Click to return to Home Page

Richmond Championship Show 2023 Critique

Interesting entry for me, as I haven’t judged the breed for 5 years. Very impressed with all the hindquarters shown today, they were drooping, broad and powerful, hips set wide apart, well bent stifles, neat hocks and good flat bone. Fronts were a bit hit and miss, and many coats sadly in need of stripping out and growing in new hair. Some looked like they had been dragged through a hedge backwards and were “ragged not rugged”. For the Deerhound clubs points I had 4 in for best head and expression, three were Packway breeding I saw, so well done to them, sorry I gave the number of the winner to the sec, which I think was second in yearling, best type was the BOB bitch, and best of the RCC winners was the male.

MPD (1 )

1st: SANDELLS, Packway Blue Moon B Puppy Handsome and well grown with super bone. Really promising outline , super head and he was one of my 4 in to decide for best head and expression after judging. He has correct length to his muzzle which is strong and powerful, neat small ears, reasonable front although he was throwing his legs about at times moving.. as puppies can do. Excellent body coming on, neat behind too. Sired by the RCC winner I see.

YD (2 )

1st: CUMMINGS, Claonaiglen Artney A good masculine boy, with a long loping stride. Maybe could do with a stronger foreface, but backskull Ok. Rather too straight in shoulders, well boned, good rear and moved nicely in rear and profile. Coat a bit in-between.

LD (4 )

1st: HEATHCOTE, & FINNETT Hyndsight Talk On The Street RCC Really well made hunting type, Would prefer darker eyes for better expression. Excellent neck, OK in front, Powerful rear and lovely to feel the muscle in quarters. Stands on good legs and has tidy feet. Overall a good quality Deerhound

2nd: SHANNON's Packway Downlander at Erewhon Thin as a rake, so looks and feels somewhat weak. Heard from his handler he had been pining for in season bitches! A good type & he kept his curvy topline moving. Maybe a trifle long in loin. Another “Packway” in for the best head award.

3rd: WILCE QUINTONs Kirjojax Harris

OD (2 )

1st: HEATHCOTE, & FINNETT Ch Hyndsight Sinnerman CC Scruffy and looks in need of his coat stripping out and a good brush, but I could not get away from his construction and sound, free active movement, and strong muscular frame. So forgiving his presentation I went for a workmanlike hound, who looked able to do his job.

2nd: TAYLORs Ch Ormanstar Dark Shadow Elegant and coat in immaculate condition which I appreciated. Front not as good as winner and he was throwing out his right front leg on the move. I did admire his presentation and general outlook, but not up to winner for movement.

MPB (1)

1st: LUCAS, & DARGONNE, Packway the Enigma sister to the dog puppy and also in for best head award, Most lovely head, eyes and that soft expression so typical of the best. Her neck joins her back a touch abruptly, but her front is promising although throwing it about moving. Lovely outline, hard topline, good sound rear and she goes well going away… promising.

PB (1)

1st: HEATHCOTE, & FINNETT Hyndsight Wicked Game Another nice baby, Not used to the ring yet and a bit overawed with the proceedings. Good shoulder and depth for age. Correct topline & sweep into quarters. Low set on of tail. Excellent coat, very feminine, and such a promising baby. She will get over her nerves in the ring I’m sure.

YB (3 )

1st: KILGARs, Claonaiglen Tilt Maelstrom RCC Could be more feminine, but as I was looking for a working type I thought she fitted the bill better than most of the bitches. Easy active mover, good legs and tidy feet. She is a touch thin maybe and coat could do with sorting out.

2nd: EDWARDS, Quantistico Lucia To Kilbourne She is more feminine than winner and has a beautiful head, but very reluctant moving and she was fighting the very tight lead. Elegant and shapely, nice for type. Also in for best head.

PGB (5)

1st: LUCAS, & DARGONNE,Packway Eco Trailer Upstanding bitch, free and easy on the move, keeping her topline steady. Quite a strong build & in good hard coat. Stands over plenty of ground, and showing well.

2nd: SPENCEs, Hyndsight Neaghley A good strong bitch not quite the length of stride in front as above, and she flattens out in topline moving. Preferred her neat small ears and lovely head carriage though. Deep enough in ribbing. Tucking her tail under too much

3rd: SPRING-ARNOLDs Hyndsight Only In My Dreams

LB (3)

1st: SHANNONs, Erewhon Firefly Maybe a touch Wolfhoundy in type ,which as an ex IW breeder I am always careful to avoid. I did prefer the size and femininity of the second, but could not get past Firefly’s soundness of movement. Excellent body and general construction. Pleasing head and expression. Maybe a little less length in loin would improve.

2nd: CANNON WICKSTEADs Kilbourne Opal's fire to Abayomi Just in dire need of more muscle and she would do so much better. Good size and outline, deep chest, loin well arched, and good behind too. Just very weak on the move, and this is a hound breed, that should look able to work.

OB (5)

1st: HEATHCOTE, & FINNETT Hyndsight All I Have To Do Is CC BOB A nice class to judge and I liked all 4. Winner scored in muscle tone and power, and fulfilled my ideal of looking able to do the job bred for. Nice head shape, slightly marred by light eyes, otherwise I loved her type, general balance and strength. Coat in good order too! On the move so impressive, true up and back and has that easy, long profile stride.

2nd: HELPS Beardswood Verbena feminine, although ears could be a little tighter carried. Not quite the neck and front of winner but she was turned out immaculately and moved absolutely truly both ways. A lovely bitch, as were next two in line.

3rd: KILGARs Ch Claonaiglen Strontian Maelstrom

Judge Zena Thorn Andrews