I came home with very mixed feelings after judging this numerically large entry. On the one hand it is great to see so many new and enthusiastic owners coming into this variety of dachshund and so refreshing to see several younger people who have high quality dogs and show them so very well. On the downside, however, there are so many with untypical conformation and overall type, and a very worryingly high number with extremely nervous temperaments that are difficult to handle on the table. So many lacked correct angulation at both ends, had short bodies, light bone, no substance and incorrect heads with snipey, short muzzles. They almost look like a different breed, a halfway house between a dachshund and a toy breed. I really hope newer breed enthusiasts will take the time to attend as many Breed Appreciation Days as they can get to, read and study Sayer’s ‘Illustrated Standard Of Points Of The Dachshund’ and as many other books on Dachshunds or online content related to dog anatomy in general, to help gain an understanding of basic bone structure and conformation. More established breeders have a part to play in helping newcomers understand the breed and passing on their wealth of knowledge and experience. I hope they will allow their quality dogs to be used at stud to better the breed and also let new exhibitors have show-quality pups to take into the ring and begin their journey as tomorrow’s top breeders. Another point of concern is that size is creeping up since the scales have been dispensed with and this must be taken into account when breeding as otherwise they will become indistinguishable from smaller size standards. There were also a handful which were in thin body condition sadly.
Class 1502 MPD (9 Entries) Abs: 1
1st: MAY’s Scrumptious Red On The Dot
Rich red with elegant outline who held his shape the best on the move in this class. He has a well proportioned, masculine head with dark, correctly shaped eyes. Shoulders are slightly straight, but could improve a little with maturity. He had a firm topline, good flow of underline and moderately angulated hindquarters. Moved with parallel action up and back and steady action in profile. Best Dog Puppy and Best Special Beginner in Breed.
2nd: BATER’s All For Show
This red had a good head, dark, correct shaped eyes, reasonable reach of neck and slightly better lay of shoulder than 1st. However, he was slightly straighter in hind angulation and this reflected in his stance and movement where he was higher behind than in front. He had good, parallel up and back action and moved freely in profile.
3rd: LATHAM-JACKSON’s Revdvicki’s Theodore By Urishay
Class 1503 PD (8 Entries) Abs: 1
1st: MAY’s Scrumptious Red On The Dot
2nd: KASPROWICZ & KASPROWICZ, Wishadax’s Blonde Showman Daniello
Oversize cream with good head shape and dark eye. Good reach of neck flowing into reasonably well laid shoulders. He had a pleasing overall body shape and is not over-coated. His hindquarters are well angulated with short rear pasterns. He moved parallel out and back, but had a tendency to slightly roach his topline viewed in profile action.
3rd: MORRIN & BARBI’s Zilcan Vanilla Ice For Arlatdax
Class 1504 JD (6 Entries) Abs: 1
1st: DALTON & BEACH’s Zarcrest Red In The Room
I was very impressed with this compact, beautifully constructed red and he was close up in the challenge. Bright future ahead I think. He is completely correct for length to height ratio and has good bone and substance throughout. His overall quality of conformation shone through in this class. Attractive masculine head, carried proudly in stance and movement. Well laid shoulders with good length of upper arm and good forechest as a result. Firm, level topline held at all times. Good spring of rib and flow of underline. Well angulated hindquarters complete the picture. Well handled and beautifully presented. Hopefully a future Champion!
2nd: SHUTT’s Donnadoon Stunning Star
Chocolate dapple with lovely head and expression (I do have a soft spot for chocolates)! Pleasing overall body shape, but not quite the shoulder lay of 1st. He is of a different type to 1st, being longer in body. Good turn of stifle and overall hind angulation. In profile he was moving slightly higher behind, however. Not over-coated so his movement was easy to observe.
3rd: KASPROWICZ & KASPROWICZ, Wishadax’s Blonde Showman Daniello
Class 1505 PGD (4 Entries) Abs: 1
1st: MORRIN & BARBI’s Code Red Again At Arlatdax
Oversize dark red with no exaggerations. He has a strong, masculine head with alert expression and dark, correctly shaped eyes. Reasonable shoulder placement, forechest and overall body shape. Moderate hind angulation. Moved freely in profile and kept his shape the best in this class. His polite and extremely well-mannered young handler got the very best performance from him. Lovely to see.
2nd: YATES’ Lyndarlea Just Brian Of Irisdax
Black and cream. Head could be stronger and he is a little round in eye. Preferred the more masculine head of 1st. He has reasonable shoulder placement, but is a little inclined to roach his topline on the move. Needs more confidence.
3rd: KASPROWICZ & KASPROWICZ, Daniello Tiny Troublemaker
Class 1506 LD (7 Entries) Abs: 1
1st: SMALL’s Minard Darque Red For Devondax Jw
Compact, rich red of ideal size. Carries himself with confidence and style on the move. Attractive head, held proudly on a reasonable length neck. Well placed shoulders with good length of upper arm and consequently good forechest. Pleasing overall body shape with firm, level topline in stance and movement. Well angulated hindquarters in balance with his forequarters. Moves true up and back which was easy to observe as he is not too heavily coated. Held his lovely outline in profile movement where he strode out with confidence and covered the ground with fluidity. Hopefully will go on to become a future Champion. He certainly has the pedigree to do so, being out of a Champion dam and I see he is sired by Ch. Wildstar Washington who I awarded a CC to the last time I judged this variety. Pleasing to see he is proving his worth as a sire and is passing on his quality.
2nd: MCCARTHY’s Nagshall Dyce The Ice JW
Cream of totally different type, being longer-bodied. Has lovely bone and substance throughout and a pleasing outline in stance. Reasonable shoulders, forechest and tight elbows. He carries a level topline on the move and keeps his shape well in profile. Moderate hind angulation. Moved parallel up and back and sedately in profile, holding his outline well. Just preferred the overall length to height ratio of 1st.
3rd: LARKIN’s Luna Caprese Voleur De Roses (ital)
Class 1507 OD (7 Entries) Abs: 1
1st: MITCHELL’s Ch Bronia Maverick
Stunning cream of correct size and with outstanding, correct conformation. I see I awarded him Best Puppy in Breed with my co-judge the last time I judged this breed 2 years ago and he has certainly gone on to fulfil his earlier promise. He has an eye-catching outline in stance and on the table examination everything flowed seamlessly under my hands. Attractive head with dark eyes, carried proudly on good reach of neck which flows into correctly placed, well laid back shoulders. Good length of upper arm and correct forechest as a consequence. He has well sprung ribs and good overall body shape with firm, level topline. Well angulated hindquarters with good bend of stifle and short rear pasterns complete the picture. His overall quality of conformation translates into sound, fluid and ground-covering movement in profile and parallel up and back action. No hesitation in awarding him Dog CC and Best of Breed.
2nd: PHILLIPS’ Ch Summerview Hello Hugo JW
Quality black and tan of different type to 1st, being slightly higher off the ground, which is good to see. He too, has an eye-catching overall outline and holds his shape at all times on the move. Strong, attractive masculine head, carried proudly on reachy neck. He has good shoulders, a firm, level topline and sweeping underline. Well angulated hindquarters complete the picture. Moved freely in profile. I just slightly preferred the front movement coming towards me of 1st. Close decision. Reserve CC.
3rd: POOLE’s Findowrie Mister Mckye
Class 1508 VD (1 Entries) Abs: 0
Class 1509 SBD (3 Entries) Abs: 0
1st: MAY’s Scrumptious Red On The Dot
1st in puppy.
2nd: YATES’ Lyndarlea Just Brian Of Irisdax
2nd in Post Graduate.
3rd: YATES’ Irisdax Ingocnito Noisette
Class 1510 MPB (16 Entries) Abs: 3
1st: LOCKETT-WALTERS’ Ralines Just Jasmine
Beautiful shaded cream of ideal size. Caught my eye immediately as she entered the ring and her overall high quality conformation shone through in this large class. Feminine, correctly proportioned head with attractive well-shaped, dark eyes. Good reach of neck flowing into excellent shoulders which are well placed and she has good forechest for her age as a result. Pleasing overall body shape with good spring of rib, firm topline and flowing underline. Well angulated hindquarters with short rear pasterns and good bend of stifle. Moved out with fluidity and held her shape at all times in profile and was parallel up and back. I would just like to see her gain a little confidence, but time is on her side and it was extremely noisy in the hall today. No hesitation in awarding her Best Puppy in Breed. I predict a very bright future!
2nd: MASON’s Crownlakes Million Dreams
Another beautiful, feminine pup showing lots of promise for the future. Lovely rich red, presented in beautiful condition. Correct, compact overall outline. Well angulated in both fore and hindquarters. Very pleasing overall body shape with good spring of rib and firm topline. Confident mover who held her shape well in profile, however, just moving slightly wider in front than ideal, hence 2nd place.
3rd: MCCARTHY’s Nagshall Love At Risk
Class 1511 PB (17 Entries) Abs: 2
1st: MASON’s Crownlakes Million Dollars
Black and tan litter sister to 2nd in previous class. Slightly different overall style as she is longer-bodied than her sister, but equally as appealing for her high level of quality of conformation, presentation and movement. Elegant outline with attractive head, carried on a good length of neck. She has well placed shoulders and good overall body shape, although she needs to firm up a little in topline which will hopefully come with maturity. Pleasing parallel up and back action and fluid, confident action in profile.
2nd: WESTAWAY’s Minard Whispering Angel At Treranch
Light red with more compact overall outline than 1st. Not over-coated so her shape, conformation and movement were easy to see. Attractive head, reasonable neck and shoulders, good top and underline. Pleasing overall body shape with good spring of rib. Moved freely and kept her shape well in profile. Good bone and feet.
3rd: MCCARTHY’s Nagshall Love At Risk
Class 1512 JB (10 Entries) Abs: 1
1st: POOLE’s Findowries Finesse
Beautiful, correctly constructed red of excellent quality. She has an eye-catching outline which she maintains at all times in stance and movement. Correct overall proportions and so well balanced. On the table examination everything fits together seamlessly. She stands rock-steady for the hands-on inspection where her handler stood back without holding her head, just a loose lead, which shows she has the correct, bold and confident temperament. Such a delight to see this as there were so many nervous ones today. Has a good reach of neck which flows into correctly laid shoulders, with good length of upper arm and good forechest as a result. Firm, level topline, good spring and length of rib with flowing underline. Well angulated hindquarters which are totally in balance with her forequarters. Moved with absolutely accurate, true and parallel action out and back and sedate, but fluid action in profile. Pleased to award the CC, which I was told later is her 2nd. Hope her 3rd comes soon.
2nd: MASON’s Crownlakes Million Dollars
1st in puppy.
3rd: WESTAWAY’s Minard Whispering Angel At Treranch
Class 1513 PGB (7 Entries) Abs: 2
1st: MCCARTHY’s Nagshall The Odd Excuse JW
Shaded cream with lovely bone and substance throughout, as had all this exhibitor’s dogs. Very much in the same overall style as her kennel-mates. Attractive head, with dark eyes. Reasonable neck, slightly straighter in shoulder than ideal, but good overall body shape and spring of rib with firm, level topline held on the move, although she can stand a bit higher behind at times. Moved out with confidence and style. Although 2nd had better shoulders, this one’s better temperament put her ahead.
2nd: HOLTOM’s Rivandell Osha
Close up to 1st and as mentioned above, she had better lay of shoulder. High overall level of quality of conformation with elegant outline, firm topline and good flow of underline. Flat, open feet, however. Moved freely in profile holding her shape, but needs more confidence to make the best of herself.
3rd: BATER’s Daxiemoors Flower Girl
Class 1514 LB (7 Entries) Abs: 3
1st: NORTON’s Halunke Tzarina
This beautiful black and tan gave me a real headache today! She caught my eye immediately with her overall outline where her excellent quality of conformation shone through. It was such a close decision between her and the junior bitch and if only she had been able to maintain the free-flowing, sound and ground-covering movement she showed me some of the time, she could have changed places and had the CC. She had the best, true dachshund head in the entire entry, with strong, long muzzle and powerful jaw. Her eyes are the correct shape and size and she has the most appealing, keen, alert expression. Lovely length of neck (sadly also a bit of a rarity in this entry), which flows into textbook shoulders. She has correct forechest, body shape and firm topline. Well angulated hindquarters complete the picture. Sound out and back and when she cooperated, she had free, fluid profile movement, where she held her shape at all times. Hopefully with more training to stop her pulling to one side and breaking her stride, she can go on to bigger and better things! Reserve CC.
2nd: PAIN’s Tolberg Here’s To The Future With Ravensbeech Jw
Smaller, more compact cream who is well constructed throughout. Not quite the shoulder lay of 1st, but is well angulated behind and held her overall shape in profile and was parallel up and back. She has good bone and substance throughout and is totally feminine. Also of high quality.
3rd: MCSORLEY’s Barlaine Golden Honey
Class 1515 OB (7 Entries) Abs: 1
1st: LARKIN’s Ch Darsoms Zparkle
Taller type black and tan who comes into her own on the move. She is compact and well proportioned with an attractive head which she carries proudly in stance and profile movement. Reasonable shoulders, good overall body shape, with firm topline which she maintained at all times. Moves with parallel action up and back and freely in profile. Well presented and handled to get the best from her.
2nd: MCCARTHY’s Ch Nagshall I’m So Dizzy JW
Lengthier cream of quality. Easy to see why she is a Champion as she too, has a high level of quality of conformation which translates into sound movement. As mentioned before, she also has the same good bone and substance throughout as the rest of her kennel-mates. Attractive head with dark eyes, carried proudly on a reasonable length of neck. Firm, level topline held in stance and profile action. Correctly angulated hindquarters with good bend of stifle and short rear pasterns. Parallel up and back action and holds her outline well in profile movement.
3rd: CAREY’s Honeysuckle Scent To Me Via Debbiejay Jw
Class 1516 VB (2 Entries) Abs: 0
1st: MASON’s Ch Tolberg Beez Kneez At Teckeltown
Rich red of quality, with compact, correct proportions. Attractive, feminine head, carried proudly in stance and movement. Good shoulder lay, firm, level topline maintained at all times. Well angulated hindquarters. She strides out freely in profile, with animation and style and is sound up and back. Best Veteran in Breed.
2nd: HOLTOM’s Ralines Cameo At Rivandell
Compact, stouter black and cream, enjoying her time in the ring and moving out sedately with confidence.
Class 1517 SBB (6 Entries) Abs: 0
1st: TUBB’s Westwillow Sweet Pea
Cream with the best overall shape in this class. Good topline and overall body shape with moderate angulation at both ends. Elegant and feminine, but needs more confidence to make the best of herself.
2nd: WALKER’s Lovie Rose
Larger silver dapple of rangier taller type than 1st. Attractive head with good eye shape. Moderately angulated at both ends. Moved freely in profile. Preferred the overall outline of 1st.
3rd: JUDGE’s Erinshore Lady Grace
SUE SEATH (judge)
