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Deerhound Club Limited Show North 2024 Critique

II would like to thank the Deerhound Club for the invitation to judge the Club's Northen Limited Show in the lovely surroundings of Alva, in Scotland. I am grateful to everyone who entered and allowed me the privilege of going over their hounds. I would also like to thank my stewards, Joy Wilson and Helen Patterson for ensuring everything ran smoothly. Whilst most temperaments were excellent, as unconditionally expected in our breed, this is something that needs to be absolutely and diligently maintained.

PD (1, 0)

1 Hunter's Monkstadt Crier. Ten month old dog, having a wonderful time today! Well-shaped head, although I would prefer smaller ears. Good, harsh coat. Strong neck with a nice rise over the loin. Chest adequate for his age, which I would expect to improve as he gets older. Once settled, covered the ground well. BPD BPIS.

ND (2, 1)

1 Hunter's Monkstadt Crier. See puppy dog.

SBD (1, 1).

PGD (4, 1)

1 Sharp's Chuilinn Faolan at Coronach. Almost two years old. Good type, masculine head with nice dark eye, well set ears and correct bite. Lovely harsh coat of correct texture and length. Strong neck leading to well-placed shoulders. Deep chest, nicely arched loin, with strong tail. Well balanced and moved with power and drive. BD RBIS BPG.

2 Nicholls' Chuilinn Enigma at Albaeirn. Two and a half years old. Nice head, slightly lighter eye than my 1st and ears could be a little smaller, but correct shape. Crisp, dark coat. Good conformation, however carried his tail high on the move. Lacked the balance of my 1st.

3 Ness' Aileymill at Leapmoor.

OD (5, 2)

1 Thom's Flaxside A Will To Live. Almost six years old. Well-muscled dog, good feet and bone. Lovely dark eye on nice head with correct bite. Crisp, dark coat. Correctly placed shoulders and adequate depth of chest. Good width at hips and strength in first and second thigh. Moved well, with drive and enthusiasm. RBD.

2 Gille's Dorrator Orbit. Six year old dog. Strong dog with good bone. Lovely head with dark eye and neat ears. Correct coat with a good harsh texture. Good depth of chest. Stands well but flattened a little on the move and lacked the easy gait of my 1st. 3 Sharp's Humbiehounds Pirnmill at Coronach.

PB (1, 0)

)1 Thom's Lowland Fauns Ianthe at Flaxside (Imp Ger). Seven month old bitch with a lovely, gentle expression and dark eye. Shapley, well folded ears. Slightly short in the neck at this stage. Compact feet and pleasing arch over the loin. Crisp coat and moved well. BPB RBPIS

NB (9, 2)

1 McAlpine's Gentiehun Iso Harmaa Koira at Humbiehounds. Well presented, shapely bitch of four years old. Lovely, feminine head with dark eye. Strong bone with neat, tight feet. Good depth of chest and tuck up with arch over the loin dropping down to a thick tail. Pleasing, curvy topline. Powerful rear quarters put to effective use on the move.

2 Senior's Zeldini Cia. Just over two years old and having a lovely time. Nice head with good face furnishings. Correct ear. Strong neck, although a little upright in front and short in the loin. Moved nicely.

3 Robertson's Chuilinn Flamenco.

SBB (7, 2)

1 McAlpine's Humbiehounds Parting Glass. Attractive 22 month old bitch. Pleasing head and eye, although I would have preferred a smaller ear. Strong neck, good spring of rib, although I would have liked it to go back a little further. Lovely rear end, well-muscled into 2nd thigh. Crisp, harsh coat. Moved with purpose. BSBIS.

2 Harvey's Kilbourne Aoife. Just out of puppy class and has more maturity to come. Pleasing head with nice dark eye. Compact feet, good topline but not much depth in chest at this stage. Moved out well. 3 Donaldson's Altimarlach Bucholie.

PGB (7, 2)

1 Robertson's Chuilinn Flame. Almost two years old of lovely type. Correct head with pretty, dark eyes and expression, mousy ear and lovely strong neck. Good angulation front and rear. Harsh coat, good spring of rib and deep chest. Slight rise over the loin, maintained on the move. Beautiful movement.

2 Jones' Quantistico Gina. Well-presented two year old. Lighter in type than 1, and I would have preferred a little more substance. Nicely constructed, with a good crisp coat, tight feet and dark eye. Moved well covering the ground easily. 3 Clabby's Humbiehounds Jazz It Up.

OB (5, 0)

1 Maclean's Orge Et Malt D'escalgrain. Beautiful bitch of almost six. Nice head and ears but would have preferred a darker eye. Strong neck, leading into well laid shoulders, with spring of rib and deep chest. Lovely curvy topline, with good rise over a strong loin. Powerful rear, driving excellent movement. Harsh coat, well-muscled throughout. Pleased to award her Best in Show. BB.

2 Robertson's Chuilinn Ehani. Another quality bitch of almost three years old. Beautiful, feminine head with that �faraway' deerhound expression and lovely facial furnishings. Good angulation front and rear, nice chest and topline with correct harsh coat. Pushed hard, but lost out to my 1st on movement, which lacked drive today. RBB. 3 Gillie's Dorrator Eno.

VB (5, 2)

Really nice to see the veterans out and enjoying their day. A lovely group. 1 Spence's Brylach Philomena. Eight years old. Presented a good outline in full coat. Nice head with the correct scissor bite and dark eye. Strong bone with tight feet, pleasing lay of shoulder, deep chest and a rise over a powerful loin. Moved really well. BV.

2 Thom's Seatonvalley Daisy's Angel at Flaxside. Much rangier, houndy' type dog. Seven years old. Beautiful head, dark eye, correct ear. Strong neck with good tight feet. Excelled in her easy movement around the ring. 3. Lindsay's Celticmoon Shadow Huntress at Silverthyme. Such a pretty girl. Almost 11, lovely to see her enjoying her day out in the ring, on her own terms!

D. Spring-Arnold