Open Show,
January 26th, 2003
Judge's Report
Firstly I should like to thank the Irish Wolfhound Society committee for making me so welcome, and to my excellent stewards who worked hard all day.. I was honoured to have the pleasure of judging so many good hounds. Temperaments were excellent, but front construction was poor on several dogs. However, I was pleased with my line up of dogs and bitches. Thankyou for taking my decisions so sportingly and for giving me such an enjoyable day.
PUPPY DOG 6 (2abs.): I am sure these two youngsters will swap places many times 1st Tebbutt's Caredig Jupiter, impressive 11 month old dog, masculine head, dark eye, rose ears carried well, strong bone and correct feet. Good front construction, nice breadth of stifle, moved very well, pleased to make him BP and Res. Best Dog. 2nd McDonald-Ulliott's Luke Sky Walker from Hibeck, promising baby, lovely head and expression, good reach of neck, well ribbed back, correct top line and tuck up, sweeping quarters, one to watch, just lost out today on the maturity of one. 3rd Tindalls Baronfore Tiernan at Nehalenia.
JUNIOR DOG 8 (4abs.): 1st Gilbert's Anstyarna Mor Broc, red brindle, starting to go into an in-between stage, however a nice hound overall, kind head, but would prefer a smaller ear, good reach of neck, good bone and feet, stifle well bent, won this class on his good movement. 2nd Mason's Clanlily Ard Rhi at Scratchin Cat, 17 month old grey brindle, strong well built dog, pleasing head and expression, good depth of chest, well muscled, movement a little erratic and carried tail high today. 3rd Barnes Cathal Cunaadri
SPECIAL YEARLING DOG 5 (3 abs.): 1st Lees' Ballyphelan Jester of Monawawn, very exuberant 18 month old red brindle who gave his handler a hard time, pleasing head, good depth of chest but a little straight in shoulder, good topline, will need lots of time to grow into his big frame, won class on his overall type and soundness. 2nd Mitchell's River Gambler of Hirta, lovely head, dark eye, well held ears, strong neck, good arch over loin, well let down down hocks, but much preferred front of winner.
NOVICE DOG 4 (1 abs.): 1st Tebbutt's Caredig Jupiter; 2nd Thornton and Little's Solstrand Titanic,13 month old dark brindle, impressive youngster, beautiful head, would prefer better lay of shoulder, good length of body, well ribbed back, good top line, and correct bend of stifle, good coat, moved so well, pressed winner hard for first place. 3rd McHugh's Madiamoy Ferrigal.
GRADUATE DOG 6 (4 abs.): 1st Catlow's Laoiseach Fearghus, dark brindle, won this class on movement, strong dog, kind expression, good length of body, deep chest, good underline, could do with a little more angulation iin hindquarters. 2nd Lloyd-Jones' Rynchanon Smoke on the water over Nightwing, attractive well-made dog, pleasing masculine head, would prefer more front angulation, good hindquarters, carried his tail a little high, pity that he cut his pad today which impeded his movement.
POST GRADUATE DOG 6 (2 abs.): 1st Cole's Culkeeran Queally, good to see this youngster that I last judged as a puppy starting to mature with promise, well presented hound, good head and dark eye, strong neck into good shoulders, deep brisket, falls away a little over croup, easy active movement won him this class. 2nd Goodall's Driftcot Ottawa, very attractive hound, close decision between these two dogs, good head, correct length of muzzle, well arched neck, good front construction, played his good handler up today on the move, promising youngster. 3rd Sheppard and Sturman's Downware Insilver for Goldswift
LIMIT DOG 6 (3 abs.): Three very sound hounds. 1st Morris' Amarach Clagan, upstanding dark brindle, who really does have commanding appearance, strong and well muscled all through, well made front, deep chest, good hindquarters which he used well on the move, pleased to award him Best Dog and Reserve Best in Show. 2nd Painter's Solstrand Reinhold at Bonheddig, loved this dog for his overall breed type, such a lovely head with a melting expression, lighter made all through than winner, but moved out really well. 3rd Broughton's Fearnhead Atlas at Montisacre
OPEN DOG 1 (1 abs.):
VETERAN DOG 3 (1 abs.): 1st Smith's Ch Uella Flint, a credit to his owner and to the breed, well known champion, still in fine fettle, and moving like a youngster. Lovely type, good head , feet and bone, super depth of brisket, well made quarters, beautifully presented as always. 2nd Griffin's Kilrein Finmere, hound of almost 10 years old; his owner is to be congratulated on keeping him so well muscled, overall breed type good.
PUPPY BITCH 14 (1 abs.): This class was a joy to judge, and promises well for the future of the breed with such lovely youngsters. I would be proud to own any one of the first five placed in this class. 1st Sillito's Juxtalia Ishbel, my notes say "a cracker"; quality bitch with substance, really well made all through, lovely head, well arched neck into good shoulders, good length of body, sweeping hindquarters, a credit to her late sire; hope she is campaigned in the manner she so richly deserves, ran the dog puppy so close for Best Puppy in show. 2nd McDonald-Ulliott's Little Ewok from Hibeck, very typey baby and full of quality, pretty feminine head, well arched neck, good topline and arch over loin, good hindquarters, moved very well, very good representative from this kennel which consistantly produces good bitches. 3rd McMillan's Ballalyn's Roxanne
JUNIOR BITCH 9 (4 abs.): 1st Stirling's Clanlily Moonshine Milly; classy red brindle feminine bitch, pretty head, very shapely, good front and rear, well let down hocks, good feet, well muscled, super mover, very promising youngster. 2nd Lloyd-Jones' Ravensbeech Jael at Nightwing, lovely head, good lay of shoulder, strong straight bone, would prefer a little more bend of stifle, slightly steeper in croup than 1, free and active mover. 3rd Gilbert's Anstyarna Molli Mae
SPECIAL YEARLING 10 (4 abs.): 1st Peek's Milkwood's Me and My Girl, dark grey bitch, lovely head and expression, good bone, deep brisket, good topline and arch over loin, moved soundly, typey girl, one who should progress well. 2nd Braine's Culkeeran Soul at Hollyhenge, much to like about this one, feminine head, well made body, good tuck up, good overall honest bitch, but not quite the angulation of winner. 3rd Court's Milkwood's Kiss Me Kate.
NOVICE BITCH 9 (4 abs.): 1st Braine's Culkeeran Grainger at Hollyhenge, grey bitch, nice dense bone, correct depth of brisket, well made forechest, good reach of neck, well made quarters, moved very well, kind expression, good coat. 2nd Thornton's Juxtalia Io, very houndy quality puppy, appealing head and expression, lots of length, good reach of neck, well made hindquarters, needs time which she has in spades, not so well on as her sister,but a promising baby. 3rd Barnes' Shardlow Starlight Express.
GRADUATE BITCH 8 (3 abs.): 1st Timmins and Sherlock's Mallanigh Liberty; could not take my eyes off this one, how she has come on, lovely 2 year old grey brindle, won on her lovely flowing movement, good in head and neck, very curvy hound, super bend of stifle, good bone, well held topline and correct underline, delighted to award her Best Bitch and Best in Show; one to campaign. 2nd Peek's Milkwood''s My Fair Lady, kind head and sweet expression, deep brisket, well made front, not quite the curves of winner, but overall very typey, played her handler up on the move. 3rd Dawson's Rathanny Moonlight Serenado of Shalico
POST GRADUATE BITCH 13 (8 abs.): Good class, difficult to judge, trio of nice bitches. 1st Smith's Uella Oola, 2 year old bitch, super shape and moved so well, good bone,, feminine head and expression, good shoulders, topline well held, nice tuck up, well muscled hindquarters, promising. 2nd Timmins' Ballyphelan Blueberry, not as glamorous as winner, but so sound, pleasing head but would prefer a smaller ear, good feet, good topline, and well made quarters, super mover. 3rd Sheppard's Culkeeran Merry at Goldswift.
LIMIT BITCH 8 (5 abs.): 1st Morris' Amarach Cliodhna, big super standing bitch, for perfection would like her a little more feminine, litter sister to Best Dog, good front, well laid shoulder, lots of depth, well ribbed back, good arch over loin, very sound and moved out really well. 2nd Tindall's Baronfore Grainne at Nehalennia, lighter framed bitch with a pretty head, nice type, reasonable depth of brisket, would prefer more angulation, but moved in a positive manner. 3rd Lees' Zarameg Fame of Monarawn.
OPEN BITCH 7(1 abs.): 1st Pain's Ravensbeech Caledonia, 3 year old brindle bitch, honest and workmanlike, good front construction, correct lay of shoulder, good topline, pleasing arch over loin, very shapely strong hindquarters, moved effortlessly, looked as though she could do the job for which she was bred; Reserve Best Bitch. 2nd Stirling's Ch Clanlilly Massereene Lady, grey bitch lighter through than winner,very feminine pretty head, curvy girl, good bend of stifle, sound positive mover, would prefer a little more of her, but a quality bitch. 3rd Smith's Ballyphelan Bramble by Uella.
Sue Wilkinson (Judge)
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