Hound Association of Scotland 2008 Critique

Hound Association of Scotland 2008 Critique

I was pleased with my entry and it was nice to see some hounds for the first time. Another thing that pleased me was the majority of hounds that were shown in natural coat, as it seems to be the fashion on the show ring to strip coats, this was like a breadth of fresh air. Overall the quality was good, but we do need to watch hind movement, some hounds had weak high hocks, but I was very pleased with my winners.

PD. (4). 1. Rose’s, Gentiehun Tain. 8 months old. Very balanced for one so young, confident on the move, true action. Excellent overall shape, correct head with pleasant expression. Good lay of shoulder and nice width in front. Well sprung ribs. Dropping wide hindquarters with width of second thigh and good length over loin. A very nice youngster. BP. I was pleased to see he was PG4. 2. Taylor’s, Kilbourne James Dean. 8 months old. Another very nice young male. Typical head set on strong neck leading into a good shoulder. Good length of back and strong hindquarters. Plenty of bone throughout. Nice tight well knuckled feet. 3. Foy’s, Glenfoyle in the Gloaming.

JD. (5). 1. Hawkin’s, Kwaricott Archimago. 15 months old. A very shapely youngster. Harsh coat. Most beautiful of heads set correctly on good neck. Very balanced on the move. Excellent forechest. Well laid shoulders and good spring and depth of rib. Tail well set on sloping croup. Good feet. 2. Peach’s, Kilbourne Fire Chief. 16 months old. moved out well. Short harsh coat. A good body with depth. Shorter in neck than winner. Good hindquarters. Needs to come up in front. 3. Hawkin’s, Kwaricott Asclepius.

PGD. (5). 1. Girling’s, Pyefleet Rollo. Very striking dark young dog. Classic outline. Keeping his topline he moved with drive. The best of coats. Handsome head on string neck leading into a good lay of shoulder. Deep ribcage with plenty of width in front. Good well knuckled feet. 2. Helps’, Greyfriars Gillie of Beardswood. Close up to winner. Not as good in shoulder, but nevertheless a very striking young dog. Good depth of body and width throughout. Nice head with lovely sound dark eyes. Good strong neck. Striding clean action. 3. Taylor’s, Lyart Yes Minister.

LD. (4). 1. Rhodes’s, Gentom Peacemeaker. This young dog is typical of this kennel. A beautiful head and strong, shapely body. Dark harsh coat. Lovely soft expression and dark eye. Strong, yet graceful neck. Deep well sprung ribcage. Nice forechest, width throughout. Excellent bend of stifle and width of second thigh. He was certainly enjoying himself but was managed with confidence by his young handler. I was very happy to give him the CC and BOB. 2. Pink’s, Greyhawk’s, Romanie Rom Sh Cm. A hound shown in fit condition and fit for purpose. Very unlucky to come up against the CC and RCC winners on the day. A dog I have admired from the ringside and I wasn’t disappointed when I went over him. A handsome upstanding hound. Good sound movement. Very shapely and lots of bone throughout. Good head with dark eye and soft expression. Deep ribcage. Excellent hindquarters, wide hips. Good bend of stifle. Tail set on well. Good rough coat. 3. Peach’s, Gentom Oliver Twist.

OD. (3). 1. Bain’s, Hillmorton Dazzle. A strong workmanlike hound. Excellent harsh coat of correct length. Very sound and balanced on the move. Strong head but an expression to die for. Strong neck onto well, laid shoulders. Lots of substance throughout. Good wide hips with excellent rear assembly. RCC. 2. Helps’, Beardswood Marmion. Longer cast than winner, but not as good in front. Well turned out and superbly handled. 3. Morton’s, No Name Given.

PB. (5). 1. Rose’s, Gentiehun Mia-May. Litter sister to my Dog Puppy winner. Very shapely with dropping hindquarters. Lovely feminine head. Kept her topline on the move. Good rise over loin. Excellent hindquarters. One to watch. 2. Peach’s, Witch Way to Kilbourne. Lost out to winner on rear assembly. Beautiful head. Good neck leading into well laid shoulders and good forechest. Excellent on the move. 3. Taylor’s, Guinivere Starshine from Kilbourne.

JB. (4). 1. Doak’s, Rosslyn Omega. 16 months old. Most beautiful of bitches she took my breadth away. She stood very proud and perfect. She was shapely and balanced throughout. Very feminine and elegant. Beautiful head and soft expression. Small well set ears. Arched neck running into well laid shoulders. Good depth of body. Excellent hindquarters. Strode round the ring with purpose. Definitely one to watch. RCC. 2. Robertson’s, Chuilinn Afra. A very different type from winner. A very nice sturdy, shapely young bitch. Excellent harsh coat. Taller bitch with good length of body. Lovely head and sweet expression. Good hindquarters. Kept her topline on the move and moved out well. 3. McCluskie’s, Hearthstane Brora.

PGB. (14). 1. Girling’s, Pyefleet Rokesby. Excellent feminine bitch. There is nothing exaggerated about this lady. She is perfectly proportioned and has lovely flowing movement, which she just managed to hold onto. She was really enjoying herself. She is in excellent condition and fit for purpose. Nice forechest, deep chest and good length of body. Good rear assembly with low hocks. Well coated. Correct texture and length. I was delighted to give her the CC. 2. Taylor’s, Lyart Yea Verily. Very elegant young bitch. Very sound and balanced on the move. Pleasing head and expression. Correct spring of rib. Excellent hindquarters with lovely low hocks. Good harsh coat. 3. Cartmel’s, Dream Dancer for Chusidh.

LB. (14). 1. Cartmel’s, Drawing Dancer for Chusidh. Very dark workmanlike bitch. Shapely with a good topline and depth of body, good forechest. Good hindquarters, wide hips, excellent bend of stifle and second thigh. Moved out with drive. 2. Rhodes’s, Gentom Ovation. Most beautiful of heads and soft expression. Excellent body shape with good length and depth. Good bend of stifle and width of second thigh. Low hocks. Kept her excellent topline on the move. Very well turned out. 3. Peach’s, Pinglehol Ruby to Kilbourne.

OB. (6). 1. Helps’, Beardswood Marmion. Workmanlike bitch. Deep in brisket and good rise over loin. Good length of body. Nice head set on strong neck. Good bend of stifle. Low hocks. Moved out with drive. Very well presented and handled. 2. Peach’s, Baywind Gail to Kilbourne. Shapely bitch of good length. Nice head, strong neck and good deep chest. Moved out well. For me she lacked substance and was a little high on the hocks. 3. Cartmel’s, Riding the Wind with Cusidh.

Joyce Bond