It was an absolute honour and experience to judge such a wonderful collection of deerhounds. My thanks to everyone who entered and showed their hounds on the day, also to my stewards for their efficiency, organisation and making a long day such a pleasure to be part of.

The overall quality was very high and in a number of classes quite a few quality hounds went unplaced because of the strength of the entry, on another day, at another show they are quite capable of turning the tables. Type overall was good and heads were on the whole correct although a few, mainly bitches, had strong, almost masculine heads with too broad skulls and shorter than acceptable muzzles, this is not correct for a deerhound as the bitches should look feminine or even “pretty”.

Movement on the whole was excellent although a small number were nervous or didn’t like the atmosphere, and a few hounds were carrying some extra pounds which affected their top-line, maybe this was just a result of the bad weather and limited exercise, but these are running hounds after all.

Feet were generally well shaped and nicely tight but I was surprised to find a couple of hound verging on knuckling over which badly detracts from their balance and front movement. I was disappointed to see that a few hounds had almost flat feet, this is incorrect and ungainly when you see a hound coming towards you. It may be from lack of roadwork or incorrect exercising or kennel conditions during puppyhood but is not acceptable in the show ring and is not correct in the breed.

All that said, I am delighted to see that the overall, general state of the breed remains good and true to the standard and type that has been around for centuries.

VETERAN DOG Entries: 7 Absentees: 0

1st MR K & MISS Z OWEN & BRODIE - TERICHLINE WINDRUSH AT REGALFLIGHT, 8 year old in good condition, nice head, pleasing expression, strong neck, correct shoulder placement, strong quarters, moved well with purpose.
2nd MISS S L & MRS A FINNETT & HARRINGTON  -  CH HYNDSIGHT WIND OF CHANGE
8 year old, showing well, nice dark eye, ears correct and carried well, correct front, good spring of rib, less bend of stifle than 1 but moved easily around the ring.
3rd MRS C GERMAIN  -  CH AGHNADARRAGH EARRACH 7 year old, masculine head, good shoulders, feet nicely knuckled, balanced body but top line flattened slightly on the move, strong quarters with good length hip to hock

SPECIAL PUPPY DOG Entries: 6 Absentees: 0

1st MR G & MRS V MEER  -  KILBOURNE HARVEY AT LORDSWELL, 12 month old, pleasing head, dark eye, ears carried well, good depth of chest, correct top line which remained on the move, nice fall away to well set quarters, tail well set, moved well.

2nd MR M J & MRS G M PEACH  -  KILBOURNE HAMLET, another 12 month old, masculine head with slightly aquiline nose, good bone, correct shoulder construction and placement, not quite the depth of 1 but plenty of time to grow on, flattened top line a little on the move but covered ground easily.

3rd MRS L & MISS N SPENCE & HEATHCOTE - HYNDSIGHT RIDDICK, 9 month old, promising youngster, taller than 1 and 2 but still well balanced throughout, needs time to grow into himself, good feet, a little straight behind.

SPEC JUNIOR DOG Entries: 2 Absentees: 1

1st MR & MRS DRAPER  -  STAG RANGER AT MENEGHY, 14 month old, masculine hound of good size, pleasing head, ears a little on the big side, correct front construction, well knuckled feet, good depth, needs to be more relaxed to improve top line and give better balance, once he finally settled he moved nicely.

YEARLING DOG Entries: 5 Absentees: 1

1st DR C & DR E CARTMELL - CUSIDH RIGH INNSE GALL, 18 month old, dark eye in a masculine head, ears could be smaller, correct coat, good slope of shoulder into a well muscled body, good arch of loin, strong, well muscled quarters all worked together to give strong sound movement.

2nd MRS J HONEYBALL - WOLFSCASTLE IDOLE FOR HONEYTAIL, 2 year old well grown youngster, pleasing head and expression, ears carried well, tight feet, strong pasterns, good depth with a nice spring of rib, correct top line, not as well muscled as 1, moved well in front but a little weak behind.

3rd MR & MS GERMAIN - AGHNADARRAGH HINNEY, 18 month old, nice youngster with a lovely head, good feet, nice deep chest, well arched loin, strong quarters, moved well front and rear.

Class POST GRADUATE DOG Entries: 12 Absentees: 1

1st MRS S J TAYLOR - KILBOURNE JAMES DENE TO ORMANSTAR, well grown hound, pleasing head which he carried well on the move, neat ears, strong neck set into good, well sloped shoulders, correct bone, tight feet, balanced body with nice top line and strong quarters, moved soundly with drive.

2nd MRS S ROSE - GENTIEHUN TAIN, smaller type than 1 but full of quality, correct head and expression with nice furnishings, strong, well arched neck, great depth of brisket, good coat length and condition, correct top line, strong, well muscled quarters and low set hocks, moved soundly fore and aft but needs a little more drive.

3rd MRS M M FOY - GLENFOYBLE IN THE GLOAMING, a nice honest hound, good construction throughout, masculine head, dark eye, good feet, well muscled body and quarters with nice low hocks, moved with drive challenged hard for 2nd place

LIMIT DOG Entries: 19 Absentees: 2

1st MISS & MRS ADAMS & VAN ZANTEN BOOMGARD  -  CSCARF O'COCKAIGNE (IMP), impressive hound with good presence, masculine head, well muscled neck, good forefront, feet tight, good depth of brisket, strong, well muscled quarters and low hocks, thick, coat harsh and of correct length, well set tail, moved with purpose and drive covering the ground well.

2nd MS K BARRET - STRANWITH EBENEZER, slightly smaller than 1 but pushed hard for top spot. Typical head and dark eye combined for a pleasing expression, correct front construction with good bone, neat feet, good depth, well muscled and strong quarters, another with good, free, strong movement.

3rd MISS M J GIRLING - PYEFLEET ROLLO, another hound of good quality, well balanced honest hound, without exaggeration, masculine head, ears could be carried slightly better, correct bone, deep chest, well arched loin, top line carried well on the move, moved correctly and with drive,

Class OPEN DOG Entries: 11 Absentees: 3

1st MRS H B & DR S A F HELPS  -  CH GREYFRIARS GILLE OF BEARDSWOOD, well balanced hound, dark eye in a typical masculine head, strong, well arched neck, good fore-chest, well boned front, well knuckled feet, excellent depth and spring of rib, nicely arched loin into strong well muscled quarters, good bend of stifle, hocks could be a little lower, but moved freely and easily with head carried well DCC

2nd MR T & MRS J & MR D J RHODES & MORTON  -  CH GENTOM PEACEMAKER, another super hound who pushed 1 very hard, lovely head and expression, ears carried well, strong well constructed front, feet tight, good depth of brisket, well sprung ribs, well coated, correct top line, good bend of stifle and low set hocks, well muscled quarters, moved nicely covering ground easily. RDCC
3rd MRS C Y VAN ZANTEN-BOOMGAARD  -  CALHOUN O'COCKAIGNE, nice hound with promise, well boned, good body, correct top line, strong wide quarters and low hocks, moved well but needs time to finish off

GOOD CITIZEN DOG Entries: 4 Absentees: 1

1st MRS L B SEYMOUR-JACKSON  -  GHILTAN HERO, 3 year old, good depth of chest, good bone, front feet a little flat, strong quarters, well set thick tail, moved well.

2nd MS R V & MR C J LUCAS & DARGONNE  -  PACKWAY ACONCAGUA, rangier type than 1, nice head and a dark eye, well boned, good length of rib cage, strong quarters, moved freely.

3rd MRS J & MS J GILHOOLY & MORRISSEY - LORD SEAFIELD OF HARTVALLEY, nicely balanced proportions but a trifle overweight, good depth, neat feet, strong quarters but top line flattened on the move.

VETERAN BITCH Entries: 8 Absentees: 2

1st MR G & MRS N B BAILEY  -  CH GREYFLAX GUINEVERE, 7 year old compact bitch of great presence, lovely head, strong neck, good front, great depth of brisket, correct texture and length of coat, strong, well muscled quarters, nice low set hocks, a little overweight but moved really well with correct action.

2nd MRS E SHANNON  -  LEALLA JOKA, another 7 year old, pleasing and typical head and expression, good shoulders and bone, tight feet, good spring of rib, wide, well muscled quarters combined for a strong, free, correct movement.

3rd MS R V & MR C J LUCAS & DARGONNE  -  SORISDALE MACKECHNIE FOR PACKWAY, 8 year old of slightly finer type than 1 and 2 but still typical, feminine head and expression, strong neck, well laid shoulders, good top line, well muscled quarters, moved strongly.

SPEC PUPPY BITCH Entries: 7 Absentees: 0
1st MR B & MRS J M MANSELL & DUDDELL - KILLOETER PIERIS AT CANERIKIE, 12 month old eye catching pup, lovely head with a soft expression, nice dark eye, excellent front with nice feet, good depth for such a youngster and a nicely arched loin, good harsh coat, lovely bend of stifle and adequate muscle for a youngster, moved well to win the class and BP

2nd MR & MRS J BUSWELL  -  GLENMORLICH JUST FOR FUN, 10 month old, pretty bitch of good quality, lovely feminine head, correct shoulder and front construction, nice depth of brisket, correct coat, top line a little too arched today, good, wide quarters, good bend of stifle and low hocks, moved nicely and pushed 1.

3rd MR N & MRS J MARTYN  -  BIRKHALL ROSEMARY, 13 month old of nice type, pleasant head but ears a little large, good front, tight feet, good bone, ribs well sprung, wide, well angled quarters, moved correctly front and rear but flattened top line on the move.

SPEC JUNIOR BITCH Entries: 7 Absentees: 0

1st DR & MRS R G SMITH  -  ROSSLYN POLLIE, 17 month old promising youngster, very feminine head, lovely dark eye, strong neck, correct fore-chest, good bone, tight feet, correct depth of brisket and good length of ribcage gave a well balanced look and a top line which she held on the move, strong, well set quarters, moved freely, easily with purpose.

2nd MR R GILLIE  -  DORRATOR SONG FOR DRELLA, 16 month old, nice head, dark eye, ears carried well, good shoulder placement with correct bone, strong pasterns, good depth with nicely arched loin, strong, well muscled quarters, well set tail, moved strongly and pushed 1 hard.

3rd RS A & MRS S E CHRISTIAN & BARTER  -  EHLARADAWN KALSERU, 14 month old, nice shapely outline, pleasing head, good condition, moved well fore and aft.

YEARLING BITCH Entries: 7 Absentees: 0

1st MISS A & MR G J FOOTE & CROSSAN - CUSIDH CAOL MUILE, 18 month old with super quality and great ring presence, typical, correct, head and expression, nicely arched neck, well angled shoulders, good feet, strong pasterns, deep and well sprung rib cage leading into nicely arched loin, wide, well muscled quarters and a free strong movement.

2nd MR & MRS DRAPER  -  BRADLEYABBI SHAMO AT MENEGHY, 17 month old, more compact than 1 but well within standard, pretty head, dark eye, well constructed front, correct feet, strong, deep chest, correct texture and length of coat, powerful quarters with good width combined for correct strong movement, covering the ground easily. Promising youngster, challenged 1 hard.

3rd MRS C WILSON  -  HAMILTONHILL ONE VISION, 19 month old, slower maturer than 1 and 2 but a nice bitch, pretty little head with a faraway look, well constructed throughout, just needs a bit longer to grow on and finish, moved well.

POST GRADUATE BITCH Entries: 14 Absentees: 1

1st MR A K & MRS V LEWIS - WOLFSCASTLE ERLID TO LUCKHURST, 2 year old, compact bitch, feminine head, dark eye, good bone, correct feet, good depth, correct coat, strong quarters, moved well.

2nd MISS S L & MRS A FINNETT & HARRINGTON  -  KILBOURNE LEVANTO WITH HYNDSIGHT 2 year old, finer type than 1 with lovely flowing lines, good feet, correct top line which she kept throughout, super bend of stifle and low hocks, moved freely but needs a bit longer to mature and body up.

3rd MS S & MR T A PARSONS & MCKINNON  -  CLAONAIGLEN MALLIE, 3 year old, typey, feminine bitch of nice overall quality and balance, feminine head, neat ears carried well, well arched neck, neat feet, compact, well muscled body in good running condition, moved well and nicely handled.

LIMIT BITCH Entries: 17 Absentees: 2

1st MRS S L REYNOLDS - WICKWAR WHITE LACE, 5 year old, beautiful head with aquiline nose, dark eye, ears carried well, correct fore-chest and shoulder placement, good bone, tight feet, excellent depth with good spring of rib, well arched loin, strong quarters, good bend of stifle and an easy flowing movement, challenged strongly for top honour, RBCC

2nd MRS A TAYLOR  -  LYART YEA VERILY, 4 year old in super condition, pretty head with a beautiful expression, neat ears, well carried, well muscled and arched neck into correct shoulders and front, feet good, powerful body, nicely arched loin, hard, muscled quarters and correct tail set and carriage, one of the soundest dogs on the day.

3rd MRS H B & DR S A F HELPS  -  BEARDSWOOD OCTAVIA, 3 year old, another very good hound in a strong class, pleasing head with nice dark eye, strong neck, well angled shoulders, good bone, excellent spring of rib, strong quarters, well muscled and a strong tail, moved correctly for and aft but flattened top line a little.

OPEN BITCH Entries: 9 Absentees: 1

1st DR C & DR E CARTMELL  -  DRAWING DOWN THE MOON TO CUSIDH,

5 year old, mature bitch, beautiful, honest hound with no exaggeration, super feminine a lovely soft expression, good furnishings, correct, well constructed front with good bone, strong pasterns and nice feet, deep brisket with good ribcage length and adequate arch of loin, well muscled quarters with good bend of stifle, top line correct and carried well during a strong, controlled ground covering movement, shown to best advantage BCC & BOB Delighted to hear afterwards that this win gained her crown.

2nd MISS N FINNETT & HEATHCOTE - CH HYNDSIGHT A BOX OF DREAMS, 4 year old, striking dark bitch of good quality, pleasing head and expression dark eye, nice furnishings, strong neck and nice shoulder placement, good bone, tight feet, good depth and spring of rib, well arched loin, good, harsh coat of good length, strong quarters with good width and bend of stifle delivered good movement covering a lot of ground.

3rd MR K & MISS Z OWEN & BRODIE - CH MARANDIKE EBONYS CHOICE TO WOLFSCASTLE, 3 year old of nice type, nice head, ears well carried, good bone and correct feet, nicely balanced hound, harder condition would give a little more arch of loin, strong, well set quarters, moved well but flattened her top-line a little.

GOOD CITIZEN BITCH Entries: 4 Absentees: 0

1st MR D A & MRS J C GILHOOLY  -  FREYJA AT NOBYS, 2 year old, shapely bitch, well constructed with good bone and balance, feet could be tighter, strong quarters with good bend of stifle, moved well but needs a little more condition to improve drive.

2nd  MRS E SHANNON  -  LEALLA JOKA

3rd   MS R V & MR C J LUCAS & DARGONNE  -  SORISDALE MACKECHNIE FOR PACKWAY

David Murray