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The deerhounds in Britain have a decided edge, at present, over their American counterparts in soundness, balance of bone to body and substance - in short, the overall type and quality is very good. While there was some odd movement here and there, sound movement, “easy, active, and true” with good drive and extension (reach) was the rule and not the exception.
Good, sound movement is essential to the breed and important to type. There is a tendency to try to put a stamp on the breed by exaggerating traits through breeding rather than just breed to the standard. I did not see this evident in the entries at this show. While there were a variety of “styles”, basic deerhound “type” was consistent and very good – as good as forty years ago when I first started raising and showing deerhounds.
As for substance, spring of rib and depth of chest, it was very nice to see that there were quite a few of the hounds with not only a proper length of upper arm with chest down to the elbow, having at the same time not too much light underneath. In short there was correct proportion of depth and overall height. There were not too many ‘flat backs’ and most hounds had a correct arch over the loin with the hind quarters dropping off nicely. In some cases, I noted and was pleased to see the bitches with a decent length in the back.
Conditioning was quite good overall with good muscling. I particularly like to see a consistency in some of the finer points, such as ears, ear set and tails. Ears were, on balance, pretty good, small and tight. I did not see too many heavy, floppy ears. I was pleased also to see good, strong, thickly coated tails. While some may feel that this is not essential or important, a properly coated tail is less liable to damage. Most tails dropped sufficiently close to the ground, and there were not a rash of ring tails. Some hounds had a curl, which is acceptable, but nothing too terribly exaggerated. It almost seems that ring tails are a generational trait; fortunately, really bad rings have missed this generation of exhibits. A few tails were carried a bit high - out of pride and excitement but there were no outlandishly gay tails. Coats were good, with a good crisp texture.
In America, there is entirely too much so-called “preparation” which extends to some serious plucking around the head and neck with too much coat stripped out – fashion but not type. These dogs are not terriers. I was really delighted to see this bad habit still has not taken hold in Britain, at least in deerhounds. At the same time, I was delighted to see better ring preparation. A good stiff workout with a brush brings in a better and more weather resistant coat but also can make the difference in the ring. (One of my favorite judges in the States, now gone, used to say that an exhibitor had to be a real “plate” to go to a show with a poorly prepared exhibit, spend all that money and time in entries and gasoline, only to lose.)
Feet - a well knuckled, tight foot being important - were generally good but not their best. There were a lot more ‘not such good quality’ feet. I would suggest that this is an area where attention should be paid. A deerhound can get by with a straight stifle or even flat, not very ‘greyhoundlike’ topline but can’t run on bad feet. In that light, were I to offer a criticism, it would be that nails were not trimmed and back. Too often I would see a lovely exhibit, moving tolerably well, nice type, and in good condition stop with not the tightest feet and they were not helped by poorly trimmed nails. It draws attention and detracts from the overall presentation.
In closing, I should like to thank committee for inviting me back to judge the show again. As The Deerhound Club had been our first club that we joined getting involved in breeding and showing, I was particularly complimented to be asked to judge. More importantly, I’d like to thank the club members for the fine entry and for their work keeping up the breed. There appears to be a lot of quality and depth evident in not only the dogs but in the club; thanks to its younger members for carrying on the club’s traditions as well as the breed.
The Dog classes:
Puppy Dog:
- 59 Chuilinn Landis. Good depth of chest, nice thigh, good sweep of stifle and low hock.
- 108 Kilbourne Lloyd. Nice extension, good coat and texture, balanced youngster, good front.
- 36 Hyndsight Westeros. This youngster has decent bone, sweep of stifle and length of tail.
N.B. I rather liked the puppy classes, both dog and bitch. They show potential and were not overdone for their age, overfed or too common! Best Puppy was the dog, #59 Chuilinn Landis. Both the dog and the puppy bitch, #46 Greybrows Midsummer, are quality pups and should do well. While it’s hard to get puppies settled in the ring, I did not mind letting them play about, settle eventually and then ‘get to work’. Great stuff and a better end result in the long run not only on the day but for a dog’s career in the ring.
Junior Dog:
- 143 Ollandsheart Abraham. This dog has good side movement, spring of rib, crisp coat. The planes on the head were very nice.
- 18 Packway Loxley Norton: Good depth of chest and square front, proper drop off in stern, and tail set.
- 37 Hyndsight Brubeck. Lovely dark coat color, dark eyes and brisket.
Yearling dog:
- 71 Luckhurst Paisley. Good ears, earset, spring of rib, coat texture. The neck is set on nicely.
- 100 Cotherstone Cold Steel. Also, a lovely dark color, dark eye, tight ears. I particularly liked this dog’s balance of depth of chest in relation to height.
- 96 Clanardwood Summer Hawk. This dog has good bone and substance for his age and a nice dark eye.
Special Beginners Novice Dog:
- 158 Hyndsight Skirl. Easy moving dog with good extension (reach), very balanced and good outline.
- 144 Pyefleet Victor Two. This dog has nice bone but could have a bit more spring of rib.
Special Beginners Open Dog:
- 77 Packway Commanche Moon. This dog has decent size and good breadth of rear. He moved quite freely. He has nice tight ears. A strong dog.
- 56 Regalflight Poacher at Leksmoor. Lovely tight ears, nicely texted coat and lovely dark color. A good balance of depth to size. Not too much light underneath.
Undergraduate Dog:
- 62 Beardswood Torran. Easy mover, a good size and outline with proper depth of chest. Ears could be a bit tighter.
- 10 Hillmorton Gus. This dog has a lovely expression with correct planes. Nice tight feet.
Post Graduate Dog: On balance this was a really nice class of dogs. All their breeders should be complimented.
- 24 Kilbourne Tyne. This dog is balanced and with a lovely outline, good sweep of stifle, well let down in the hock and with proper depth of chest. He has a lovely expression. The standard calls for movement to be "easy active and true." ‘Active’ comes from the Latin word Agere which means to drive. He exhibited that dive covering ground with ease, which is why I gave him Best Dog.
- 149 Stainlonan Pageant of Penherald. Moved well up and back. This dog had a good breadth of rear and a strong neck. Tight ears.
- 42 Stranwith Roag at Glososcap. This dog had decent bone and moved well. He needed a bit more spring and substance, but has some very nice qualities like tight ears, properly set.
Limit Dog:
- 22 Kaleginy Forrester. This dog was nicely balanced might have had maybe a bit more depth in chest - wouldn’t quibble too much, though, as he has a lovely arch over the loin. He had a good broad stern with a lovely sweep of stifle, properly let down in hock. Had proper shoulders and moved quite nicely.
- 110 Hyndsight to the Limit with Ladygrove. Lovely outline, as well, with good depth of chest, good mover, with proper extension and straight fore and aft. A solid dog.
- 57 Greyflax The Jazz Singer to Jamalison. Again a nice dog with a lovely outline and sweep of stifle. Good tight feet, ears and overall decent bone. This fellow developed a slight hitch in the rear. Again a difficult but enjoyable class to judge due to the quality.
Open Dog:
- 38 Ch Hyndsight Desperado. This dog is very balanced and is a stylish dog with a lovely sweep of stifle. Lovely neck set on well with a good underline and outline. Good earset and proper planes. Good extension, he covered ground easily.
- 151 Cockaigne Chidish V D Meirse Weiden. Good substance and bone. Proper underline, depth of chest and nice tight feet. Again, an easy moving dog with proper shoulders.
- 106 Ch. Rubeus Hagrid to Kilbourne. I particularly liked this dog’s harsh coat, lovely head and expression with good ears. Good depth of chest.
Veteran Dog:
- 17 Multi Ch. Regalflight Tarloch. A lovely dog side gait and extension very easy. Lovely sweep of stifle and outline. A very upstanding dog.
- 134 Ch Hyndsight Riddick. This dog has good sweep of stifle and underline with good substance and bone. Extremely nice, tight ears and expression.
Best dog was #24 Kilbourne Tyne and Reserve Best Dog, #38 Ch. Hyndsight Desperado. Both of these dogs covered territory with minimal effort and are very good quality. Best Puppy #59 Chuilin Landis and Best Veteran Dog was Multi Ch. Regal flight Tarloch.
Often people too readily dismiss the dog classes; however, I was really pleased in general with the depth and degree of quality of the dog classes. They were the equal in many respects of the bitch classes - not quite as numerous. Each ‘First’ was hard won, and in many cases a class had several dogs with equally good attributes, making it difficult but great fun to judge. There was good bone, substance, depth of chest and spring of rib. In some cases, it came down to fine points. I’d have been glad to take many of these “guys” home to frosty, old New Hampshire.
The Bitch Classes
Puppy Bitch:
- 46 Greybrows Midsummer. Nice outline, low on hock, lovely sweep of stifle and an extremely dark eye. She moved very well coming and going. Proper bone and substance in relation to her age.
- 157 Kilbourne Marie Claire at Kirjojax. I particularly liked the puppy’s head and expression; she also has a lovely outline.
- 23 Kalegginy Antheia. Very nice spring of rib and underline. Again proper bone for her age.
Junior Bitch:
- 150. Pyefleet Vision. Good outline, depth of chest and spring of rib. She has a lovely head and expression while her ears could be a bit more tight. I liked her overall balance of bone to substance. Moved well and with ease.
- 52 Pyefleet Vita. This bitch has very nice bone, not overdone but just right. She moved well and gave her sister (which I discovered afterwards) strong competition. Very lovely underline. She had better ears.
- 79 Packway Little Loxly. Again, a bitch with nice bone, depth of chest, quite sound and a lovely dark eye. This was a very nice class.
Yearling Bitch:
- 89 Claonaiglen Carron. A lovely, old style bitch, solid and sound. She moved very freely with good extension or reach. She has a lovely earset and good feet. I particularly liked her length of back dropping off in the stern, which was properly broad.
- 154 Luckhurst Phoebe. This bitch had a good spring of rib, bone and sweep of stifle. She also moved very well.
- 105 Blixten Star to Kilbourne. I liked this bitch for her head and expression with tight ears. She had a nice body, spring of rib and underline.
Special Beginners, Novice Bitch:
- 74 Celticmoon Shadowhuntress. This bitch is rather solid with good bone, underline, spring and body. She had a lovely expression, crisp coat and has an easy sidegait. A strong bitch in good condition.
- 154 Luckhurst Phoebe. See Yearling bitch.
- 153 Luckhurst Phoenix. VHC in Yearling; however, like her sister, a very stylish ‘two year old’ with a lovely outline and sweep of stifle. Just needs to mature and frankly, I think a slower maturing hound is often better in the long run.
Special Beginners, Open Bitch: This class had some very nice quality entries. Judging it was a treat, like tucking into a crème caramel.
- 73 Celtic Moon Shadow Magic at Silverthyme. This bitch is also a strong bitch with a lovely expression, good earset, tight ears and head. Low on hock, she has a lovely sweep of stifle, broad hips and depth of chest. Quite a personality! When she settles, she’ll be fun. She went on to take First in Post Graduate.
- 78 Hyndsight Reason to Believe. This bitch had a lovely underline and sweep of stifle, tight ears and was low on hock. I particularly like to see low hocks which can be hard to maintain in the breed.
- 138 Chuilinn Bellina. Good, harsh coat and underline. Needs more bone.
Undergraduate Bitch:
- 111 Charbonnel Greta at Ladygrove. This bitch has nice proportions and is balanced, particularly in relation to bone. She had a good easy, well mannered gait with a lovely outline and arch over the loin. Her expression was very appealing.
- 3 Stranwith Nia For Zandahar. Lovely expression and head, as well. Good ears. Being very sound, she moved very well without a lot of effort or fuss.
- 11 Hillmorton Holly. Again a really nice example. This bitch dropped off nicely in the stern had good bone and thigh. Proper earset and good tight feet, she had a lovely thickly coated tail.
Post Graduate Bitch:
- 73 Celtic Moon Shadow Magic at Silverthyme. 1st Special Beginners, Open. She held up well and still showed character.
- 148 Stainlonan Rend of Penherald. Very good extension and light on foot, she moved away very well. Good tight ears.
- Saintvalery Inspiration. Lovely, sweet expression, good ears, nice underline, she moved well from the side and had good extension.
Limit Bitch:
- 101 Chuilinn Ballad. This bitch has a very stylish, elegant presence. A lovely head with good expression and earset, she is well proportioned, perhaps could use a bit more depth of chest but good bone, sweep of stifle with a proper, low hock.
- 48 Dorrator Garvey. Also a nicely balanced bitch, a good moving deerhound with a decent spring of rib and balance of bone. Moved nicely.
- 65 Beardswood Quintessence. Good planes and lovely ears. Proper underline and balance overall. Lovely style.
Open Bitch: This class was like several other classes before, loaded with quality making it tough but really delightful to judge. While there were several styles, they all exemplified deerhound type and are very nice examples.
- 61 Ch. Foxcliffe Classic Liberty Freedom at Beardswood. I kept coming back to this bitch, as she is not only well balanced but has good bone and substance. Proper depth of chest and not too much light underneath. She moved well with lovely front action and good drive. Her coat was the proper length and harsh. She is correctly turned out (prepared) for the ring, squared away with not too much fussing. She has a lovely set of shoulders and a neck, strong, set on nicely. Just very good quality all around.
- 39 Ch. Hyndsight Because The Night. I liked a lot about this bitch, as well. She has a lovely neck, set into good shoulders good depth of chest and good breadth in the stern with strong hindquarters. This bitch is well conditioned and moved very well, also clearing ground with little effort. A very pleasing, workmanlike style, she reminds me of some my more favorite hounds from 40 years ago.
- 112 Ch. Charbonnel Gobi To Ladygrove. Not to be outdone by first and second, this bitch was very pleasing. She moved very well and easy with good reach. Solid and balanced, she has nice bone.
Veteran Bitch:
- 76 Glenmorlich None So Pretty For Parkway. Quite attractive, this bitch was solid, with good spring and underline. She has lovely hindquarters and bone and balance all in proportion. Nice topline and drop over the stern. She’s a lovely, stylish bitch.
- 16 Ch Stranwith Ariadne. A lovely example with depth of chest, good underline and sweep of stifle. Good extension and reach.
- 90 Claonaiglen Mallie. I thought this bitch quite solid with correct balance to bone, lovely hindquarters.
All in all, it was an extremely impressive lineup for Best bitch. Open Bitch #6, Ch. Foxcliffe Classic Liberty, was Best Bitch. Reserve Bitch was #39, Ch. Hyndsight Because The Night, also from the Open Class. I was extremely pleased to award Ch. Foxcliffe Classic Liberty Best in Show. She deserved it.
Jay Phinizy |
