Judge's Critique

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Irish Wolfhound Society Limited Show

Sunday 26th March 2023

 

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Thank you ever so much to the Irish Wolfhound Society for this lovely appointment. For me it is an honour for any judge to be invited to judge a club show, with wolfhounds being very close to my heart. There was a lovely atmosphere around the ring, with plenty of support and encouragement for winners. Thank you to the exhibitors for entering their wonderful hounds and their sporting nature, especially with most having already exhibited in the morning at the Houndshow. Thank you to the stewards for keeping our ring running smoothly.

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Puppy Dog 3 entries, 1absent

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1st Webb & Sheppards's - Killoughery Mission Two for Inkleyboys -  Fawn 9 month old puppy dog, in proportion and showing potential. The naughtiest of expressions but remaining masculine. Dark mask, good shape to his head, lovely dark eyes, and ears with an ok fold. Good neck length to a nice lay of shoulder, straight front with good rib length. Good shape to his rear quarters also. Enthusiastic movement, however once settled looked in profile showing potential.

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2nd Sharratt's - Lynelouper Lynedene Laddie – Dark brindle 11month old boy of great size and stature, although going through his ‘leggy’ phase at the moment, good substance throughout. Pleasant masculine head, nice neck length. Good lay of shoulder providing reach for his straight front. Good shape to his ribs and tuck up. Nice strength of loin, leading to an ok rear. Showed good movement here today, covering the ground well.

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Junior Dog 2 entries, 0 absent

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1st Donaldson & Smallwood Rainster Euan at Kirkarswell – Smart 16month old masculine dog, darker coat and good texture, masculine and in proportion. Liked his head and expression, strong neck of good length. Nice lay of shoulder, and depth of chest. Ribs of good length with a good tuck up. Strong loin and well put together rear quarters. Drove out nicely with width, showing good balance in profile.

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2nd Sharratt Lynelouper Lynedene Laddie – See 2nd in Puppy

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Novice Dog 2 entries, 1absent

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1st & Reserve Best Dog – Pantoja’s Killoughery Rockafella -  Having previously judged this boy when he was younger I was interested to see his development. He has matured and filled out as hoped. Lighter brindle in colour. Excellent substance, with muscle to match and well presented. Masculine head, with pleasing expression ears with an ok fold. Strong neck of good length. Good lay of shoulder providing good reach, super forechest and chest depth, ribs of good length and tuck up to match. Strong loin and strong rear. Moved out well, showing good reach in particular.

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Post Grad Dog 6 entries,2 absent

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1st Killoughery Rockafella – See Novice dog

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2nd Severn Kumar Gaelmarque Quintus – Another dog with good masculine features, good strength and substance throughout. Lighter brindle and good texture to his coat. Lovely dark eye, nice fold to his ear. Good length to his neck, and an ok front assembly, straight front, and good feet. Chest in proportion and of length. Well muscled throughout. Moved well in profile. Will be interested to see him mature.

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Open Dog 1 entry

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Best Dog and BIS - Dawson Hydebeck Dream Tyme of Graefyn -  Fully developed mature dog, he exuded masculinity and ticket a lot of boxes, in particular strength, substance and size. Dark dog, with a handsome head, dark eyes, and a nice fold to his ear. Good strength of neck and of length. Good lay of shoulder, accompanied by a depth of chest, and width. Good length to his ribs, a nice topline. Well constructed rear and low set hocks, with good shape to his feet. Drove out and well and was true. Balanced in profiled with a good stride.

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Puppy Bitch 1 entry, 0 Absent

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1st Stirling’s - Rysheron's American Hope for Clanlily – 6 months and 1 week, and a baby, but full of confidence, taking everything in her stride. Femininity throughout. Dark in colour, with a pleasant expression still with her puppy furnishings. In proportion for her age. Good length of neck, and lay of shoulder. Straight front with a nice shape to her ribs and of good length. Well put together rear. Pretty loose at this moment in time, but covered the ground well with drive.

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Junior Bitch 3 entries, 1 absent

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1st - Wilkinson Rainster Eilex among Hunacres – Fawn/Brindle 16month old bitch of bitch of good size and proportions, good substance throughout and a harsh coat upon inspection. Gentle expression with her furnishings changing. Dark eye and good ear set, and a good shape to her skull. Long strong neck, leading to a nice lay of shoulder. Straight front and good feet. Well ribbed, a good shape with a nice tuck up. Nicely made rear, low hocks, muscle coming on. Once settled could see good movement.

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2nd Crosse. Rainster Evie – Darker brindle bitch of bitch of equal size and proportions, with a nice coat. Feminine expression, a nice dark eye and super ears to compliment. Good substance for her size. Good strength to her neck to a well made straight front. Suitable chest depth and ribs of good length. Well muscled throughout. Good width throughout, and covered the ground well in profile. Think a different venue may have seen a different dog on the move.

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Novice Bitch 2 entries,  1 absent

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1st Catlow Hydebeck Ring of Roses – Fawn bitch, 20months. Making that transition from Junior to adult, so still a touch rangey but well put together none the less. Nice head of good proportions, with a  good fold of ear. Nice neck length and shoulder, straight front and good feet. Good width of chest, Good ribbing and of good length, nice topline also. Well made rear, and drove well.

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Post Grad Bitch 1 entry, 0 absent

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1st & Reserve Best Bitch – Catlow’s Hydebeck Dream of Lorelei at Laoiseach – Striking bitch light fawn in colour. In proportion. Of good height, length, and pleasant overall outline. Nice head of good shape, dark eye and a good ear. Super neck length, strong, and leading to well made front assembly. Good substance to her throughout. Straight front, with good feet. Good shape her ribs, nice and deep, and good length. Good topline and underline. Well made rear assembly with good muscle. Covered the ground well on the move. Really pushed hard for top honours today. 

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Limit Bitch 2 entries, 0 absent

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1st Stirling Clanlily Diamond Dust – Upstanding and shapely bitch, grey with lighter grey furnishings. Of good height, with lovely head and expression, excellent ears. Good strong neck leading a nice lay of shoulder. Straight front and well shaped feet. Good width to chest, nice shape to her ribs, and of good length. Super tuck up and topline, strong loin. Nicely put together rear quarters with good bend of stifle. Moved out with width and with an active profile movement.

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2nd Cramphorn Yelxba Bonnie – Dark bitch of good substance. Upon inspection she had a soft expression, and an ok ear set. Strong Neck, leading to an ok shoulder. Nice depth of chest. Good shape to her rear quarters. Not sure she was totally comfortable with the venue.

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Open Bitch 2 entries, 1absent

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1st Best Bitch Reserve Best in Show Redferns' Rainster Tatiana.  2 year old light brindle bitch of good size and substance, again what I was looking for. Super head of nice proportions, dark and good ear shape and set. Strong neck, leading to a well made and muscled front. Straight front and good feet. Deep chested, nice and wide giving plenty of heart room. Well shaped ribs and of good length. Good tuck up, and a nice arch to her loin. Strong rear quarters, nice bend of stifle, and low hocks. Drove out with good width and true. Balanced in profile, easy movement showing good reach and drive.

 

Alex Paisey

 

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