. Good width of thigh and moves O.K.
but stands down on the back of his front feet and needs to strengthen a lot in
pasterns.
3rd: Clarke's Rivenhound Steeple Chaser.
Yearling D (3)
1st: Tebbutt's Witchesbroom Wirion Caredig. The most together in this
class for his age, pleasing head and eye, decent shoulder placement, good
length and depth of ribbing, well-knuckled feet and a more curvy rear than
second. Topline needs to sort itself out and hopefully get him away from a
slightly stuffy look. Moved fairly well.
2nd: Wild's Fincorrie Kadoo. Preferred the topline and shoulder of this
dog and it all flows well from the neck. Not the rear angulation at this stage
and gave his handler a very hard ride. Should end up rather nice when
broken-in!
3rd: Riley & Thomas' Ballyphelan Malachi.
Novice D (5, 1 absent)
1st: Fincorrie Kadoo
2nd: Solstrand Yamungo of Brindeckel
3rd: Marshall's Clanlilly Billy Boy.
Graduate D (4, 1 absent)
1st: McConnell's Hydebeck Menelaus. Very free mover on good legs and
feet. Nice head and muzzle length with neatly held ears. Strong neck, O.K. for
width through the front but could use more forechest. Balanced rear angulation
and good width of thigh and good top and underlines. A comfortable winner.
2nd: Brace's Brachan Matt of Braehead. Rather more "dumpy" in
shape but a lovely strong body and bone. Tends to fall away over the rear and
needs more scope all round which could still come at his age as he isn't three
yet.
3rd: Pordham's Solstrand Wolf Blass.
Post-Graduate D (9, 4 absent)
1st: Harvey's Cualainn Celtic Pilgrimage. This was more like it! At last
a strong, upstanding male with high head carriage that could look you in the
eye - the "commanding appearance" I had been waiting to see. Kind
expression and good length to head and neck. Well contructed with long bones
all round and a strong neck of decent length that he could use. A big, tall,
strong dog who can only get better and deepen a bit more in chest and spring
his rib, as he's still not quite two. Lots of promise as he matures and he is a
free, easy and collected mover which is where he scored over his sister later.
I hope he goes on to fulfil this promise. Reserve C.C. and Reserve Best in
Show.
2nd: Exeter's Cleaseac Cnl Clive Curtis. Well balanced all round both
standing and moving with decent angulation both ends and good feet. A nice dog
who was unfortunate to be in the shadow of the presence and scope of the
winner.
3rd: Sumner's Cufodhla Anois of Dukesarum.
Limit D (5, 1 absent) A rather disappointing
class for Limit.
1st: Taylorson's Shanimarle Baxter. A good all-rounder of a strong,
well-made workmanlike dog with depth of body, foreleg length and better
shoulder than the opposition. Good top and underlines, but he rather falls away
over the rear and could use more neck.
2nd: Simpson's Amarach Melaughlin at Tatteredgown. This darker brindle
made it a difficult choice as he is a lovely free mover and better over the
rear with good width of thigh. Rather more forward in shoulder and not as tidy
in upper arm placement.
3rd: Flood's Baronfore Brogan.
Open D (7, 4 absent)
1st: Pain's Ch. Conchobar Fancy Free to Ravensbeech (Imp.It). The first
time I have had a proper look at this dog, who has been the star of the season
so far. A really good all-rounder who moved well both ways and holds a good
outline going around. Nice head and eye, neatly held ear, good shoulder
angulation balanced by a strong rear of good width. Good depth of ribbing and a
shapely body covered with a good, strong coat and immaculately turned out as
always from this owner. I always loved his dam and he is a very worthy son who
has done the breed proud this year. Compared with the exciting younger dog, he
scored as the finished article and won the C.C. and Best in Show.
2nd: Goodall & Painter's Driftcot Ottawa. An old favourite a week
short of being a veteran; he was my Best Dog Puppy last time and has been very
hard done-by in the past in my eyes. For some time his colouring has made him
look rather older than he is, but it's a hard, crisp coat covering a well-made
body of good width and strength. Good for topline, underline and shoulder
placement and moves very freely and well. One of the uncrowned champions of the
breed.
3rd: Neal's Cahmega Mahloo.
Veteran D (6, 2 absent)
1st: Broughton's Fearnhead Atlas at Montisacre. 7½ year old of
quality, who has lost a little substance but kept his figure and type very
well. Decent shoulder and lovely clean-boned legs on good feet. I always find
good legs and feet in a veteran tell you that the balance above them is right
and not under stress. Good body shape and moved well to win the class.
2nd: Cole's Culkeeran Queally. 7 year old with more body and good
outline flowing from a shapely neck. In good nick and moved well but not as
well up on his feet as the winner, but two lovely old gentlemen.
3rd: Wilson's Hydebeck Flummery.
Puppy B (12, 7 absent)
1st: Hawkins' Caredig Freya. 7 months. I just loved everything about
this headstrong baby from the minute she stormed into the ring. Beautifully
reared and bodied and all curves with nothing jarring - each part just flowing
into the next. A good, strong mover on the occasions when she and her owner
happened to be going in the same direction! All she needs to do is continue
growing along the same lines and should end up a stunner. I'm afraid she made
the puppy aspect of the show into a one horse race. Best Puppy.
2nd: Flood's Briony's Girl at Baronfore. 8 months. A totally different
prospect - a big, strong girl with a sweeping rear who is another who is rather
a handful, but moved very well when she got into her stride. Still needs to
sort out her front and only needs time.
3rd: Griffin's Kilrein Christmas Red.
Junior B (11, 3 absent)
1st: Burt-Hughes' Windspray Nocturne. A lovely leggy girl of 17 months
who had been one of my pre-show tips for the top after seeing her at the Open
Show in January. A necky dark brindle with plenty of scope all round and a
sweeping rear that drives her effortlessly along. Rather a hard eye and, like
her brother, can still strengthen in pastern to her advantage. A lovely
type.
2nd: Tebbutt's Caredig Grace. Just over 12 months and not the sheer
scope of the winner. Looks as though she will take a lot longer to come to hand
and needs to couple-up in the loin area. Moved freely and well.
3rd: Sumner's Ballyphelan Jeni Jones.
Yearling B (7, 2 absent)
1st: Gregory's Killoughery Aine. Another lovely, leggy dark brindle who
impressed me for her real Wolfhound type both standing and moving. Lovely head
and eye, good shoulder placement over which her neck flows nicely into the
topline. Well bodied with good width of thigh and stands on good feet. A very
balanced package who caught my eye each time she entered the ring.
2nd: Trethowan's Braewisan Blathnaid. Another typey free mover with good
leg length and body. Just needs to sort her front out a bit as she matures but
these two scored in their carriage around the ring over the next two who were
pleasing standing but rather "shepherdy" on the move, if you follow
my drift.
3rd: Tebbutt's Witchesbroom Witch Hunt at Caredig.
Novice B (5, 1 absent)
1st: Killoughery Aine
2nd: Pain's Ravensbeech Cimarron. Very nice bitch of more compact type.
Not the neck nor as pleasing in the loin area but a well angulated rear and
moved steadily and well.
3rd: Braewisan Blathnaid.
Graduate B (6, 2 absent)
1st: Macleod's Brachan Busted Khia. Big-bodied compact dark brindle who
has never caught my eye but is much better to go over. A strong, hard huntress
of a bitch with pleasing head and expression and good bone and feet. Neck flows
nicely into shoulder and both ends complement each other through to her strong
thighs. Moved well.
2nd: Trezise-Dundas' Solstrand Willow Wishmaker. Lighter brindle who is
well-bodied on good leg length, of pleasing type, who moved nicely in profile
but was not as positive coming and going.
3rd: Poole's Rainster Eithne of Conmery.
Post-Graduate B (16, 7 absent)
1st: Harvey's Cualainn Persia. Big and strong like her brother with
another pleasing head carried well. Same good bone, legs and feet, good
shoulder and hindquarters and more advanced in body development than he is with
good top and underlines. Another very strong mover going around and clean and
positive in both directions. Occasionally loses her stride a bit compared with
him, but she is strong and powerful when she gets properly into it. I see the
word "strong" keeps coming into my mind with this pair and, like
"power", it doesn't depend on size - but they both have that as well,
as a bonus. Good luck for the future. Bitch C.C. and Best Opposite Sex.
2nd: Goodall & Painter's Driftcot Mercedes. Big-bodied darker
brindle who is very shapely in a longer-cast mould. Not the strength of
foreface of the winner and could co-operate more with her handler (know that
feeling!), but a very nice bitch who went well in this difficult to place
class.
3rd: Morris' Amarach Macushla.
Limit B (14, 10 absent) A real battle for the
top spot between two lovely bitches at the other end of the spectrum - smaller,
neat, free-moving girls who had both been on my pre-show mind!
1st: Cole's Culkeeran Sigh. So effortless and free on the move, lovely
outline and plenty of substance for her size when you get your hands on her. A
shade more of her all round would make her very hard to get past and she won
here on her harder condition and was standing more up on her feet.
2nd: Timmins' Cornovi Comfort. Very similar for pros and cons and it's
always a shame when two such nice bitches have to meet in the same class, but
these decisions have to be made "on the day". Also well-bodied and
moving well, but would have made the decision even more difficult had she been
in harder nick.
3rd: McHugh's Madiamoy Emerald Air.
Open B (8, 2 absent)
1st: Taylorson's Shanimarle Artemis. An old favourite rising five who
had easily the best layback of shoulder of the entry. Super for quality, type
and outline - really is a large, rough-coated Greyhound shape if anything is.
Lovely head and expression, sound legs and feet, well constructed both ends
which is reflected in her movement - even if she could put herself out a bit
more about the proceedings! Big body that doesn't detract from her femininity
or quality in any way. Nice rise over the loin although her topline could have
been harder on the day and had she been in harder condition all round things
might have ended differently. Reserve CC.
2nd: Tebbutt's Ch. Seplecur Cass Caredig. I found these next three
placings very difficult - more compact body shapes, specially second and third,
but still very nice. This one moved very steadily and well and kept her
outline. Another strong girl with a good coat and it was really nit-picking
between her and her kennel-mate on performance on the day and they scored in
balance over the fourth - a lovely class of super-quality bitches.
3rd: Tebbutt's Ch. Caredig Hegarty.
Veteran B (7, 3 absent)
1st: Catlow's Laoiseach Floragh. Quality old lady of 7 who is very
shapely and in good coat and hard condition. Well up on her feet (see notes on
Veteran D), lovely type, balanced construction and good head and expression.
Best Veteran.
2nd: Crawshaw's Cefni Sallynoggin. Same age, same good nick and
obviously benefiting from the same Anglesea air! Heavier type with good depth,
a pleasing expression and strong coat and also still moving well.
3rd: Stayte's Mallanigh Lily at Carwenwy.
Brace (4, 3 absent)
1st: Tebbutt's
Junior Members Stakes (8, 2 absent)
1st: Caredig Grace
2nd: Cairnstorm First Edition
3rd: Neal's Fiagai Mitexi at Cahmega.
Open Members Stakes (6, 1 absent)
1st: Culkeeran Sigh
2nd: Ch. Caredig Hegarty. These next two bitches were each up a place
from the strong Open class and indicative of the quality present in the upper
bitch classes - very nice girls.
3rd: Crane's Ch. Seplecur Letitia.
Jeff Crawford (Judge)