Houndshow bucks the trend

The maxium of the Houndshow is 'the show run by hound people for hound people’ and one that definitely rings true. The vast majority of the committee are still actively involved in breeding and showing and know what exhibitors want from a show. Indeed their entry bucked the trend by being up on last year’s at 2,352 dogs.
Whether it’s a reasonable entry fee – £14 for CC breeds for members, a good £10 cheaper than some general championship shows – free car parking, or for many breeds a highly respected specialist judge, Houndshow seems to cater for all this.
At the start of judging last Saturday we were even informed that the committee had performed their raindance – or should that be ‘keep away rain dance’?
Judging was delayed due to an accident at the roundabout just off junction 14 of the M6, the main route to the Stafford County Showground, so at 9.15am the National Anthem was played and Houndshow 2008 was in full swing.
The weather was mostly sunny throughout the day, but obviously there had been an incomplete complement of raindancers as there was a ten-minute downpour just before noon when exhibitors ran for cover under the grandstand.
Could the absence of Viv Phillips have meant the weather gods thought they could get away with giving the ground a good soaking? Viv was in hospital, having come off worse when trying to separate two dogs fighting.
Houndshow hosts two breed clubs’ shows in which the best of breed winner is also declared ‘best in show’. The Deerhound Club and the Hamiltonstövare Club take full advantage of having their own shows in conjunction with the premier hound show and always draw good entries – beneficial to both breed clubs and the Houndshow. I believe Deerhounds are the only CC breed not to hold an independent breed club championship show.
Another popular feature, unique to Houndshow, is the parade of working hounds which took place in the afternoon. This event was much missed last year when the foot and mouth scare caused a last-minute cancellation. Mike Denny gave an informative commentary on all those packs present before inviting people to meet and greet the hounds.
Paramedics were called for when a Basset Fauve de Bretagne exhibitor collapsed while showing her dog. She was taken to the hospital and is now feeling much better.
Before the BIS judging a minute’s silence was held in memory of Terry Thorn. Although Terry was of course a renowned all-rounder, the hound group can lay claim to him as their own, he having started off breeding and exhibiting Salukis.
Just after 4pm the best of breeds entered the ring for best in show, judged by Jeff Horswell of the Drakesleat Miniature Wirehaired Dachshunds. Jeff needs no introduction, and has also enjoyed success with Field Spaniels and a Greyhound champion.
Jeff awarded BIS to the internationally bred Irish Wolfhound with reserve to the Basset Hound, third the GBGV who had travelled over from Holland and fourth to the Wire Dachshund.
With the puppies following soon after all judging was completed at around 5.30pm.
ADRIAN MARETT

Best in Show
This show really is a must for all British hound enthusiasts. We have come to expect a first class show; once again the officers & committee delivered. I know they could not start setting up until just two days before the show, & must have worked incredibly hard to have the showground looking so good.
I was delighted to be asked to judge BIS, & had been looking forward to standing in the big ring enjoying a line-up of wonderful hounds. My thanks to all concerned for the invitation & my fellow judges for sending me some beautiful hounds. Just the Min Wire missing, having withdrawn because of our close friendship. There were more I liked whom I could have shortlisted, but that is how it should be at such a show as this.
Those I brought forward for another look that didn’t quite get into the places were: Min S/h Dachs, Ch D’Arisca Golden Delicious, has a lovely outline, well angulated, holds a firm topline; Hamiltonstövare, Kilcavan Just William, just right for type, correct size & perfect tail carriage;
Elkhound, Ch/Ir Ch Kestos ISpy at Graythor, has a super outline, ideal proportions with firm back; Ridgeback, Rumuruti Rather B Rabbiting, feminine & athletic, in such fabulous hard muscle.
G4 spot went to the W/h Dachs, Ch Sonic Pickpocket, masculine while still an elegant dog, very good head & a long neck, front assembly is text book, well ribbed back, super coat.
G3 the GBGV, Dutch/Dan Ch Applause Van Tum-Tums Vriendjes, full of charisma, thought her super for size & proportions, feminine in head, firm topline, carrying lots of coat.
RBIS went to the Basset, Ch Bromwylva Imperial Mint of Dereheath, must be at his mature best, a wonderful type dog who can move so well, very good head & neck, excellent front & rear, plenty of substance, level topline, real quality hound.
BIS was the Irish Wolfhound, Ch Conchobar Fancyfree to Ravensbeech, his outline is just right, has the length of leg you want & the right length back, masculine, commanding appearance, curves in all the right places, terrific ribcage, great size & absolutely sound. He really is a great Wolfhound.
Some lovely puppies came forward, some feeling the effects of a long day & some really raw, especially the larger hounds. But I am sure there were many there who will be in group rings again.
Shortlisted but not placed were: PBGV, Monkhams Jack Sparrow, super outline, in great coat, happy dog, moving so well; Greyhound, Mistweave Made With Love, very raw but so full of quality, correct topline, beautiful head, one for the future; Ibizan, Fineza del Paran, loved her type & outline on the move, just needs time but one that is destined for the top.
PG4 was the S/h Dachs, Ralines Rumour Has It, classic Dachshund outline, correct size & super temperament. Felt she needs to lose a bit of weight which kept her in 4th.
PG3 was another GBGV, Holmchappell Bien En Vie, they may not be numerous but they are good. Delightful in every way, lovely type, head & coat. Just needs to drop into her rear, but a real prospect.
RBP was the Beagle, Eardley Early Learner, smart as they come, ideal size, lovely head with melting expression, well made, level back & every time I saw him he looked right, full of quality.
Which left for BP the Elkhound, Bowerhinton Bear Necessity, just so correct, type is right, proportions just as you would want, angulation balanced & moderate, level topline, correct size, movement true & the right length stride, really lovely puppy.
JEFF HORSWELL

CC Winners
AFGHANS (K Andrew, dogs; E S Szyczewski, bitches) – D: Bunney’s Ch Firos Torran at Zadal. B: Fielder’s *Miamarna True to Garamond.
BASENJIS (Miss D Spavin) – D: Baseley’s Ch Marzuku Mapenzi. B: Adams’ *Embeau Symphony.
BASSETS FAUVES DE BRETAGNE (P Seier-Sorensen) – D: Cochrane’s *Shiroblam Pace Bowler for Rowinch. B: Howard’s Nevedith Sun Beam at Tameron.
BASSETS (D T C Sharpe) – D: Storton’s *Ch Bromwylva Imperial Mint of Dereheath. B: Allen’s Ch Fivevalleys Rum Punch.
BEAGLES (Mrs B H Eades, dogs; W D McInnes, bitches) – D: Hills’ *Ch Donay Kappa. B: Kimber’s Ch Coachbarn Cobweb.
BLOODHOUNDS (Ms J Parker) – D: McKenzie’s Farlap Baracnik of Moorlander. B: Richards’ *Ch Cilgwri Starlight of Chasedown.
BORZOIS (Mrs A Thornewell) – D: Carter & Duckworth’s Rothesby Sholwood Paris. B: Clare’s *Ch Ryazan Heather.
DACHSHUNDS, L/H (Mrs M Nixon) – D: Geeson’s *Ch Abydachs Oh What A Night. B: Boyle & Barrow’s Zarcrest Special Effects for Frankanwen.
DACHSHUNDS, MIN L/H (Mrs K Herrington) – D: Turner’s *Ch Rafthouse Herr Flick. B: Angear’s Ch Ridgegrove Halle Berry.
DACHSHUNDS, S/H (Mrs T Thomas) – D: McNaughton’s *Cedavoch Honour Bound. B: Hunt’s Ch Carpaccio Precious Pearl.
DACHSHUNDS, MIN S/H (Mrs J R Naylor) – D: Callow’s Garthorne Garcia. B: Coxon’s *Ch D’Arisca Golden Delicious.
DACHSHUNDS, W/H (Mrs P Marston-Pollock) – D: Borman’s *Ch Sonic Pickpocket. B: McCalmont’s Silvae Mystic.
DACHSHUNDS, MIN W/H (K D Sinclair) – D: Thorn-Andrews’ *Drakesleat Rolling Stone. B: Thorn-Andrews’ Drakesleat Tea Leaf.
DEERHOUNDS (D Murray) – D: Bond’s Ch Regalflight Stormbird. B: Bailey’s *Ch Greyflax Waterloo Sunset.
FINNISH SPITZ (S Byrne) – D: Piearce’s Sukunimi Kari. B: Thompson’s & Cavill’s *Toveri Pella.
GBGV (P Freer) – D: Bayliss & Holm’s Ch Holmchappell Grand Miracle. B: Huikeshoven & Robertson’s *Dutch/Dan Ch Applause van Tum-Tums Vriend.
GREYHOUNDS (R Stock) – D: Robertson & McKnight’s Ch Azrams Rhys Jones. B: Newsham’s *Ch/Lux Ch Windspiel Northern Stylon.
IBIZANS (F Kane) – D: Clark & Clark’s *Ch Catorce Verde. B: Carter & Donnaby’s Dieciseis Violado with Benjique.
IRISH WOLFHOUNDS (T N Finney) – D: Pain & Valerani’s *Ch Conchobar Fancyfree to Ravensbeech. B: Peek’s Milkwood’s Me Myself I.
NORWEGIAN ELKHOUNDS (Mrs J Swinburn) – D: Middleton’s *Ch/Ir Ch Kestos ISpy at Graythor. B: Stokes’ Ch Kestos Lyric.
OTTERHOUNDS (Mrs J Ashworth) – D: Ganna’s *Ch Keepcott Connoisseur. B: Sutton & Connop’s Teckelgarth Isolde.
PBGV (R Price) – D: Lewis’ *Ch Tangaer Magique. B: Phillips’s Chantalle Moet Et Chandon at Haliston.
PHARAOHS (M Sanders) – D: Parker, Stevens, Carota & Sipperly’s Am Ch Hallam’s Busiris Ra Qena. B: Dawson’s *Ch Lyncris I’ll Follow The Sun.
RHODESIAN RIDGEBACKS (Miss S Rossiter) – D: Geeves’ Matabelle Masterpiece. B: Onslow & Johnston’s *Rumuruti Rather B Rabbiting.
SALUKIS (Mrs J Macro) – D: Farris & Cosentini’s *Jazirat Zidane. B: Parker’s Khalils Rana of Classicus.
WHIPPETS (Miss J Dove, dogs; Miss M Dixon, bitches) – D: McLeod’s *Ch/Aus Ch Peperone Solid Gold. B: Robertson’s Collooney Golden Girl of Sheol.

No CCs
FOXHOUNDS (F Kane) – D: Griffiths’ Dazzleby Dick Dastardly. B: Griffiths’ *Dazzleby Daydream.
HAMILTONSTOVARE (Mrs A Goddard) – D: Longman’s *Kilcavan Just William. B: Cook & Collett’s Tedandi Playing Your Game.
PORTUGUESE PODENGOS (Miss D Spavin) – D: Judge’s Port/Fr/Pol Ch Barcelos da Casa da Torre de Plushcourt. B: Judge’s *Plushcourt Bandade.
SLOUGHIS (N Bryce-Smith) – D: Cox’s *Falconcrag Shakir.
IMPORTED REGISTER (F Kane) – D: Startup’s Segugio, *Chahala Pan. B: Dugdale & Dugdale’s Grand Bleu de Gascogne, Venus des Gorges de Rochebaron avec Truganini.

GROUP SUMMARY
Norman Ziman provided the commentary with the assistance of Rosemary Hall.
The best imported register, Jenny Startup’s Segugio Italiano, Chahala Pan, performed a lap of honour and this was his third BIR in three shows.
The BOB Min Wire Dachshund, Zena Thorn-Andrews’ Drakesleat Rolling Stone, was absent due to the connection with the BIS judge. Kennelmate D Tea Leaf was made up today.
In addition to the top four, who are featured in the photographs and captions, Jeff Horswell shortlisted Lovaine Coxon’s Miniature Smooth Dachshund, Ch D’Arisca Golden Delicious. ‘Pippin’ has 11 CCs as well as numerous group placings an RBIS at Hound Association of Scotland last year; Michelle Longman’s Hamiltonstövare, Kilcavan Just William, who took BOB here last year (and therefore also BIS at the club show) and at the recent World Show won BOB and runner-up to the best Swedish breed; Brian and Linda Middleton’s Crufts group winning Norwegian Elkhound, Ch/Ir Ch Kestos ISpy at Graythor, holder of 33 CCs and two G3 placings at Crufts too; and Cindy and Richard Onslow and Tom Johnston’s Rhodesian Ridgeback, Rumuruti Rather B Rabbiting, taking her second CC to go with two RCCs.
The first three breeds to enter the ring alphabetically were each taking a first CC. Jan Fielder’s Afghan, Miamarna True to Garamond, who has three champion littermates, has previously taken two RCCs; Beverley and Dave Adams’ Basenji, Embeau Symphony was handled by breeder Rusty Grayson and also has two RCCs; and ‘Flint’ the Fauve, Shiroblam Pace Bowler for Rowinch, Paula Cochrane’s first of this breed. Also taking a first big green card was the Saluki, Jazirat Zidane, owned by Terry Farris and Michael Cosentini.
Maria Lerego handled a new Otterhound champion in Teckelgarth Isolde and the Clark family were celebrating breeding both CC winners in Ibizan Hounds, taking BOB with Ch Catorce Verde; the following day they took BIS at the Cesky Terrier Club open show.
Jeff shortlisted seven for BPIS and the three unplaced dogs were Skerritt’s PBGV, Monkhams Jack Sparrow; Isaac’s Greyhound, Mistweave Made With Love; and Stoneham and Maguire’s Ibizan Hound, Fineza del Paran.
The top two puppies are pictured; PG3 was Holm’s GBGV, Holmchappell Bien En Vie, and fourth Lockett-Walters’ Smooth Dachshund, Ralines Rumour Has It.

Best in Show winners' background
JAN PAIN has been involved with Cavaliers for 30 years and Irish Wolfhounds for more than 20 and has made up a number of champions in both breeds. Fancyfree was bred in Italy by Luca Valerani, and is co-owned by him. He joined the Ravensbeech kennel in 2006.
His sire, the multi-titled Lancelot, was bred in a well-known Dutch kennel and had an exciting show career with BIS wins in several countries and won the Collare D’Oro contest in 2000.
He was by the influential sire Quincy, who was brother to Shadow, imported to Britain by Dagmar Kenis Pordham where he sired many champions. Further back in the pedigree can be found Dagmar’s Ch Solstrand Kaspar who was himself BIS at the Houndshow.
Fancyfree’s dam, Sandslash, was bred in an American kennel which has had a cosiderable impact on the breed in Britain and Europe. She won a UK CC and a Crufts RCC. From the same kennel came a Houndshow BIS winner, the Italian-owned Kiowa (by Konjur), and a RBIS winner, the British-owned Malice.
In a previous litter by the same sire, Sandslash produced Ch Cerbero who won two UK CCs, at Crufts and the Irish Wolfhound Society, and by British dog Ch Windspray Dante, she produced Ch Conchobar Evil Enchanter, a Crufts BOB and World Show group winner.
After six months at Ravensbeech, Fancyfree was ready to make his UK debut at the parent club show last year, going right through to BIS under Jenny Dove.
His title followed at the National under Kathy Johnson and Three Counties from Marion Finney where he won the group under George Johnston.
He ended the year as top Wolfhound with further group wins from Liz Cartledge and Norman Ziman and was BIS at the IW Society. He has so far been unbeaten in the breed this year with BOB at Crufts, BIS again at the IWC and more groups from Zena Thorn Andrews and Paul Singleton.
His daughter, owned and bred by Jan, is current top puppy.