Bitches

Thank you for the lovely entry and a big thank you to Anne Davey and Sue Rose for their efficient and unobtrusive stewarding. My co-judge and I were in full agreement on the major awards. Although I was spoiled for choice in most classes I did note a few points of concern. Construction was generally OK, but too many were down on their front pasterns and a few were even knuckling over; this is not acceptable in a hunting hound which has to get over rough terrain before it can come to terms with its quarry. They need their shock absorbers! Good strong muscles and feet were in a minority – many otherwise lovely bitches were in very slack condition and this was reflected in their movement and resulted in lower (or no) placings than might otherwise have been the case. And whatever has happened to ears? I can't recall ever having seen so many heads spoiled by untypical ears and although some might consider this a purely cosmetic fault, I believe that a small properly folded ear is less likely to incur damage when its owner is working.

PB (8, 1 abs) A delightful class. 1 BPB & BPIS, Mansell & Duddell's Canerikie Coco Chanel. Six months curvy wriggly baby, just right for her age. Lovely outline, firm body and plenty of bone. Classic head and expression and promise of a good harsh coat to come. Moved slightly better than 2, Parsons & McKinnon's Claonaiglen Mallie, who is very close in age, and very similar in type and construction, so much the same remarks apply. Very hard to split the two of them and I'm sure they will change places time and again. 3 Helps' Beardswood Octavia, nine months; taller and racier bitch with a lovely head and very keen expression, sweeping lines and excellent movement. Just getting to the teenage stage.

JB (12, 6 abs) 1 Girling's Pyefleet Rokesby. Cracking workmanlike bitch who did her best to throw the class away by mucking about. However, when she consented to co-operate, her movement was excellent. Beautifully put together with lovely raking lines, particularly strong and well-made feet and a keen expression. I liked her very much and seriously considered her for RBB, but she still needs to mature. Her day will undoubtedly come. 2, Jansons' Nixophel Crystal Amethyst, much more mature than 1, but not the length or movement of the winner. However, a very decent bitch, with plenty of heart and lung room. Well handled and presented. 3 Reynolds' Wickwar Wagg, lovely head and expression, as we have come to expect from this kennel, and classic outline. At the in-between stage of development, but coming along nicely.

Sp Beg B (16, 3 abs) 1 Buck's Readwald Cornelia, an old-fashioned type, not too big, but well-balanced and strong for her size. Nice feet. 2 Jansons' Greyflax Lady of the Lake to Nixophel, an elegant bitch with good depth but didn't move as well as winner. 3 Seymour-Jackson's Ghiltan Tiercel. Very nice outline and good length, but rather let down by her front feet.

Sp Yearling B (5, 3 abs) 1 N Crystal Amethyst, who moved better and has a better front than 2 Wilson's Killoeter Lurag for Hamiltonhill, a big strong lassie, but not the length or elegance of Amethyst. She moves out well, but turns a forefoot in stance and needs to tighten up all over.

UB (12, 4) 1 Churchill's Lealla Kentra, lovely long raking lines, quite similar to winner of JB. Moved well and looks every inch the hunter, but still has some maturing to do. Should be a bit special when she's finished. 2 Lowe's Readwald Jet Black, very well named dark close-coated girl. Not the front of my winner, but an honest substantial bitch of good length. 3 Hodgkinson's Intack Flower of Scotland at Glewlwyd, mature bitch out of a smaller mould and none the worse for that. Good ears, unlike most, and a powerful girl who strode out as though she meant it.

PGB (11, 4 abs) 1, BB & BIS, Trotman's Fosses Ramblingrose of Penherald, nicely handled by Mrs Dockree. One I've long admired from the ringside; when I got my hands on her I found a splendid bitch who has pretty much everything I look for in a Deerhound. She's shapely, strong, fit and a really functional hound fit for purpose, combined with the grace and elegance that is the mark of the Deerhound. Again, she's not a big girl, but they don't have to be big to get the job done. This was the hound I would take out on the hill. 2 Reynolds's Wickwar White Lace, taller elegant bitch, also well muscled up. Pretty head and expression and nice feet, but not as mature as 1. 3 Bailey's Greyflax Milly Molly Mandy, just out of junior and giving away a lot in maturity. A classy young lady with lovely length and good feet. A bit reluctant to co-operate on the day, but when she got her act together, her movement was among the best of the day. One for the future.

OB (12, 4 abs) A lovely class – I could have done with more cards and some old favourites went unplaced. 1 & RBB, Williams's Kilbourne Iduna at Inverclyde. Not really my type, but an excellent example of the heavier sort of Deerhound – the more I looked, the more I liked this tall honest mature bitch, who moved out very well on good feet. 2 Guise's Saintvalery Hope, who dared me not to place her. A bit of a madam who is very elegant and was well presented and handled. Winner moved better, but it was close. 3 Guise's Saintvalery Anticipation, sister of 2 and a good old-fashioned sort of a bitch. Not too keen to show herself off today, which cost her a place, but two very nice bitches from this kennel.

VB (5.4 abs) 1 Jarrett's Torffric Jess, what a lovely old girl. Over nine years old, but still in hard fit condition and still looking as though she'd be well up for it. A very decent sound bitch.

Ann (Sid) Taylor