History of the Irish
wolfhound
Championship Show, September 30th 2001
Judge's Report
It was a great honour and privilege to judge the Society show, as it is the members who accord you the honour. A special thanks should go to Elizabeth Murray, who organises everybody, Chairman Peter Williams, who quietly makes things tick; and to my efficient stewards, John Murray and Chippy MacLeod.
Thank you for the great entry and I was impressed by the overall standard of my winners. Temperament was generally good but movement needs to improve, as the hard floor found out many hounds. Owners must remember that a Wolfhound is a galloping hound and the movement must be free and easy.
Puppy D (14, 5A)
1. Malley's Santir Colonel Ainsea. Nearly twelve months old. Moved very well; well presented. Shapely hound with correct arch over loin and plenty of substance all through. Houndy head with correct ears. Hopefully will mature into a nice hound.
2. Morris' Amarach Clagan. A pleasing puppy, again nearly twelve months old and larger than the winner. However, did not move as well. Had width all through with a good curve of stifle for a young dog. Good head and ears and should mature into a quality hound.
3. Wild's Fincorrie Zeus
Junior D (3, 1A)
1. Webb's Tarmistorm Master Madrigal. Very substantial dog and well shown, although he is strong minded. Well laid shoulder but head is not houndy enough, with large ears. Good topline which he retained on the move, with correct arch over loin and sweep of stifle. He looked immature against older dogs but I think should go on to better things. Easily won this class on quality.
2. Catlow's Laoiseach Fearghus. Similar type to winner but has not the quality. Pleasing head and good shoulder. Is still maturing and lacked width all through, which affected his movement. Again, will improve with age.
Sp. Yearling D (6, 1A)
1. Wilkinson's Hunacres Keir. Despite only having one testicle this is a very good hound indeed. Correct coat, moved well. Good topline with correct arch over loin and a gentle sweep of stifle. Would like a better lay of shoulder. Good width all through but still had very good curves. Best mover in class.
2. Catlow's Laoiseach Fearghus
3. Murray's Caredig Marley
Novice D (7, 3A)
1. McBryde's Tirliffin Donahue. Wonderful temperament. Would like more length of loin. Powerful hindquarters, moved well but lacked overall condition. I understood from the handler that he had only been with her for a few days.
2. Murray's Caredig Marley. Larger type of dog with a good topline and good bend of stifle. Pleasing head but front movement needs to be tightened.
3. Jones' Ballyniamh Daire
Graduate D (8, 3A)
1. Millar's Ladestar Silas. One of the few dogs who had the correct forechest with a well laid shoulder. Good length of loin with correct arch and width all through. Good, easy movement but does lack a little quality to be a really top dog.
2. Painter's Solstrand Reinhold at Bonheddig. A really pleasing outline with good head and neck; correct coat. Moved soundly with drive. Would like a better sweep of stifle as he tends to look straight if not stacked carefully. Has depth of chest which tends to diminish his hindquarters.
3. Griffin's Kilrein Jaeger
Post Graduate D (11, 3A)
1. Redfern's Rainster Izak. One of the best movers on the day with good topline which he kept on the move. Good front and good, strong hindquarters with curves in the correct places. Movement free and easy. Well muscled.
2. Millar's Ladestar Quadreaux Torrance. Smaller type than winner but sound mover with correct front and forechest. Good topline and sweep of stifle. Well muscled with correct length of loin.
3. Dawson's Shalico Clousseau
Limit D (10, 2A)
This class had the best overall quality so far.
1. Burt-Hughes' Windspray Dante. This dog has matured into a very impressive hound. Really good type with harsh coat and good front. Retains his topline on the move. Correct arch over loin with good rear end. Moves with power but freely and easily. Would perhaps like more width but this would be hypercritical. Made a serious challenge for the Reserve ticket - a very shapely hound.
2. Pask's Baronglen The Guardsman. Pushed the winner all the way and it was a difficult decision to split these two. Just preferred the overall type of the winner. Good front and topline with good arch over loin but would have preferred slightly more curve of stifle. Movement free and easy but still powerful and, as is usual from this kennel, well shown and presented.
3. Biggs' Grifemy Sir Sydney
Open D (10, 3A)
This was a class of top quality hounds.
1. Taylorson's Ch. Shanimarle Bay Brigand. This is a quality hound in hard condition which showed in the way he moved around the ring. Really well presented; I would prefer a harsher coat. Correct lay of shoulder with good depth of chest and appropriate length of loin. Good topline which he retained on the move. Nice sweep of stifle with good width all through. A worthy CC winner and was my eventual BIS.
2. Malley's Ch. Ainsea The Diplomat. Another quality hound shown in good condition. Moved well. Good head and neck with correct lay of shoulder. He is a bit too long in the loin which spoils his topline on the move, although he has a good curve of stifle. Reserve CC.
3. Peiler's Ir.Ch. Mallanigh Dawn Chase of Knocknarea
Veteran D (3, 1A)
1. Kenis-Pordham's Ch. Shadow of Kilmara (Imp) An honour to judge this dog who, at seven years old, would give some younger dogs a run for their money. A correct type of hound with nice curves but with substance and a deep chest. Good front but topline not at its best, although still has good arch over loin with width and correct curve of stifle. Best Veteran.
2. Brigg's Hibeck Hardy. Thanks to the owner for giving me the opportunity to judge this dog - both were in good condition for their ages! Moved well but preferred type of winner.
Puppy B (15, 7A)
1. Goodall's Driftcot Orlando. Easily won this class and is a quality puppy. Good front and forechest; shapely without being exaggerated, with good topline. Nice curve of stifle and has substance which takes nothing away from her femininity. Should grow into a quality bitch and I was pleased to award her Best Puppy in Show.
2. Mundy's Artebleu Tia. Not the substance and quality of the winner but did move quite well for her age. Pleasing head and front but needs to tighten up behind. Would like a better sweep of stifle, but this may come with age.
3. Smith's Uella Oola
Junior B (9, 3A)
1. Webb's Tarmistorm Miss Masserene. Substantial type of bitch with good head, front and topline. Moved soundly. Good hindquarters and width all through. Correct arch over loin, strong bone and good upper arm. Correct coat, plenty of quality.
2. MacLeod's Brachan Killie Crankie. Similar type of bitch to the winner but not quite the substance. Good head and neck with correct lay of shoulder. Topline will improve, as will movement, when she matures. At present is a bit steep in croup but the quality is there to see.
3. Oliver's Retsnair Maggie
Sp. Yearling B (10, 3A)
1. Surrell & Coleman's Bokra Obsession. This is a typical bitch with good head and expression and well presented. Correct lay of shoulder with a deep chest and correct length of loin. Broad hindquarters with gentle sweep of stifle. Did not seem to move with enthusiasm today.
2. Hutchinson's Blairan Beth. Larger type of bitch than winner and needs time to mature. Pleasing head; good topline and hindquarters. Not the substance of the winner but has plenty of time to improve.
3. Wilkinson's Hunacres Kristin
Novice B (10, 6A)
1. MacLeod's Brachan Killie Crankie
2. Edgar's Ashgroave Impact Moonshell. Smaller type of bitch with feminine head and good front. Would like more substance. Her rather fine build may explain her lack of strong movement.
3. Noke's Pilgrimspeak Adella
Graduate B (7, 5A)
1. Noke's Pilgrimspeak Adella. Rather long for my liking but moves soundly. Good head and neck with good lay of shoulder but, because of her length, falls away behind. Good temperament and kind expression.
2. Box's Ballyphelan Bridget. Not so long as winner, which gives her better hindquarters with pleasing topline. Although her hindquarters were better, she did not move as well.
Postgraduate B (12, 5A)
1. Tebbutt's High Society Della Bassa Pavese Caredig. Typical houndy bitch with lovely head and expression. Good front with correct lay of shoulder, good topline and arch over loin with gentle sweep of stifle. Impressive bitch, well handled. Moved well. Good substance but this did not take anything away from her femininity and was pleased to award her Reserve CC.
2. Burt-Hughes' Windspray Firebird. Another typical quality bitch, well presented and handled, who pushed the winner close. Lovely houndy head, good shoulder and topline. Moved with drive from her powerful hindquarters.
3. Redfern's Rainster Niagh
Limit B (9, 1A)
1. Chisnall's Clonmagara Kara of Madach. Best mover in the show and awarded her the Movement Cup. Reminded me of Ch. Petasmeade Chieftain of Brabyns as she moved powerfully but with a free and easy gait. Good head and expression with a good front and topline. Plenty of substance all through with powerful hindquarters. Pressed hard for the Reserve CC.
2. Amoo's Ballalyn's Sky's the Limit to Sade. Substantial bitch who has improved since I last saw her. Pleasing head with good front and topline. Good spring of rib and gentle sweep of stifle but did not move as well as winner. Well presented, as usual.
3. Pask's Baronglen Miss Georgia
Open B (14, 6A)
1. Crane's Seplecur Myra. This is the most typical bitch in the breed today and has that aloof expression which all sighthounds should possess. Good houndy head and correct lay of shoulder; correct length of upper arm and depth of chest. Excellent topline which she keeps on the move. The good arch over the loin sets off the powerful hindquarters; has the correct sweep of stifle which is not exaggerated. Moved soundly. It was a pleasure to award her the Bitch CC and Reserve BIS.
2. Surrell & Coleman's Bokra Limelight. Another typical and correct specimen of the breed but not quite the quality of the winner. Good head and neck with correct lay of shoulder and depth of chest. Good topline and arch over the loin. As with the winner, the arch over the loin complements the hindquarters. This bitch seems not easy to show but was handled well here today.
3. Malley's Ch. Ainsea Dusty Gem
Veteran B (6, 2A)
1. MacLeod's Brachan Solitaire. Despite her age this bitch retains her type and quality. Correct houndy head with good front and topline. Pleasing arch over loin and good hindquarters. Does not move with as much enthusiasm these days but still moves soundly.
2. Taylorson's Ballyphelan Black Pearl of Shanimarle. Longer bitch than winner and not so typical. However, has a good head and front and moved soundly but has not the strength in hindquarters of the winner.
3. Brewin's Panormania Muffin
Bernard Brace (Judge)
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