Winter - The Deerhound Club

HOUN DSHOW 2003 Critique
The Hound Show held at the Stafford County Fairgrounds is one of tlre rnorc
attractive venues at which I have judged. lt can easily be placed on a par with the
"old" Santa Barbara, California site or our Montgomery (Pennsylvania) show (the
terrier show outside of Philadelphia), as well as many of the other top Anrerican shou
sites.
The hospitality of the club members is equal to any in the States and is to be
commended. I felt very much at home, but then they are hound people.
Although the weather was absolutely superb with hardly a cloud in the sky
(gratefully, the heat wave had not yet struck), it was with a bit of sadness that I
entered the ring not to have Miss Noble at ringside. We were very fond of her in the
States, and were fortunate to have had her share her enjoyment oflife and Deerhounds
with us. Atourbreed show, herabsence is very noticeable; it was even on this lovely
day.
The entry was fairly large and a compliment not only to the younger members
of the Deerhound Club but the health of the breed. As in America, there is always a lot
of clucking about actual quality and 'type', whether or not the current crop of breeders
are on the right track or have lost sight of the breed. Faults come and go often with
newer exhibitors and breeders not being totally aware of the ebb and flow of these
faults within the breed and not being alert to these problems. For example, I remember
years ago Miss Noble cornmenting that ring tails come and go in cycles. This was at a
time in the Seventies when the breed in Britain appeared to be relatively free of ring
tails while at the same time were more prevalent in the States. Not much later in the
early Eighties, Deerhounds in Britain had decided to grow a significant number of ling
tails. At the Hound Show, I did not notice a very great number, in fact, there were
relatively few.
What did seem to be more prevalent, although by no means predominant, were
some fairly poor toplines. This is disappointing, in that outline and topline have
always been better than in the States. There seems to be the tendency towards rather
flat backs with lack of underline. This creates a tubular effect that is not only
unattractive but poor type. It denotes lack ofchest and short upper anns. This is a fault
that is all too prevalent in the States. Perhaps it isjust a cycle.
The bulk of the entry had fairly good nrovement with some examples having
very lovely reach or extension. Those exarrples that brushed or moved weakly in the
hindquarters were not so much structurally unsound, although there were some of
those, as just in poor condition. Actually, I was really pleased to go over quite a lot ol'
sturdy, wellconditioned hounds. In fact, the overall range in movement was pretty
good. Now, I know that there are those who feel that keen spirit overcornes a poorly
constructed hound (l have often heard it said that a keen spirit overcomes
'bad feet'.)
but, frankly, it really helps to be able to keep up with a stag. Accordingly, there
is no excuse for a deerhound not covering the most amount of ground with the least
expenditure of energy. So, despite a keen aftitude, economy of movement and good
movement is necessary to "type" - the age-old argument! The bulk of the exhibits hatl
good thick tltighs and were well let down in the hock. Sadly, we ale lacking both thost'
attributes in tlre States. l'here scenred to be very many good, thickly coated tails
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(not too many gay tails), many of the exhibits had good density of bone. I was particularly
pleised to see nlany good ears, small and folded nicely. I would have liked
to see a bit more back-skull on some exhibits. While this is not critical, it is important
to remember that the deerhound head is not a Wolfhound head. I did see many
good examples of head type with very many examples that had proper level planes
[which allows the most punishing bite). Eyes were by in large fairly dark, although
there were several examples that had some rather light eyes.
what was par.ticularly appealing was the fact that there were many more
dark, harsh coats with the proper length of coat. I am somewhat prejudiced towards
a darker coat as lny most favourite Deerhound was Justina of Ardkinglas. She only
got two CC's but should have been made up. She had a classic head and was a ferocious
courser.
On balance. I was very please with the range of exhibits. There were some
really excellent examples with proper Deerhound type. All in all, the breed is fine
shape and the exhibitors ought to be conrmended. Now as to actual placements:
Puppy Dog 'i+St,
L) filtoeter Grilse: This youngster has very nice bone, good feet'
depth of chest for his age. He moved quite nicely. when he settled down.
2.) 1394, Creyflax Lancelot: He has a good sweep of stifle and lovely ears.
but needs a bit more bone.
3.) 1390, Lealla Jarlath.
Junior Dogs
l.) i330, Hillnorton Dazzle.. A nice dog with good balance of bone, good
feet. and harsh coat. He moved quite easily. I liked him well enough to give him a
'club
special', Best under l8 rnonths'
2.\ 1421 . Pendrethan Macallan: 1'his dog has nice depth of chest and a
lovely outline. Also an easy rnoving boy.
3.) 1385, Terichline XPlorer'
Special Yearling Dog
| .) 1372, Glenfoyble Dalrymple: This dog has good reach
(extension) and lovely spring of rib. He could lose a tad bit of
weight.
2.\ 1417. Kilbourne Comanche of Lordswell: This dog moved
easily and freely but needs tnore bone and topline.
Special Beginners Dog
l .) 145 I , Killoeter Grilse. As above'
2.) l434,Gentom Loyalty at Brockfield: I liked this dog as he had a good
outline with correct depth of chest, but needs a bit more bone.
3.) 1323. Clantonrnoor Ardanach to Sutherland.
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