History of the Irish
wolfhound
Championship Show, September 29th 2002
Judge's Report
I am very grateful to the membership of the Society for choosing me to judge this show, and to so many exhibitors for the magnificent entry of 175 hounds. This was my first appointment at Championship show level, and I appreciated the thoughtful and understated support given me by the show committee and in particular by my two excellent stewards. It was a hard day's work, but one I will treasure, not least for that fleeting moment of possession I felt as I saw my CC winners come together for best of breed.
There was quality in depth in many of the classes, and I frequently had recourse to my mental image of a strong giant hound with the stamina to gallop and course in difficult country. Such hounds may not be the most elegant, but should always be able to move freely and easily. Time and again I found hounds that looked good when standing a severe disappointment when they moved. There were too many showing loose pasterns and with erratic movement, and so many hounds seem unable to avoid crabbing. I know the sports hall floor is demanding and distracting for the hounds, but the best of the entry were able to make light of it, and so, in my opinion, should any fit hound. I remember with joy the huge puppy bitch class, and, with some emotion, the class of nine veteran bitches.This is all too rare a sight in our Wolfhound world.
Puppy Dog (9, 3 abs) 1st Taylorson's Shanimarle American
Pie Substantial 11 month workmanlike dark brindle. Masculine head and strong,
if rather short neck, broad chest and body, strong through loin. Good bone
throughout, although hindquarters could be firmer. I would prefer another inch
on each leg. Movement promising but hampered by bursas. 2nd Thornton &
Little's Solstrand Titanic Attractive 9 month dark grey brindle of more classic
proportions. Correct head and graceful neck into a straighter front than 1st.
He is narrower all through at this stage, and although he has nice sweeping
hindquarter constuction, he was quite undisciplined in his movement. 3rd Biggs'
Goldswift Ice Wizard from Grifemy
Junior Dog (8, 2) 1st Millar's Declan of Atheralls at Ladestar Dark
grey 14 month old, typical and powerful. Masculine head, strong neck, good
shoulders, broad chest and body through the loin. Well muscled, and although
quarters not particularly well angulated, well balanced and in proportion.
Moved well. 2nd Biggs' Culkeeran Phantom of Grifemy Light grey brindle 17 month
old, a little plainer and less houndy than 1st. He has a strong head and neck,
(albeit that his muzzle could be broader and his ears a little smaller), good
bone, nice hindquarters and overall balance. 3rd Lloyd-Jones' Rynchanon Smoke
on the Water over Nightwing
Special Yearling Dog (7,3) 1st Macauley's Gartlove Galenkelso
Substantial grey brindle masculine dog. He is large, but appears compact,
carrying as he does quite a dense and profuse coat over a heavily boned body.
His strong masculine head is set on a neck which, if a shade longer, would
present an altogether more stylish outline. He is in good muscular condition
through his broad loin and his powerful sweeping hindquarters 2nd Goodall's
Drifcot Ottowa. Light grey brindle, much lighter in type than 1st, and with an
altogether more graceful outline. More delicate head on fine long neck.
Shoulders and upper arms could be a little better laid and sternum could be
deeper, but he was stylish and moved with panache. 3rd Mostyn's Mikest Mr Magic
Novice Dog (4,3) 1st Catlow's Laoiseach Fearghus Nicely proportioned
dark grey hound with strong head and body. He lacks a little reach and drive on
the move, which is a reflection of his less well angulated quarters.
Nevertheless he has soundness and strength in his topline and croup
Graduate
Dog (4,0) 1st Laoiseach Fearghus 2nd Mikest Mr Magic Dark brindle with good
pigmentation and attractive dark eyes. He has a strong deep ribcage which
unfortunately highlights his want of angulation in his quarters. I believe he
would look more the part if his tuck-up were tighter. 3rd Wilby's Uella Durrow
Post Graduate Dog (6,2) Four nice hounds, difficult to split. 1st
Dawson's Shalico Clousseau Tall and powerful dark grey standing over a fair
amount of ground. Although I would like to see more lay-back of upper arm, his
powerful neck, deep, large rib-cage and strength through his loin give an
indication of his abilities. Perhaps losing a pound or two would enhance the
houndy lines of this boy! Movement active, without being totally easy! 2nd
Redfern's Rainster Izak Another powerful and masculine dog, who is fit and in
good condition. Attractive head slightly marred by his floppy ears, strong
shortish neck into well-laid shoulders which are complemented by the lay-back
of his upper arms. The fore- and hindquarters match each other with good
angulation. Strong mover, who, I suggest, would be better if he were a little
taller. 3rd Cole's Culkeeran Queally
Limit Dog (7,2) 1st, CC & BIS Burt-Hughes' Windspray Dante. As my
notes say: A Wolfhound! This is one who fills the eye and gladdens the heart,
and will live long in my memory. He combines balance, size, strength and grace,
with an easy demeanour. His handsome head with small rosed ears set high is
carried proudly on his long strong neck. He has well laid shoulders and a
lovely flowing topline over his broad loin, though to nit-pick I feel he could
be better ribbed back. . The impression of balance comes from the harmony of
his fore- and hindquarters, and from their integration in the overall curviness
of the whole; this is so difficult to achieve in a big male, and makes the
contemplation of such an animal a rare pleasure. He also won the movement
trophy, because his movement was the closest to my idea of "easy and
active" that I found all day. Congratulations are due to his owners for
breeding and raising this fine hound. 2nd Thornton's Tirliffin Donahue of
Marumac Another exceptional hound whose qualities are similar to the winner,
but who lost out today because he is a size smaller. Perhaps he doesn't quite
have such a nicely proportioned head, but otherwise I noted the beautiful
balance between his well angulated quarters in which the construction and
placement of shoulder and upper arm are exceptional. His overall impression is
of shape and ability, and this is only reinforced by his display of free and
easy movement. 3rd Lefley's Hibeck Mickey Rooney at Nicsar
Open Dog (8,1) Lovely quality in depth here, and I grieved at having to
give hounds I really admire lower placements. 1st, RCC &RBIS Macauley's Ch.
Gartlove Ghleankyle Perhaps not the most stylish hound, but one who showed
strength and fitness from head to tail. He gives an impression of solidity,
power and character which one would really appreciate in the field. He has a
noble head, with small ears and dark eyes, a strong neck, deep chest, smooth
topline, and strong croup. For perfection, his forehand could be better
angulated to match those nicely bent hindquarters, and I would have him a touch
taller to add more grace to the power he demonstrates so freely as he moves.
2nd Pain's Ravensbeech Sulla Another top quality hound. He is built on lighter
lines than the winner; a little longer and narrower, and lighter in bone, but
he conveys an image of grace and ease when standing and moving. He has a lovely
head and strong neck, a sweeping topline which leads the eye to those graceful
hindquarters with their well let down hocks. To enhance the picture, I would
prefer that he were better ribbed back, with less of a cut-up in underline. His
overall proportion of height to length is really attractive, and he translates
this into easy, free movement. 3rd Taylorson's Ch. Shanimarle Bay Brigand
Veteran Dog (4,2) 1st & BV Chisnall's Sabata Shylock of Madach
Lovely type, looking fit and well for his seven and a half years. Dark, mature
and masculine, from his strong head and crested neck, exceptional forechest,
powerful quarters, well ribbed back and strong and broad through the loin.
Croup a little steep, but blending with his angulation to present a very
pleasing whole. Handsome standing and still powerful moving. Would that all our
hounds age so well. 2nd Dunkerley's Fincorrie Drew Longer cast and less
angulated than the winner. His head has that dignified look that comes with
age, the greying whiskers blending with his light brindled coat. His neck melds
smoothly into his long back, and the whole impression is of unity of
construction. Well turned out.
Puppy Bitch (25,6) What a sight! Young stock ranged
right around the large ring! I could comfortably have drawn two quality lineups
from the class. There was the widest possible age range, and the disparity
between a hound of just six months and one rising twelve brings with it its own
particular pressures for this judge. This dilemma was distilled in the
separating of my final two placements. 1st & BP Webb's Ballyphelan Holly
Blue at Tarmistorm Houndy dark brindle of delightful proportions, nearly a year
old. I was drawn to the series of linked curves which ran from her nose to her
tail. Sweet head carried proudly on a long neck, from which the topline sweeps
away over her rounded croup to join the curve of her powerful hindquarters. The
line from her brisket to her tuck-up complements her topline perfectly. I hope
she drops into her upper arms a little; her movement showed enough glimpses of
her potential to justify her placing. It's just time that will see whether she
fulfils all this promise. 2nd Charlier's Folklore Kameo. Gorgeous light grey
brindle, just over six months old. My notes say "perfect miniature".
She's feminine, balanced, of excellent proportions, very typical, and moves
freely. I loved her, and was fascinated how my eye was constantly drawn back to
her as I judged. She is, however, so very young and immature, and has all the
difficult coltish stages ahead of her. I look forward to seeing her grow up,
but in the meantime felt that the extra maturity and excellence of the older
hound justified her placing. 3rd Johnson's Nellwyns Miss Madonna
Junior Bitch (10,2) 1st & RCC Sumner's Ballyphelan Liquorice This
young bitch combines elegance and power. I was struck by the way that, even
when she was standing and relaxing during the class, she retained that houndy,
purposeful shape. Many of the remarks I made about the winner of the previous
class apply to this bitch as well; their dams are in fact litter sisters and
they have the same sire. This one is a rich dark brindle with a good coat
developing. She has a feminine head with rosed ears, a strong neck, nicely
balanced but strong quarters, a good ribcage showing correct sternum and nice
long ribbing, excellent topline and tuckup, good tailset and nice low hocks.
Although she needs to settle, I was able to see strong and even movement with
reach and drive 2nd Peek's Milkwood's Me and My Girl. Another bitch of nice
proportions with scope to move. Not just as curvy and angulated as the winner,
and overall a little longer cast. Pretty head with correct ears, set nicely on
a strong neck. She needs to tighten in pasterns, but she has good straight
hindquarters with low hocks. A bit coltish just now, but I feel she has the
frame to mature very nicely. 3rd Cole's Culkeeran Ghost
Special Yearling Bitch (5,1) 1st Wild's Fincorrie Gigi Stylish, dark,
fit and balanced hound. She had the best coat of the day, harsh, black and with
a touch of grey brindling. She has an old fashioned, correct sighthound head
with nicely set and rosed ears, gentle expression, and lovely grey whiskers.
Strong neck, smooth topline and well-muscled and coupled loin. Nicely done
angulations and musculature all contribute to the impression of a strong
hunting hound. 2nd Peek's Milkwood's My Fair Lady Strong and sound moving mid
grey with sweet head, high-set rosed ears, long and strong body. I would prefer
that her loin was a little closer coupled and that she had greater width at the
stifle, but she has a nice flowing topline, tight tuckup and pleasing overall
balance. 3rd Colbert's Ainsea Dusty Morn
Novice Bitch (11,6) 1st MacLeod's Brachan Killie Crankie Tall and
typical dark grey with nice outline and of good size. Feminine head.with
wellplaced ears and happy expression. Because her shoulders could be better
laid back, her strong neck appears a little short. She has a long upper arm
with good lay-back, good forechest, strength through the loin, well set pelvis
and hindquarters which, although a bit straighter than I would wish,
contributed to her powerful and reachy movement. 2nd Dawson's Ratthany
Moonlight Serenade of Shalico Fourteen month old cream bitch with very pretty
head on a strong neck. Good overall outline from shoulder to croup, with strong
loin. Her movement, although true, is a wee bit stilted for want of better
angulations; she is, however, at an awkward age, and should improve with
maturity. 3rd Ainsea Dusty Morn Graduate Bitch (11,2) 1st Fincorrie Gigi
2nd Timmins and Sherlock's Mallanigh Liberty Lovely tall mid grey brindle with
nice head and reach of neck, not quite the front and topline of the winner, but
beautiful sweeping hindquarters from croup to low hocks. She didn't do the best
for herself by being a bit skittish and crabbing when she moved. 3rd Macauley's
Gartlove Giorsal Post Graduate Bitch (16,5) 1st Timmins and Hinton's
Ballyphelan Blueberry Typical grey brindle with feminine head (but floppy
ears!), nice reach of neck, well placed shoulders, good topline and
complementing underline, and strong but elegant quarters. She could have a
better lay-back of upper arm, but she is overall very nicely proportioned and
moved well. 2nd Surrell and Coleman's Bokra Phoenix Squarer type than the
winner. She has strength in construction and fitness to match. She has a
gentle, happy expression, nice ears, good shoulders and forechest, powerful
short-coupled loin, strong croup and powerful quarters. To counteract the
squareness, I would like to see a slightly longer neck and more of a rise over
her loin. Nice even and reachy movement. 3rd Kenis-Pordham's Solstrand Nanna
Limit Bitch (14,7) 1st CC & BOS Surrell and Coleman's Bokra
Obsession This bitch is very close to the ideal hound I was looking for. Built
for power and endurance, she is so typical yet so understated. Alright, she may
be a little broad in the skull, and one or two fewer pies might have improved
her underline, but her overall make is so pleasing and efficient. Her head is
carried high on a strong and well crested neck; her shoulders are beautifully
laid back, and their relationship to the lay-back of upper arm and forechest
was the best of the day. She is powerful through the loin, and her strong
pelvis and curvy hindquarters are matched to nice low hocks. Her overall
balance is so right, and it is reflected in her reachy, powerful and efficient
movement. 2nd Sumner's Ballyphelan Branwen Another quality bitch, taller,
curvier and more elegant than the winner. Her shoulders are less well placed
and her upper arm is more upright, but this is detail comparison with the very
best. She has a long sternum, a lovely flowing topline and a croup that is just
marginally too steep. Her beautiful hindquarters have width across the stifle
and lovely angulation, and she uses them to good effect, moving with verve and
efficiency. 3rd Burt-Hughes' Windspray Firebird
Open Bitch (11,5) A lovely class of quality hounds, where movement was
an important determining factor in my placings. Two less showy types headed the
class. 1st Brace's Braehead Minnetonka Definitely one whose image might not
last long in the memory, but who would last longer than most in the field. She
has a slightly broad crown but otherwise pleasing head; (I love the
relationship of muzzle and cranium). She has a strong neck and nicely laid and
angled front assembly; she is powerfully coupled at the loin, over which her
topline shows a gentle rise, and she has well muscled hindquarters. I must say
I think her looks would be improved by slightly longer legs and better
angulation, but on the other hand, her movement is so very easy and active;
judging this bitch reinforced my belief that one should interpret the standard
to suit function rather than beauty. 2nd Amoo's Ballalyn's Skys the Limit to
Sade Dark bitch on compact lines, with delicate feminine head, strong neck and
nice shoulder. Good fore chest, but upper arm could be better laid back. Nice
rise in topline and well muscled hindquarters. It's a shame that her tuck-up is
not tighter and that she carries her tail a fraction high, because these very
minor faults are so distracting when you're judging her. She moves freely, with
power and precision. 3rd Macauley's Ch Gartlove Ghleannbrigha
Veteran Bitch (11,2) 1st Timmins' Ballyphelan Loganberry of Gulgamech
Lovely 7 year old in super condition and still competing with the best.
Typical,with good, if longer, proportions. Lovely head and expression, flowing
top- and underlines, good forehand and excellent hindquarters. Her movement
just starting to give a hint of her years. 2nd Chisnall's Madach Ardara Shorter
in loin than the winner, but conveying a history of power and presence with her
commanding head carriage, well muscled body and nicely angulated quarters.
Dark, with gently greying whiskers, she moved correctly just as she was asked,
but I suspect her thoughts were in some field, far away!
Brace (7,4) 1st Webb's A well matched pair of lovely free-striding tall
and elegant grey hounds, moving in easy harmony.
Roger Tebbutt
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