|
Sincere thanks to the Officers and Committee of the Deerhound Club for the invitation to judge the Special Award Classes at the Breed Show weekend. It was a wonderful (and perhaps rare for current times) opportunity to judge such an entry of high quantity, and quality. Of course, thanks must go to the exhibitors for their entries, and indeed good sportsmanship on the day, Deerhound people are just lovely!
Special Award Dog or Bitch 6-18 Months Old (11,3)
1. Peach’s Kilbourne Danny’s Annie. 9 month old bitch. A well made, shapely bitch. Plenty of substance but retains femininity. Very pleasing head, eye and expression, held on a strong neck of correct length. Good layback of shoulder and return of upper arm. Well bodied for age. Strong hindquarters of good angulation. A touch close behind but excellent front and profile movement, firmly holding her outline. A promising prospect indeed.
2. Finnett & Heathcote’s Antonius Vertragus The-Mara-River with Hyndsight (Imp Fra). 17 month old bitch. Another lovely balanced youngster, liked her elegance. Beautiful, quality head and dark eye, topped off by excellent ears. Balanced angles fore and aft. A free and easy mover. Close up but just preferred the topline of 1 today.
3. Sandells & Lovell’s Packway Blue Moon.
Special Award Dog or Bitch 19-36 Months Old (13,3)
1. Helps’ Beardswood Gillie’s Whisper. Almost 3 year old bitch. A typey, dignified bitch. Super head properties; flat skull, good length slightly tapering, dark well-shaped eyes. Ears could be smaller. Beautiful neck into shoulder and curves throughout. She could be a little firmer on the up and down but ultimately, she won the class on her long, free and so very easy profile movement.
2. Peach’s Ch Quantastico Guiseppe to Kilbourne. 2 year old dog. A very well made hound of excellent shape, balance and proportions. Attractive, masculine head. Super front with well laid back shoulders and good length and return of upper arm. Good infill and depth of chest. A very sound and steady mover.
3. Peach’s Kilbourne Daniyal. It was a close decision between 2 and 3. Danyial was perhaps slightly more open and free in his sidegait than Guiseppe but in the end, I preferred Guiseppe’s head.
Special Award Dog or Bitch 37 Months and Over (18,6)
1. Help’s Ch Beardswood Verbena. 3 year old bitch. Typey, classy and ultra-feminine bitch but still gives an impression of power and endurance. Lovely feminine head with dark eyes and small, well-shaped ears. Excellent conformation and flowing curves throughout, enhanced by a harsh coat. So light on her feet and goes on a free and long stride, holding her curvy outline at all times.
2. Peach’s Kilbourne Flora Mcdeva. 3 year old bitch. A workmanlike bitch, stronger all through than 1, but still feminine and typical. Strong neck and good shoulder placement. Excellent hindquarters, of good angulation and plenty width of first and second thigh, which gave great drive on the move. Active mover with a good stride. Just preferred the refinement of 1.
3. Finnett & Heathcote’s Ch Hyndsight Talk On The Street.
Luke Johnston