The Otterhound Club Championship Show 29th September 2024
Thank you to the Otterhound Club members for asking me to judge (4 years ago), and all exhibitors who brought their lovely hounds for me to go over. My main winners were all typical Otterhounds, it was a great pleasure to watch their long striding movement which must not be lost, nor must their majestic head and long ears that roll inwards. A few hounds today moved very close behind, they also need more muscle tone, better shoulders and upper arms.
Baby Puppy 5 (1abs) very nice to see 4 litter mates in one class
1st Mr D & Mrs S Porter, OTTARYX ALFRED this one won the class as he has the makings of being a well-built hound, head properties were correct good length of ear with fold, decent neck length, good bone ample length of tail and movement ok when settled.
2nd Miss HFR Pickering OTTARYX APPLE, I don’t like to keep saying- same remarks apply -when I do my critiques, this bitch was feminine as she was slimmer in body and bone, loved her head eyes and ears, good length of neck body of good length and nice hind angulation two nice babies.
3rd Mr G & Mrs N Parr & Richball-Parr OTTARYX ARNOLD.
RES Mr D & Mrs S Porter OTTARYX ANGEL.
Special open Working D/B 0
Veteran D/B 2 (1abs)
1st Miss M & Mrs C Wheatley TECKELGARTH ZSA ZSA, 7 years old and moves like a youngster, head and ears of correct proportions, depth of chest and length of body were good, strong rear end, profuse tail hair of correct length, as was her thick dense coat, she looks stuffy in the neck but did carry a profuse coat she covered the ground well with her long strides. Best Veteran in Show.
Puppy D 1
1st Miss M Lerego Mr S & Mrs H Sands TECKELGARTH KRAKEN, Well I liked this 6-month-old puppy very much, my notes say very good all-round, well-made head and skull, her ears should have been longer to finish the picture, rough double coat and moved just right for a puppy. Best puppy in Show
Junior Dog 0
Special Yearling D 1
1st Mr D & Mrs S Porter OTTARYX VINTAGE,19-month-old, large rangier hound, strong muzzle, ears set low and of correct length with fold, good leg bone but his front feet and nails were longer than I like, coat of good texture, ribs well back, his tail is a bit short, moved ok.
Post Grad D 1
1st Mr D & Mrs S Porter OTTARYX VANDAL litter brother to last class, another large hound, majestic head, dark eyes, doomed skull, medium length of neck, good leg bone and better feet than his brother, nice double jacket and again movement ok, wasn’t too sure about me going over his body, needs time to settle.
Limit D 2
1st Mrs VC Finch OLPHAE CLAYTON, Bl/Tan catalogue puts him at 6 years 6 month, a very nicely balanced dog, lovely dog head, wide big nostrils, nose to stop- to occiput just right, chest filled out leg and upper arm of good length strong in the rear end, double coat of correct texture, big feet, moved ok front and rear. Shown and handled very well, Reserve Best Dog cc. also reserve Best in Show.
2nd Mr SP Nelson OLPHAE DRUID, another large headed dog, dark pigment around nicely shaped eyes, true Otterhound length and fold of ears, deep chested, strong leg bone standing on big rounded feet, he has a rough harsh coat of broken appearance, correct length of tail.
Open D 2 (1abs)
1st Mrs S Lewis CH OLPHAE CHARMAN, when he made an entrance in the ring, I said yes just what I’ve been waiting for, striking majestic head with his big black nose, dark eyes, depth of muzzle, correctly proportioned skull, decent length of neck into well laid shoulders, oval rib cage of good length and long striding movement, lovely to watch, best dog cc and Best in Show
Puppy B 1 (1abs)
Junior B 2
1st Miss C Tangye & Mrs S Lewis OLPHAE FAITHFUL, just over one year old, bl/tan bitch, good balanced head and skull, nice fold of ears just pulled to the end of her nose, shoulders well laid back, nice length of ribs and body strong hind quarters, tail of correct length, starting to lose her softer puppy coat, adult coat feeling harsher, tidy feet and straight front legs carrying ample bone.
2nd Mrs A Fitzherbert-Stewart OLPHAE FLEUR WITH OTTATECK, litter sister to 1st, she has the same soft puppy coat with plenty of new adult coat coming through, well bodied another strong in hind quarters, wide thighs, tail correct length, movement coming and going ok.
Special Yearling 1 (1abs)
Post Grad B 1
1st Mrs CA Johnson OLPHAE DARBY WITH WILDAN, 3 year and 4-month-old bitch, possessing a lovely head and carriage, shoulders well laid-back firm top line and hind quarters, oval ribcage of nice depth straight front legs of correct bone, rather straight in stifle though, tail length and movement ok
Limit B 5 (2abs)
1st Mrs S Lewis OLPHAE ORLAITH, 4-year-old, feminine head and skull, neck of moderate length, loved her shoulders and length of body, upper arm correct, feet, hind quarters tail stifle coat texture all correct. Long striding movement, lovely to see.
2nd Miss M Lerego TECKELGARTH JOVIAL, 2-year-old Otterhound typical head properties, body looks thicker set but with hands on- she carries a heavy thick double coat of correct texture, good leg bone and feet, height wise she is fine shoulders well laid back, movement ok.
Open B 2
1st Mrs VC Finch CH CONESTOGA AND CROSSROADS ENGLISH DREAM AT OTTERSLADE, 3-year 8 month, looking very much the part of what I like, majestic head deep strong muzzle, neck shoulders body length strong hind quarters with angulation that has been lacking in most others today, straight front and legs standing on tight feet, steady movement around the ring grooming, presentation and handled to the Bitch CC.
2ND Miss M Lerego TECKELGARTH FOXTROT, she has a lovely head and ear carriage, shoulders clean, nice length of body but could have carried a little bit more weight, good hind angulation, tail set and length were ok, front movement was better than the rear. Reserve Best Bitch CC
Judge Hilary Gilpin
I would like to thank the Committee for such a friendly welcome to their show, to Simon, my very able steward and to the exhibitors for entering their dogs under me in such a lovely entry. Such a delightful breed to judge and I really enjoyed my day with the club, a lovely experience.
Special Yearling Stakes Dog/Bitch (4,0abs)
1st Olphae Faithful (ai)
Bit of a handful here, she was only just out of puppy. Lovely shaped head, deep strong muzzle, clean cheeks, good length ears with fold and with slight dome, good bite. Neck of strength and length into her well laid shoulder, strong and straight forelegs, good for depth of body and well ribbed back into firming loin, topline and back sufficiently firm for age. Strong hind quarters with muscling to the stifles, perhaps front feet could be a tad bigger, moved around the ring freely.
2nd Ottaryx Vandal
Good in head shape, depth of muzzle and strong jaw, clean across the cheeks with a good length ear with fold. Lovely neck for strength and length flowing into a well laid shoulder and good straight forelegs and feet. Chest deep with good length ribbing into a firm loin, good topline and firm back. Nicely angled rear quarters and muscling coming to stifles. Moved out well.
3rd Olphae Fleur With Ottateck (ai)
Special Open Stakes Dog/Bitch (4, 1abs)
1st Olphae Orlaith (ai)
The dam of my SY winner, really liked her head proportions with dome, clean cheeks & strong deep muzzle, strong jaw and a well furnished head. Long well set ears with fold, good length of firm neck into well laid shoulders. Forelegs well boned, chest of good depth with lovely length of ribbing into a firm loin. Good for topline and firm back flowing into the nicely angled rear quarters with muscling to stifles. Moved out freely from all angles with good stride.
2nd Tecklegarth Zsa Zsa
Well proportioned head with deep muzzle and strong jaw, slightly domed head and a lovely length of ear with a good fold. Just preferred the neck and flow into shoulders of first although a well laid shoulder. Good depth to chest, strong straight forelegs, and well ribbed back into firm loin. Nice topline and firm back nicely angled rear quarters with muscling to the stifles. Moved out well.
3rd Olphae Druid
Special Members John Bell-Irving Memorial Stakes Dog/Bitch (9, 3abs)
1st Ch Conestoga and Crossroads English Dream At Otterslade (imp USA)
Very smart bitch with good head proportions with a deep and strong muzzle, strong jaws, clean cheeks, nicely furnished and with slight dome. Ears of sufficient length with fold, good length of strong neck into a well laid shoulder, straight forelegs but felt a touch bigger foot might complete the picture. Chest deep with good ribbing back, strong loin and back, firm topline. Rear quarters nicely angled with good muscling, moved out with freedom in stride.
2nd Ch Olphae Charman
Close decision here but felt that the first had a touch better neck flowing into the shoulder. Lovely in head & expression, strong jaw, clean cheeks, good depth of muzzle & domed head and a good length of ear with fold. Body of depth, straight forelegs, well ribbed back into a firm loin, nice topline and firm back. Nicely angled rear quarters, sufficiently muscled, and moved out freely.
3rd Ottaryx Vandal
Judge Ann Snelgrove
