Judge: Diane Redfern (Rainster)

 

Thank you to the Irish Wolfhound Society for inviting me to judge at their 30th Championship Show, it was a real privilege as it was my first appointment awarding Challenge Certificates and what a great time I had. 

 

Thank you to all exhibitors for such a wonderful entry of quality dogs and for accepting my decisions sportingly, I am sure a lot of places will change on another day.   Thanks also to my three wonderful stewards, Peter Williams, Chippy McLeod and Anthony Murray for keeping the ring running smoothly, thank you also to the committee who worked hard and made my day so enjoyable.  Lots of people commented after the show how they had enjoyed the day and what a good atmosphere there was, well done the Society Committee.

 

Areas of the floor in the hall were slippery and some dogs were unsettled by this, unfortunately this affected their movement.

Temperaments in the ring were good just one or two youngsters were a little shy.  Dentition in some of the younger hounds was incorrect but this might improve as they grow.  There were quite a few with lower canine teeth tight on the upper jaw line and one into the upper jaw. Quite a few hounds carried their tails high when on the move which is a problem in the breed at the moment this can spoil the outline of the dog.  I was very pleased with my class winners all were high quality hounds especially my main winners.

 

 

Dog Classes

 

 

Minor Puppy Dog – (4 entered 0 Abs)

 

1st.  Miss A. Mason; Oppio Della Bassa Pavese

A tall, 8 months, grey brindle.  Plenty of bone.  Very nice head with kind expression, plenty of furnishings, correct ears, long neck, good forechest and length of upper arm, elbows well tucked under. Good width all through.  Nice topline and shape to underline good hindquarters.  Moved well.  He has a good long tail it does tend to curl when moving but still a nice puppy.

 

2nd.  Mrs S. J. Dawson; Austonleys Dick Dastardly Of Shalico

7  months, grey brindle.  Another nice puppy with lovely head, dark pigment and neat ears. Strong neck into good shoulder. Deep chest and good length to ribcage. He has a nice length of back but a bit bum high at the moment. Hopefully he will have more hind angulation when his topline settles. He has good bone, and tight feet. Steady mover.

 

3rd.  Ms K. Gregory; Barrassy Shooting Star At Killoughery

 

Puppy Dog   (3 entries, 1 Abs)

 

1st .  Miss A. Mason; Oppio della Bassa Pavese

 

2nd.  Mrs S. J. Dawson; Austonleys Dick Dastardly Of Shalico

 

Junior Dog (9 entries 2 Abs)

 

1st.  Misses & Mr S. A. & C. & L. J. Surrell, Coleman & Simmons; Lonnkyle Pilgrim At Bokra (Imp Can)

This dog took my eye as soon as he walked into the ring. Has a masculine head with kind expression, good length to muzzle, correct teeth, rose ears. Strong neck into good shoulder, has good width and depth to chest, deep well sprung rib cage, correct length of loin.  Flowing top and underline into strong broad hind quarters.  Nice tight feet, coarse shiny coat.  Has plenty of muscle, which showed in his movement, as steady as a rock.  He has a lovely temperament and never stopped wagging his tail as I went over him although he does fly it on the move, hope it settles as he matures. RDCC

 

2nd.  Mr & Ms K. & M. Evans-Jones & Halsall; Valheru Magnus Maximus

A taller dog than 1. Strong masculine head with kind eye, ears a bit flat. Strong neck, well laid shoulder, good width to forechest, long ribcage, good underline, his topline needs to settle as he is a bit bum high. He has good width to his hindquarters but would prefer more hind angulation. Good bone, tight feet, plenty of muscle all through, moved ok.

 

3rd. Mr & Mrs A. Dunwell; Goldswift Spartan’s Secret

 

Yearling Dog (6 entries 0 Abs)

 

1st.  Mrs P. A. Pask; Napoleone Della Bassa Pavese

A very tall dog, nice head with plenty of furnishings, good ears, strong long neck, another with good shoulders, plenty of forechest. He is well balanced in height to length of body with nice sweeping lines. His movement was a bit loose coming and going but in profile he has plenty of extension fore and aft. I know he had a busy few days so perhaps he was a little tired today.

 

2nd.  Mr & Mrs J. Plachinski; Austonley’s Cantona Ooh Ahh

(Also 4th in Junior dog). A smaller dog than 1 but of nice proportions. Nice head with kind expression, good ears, plenty of furnishings.  Long strong neck into good shoulder, good length to upper arm, has plenty of forechest and deep ribcage. Nice underline, rise over the loin a little too far forward. I would prefer more hind angulation but having said that he moves out well.

 

3rd.  Ms C. Stirling; Clanily Buscuaill Of Cuinn

I would just like to mention the young lady who handled this tall strong dog, she was so kind and gentle with him and did such a good job, hope she carries on showing we need some young handlers. Well done.

 

Beginners Dog  0 entries

 

Novice Dog (5 entries 1 Abs)

 

1st.  Mrs & Mrs K. & E. Johnson & Bogart; Mascott’s Story Teller

(Also VHC in Junior Dog). Nice head with soft expression, lots of furnishings. Strong neck, good shoulders and topline. Good depth and width of chest, elbows well tucked under, deep, well sprung ribcage. Strong hindquarters with good width and angulation. Correct coarse coat and tight well arched feet. Moved with a free and easy action.

 

2nd.  Mr & Mrs D. & S. McClure; Clanlily Prince Among Men

(Also 4th in Yearling Dog). A taller, longer cast dog than 1.  Has a nice head, strong long neck, preferred the front of 1.  Straight in upper arm and tended to knuckle over slightly.  A bit flat in topline but has good underline.  Has good angulation to hindquarters which are well muscled. Moved ok.

 

3rd.  Mr J. Harris; Hazziane Big Jake

 

Post Graduate Dog (4 entries 2Abs)

 

1st.  Mrs S. J. Dawson; Stonestorm Apache Dream Of Shalico

Another tall dog with plenty of bone. Head a bit broad in skull but has a kind eye, would prefer a smaller ear, very good set of teeth. Strong neck into decent shoulder, excellent front, deep chest, good length of upper arm.  He has a well sprung ribcage well tucked up. Good topline, strong hindquarters, would prefer more hind angulation to give more extension in hind movement. Correct croup and long tail.  He has a lovely temperament.

 

2nd.  Mr & Ms A. & P. Walsh & McGonagle; Bonaforte’s Amadeus

Nice head and expression, excellent dark pigment, ears OK. Would prefer longer neck, shoulders ok, not the front of 1. Well angulated hind quarters, nice overall shape. Moved well.

 

Limit Dog (10 entries 2 Abs)

 

1st.  Mrs D. Treadwell; Glengail Ggilmour At Floydian

Good sized dog of nice proportions. Masculine houndy head, correct dentition, ears ok. Strong neck flows well into correct shoulder, plenty of forechest, deep chest good length to ribcage. Good width across hindquarter which are well angulated. Feet rather flat but moved out very well with excellent extension fore and aft. A very nice young dog.

 

2nd.  Dr & Miss P. P. & S. Das Purkayastha; Ravensbeech Romanus Among Neckrebagh

A lovely head with soft expression, excellent rose ears. Strong powerful neck, excellent front, deep chest. Good harsh coat in lovely condition.  Good bone, tight feet. Moved out very well with long powerful stride.  Would like a longer leg length to make a more balanced picture and perhaps shed a few pounds. Another nice dog.

 

3rd. Mrs M. L. Severn-Kumar; Gaelmarque Melton Say

 

Open Dog (9 entries 1 Abs)

 

1st.  Mr & Mrs C. Amoo; Ch. Sade Tyrion

A very handsome stallion hound of nearly 4yrs and looking very mature.   Excellent head, soft expression, correct teeth. Long strong neck flows into correct shoulder placement and topline, broad hindquarters, long tail carried well.   Broad deep chest, everything in the right place on this dog, has wonderful muscle tone. Moving he never put a foot wrong and just powered round the ring.  Very pleased to award him (my first) DCC & BIS.

 

2nd.  Miss J. Timmins; Ch. Cornovi Keats

Another handsome stallion hound, 5 1/2yrs and still looking good. Moves well but not the extension of 1. Lovely head and expression, strong neck good shoulder, excellent front and plenty of depth to rib cage. Flowing top and underline, strong well angulated hindquarters. In full coat. Another with lovely temperament.

 

3rd.  Mrs D. Tebbutt; Ch. Caredig Caradog

 

Veteran Dog (2 entries 0 Abs)

Always nice to see veterans, unfortunately one took a tumble on the slippery floor which understandably did upset him.

 

1st.  Ms C. Stirling; Ch. Clanlily Baron Of The Glen

7ys 4 months grey brindle and still looking very good. He has a lovely head, strong neck and can still hold his topline on the move.  Strong hindquarters, correct croup, carries his tail well. He still moves soundly with good long stride, he is a pleasure to watch. Pleased to award him BV

 

2nd. Ms J. Timmins; Ballyphelan Panther

8yrs 4 months black with lovely shiny coarse coat.  A different type to 1, not as heavy in build and more houndy. He has a good topline and hindquarters with plenty of angulation. Good croup and carries his tail correctly. It is a shame he slipped as he was then very unsure of the floor surface and didn’t want to move, understandably, but another lovely veteran. Both a credit to their owners.

 

 

Bitch Classes

 

Minor Puppy Bitch (8 entries 1 Abs)

What a lovely class, of puppies, I am sure placing will change on another day.

 

1st.  Mr & Mrs J. & P. Sumner; Ballyphelan Anna Lisa

A striking puppy just 6 months, dark brindle. Lovely bone, very pretty head with the best rose ears. Very well balanced, long neck, excellent front, has good bone and tight feet. Strong well angulated hindquarters, lovely long tail. Moved out very well for one so young. One I could have taken home. BP

 

2nd.  Mrs A. Fox; Nebraska Ionmhain Norman At Newdigate (Imp Fra)

8 months, dark brindle. Another very nice puppy with good bone.  Nice head soft expression, has dark pigment, correct teeth.  Strong neck, good shoulder and front, good length to upper arm, elbows well set under. Topline a bit bum high at the moment but I am sure this will settle as she grows. Moved well.

 

3rd.  Mrs & Mrs K. & J. Goodall & Howe; Femke’s Footsteps GlenMorangie (Imp)

 

Puppy Bitch (2 Entries 2 Abs)

 

Junior Bitch (13 Entries 1 Abs)

What a class with so many lovely bitches.

 

1st.  Mrs D. Tebbutt; Caredig Angelina

13 months, light grey brindle. A very powerful bitch of lovely type. Houndy head, long muzzle, tight rose ears. Strong powerful neck, correct shoulders. Deep chest, good length to upper arm, excellent rib cage, flowing underline. Excellent topline with correct arch over the loin, broad strong hindquarters, plenty of angulation, which shows in her effortless powerful movement, really striding out. Correct tail carriage. Only a youngster but has plenty going for her, will watch her with interest. BCC & RBIS

 

2nd.  Misses & Mr S. A. & C. & L. J. Surrell, Coleman & Simmons; Lonnkyle Penance At Bokra (Imp Can)

18 months, dark brindle. Sister to my RDCC. Another lovely bitch from this class, shorter coupled than 1 but she is a super type. Typical head with softest expression, correct rose ears.  Good breadth and depth of chest, strong neck, flowing top and underlines.  Good breadth to hindquarters, broad across the thigh with good angulation. Good croup, tail carried well. Another moving effortlessly round the ring. RBCC .

 

3rd.  Mr & Ms K. & M. Evans-Jones & Halsall; Valheru Rayna

 

Yearling Bitch (7 Entries 1 Abs)

 

1st.  Ms C. Stirling; Clanlily Wishing On A Star

A tall bitch, long legs, good bone and tight well arched feet. Feminine head with soft expression. Strong long neck, good shoulder placement, long upper arm. Nice sweeping underline well ribbed back. Good topline with correct arch over loin and croup, tail carried well. Good sweep to hindquarters, which is shown in her long striding movement.

 

2nd.  Mr D. Malone; Barachois Mellow Yellow

A pretty bitch with nice head, lovely soft expression, good ears.  Preferred neck and front of 1. A smaller bitch but has enough depth of chest, shorter in ribcage than 1. Topline OK, has good tail set with nice long tail. Good hindquarters, moved well.

 

3rd.  Ms K. Gregory; Madalinca Spring Joy of Killoughery 

 

 

Beginners Bitch  No entries

 

Novice Bitch (5 Entries 3 Abs)

 

1st.  Mrs J. Say; Caredig Alis

13 months, light grey brindle. Sister to BCC winner.  Very houndy bitch of lovely type. Good head, ears a bit flat. Strong neck, front ok. Has good length of upper arm. Deep ribcage of good length. Good width to hindquarters, would prefer more hind angulation to give more extension in profile but very good coming and going. Good coat texture.

 

2nd.  Mr D. Malone; Barachois Mellow Yellow

(2nd in Yearling Bitch).

 

Post Graduate Bitch (9 Entries 6 Abs)

 

1st.  Ms C. Stirling; Clanlily Million Dollar Gem

Another nice type, standing on long legs. Nice head, ears OK. Long neck, flowing topline, good croup and tail set. Good length to well sprung ribcage. Good hindquarters and good width to thigh, good angulation.  Plenty of muscle. Moved very well.

 

2nd.  Mrs D. Treadwell; Glengail Ggeraldine At Floydian

A smaller bitch but very well put together. A very nice head with soft expression, preferred the ears of 1. Longer in loin than 1 but has strong hindquarters which she used well on the move. Moved with free and easy action.

 

3rd.  Ms C. L. Pinkney; Hydebeck Ruler of the Stars

 

Limit Bitch (12 Entries 5 Abs)

A lovely class of quality bitches

 

1st.  Mr & Mrs C. Amoo; Sade Arya

A typical head, kind expression, excellent teeth. Plenty of forechest, good depth of chest and well sprung ribcage. Flowing top and underline. Good width to hindquarters, tail set correctly and carried well. Moved round the ring with free easy action.

 

2nd. Mrs D. Tebbutt; Brachan Dolig Wen Caredig

A bitch of similar type.  Pretty head, soft expression, neat ears.  Good forechest and depth of ribcage.  Powerful hindquarters with plenty of angulation. Correct tight feet. Well muscled girl with good width all through.  Moved with ease and drive.

 

3rd. Mrs R. Cramphorn; Yelxba Victoria ShCM

 

Open Bitch (8 Entries 2 Abs)

A lovely class of quality bitches to go over.

 

1st.  Mr & Mrs C. Amoo; Ch. Sade Prudence

A beautiful hound, super head. Good width all through, deep chest, good upper arm, elbows well tucked under.  Strong topline held on the move. Movement true both ways and a picture in profile. She holds herself so well as she moves round the ring, head held high. Lovely bitch.

2nd.  Ms C. L. Pinkney; Ch. Hydebeck Imperial Dream JW

Lovely feminine head, beautiful ears. Strong neck, good front, deep chest. Shorter in leg than 1. Well sprung ribcage, correct rise over the loin. Strong well angulated hindquarters. A strong well made bitch to go over. Moves with free easy action.

 

3rd.  Dr & Mrs C. & C. Sheppard; Conmeryl Miss Scarlet For Goldswift

 

Veteran Bitch (8 Entrie 5 Abs)

Three lovely veterans a pleasure to go over them.

 

1st.  Ms C. Stirling; Clanlily Sky Of Diamonds

Nearly 7yrs 6 months, grey brindle. Moving very well, she doesn’t have the top and underline of her brother who was BV. Moved very well for her young handler.  The owner / breeder should be very proud to have two lovely hounds winning 1st place in their respective veteran classes.

 

2nd.  Mr & Mrs N. Lewin; Ice Cream vd Oelmuhle With Heliodor

8yrs 3 months, red wheaten. Smaller type than the winner. Just showing her age as her topline is dipping a little now. Still moved ok, a very sweet girl. Well done.

 

3rd.  Ms K. Gregory; Killoughery Eineen

7yrs 2 months, red brindle. A lovely girl but I don’t think she really wanted to be here today, mum did get her round the ring.  Well done.

 

Brace (6 entries 3 Abs)

 

1st.  Tebbutt’s Brace D;   A very well matched pair, father and daughter.

2nd.  Treadwell’s Brace F

3rd.  Gregory’s Brace A

 

Diane Redfern