I cannot tell you, how pleased I was to be invited to judge The Irish Wolfhound Society open show. As many of you may be aware that my first breeding stock came from the U.K. as well as a bitch out of a directly imported sire. Much of my stock derives itself from those dogs as well as other stock that I have imported or have been able to use in North America.
Our Standard was written well over 140 years ago. Although it has evolved at the will of various kennel clubs, the picture of the dog desired is clearly evident in our Original Standard.
Prior to breeding my first litter, I was fortunate to know and talk to not only many IW breeders, but also other dog breeders and those with an interest in stock animals. One particular relationship was with an Equine Veterinarian, who specialized in racing thoroughbreds. His concept of confirmation has always stuck with me. "It is the confrontation desired to allow the animal to not only do its job, but also with incurring little or no physical injury, in order that it can go out and do it again tomorrow." This is what I look for in my own stock as well as when I judge. Sometimes with my own stock I may get carried away. I then depend on other fanciers, breeders and judges to put me back on track and point out to me my oversight, as much as I may dislike that opinion at the time.
I was pleased with the overall quality of the young stock and adults that I judged. I only saw 2 questionable bites (mouths) and none of serious nature. I was also very pleased with the amount of muscle and overall condition of the stock. There were some very good coats and I cannot remember a poor coat. Some could be harsher, but overall very satisfactory. As you may have noticed, I look for a well made front, which is functional.
Minor Puppy Dog
1 Sumner's Dukesarum Taddeus NAF. Very pleasing young, just 6 months and 2 weeks, puppy, lovely bone, well made functioning front. Moved with drive reach, as well maintained top line both standing and on the move. Preferred his front on the move to 2nd place. 2 Sumner's Dukesarum Titus, litter mate to 1st place. Very much the type of 1, however, his front wasn't as functional on the move. Both puppies were of a substantial nature required to grow to the adults we want. Possibly, I would want to have more body on #2. Also preferred top line of #1. I have to note how pleased I was to find out after the judging that these puppies were grandchildren of one of my dogs.
Puppy Dog
1 Tebbutt's Caredig Emmett to Sade NAF. This puppy was well put together and of good size and substantive. I questioned his top line standing; however, on the move his shape improved, with good bone, pleasing on the move. 2 Goodall's Driftcot Billy Elliot. Preferred this puppy's shape standing over 1. Had bone, muscle and substance. I commented in my notes on his well made and strong back end with lots of muscling on his second thigh, stifles. However, his rear movement wasn't all that true. Could well be too much muscle getting in his way at a young age. I hope he will develop to his apparent potential.
Junior Dog
1 Guntrip's Brachan Glen Kelso. A pleasing young dog, 12+ months, at an awkward age. Question his tail, hope he will carry it down as he matures. Somewhat stuffy on the move, possibly due to his large size at a young age.
Yearling Dog
1 Dawson's Cleaseac Camembert by Shalico. A very pleasing young dog. He had not only a good typical shape, also good bone and muscle. I have to say I liked this dog on the move as well as his shape standing. He appeared to have the ability to get things done and looked like he could get up and do it again. He is a lot of dog under the hand, was also best dog. 2 Wilkinson's Hunacres Klark Gable. I particularly liked this boy's reach, I felt his back end did not measure up to his front. Young dog and I would watch him, lovely head.
Novice Dog
1 Wilkinson's Hunacres Kole Porter. I liked this dog's construction. He seemed to move somewhat wide coming at me, and was doing the same thing as his litter mate; had the same rear movement ,and who was 2nd in the previous class.
Post-Graduate Dog
1 Gregory's Killoughery the Maverick. He has a pleasing shape who was better on the move. Questioned his lay back of scapula.
Limit Dog
1 Harvey's Cualainn Celtic Pilgrimage. Nice big dog, well constructed front and rear with a pleasing shape. He did the "bring in the left rear", good combination, elegance and power as several others previously had. 2 Webb's Cleaseac Captn Gary Hawkins of Inkleyboys. Again, well constructed, would have liked to see a slightly longer back. Again, the left rear leg was brought into the center of the line of movement.
Open Dog
1 Pask's Baronglen The Journeyman. Well constructed, almost 5 year old dog. He moved around the ring with purpose and drive. I would have liked to have seen possibly more reach. My notes state; " balanced, want more," referring to overall substance as well as reach on the move. He was reserve best dog. Flood's Baronfore Brogan. His rear construction was pleasing and had a good overall shape, both standing and on the move. He again brought his left rear leg into the center of movement. His front construction wasn't as angulated as I would have liked.
Veteran Dog
1 Gilbert's Anstyarna Mor Broc An 8 year old well constructed dog who was good on the move even for his age. 2 Holder and Howe's Nellwyns Mr Midnight. Preferred 1's movement front and rear over this well constructed dog.
I was asked if I knew the puppies competed for best dog. I did, however, for the puppies and youngest classes to compete for this award, I would not have thought much of the adult classes. This was not the case, certainly with the veteran class to yearling dog classes.
Best dog was close between Baronglen the Journyman, who moved with drive and Cleaseac Camembert by Shalico who eventually won on his substance and type. I believe he will continue to develop and is a dog who can be admired and who, I hope, will be useful.
Minor Puppy Bitch
1 Thornton's Rainster Ruby. The first thing I noticed was the length of her second thigh, on going over her she was also well muscled. She is well constructed and pleasing to go over. She kept her shape on the move. Very much a hound in shape and movement. 2 Sumner's Dukesarum Tara. My notes say L.P.P.; lovely pleasing puppy. I loved her construction and substance and bone. Having placed her second in my notes, on tape I stated I could have easily switched the placements in this class.
Puppy Bitch
1 McDonald-Ulliott's Hibeck Elisha. She was a well constructed bitch who was good to look at both standing and on the move. My notes say "hard good muscle". She was also best bitch puppy. 2 Goodall's Driftcot Wicked. Again another well constructed puppy, who was very good coming and going. My notes state "would like more length" of body. This took away from her profile on the move, regardless a pleasing bitch.
Junior Bitch
1 Forrett Close's Brachan Loch Dee over Tapsalteerie. This was a nice class. Well constructed front and rear, with a lovely shape. I felt her front should produce more reach than she showed. She again brought in her left rear leg going away. 2 Pain's Ravensbeech Sabella. Again, well constructed bitch. My notes state "somewhat restricted (front movement), but acceptable, appears from her construction, which I thought was good, that she should have had more reach". This was a nice class as she was also 2nd in the Novice Bitch Class.
Yearling Bitch
1 Johnson's Nellwyn's Ms Dolly Daydream. A pleasing well constructed and put together bitch, lots of muscle. She is pleasing to look at and go over. Seemed a happy person in herself. 2 Simpson's Tatteredgown Truce. She is well constructed front and rear with a rear with good muscle on her second thigh (stifle) as 1. She came at me slightly narrow and was misplacing her left rear. She was also third in the Post Grad Bitch Class.
Novice Bitch
1 Johnson's Nellwyn's Ms Eliza Doolittle. I liked her overall construction. I felt she was a little straight in her upper arm. However, overall well constructed and moved well about the ring with attitude. 2 Pain's Ravensbeech Sabella. See previous critique from Junior Bitch Class. In my opinion, solid enough all around to be deserving of second place in this class as well.
Post Graduate Bitch
1 Tebbutt's Witchesbroom Witch Hunt at Caredig. Loved her when she came into the ring. She is well constructed with a lovely hound shape and kept it on the move. Hard muscle. My notes say "good body and muscle". Possibly like to see a little more reach. A type of bitch we should all like to have. 2 Poole's Rainster Eithne of Conmeryl. Not easy to fault, was well made and put together. She had a good shape. Not as strong as 1.
Limit Bitch
1 Surrell & Coleman's Bokra Valencia. As with the previous class winner, she took my breath away when I first saw her in the ring. When I went over her she was as my notes say "hard", she is strong, well made, in the shape producing that impeccable picture of a hunting hound. If any fault could be found, she moved away a little wide. She also ended up being Reserve Bitch and Reserve Best in Show. 2 Morris's Amarach Macushia. She is hard to fault and I didn't. She is well made and moved well. Was in competition with one of those good bitches.
Open Bitch
1 Surrell & Coleman's Bokra Windchyme. Overall, this was a great class. 1st place my notes have "lovely" again, everything positive about this bitch, strong shape, muscle, body and put together to give beautiful and correct movement. The type that gives the impression of being able to go on forever, then wake up and do it again tomorrow. Have a look at her and recite the original standard, tell me what you think. This bitch is hard, strong, a rear and width of croup we should all strive for. Ended up Best Bitch and Best In Show. 2 Tebbutt's Cualinn Psyche Caredig. Very similar to 1st in both this class and previous class. Well made and put together giving that shape and type of 1, the Hunting Hound. I would love to have her in my kennel. Not quite as much across her croup as 1. Close competition for Reserve with Bokra Valencia.
Veteran Bitch
1 Tebbutt's Caredig Kalamity Jane. Lovely, well made and put together bitch similar to previous class winners and placements in quality and type. Not quite as good coming at you. 2 Stayte's, Mallanigh Lily at Carwenwy. In great shape for her age. Well made but not in as good a condition as 1.
In closing, I would like to thank all of you who brought dogs for me to look at and for being patient with me.
Lloyd J. Simmons