South Wales Kennel Association 2011

Dachshund (Miniature Wire-Haired)

DACHSHUND - MINIATURE WIRE HAIRED

Not a large entry, but overall a pleasing one, with some quality exhibits.  One thing that surprised me was the overall lack of males, with none present in minor puppy or puppy dog; this surely cannot bode well for the future of the breed. Clearly this ensures that the bitches tend to be way ahead overall with quality, right down the line in some classes.  I found many of the same faults prevalent as the last time I awarded CCs in the variety, but am pleased to say I found a huge improvement in mouths. Still a few toyish heads to be seen, but fortunately these were in the minority, and coats also seem to have improved. Presentation, on the whole, was exemplary with one or two notable exceptions. I found several seriously overgrown nails which resulted in splayed toes and slack pasterns, this is something which is so easy to keep in order and there really is no excuse for it. I was extremely pleased with my principal winners and was delighted to seem my BOB take Group 2 in a very strong hound group.

JD (4) 1 Thorn Andrews' Drakesleat Noddy Doff. Smart, brindle boy of super type.  Typical head with dark eye, neat front with well-laid shoulder. Correct ribbing with strong loin. Well angulated rear.  Moved really well, keeping a firm topline. BPD. 2 Kugow & Holt's Waldmeister Johnson.  Brindle boy of different type, but has much to commend him. Loved his head and length of neck, well ribbed up but taller and rangier all through than 1, who had the edge on hind movement. 3 Phillips' Curtisey Boogy Woogy.

PG (2) 1 Phillips' Curtisey Boogy Woogy.  Brindle dog of nice type.  Good head proportions and coat spot-on.  Let himself down on the move here. 2 Puckett's Foxearth Free As A Bird.  Black & tan dog who is well up to size.  Super coat for a black & tan.  Reasonably made all through, but moved wide behind and was a little soft in topline.

LD (2) 1 Howell's Fallowmill Back & Fetch Jw Shcm.  Super sound brindle dog of very nice make and shape.  Not a big one, but has bone & substance. Clean front and correct lay of shoulder. Well-ribbed and correctly angulated rear.  Moved out with drive, keeping a good topline.  Nothing overdone, super dog.  RCC.  Not surprised to hear he now has his title. 2 Kugow & Holt's Waldmeister Samuel Jw.  Smart brindle dog of more continental type. Like his younger kennelmate, excels in head and has a very impressive set of huge teeth, which is good to see in this variety.  Shown in hard, muscled condition.

OD (4,1) 1 Thorn Andrews' Ch. Drakesleat Win Alot.    Dark brindle dog of fab type.  Loved his head and dark, almond eye.  So neat & tidy in front with good pro sternum. Super layback of shoulder with tight elbows.  Well-off for length and depth of rib, with sternum well back.  Strong loin and well-made hindquarters which he really used here.  Super-sound on the move showing a clean pair of heels.  Aptly named, it is easy to see why he is doing so well.  Delighted to award him the CC & BOB, and to later see him go Group 2. 2 Dance's Deepdax Overdraft Too Far Emem. Brindle dog of similar type.  Houndy head and correct length of neck.  Harsh, wire coat in excellent order.  Correct front and ribbing.  Moves out really well, showing good drive and extension.  Unlucky to meet 1 on his present form.  Shown to advantage in super condition.  Sure his day will come. 3 Smith's Dunnspitts Zakajak.

MPB (4) 1 Shone's Hanishan Eau Classique.  Really scopey brindle bitch of lovely type.  Put down to the minute in super condition. Houndy head, yet no mistaking her gender! Super reach of neck and well-placed shoulders.  Tidy front and tight elbows, well-angulated rear. Moves like a train, keeping her topline, sure to have a bright future. BP 2 Kugow & Holt's Stargang Vera Wang Bei Waldmeister.  Brindle bitch of nice make & shape. Much less mature than 1, but everything in the right place. Moved out really well. Driving really well from the rear. Most promising. 3 Rees & Jones' Hanishan Eau Symfonique At Kierpark.

PB (2) 1 Rees & Jones' Hanishan Eau Symfonique At Kierpark. Brindle bitch, litter sister to BP, so obviously similar in type - just a bit narrower through.  Moved soundly and well-presented. 2 Jones' Carlita Bewitched. Brindle bitch, not in the best of coats.  Very apprehensive on the table and on the move.

JB (8,1) 1 Barney's Verrami Domestic Goddess. Brindle bitch of lovely type. Correct head. Good length of neck with tidy front and correct shoulders. Tight in elbow and well-ribbed, with super hindquarters.  Moved with drive, keeping her topline. Seriously considered for RCC. 2 Thorn Andrews' Drakesleat Trix Of The Trade.   Brindle bitch of very similar type, so little to separate them.  Just felt 1 had the edge on movement today. 3 Blackburn Bennett's Stargang Fudge Cake.

PGB (3) 1 Rose's Stargang De Valois At Ridanflight.  Really neat and tidy brindle bitch with much to commend her.  Excels in front construction with tight elbows and good layback.  Moved with drive & style, put down in super condition.  Should have a bright future. 2 Price's Samlane Zaffiro.  Brindle bitch of good type. So soundly made, but unfortunately played her handler up on the move, exhibiting true dachshund temperament! 3 Rees' Ridgegrove Sapphire Doll At Ermewood.

LB (7,1) 1 Blackburn's Stargang Moll Flanders. Harsh coated, light brindle bitch.  Loved her reach of neck. Super front with tight elbows.  Well-ribbed up with strong hind assembly. Moved with drive and extension. Put down in super condition.  Another one considered for top honours. 2 Lewis' Trixhund Country Lover.  Black & tan bitch of good type.  Super head proportions and length of neck. Neat front and correct length & depth of rib. sMoved really well, keeping firm topline. Shown in excellent order. 3 Shone's Hanishan Plentyotool.

OB (7) 1 Angear's Ridgegrove Diamond Doll, and what a diamond she is!  Loved her for type and so sound all through.  Super front with spot-on shoulders. Well-ribbed with strong loin and well-angulated rear. Moves so well with little apparent effort. Put down to the minute n super order. Pleased to award her the CC, her second. 2 Blackburn Bennett's Ch Stargang Lady Gaga. Brindle bitch who really appealed here.  Lower to ground than 1, but otherwise similarly constructed.  Moved out like a train with a firm topline.  Again, super front and shoulder placement.  Really well presented and handled in super condition, a very worthy champion. RCC. 3 Thorn Andrews' Drakesleat Mass Wisteria.

VB (1) 1 Oram's Janjac Moschino At Rosswell. Brindle bitch in excellent form. Pleasing head and reach of neck.  Well-ribbed with strong loin.  Moved soundly, keeping her topline.

Mike Turner