Dachshund Club of Wales 2002

MINIATURE LONG HAIRED BITCHES - JEAN Matthews

My thanks to the Dachshund Club of Wales for their hospitality. It is a while since I judged this variety and was sorry to see the decline. Forward shoulders seem to be the norm. Thus no elegant length of neck and a distinct Bulldog like front movement. Short slabsided ribbing was apparent. Much of the younger stock are suffering from these faults. I appreciate it is the winter and road walking is difficult, but even the adults were badly down on pasterns and lack of muscle is very noticeable. On the plus side no weight problems, no kinky tails and all good mouths. Tummy Tapping seems to be a little better than it was but few really showed theis back pads when going away.

MPB. (13). 1. Jenson's, Albany Skoda. Very promising 8 months black and tan. Lovely head and dark almond eye. Good ribbing, correct shoulder, moved soundly. Still a baby but one to watch for the future. RCC and with my co-judge made her BP. Pleased to see her go RBPIS. 2. Proctor and Bennett's, Deerfold Lacaille. Such a baby but has a bright future, good conformation and best shoulder placement in the class. Nice feet, moved out well. 3. Hall's, Gayville's Hat Trick.

P. (7). 1. Amos's, Dacatec Pure 'n' Simple. Nice lengthy bitch with good feet, short hocks, which enabled her to keep her good topline all through. Shoulder and ribbing ok. 2. Young's, Willowheath Nursery Rhyme. Cobbier bitch with good feet, would have preferred a longer upper arm. Otherwise good ribbing and showed well. 3. Proctor and Bennett's, Deerfold Miranda.

J. (6). 1. Winchurch's, Zarcrest Gold Haymaker for Brianolf. At first this bitch appeared rather long and leggy but is correctly proportioned with good ribbing, could use more front. Moved well for her handler. 2. Young's, Willowheath Sweet Almond. Nice bitch with a good correct topline moving and standing. Again would prefer a longer upper arm, she let herself down with her front feet. Very down on pasterns on the day. 3. Duchesne's, Scandell Dream Highlite for Dacatec.

G. (4). 1. Butler's, Drymoor Secret Delight. Shaded red, lovely coat and condition, very nice head and eye. Could have better shoulders. Showed and moved well keeping her topline. 2. Shutt's, Donnadoon Passion Flower at Rhinestar. Attractive black and tan bitch, good conformation all round. Not the best of heads and round in the eye. Sorry she was so nervous and didn't enjoy her day.

PG. (8). 1. Laity's, Harrimond Sapphire. Lovely front on this bitch which I could see as she has a correct upper arm. Good head and eye. Beautiful topline, slightly down on pasterns, moved well. 2. Croxford's, Arbroath Lady of Skye. Another nervous bitch, difficult to go over, shoulders and ribbing ok. Good front, nice short hocks good movement. 3. Johnson's, Charpudy New Dawn.

L. (12). 1. Boyle's, Zarcrest Ace of Diamonds. Quality black and tan correct markings, lovely outline standing and moving. Good head and dark eye, good front and feet tight. For a change. Perhaps a little less coat on her tail end would be to her advantage when moving away. Never the less a worthy CC winner which I understand makes her up. Also with my co-judge BOB. 2. Rowes Rowsetta Clarys Cliff. Smaller squarer bitch, charming head and eye. Good conformation all round, good ribbing and good feet. Moved with verve. 3. Worwick's, Willowheath What a Charmer with Dolyharp.

O. (5). 1. Worwick's, Dolyharp Flower Song. This bitch won this class on her movement. Really showed her pads as she went away. Level topline, good head and eye. Correct shoulders and good front. 2. Hall's, Gayville Double Take. A rather large bitch shown on the thin side. Coformation and movement good. Head not her tortune. 3. Clarke's, Maundowne Madame Phobe at Dormosa.

Jean Mathews