CRITIQUE

West Mercia Beagle Club CH Show – Sunday 5^th November 2023

Judge : Mrs Kelly Nash (Kelseva)

I cannot thank the committee enough for inviting me to judge their Championship show. The quality of dogs I had exceeded any expectations I may have had. Thank you to all the exhibitors for entrusting me with your beautiful hounds, it really was a joy to go over them all. So many classes were so close and on a different day could change positions. I was over the moon with my main winners. Again, thank you to all!

Class 1 MPD: 7,3abs

1st Banks' Forgebanks Santiano – 7mths Tan and White, Beautiful masculine head with lovely length of leathers reaching just to the end of his nose. Lovely pigmentation and kind eye. Just the right weight and in good proportion. Great bend of stifle and a real picture when stacked. Moved well around the ring and was true coming and going. Tracked up well whilst keeping a level top line at all times. One I certainly could take home and will look forward to seeing how well he does in the future. BPD BPIS

2nd Lewis' Fallowfield Romeo – 6mths Tricolour, a lovely compact boy, who took a little time to settle but once he did you could see that everything was in the right place. Beautiful soft expression with lovely domed head. Good lay of shoulder. Kept level top line at all times whilst on the move. This little boy needs a little more time to develop but is a very promising young man. Again, another I will keep my eye on in the future.

Class 2 PD: 3, 2abs

1st Lewis' Fallowfield Fellman – 11mths Tricolour, Again another boy with a beautiful head from this kennel. When relaxed he stacked so beautifully and had a lovely length of neck, his chest was below his elbow with a good upper arm. Ribs extended well back and had a lovely bend of stifle. In my opinion just needs some time to relax when stacked as sometimes he looked a little hunched. But overall a very promising boy who is a lovely shape and when moved he really showed what he could do.

Class 3 JD: 5,3abs

1st Craig's Ch Davricard Gaultier -13mths Tan and white, smaller mould than most on the day. He did not put a foot wrong when on the move, he has a beautiful soft expression, good length of leathers and correct bite. Nice fore chest and upper arm. Ribbed well back and short coupled. Well-muscled back end and good bend of stifle, lovely neat feet. He was very true coming and going, just needed a little encouragement to get him moving around the ring. I am very sure that this boy will continue to do well for his handler.

2nd Goldberg's Rossut Villien at Molesend JW – 16mth Tricolour, heavier in mould than 1st place, dark eye with soft expression, lovely domed head going into good length of neck. Good lay of shoulder and depth of chest. Unfortunately, this boy was a little bum high when stacked which sometimes made his overall shape not look as good as it could be. Very true moving away but sometimes became slightly lazy of his movement with his front right foot. Overall very pleasing on the eye and has a lot of attributes I loved.

Class 4 YD: 4, 2abs

1st Jones' Clairdale Fusilier – Tricolour, this boy was a lovely mover that excelled coming and going. He has a lovely relationship with his handler and you can see he has a mischievous side to him (which I loved). Lovely dark eye and good pigmentation. Correct length of leathers. Great depth of chest and nice bend of stifle. Level top line held at all times and correct tail set. A lovely boy all round.

2nd Bridgeman's Kingswin Bug ‘A’ Lugs JW – Tricolour, a beautiful masculine head with great eye colour and dark pigmentation. Lovely long neck leading into a good lay of shoulder and level top line. Ribbed well back and had a lovely back end. Unfortunately, this boy was knuckling over on his front left foot every time he stacked in front of me. Other than that, he was a lovely young man that I am sure will continue to be placed.

Class 5 ND 5, 1abs

1st Banks' Fogebanks Santiano – See 1st in MPD

2nd Bell-Thomas' Amorpapaver Hercules – Tri colour, what a lovely mover who caught my eye entering the ring. I was told this was his first show and he did very well. He was not a fan of the table and did not relax when on it. Could do with a little bit more weight on him in my opinion but a well-muscled young man. Had a lovely shaped head with dark, kind eye. Kept his top line level at all times and when moving around the ring looked like he was enjoying himself, he moved with reach and drive.

Class 6 PGD 5, 2abs

1st Foster & Jones' Stormpasture Saddlesoap – Tan and White, a small power house, he excelled on the move and I wouldn’t expect any less from this kennel. He tracked up at all times and really showed the reach and drive that the breed should have. He moved true coming and going and held his tail high at all times, a proper little showman. Has a lovely shaped head with good pigmentation and dark eye. Correct bite and length of leathers. Good depth of chest. Handler certainly knows how to get the best from his dogs. RCC

2nd Jones & Jones' Molesend Colt (A.i) – Tan and white, just my cup of tea shape wise and size. Had a beautiful head with that melting expression. Longer mould but everything was just in the correct place. Good lay of shoulder with a lovely fore chest and depth of chest. Level top line with correct tail set. Lovely bend of stifle and overall a beautiful boy. 1st place just out moved him on the day but definitely one I would like to think will do well in the future.

Class 7 LD: 13, 2abs

What a beautiful class, full of quality and all will have their day I am sure.

1st Parker & Stevens' Serenaker Saltydog – Tricolour, what a little showman who held his head high and didn’t put a foot wrong. Masculine head leading into a lovely long neck. Ribbed well back and short coupled. Good bend of stifle, slightly more upright in shoulder than I would like but he demanded your attention on the move. Moved freely around the ring tracking up and completely true fore and aft. Handler again knows exactly how to get the best from her dogs and the relationship is lovely to see.

2nd Breeze's Parkebreeway Wiseman JW – Tan and white, a heavier mould dog to 1st place. A lovely melting expression with lovely long leathers. Beautiful arch to the neck leading into a good lay of shoulder. Ribbed well back with good depth of chest. More my type than 1st place but felt he was in a bit of a plodding mood and did not want to show himself off as much as I am sure he can do.

Class 8 OD: 5, 0abs

1st Henningsson-Dundas' Julemark Luther – Tricolour, this boy completely took my eye the minute he started moving around the ring. His movement was easy and free flowing. He was not exaggerated in any aspects but for me just perfect. I could easily take him home. His beautiful masculine head with a delightful expression that just melted you when you looked at him. His leathers were the perfect length. He had a great lay of shoulder with a good fore chest. His depth of chest was below the elbow and he ribbed well back. He was short coupled and held a level top line at all times. He was well muscled and had a lovely bend of stifle. His handler moved him at the perfect pace and certainly got the best out of him. I was overjoyed to award him the CC on the day and RBIS.

2nd Foster & Jones' Stormpasture Rocketman Tricolour, another that could move, and what a joy to watch him move. He tracked up and was so true coming and going. He definitely was a contender for the RCC but was pipped to the post by his kennel mate. A lovely masculine head with dark eye. Good length of leathers. Correct bite. Nice lay of shoulder with good upper arm. Ribbed well back and short coupled. 1 just had a better bed of stifle for me. Again, a lovely boy that I would be more than happy to have live with me. I am positive he will continue to do well and one I will watch in the future.

Class 9 VD: 3, 1abs

1st Wright & Mitchell's Huntshill Tornado JW Sh.cm Tricolour, I remember this boy as a baby (how time goes so quick!) Sound boy who moves very true coming and going. Likes to take his time round the ring but doesn’t put a foot wrong. Masculine head with lovely dark eye. Soft expression and correct bite. Nice neat feet and good bone. Ribbed well back and short coupled. Nice bend of stifle and kept a level top line both on the move and stacked. Newly a veteran but one I am sure will do well in his new career. BVD

2nd Murphy's Black Royal at Rhosyndu Vw Tricolour, 8yrs, finer mould than one, who was lighter in bone and substance. Moved well around the ring. Lovely dark eye with soft expression, has kept his black very well. Good lay of shoulder and well ribbed back. Good tail set and enjoyed his time in the ring.

Class 10 VinD: 3, 2abs

1st Roderick's Barterhound Garrison tan and white, 13yrs that still thoroughly enjoys his time in the ring. His tail did not stop wagging from the minute he entered (I think he may like the sausages). Moved around the ring with exuberance and was such a joy to watch him having such a lovely time. Lovely shape when stacked with a beautiful masculine head and good pigmentation. Good length of neck leading into a good lay of shoulder. Ribbed well back and short coupled. Had a smile on my face from the minute he entered to the minute he left the ring.

Class 11 SBD 2, 1abs

1st Davricard Picasso at Rhosyndu Tricolour, a lovely shaped boy stacked. Has a beautiful masculine head with dark, kind eye. Correct bite. Correct length of leathers leading into lovely length of neck. Chest well let down and elbows tucked neatly in. Nice back end and correct tail carriage. Didn’t do himself justice on the move.

Class 12 MPB 6, 0abs

1st Dawson, Goodall & Harrison's Rundle Lovelace Tricolour, 6mths, what a beautiful shape this young lady is. She moved with reach and drive around the ring and was very happy and settled on the move. Lovely head and expression, correct length of leathers, lovely clean outline. Well-muscled back end and nice bend of stifle. Good lay of should with a lovely fore chest and depth of chest. A pretty little baby who I am sure will do her young handle justice. A lovely relationship between the two.

2nd Bank's Forgebanks Shauntung tricolour, 6mths. Litter sister to my BPIS. Beautiful feminine head with lovely dark pigmentation, correct length of leathers and scissor bite. Good length of neck leading into a good lay of shoulder, nice fore chest and depth of chest. Good upper arm. Level top line and correct tail set. Nice back end. Moved well around the ring and really did look like she was having a lovely time. I am sure she will do very well in the future and I watch her with baited breath. What a lovely pair of siblings.

Class 13 PB 4, 0abs

1st Lewis' Fallowfield Flaxon tan and white, 11mths. This little lady caught my eye as soon as she entered the ring, she was a lovely striking rich tan and white with a character to match. She was having the best time and moved round the ring with confidence and real showmanship. Beautiful shaped head with lovely long leathers, nice long neck leading into a good lay of shoulder. Chest well let down and elbows remained tucked in neatly at all times. Kept a level top line at all times and a correct tail set (even though this was difficult to assess as she was wagging all the time – lovely), well-muscled back end and beautiful neat feet. She was absolutely my type and one I certainly would have taken home with me. I am sure she will do well in the future. BPB

2nd Tofts' Jarrowley Opal tan and white, 10mths. Another beautiful bitch who moved well around the ring just not showing herself off as much as 1, although I am sure she could do. Lovely head with dark kind eye, correct bite and leathers. Lovely long neck leading into a good lay of shoulder. Good upper arm and depth of chest. Well ribbed back. Well-muscled back end. On the move she moved correctly both true coming and going. Elbows kept neatly under her at all times. One to definitely watch in the future as well.

Class 14 JB 4, 0abs

1st Harvard's Dufosee Julianna Avec Annavah Tan and white, 15mths. Well what can I say about this little lady! She ticked every box for me, she had that cheekiness about her as she entered the ring that totally caught my eye. When moving around the ring she took my breath away, she tracked up, she moved with such reach and drive she kept her top line level at all times, she was just my cup of tea. Then I had the honour of going over her and she did not disappoint anywhere. Beautiful feminine head with lovely pigmentation. Correct leathers and bite. Lovely long neck leading into a good lay of shoulder. Good depth of chest, ribbed well back, short coupled. Lovely back end and correct tail set. I couldn’t take my eyes off of her even when she was playing up in the Final Line up. She will have a very bright future I am sure and I hope her 3rd CC will come very soon. BCC BIS

2nd Tanner's Felinoak Ffansi Nansi JW Tricolour, 12mths. Another really beautiful bitch. Looked an absolute picture stacked and worked so well with her handler. She had a beautiful head with lovely dark kind eye. Lovey length of neck leading into a good lay of shoulder. Good bone all round. Great depth of chest and lovely tight elbows. Kept a level top line at all times and with a lovely back end she really moved well around the ring. She tracked up well and moved with reach and drive. A real delight to watch and go over. I am sure she will do very well in the future as she has everything in the right place and is sound all round.

Class 15 YB 7, 1abs

1st Craig's Annavah Belinda of Davricard tricolour, another bitch that knew how to move and use the ring to her advantage. Moved with reach and drive, parallel both coming and going. Sweet head with lovely expression. Correct bite and length of leathers. Nicely domed head leading into long neck and good lay of shoulder. Elbow neatly tucked under and good depth of chest. Ribbed well back and well-muscled quarters. One that will continue to do well I am sure.

2nd Davies' Annavah Nocturne of Barrvale tricolour, again a bitch who has everything in the right place. Not overdone at all. A lovely shape when stacked and did not disappoint on the move just wasn’t as free flowing as 1. Lovely head with good pigmentation. Nice neck leading into good lay of shoulder. Level top line held at all times and good carriage set. Nice bend of stifle and lovely neat feet. Moved well around the ring, parallel coming and going.

Class 16 NB 8, 1abs

1st Davies' Davricard Chanel around Barrvale tricolour, what a pretty little bitch with the most beautiful expression. Lovely ear set that complimented her feminine head. Lovely dark eye with melting expression. Nicely built with good bone and substance. Moved well around the ring tracking up and parallel coming and going. Will watch her as I am sure she has a promising future.

2nd Findley's Rhiconich Bombshell, tricolour. Another lovely bitch who was a picture when stacked and settled. Pleasing head with correct bite and length of leathers. Beautiful long neck leading into a good lay of shoulder. Level top line and good bend of stifle. Moved around the ring well with reach and drive.

Class 17 PGB 7, 2abs

1st Langman's Madika High Flyer at Bonwillan, Tricolour. What a little showman(woman), there was no way I was not taking note that she was in the ring. She did not put a foot wrong. Beautifully compact and not overdone in anyway. Lovely head leading into a good length of neck. Nice lay of shoulder and kept her elbows neatly tucked under her at all times. Level top line held at all time and correct tail set. Well-muscled and a joy to watch her having such a lovely time in the ring. Powered around the ring showing herself off at all times. A happy little soul. BSB

2nd Lennard's Butterow Unity Tricolour. This little girl caught my eye as she entered the ring, again a happy little lady who was having a lot of fun (which is always so lovely to see). Larger mould that 1 but still everything in the right place. Lovely head with kind eye and melting expression. Well ribbed back, short coupled. Nice back end that she used when on the move. She moved with reach and drive. I’m sure her handler will continue to have lots of fun with her in the future.

Class 18 LB 11, 0abs

1st Thornton &Thornton'sJulemark Primrose at Maplelayne JW Tan and White. Well the first thing that you notice about this beautiful bitch is how much she is engaged with her handler. The relationship is a joy to watch. She excelled around the ring using her powerful back end to drive through and the front was not left behind. She is a slightly bigger mould but everything is in proportion and she uses it all so well. This was definitely the hardest class of the day with some beautiful bitches not getting placed when on another day they would. This little lady has a beautiful head with a lovely dark eye and melting expression. Good length of leathers with a lovely dome to the head. Nice lay of shoulder, good depth of chest with elbows kept neatly under her at all times. Well-muscled back end and lovely neat feet. A joy to watch.

2nd Philpott's Charterwood Black Opal, tricolour. Smaller bitch but what a beautiful shape. Moved with reach and drive and tracked up. Lovely head with dark, kind eye. Correct bite and length of leathers. Nice neck leading into a good lay of shoulder. Good upper arm and fore chest lovely depth of chest too. Well ribbed back and short coupled. Lovely back end with good bend of stifle. Just pipped to the post by the showmanship of 1.

Class 19 OB 9, 0abs

1st Harvard & Harvard's Ch Annavah Princess Tiana, Tri colour. Another fabulous mover from this kennels. (the breeder needs to bottle it up and save it) She certainly took my eye from the minute she moved around the ring. Moved with such ease, tracking up on every step and moving with reach and drive. Parallel coming and going and just a joy to watch. A beautiful shape when stacked, feminine head with melting expression. Correct bite and length of leathers, good neck and lay of shoulder. Well let down chest that enabled her to keep elbows lovely and neat under her at all times. Well ribbed back and short coupled. Well-muscled back end. Just a little darling that I would have happily taken home. RCC

2nd Beard's Kelticreed Jessica Barker, Tri colour. Another that moved so well around the ring. Tracking up and parallel coming and going. Beautiful head shape, leathers that she held in line with her eyes that accentuated her soft expression. Nice length of neck leading to good lay of shoulder. Nice upper arm. Good depth of chest and well ribbed back. Well-muscled back end and nice neat feet. Lovely little bitch.

Class VB 20 6, 1abs

1st Harvard & Harvard's Ch Annavah Knick Knack, Tri colour, 8yrs. Well what can you say about this lady! She could certainly show a few how to move. She excelled around the ring, tracking up and parallel at all times. She stood like a trooper and what a beautiful shape she is. Pleasing head with lovely soft expression, great pigmentation. Lovely long neck leading into a good lay of shoulder, good depth of chest, well ribbed back and short coupled. Still has a lovely powerful back end with good bend of stifle. Another real mover from this kennel that demands your attention from the minute she enters the ring with her effortless movement. BVB BVIS

2nd Arden's Madika Spot On JW Sh.cm Aw (P) Vw, Tri colour, 8yrs. What a delight this little lady is to watch. She has such a fabulous relationship with her handler and enjoys every second she spends in the ring. A real showman that free stands and doesn’t put a foot wrong. Lovely head with dark kind eye. Good depth of chest and elbows kept neatly tucked in. Well ribbed back. Level top line held at all times, good tail set and nice bend of stifle. One I have always admired ringside for just having the best time ever.

Class 21 VinB 5, 1abs

1st Mcbain & Stevens' Redcap Bella Sorella Jw Sh.cm Vw, Tri Colour, 11yrs. Always been one of my favourites! Her movement is a joy to watch even in vintage she still loves her time in the ring. I can still see she gives her handler a hard time when stacking, lots of character of which I love. Lovely head with great pigmentation. A beautiful shape when stacked, good lay of shoulder, upper arm and for chest. Great depth of chest with neatly tucked in elbows. Ribbed well back. Lovely powerful back end and good bend of stifle. Always a waggy tail. I just love this little lady and am thrilled she still enjoys her days out.

2nd Tanner's Dufosee Elinore at Felinoak, Tri colour, 12yrs. Another who was having a lovely day. Such a happy waggy lady. Moved well around the ring tracking up and parallel coming. Slightly closer behind than 1. Beautiful shape when stacked. Handler had a smile on her face the whole time she was showing her and why not she is a lovely lady. Beautiful head with lovely dark, kind eye. Lovely neck length leading into good lay of shoulder. Level top line held at all times. Correct tail set and well-muscled back end with good bend of stifle. I just absolutely love the Veteran classes and none of these disappointed.

Class 22 SBB 2, 1abs

1st Langman's Madika High Flyer at Bonwillan – please see Class 17.