The Otterhound Club

Open Show

6th April 2025

Judge – Colette Perkins

It was an honour to be asked to judge at this very well run show and for such a friendly club. The committee made me feel very welcome, my Steward Simon was so well organised, the food was delicious and the atmosphere was relaxing. We judged outside in the sunshine and had perfect weather for this super breed to show itself off. I experienced some of the best sportsmanship, with every winner applauded. What a friendly bunch of people! The icing on the cake was having the opportunity to assess some lovely examples of the breed, so thank you to all who entered.

I was looking today for a hound that appeared like it could work all day. I wanted free movement, a typical majestic head, good feet and a desired even temperament. I asked exhibitors to also display the dog at walk to look for that loose stride before seeing it spring into action and trot. I’m delighted to say I found what I was looking for in my top winners.

Baby Puppy (No Entries)

Special Open Working (No Entries)

Vet D/B (1,0)

1. Lerego & Wheatley’s Teckelgarth Zsa Zsa – A quality girl presented in a super jacket. Her head was so typical with a gentle expression, large nose with big nostrils, well set ears with great length and the desired roll, good length to her neck, well boned legs and large feet. I would prefer a slightly better lay of shoulder but I forgave this because of her overall breed type. Ribs well back, good hindquarters with a moderate turn of stifle and moved out effortlessly showing her soundness and power. BB, RBIS, BVIS

PD (4,0)

1. Gracie & Thomas Conestoga & Crossroads Kellan Journeys To Trailkeeper – A pup that I judged very recently at a general open show and the same comments apply.  Raw looking puppy dog but everything in the right place. Domed skull, deep set eyes, powerful neck, deep chest and a good ribcage, moderate rear angulation and large thick padded feet. Sound on the move showing an active stride. BPD

2. Lewis’ Olphae Governor – A smart looking pup who is where I would want to him to be for development at this stage. Head still needing to develop but it has good proportions, well set ears with good roll, long clean neck, really smooth shoulders , enough bone and a slight spring to his pasterns. I liked his overall length and moderate angulation, second thigh is still to develop. Being a real cheeky chap for his handler particularly on the move, but so good to see him enjoying his day and he will be one to watch.

3. Rooksby’s Ottaryx Carson

 

 

JD (1,0)

1. Conestoga & Crossroads Kellan Journeys To Trailkeeper

SY (No Entries)

PGD (1,0)

1. Porter’s Ottaryx Vintage – An upstanding male built on good bone and large feet. He has a lovely hound expression and although it isn’t the strongest of heads, it is nonetheless still masculine and balanced with a strong jaw. Well set leathers with good length, clean neck, well placed shoulders, plenty of length to his ribs, really good width to his second thigh. He moved soundly but I would prefer a touch more ground coverage. However, he is still a good example of breed type.

LD (2,0)

1. Nelson’s Olphae Druid – 4yo fully mature boy in a good oily jacket. He won this class for his overall breed type. Masculine head with a soft expression, deep set eyes, long ears with a good fold, a good length of neck that ran smoothly into his shoulders. His elbows are well tucked in and he has a slight spring to his pastern. Well ribbed and a deep brisket. Strong hindquarters with hocks well let down. Not the easiest to handle but I forgave this as I liked his qualities. Sound and clean on the move.

2. Porter’s Ottaryx Vandal – Although not as masculine in head as the winner, this boy is still full of good breed type. Balanced head, slight stop, large nose, long and well placed leathers and a good length to his neck. I would like a better lay of shoulder but he has good bone, tucked in elbpws, good ribbing and moderate hind angulation. Moved out well enough with a pleasing tail action.

OD (1,0)

1. Lewis’ Ch Ophae Charman – My star of the day. This male is a real stallion and presents himself well when stacked and on the move. He is fully mature, had the typical head I was looking for, which was balanced and masculine. He has plenty of length to his leathers which have a good roll, strong neck, well set shoulders, elbows tucked in, deep brisket, well sprung ribs and powerful hindquarters. He comes into himself on the move. He shows strength and drives well from the rear, covers the ground with ease, using his tail as he goes. True out and back and a pleasure to watch. A super example of the breed.  BD, BIS

PB (6,1)

1. Porter’s Ottaryx Chaos – What an eye catching young lady this is and so full of promise. She has good bone and a balanced body shape and structure which could certainly mature on to be a real quality adult. Feminine head and a beautiful expression, large dark nose with big nostrils, deep set eyes, well placed leathers with a very good shape and roll to them. Her neck flows into her smooth shoulders and she had one the best return of upper arms I saw all day. Well boned, large feet with webbing, enough length to her ribs and a moderately angulated rear. Sound as a pound on the move and she never lost her outline or topline at any point. BPB, RBB

2. Porter’s Ottaryx Cobweb – Another pleasing puppy who just needs time. She is slightly longer cast than the winner but has a typical head, good jaw, slight stop, well set ears with a really good roll and shape. Loved her length of neck into her well placed shoulders. Well filled in forechest, has sufficient bone and large feet and a slight spring to her pasterns. Needs to develop in her second thigh but this will come with time. A little unsettled on the move in comparison to 1 but showing lots of promise.

3. Pickering & Lee’s Ottaryx Apple

JB (1,0)

1. Gracie & Thomas’ Conestoga & Crossroads Kara Journeys To Trailkeeper –  Wheaten bitch with an acceptable butterfly nose, liked her shape of head, well placed ears but the length could be better. Slightly steep in shoulder and not the outline or topline I was looking for. Hopefully she wont develop any more hind angulation but she has a good width of second thigh, stands on large feet and has a good jacket. Needs time to settle on the move as she was overthinking things but experience in the ring will make all the difference.

SYB (2,1)

1. Porter’s Ottaryx Wickett – What a frustrating young lady this was. So much to like about her but she really wasn’t enjoying her day. I loved her head and expression, ear set was good but the leathers could be longer and have more shape and curl. Good enough front construction and well boned legs with large feet, deep brisket, moderate rear and a good width of second thigh with super muscletone. On the move when she settled she was so sound, she has reach and drive, holds such a good topline, but her tail was down and she didn’t show herself off to the best of her ability. Very sympathetically handled.

PGB (3,0)

1. Fitzherbert-Stewart’s Olphae Fleur With Ottateck – Strong, upstanding bitch in an excellent jacket. I really liked her headpiece, she has a strong muzzle, deep set eyes, the softest of expressions, good ear set with long leathers which had good coverage and curl, well laid shoulders and a good return of upper arm, ribs well back, strong rump and moderate hind angulation. Slightly high set tail which sadly spoils her outline on the move, but she goes with excellent reach and drive, moves effortlessly and really covers the ground.

2. Parker’s Ottaryx Vivid – Different breed type to the class winner but nonetheless a pleasing hound. Typical head with a large nose and nostrils, deep set eyes, super ears with coverage and a good length and fold, clean neck, shoulders ok but heavier than the winner through the front build. I would like a touch more bone in the legs and larger feet. She has a good spring of rib and a moderate hind. Moved well enough.

3. Lewis & Wheatley’s Olpae Ember

LB (3,0)

1. Lewis’ Olphae Orlaith – Overall slightly taller than I was looking for, but she has a pleasing and typical head, a good earset with long leathers and the desired roll. Well boned with large feet, she has a lovely length of neck that runs smoothly into well set shoulders, deep brisket, good spring of rib and moderate hind angulation. So very sound on the move with her ground covering action.

2. Porter’s Ironquests First In All Things At Ottaryx – A classic looking girl in a good jacket. Really liked her head and expression, super well set ears, would just prefer a touch more length to her neck. Ideal bone and substance and her shoulders and return of upper arm were spot on. Elbows tucked in, well ribbed and strong hindquarters. Sound in all directions.

3. Shaw's Ottaryx Rascal

OB (No Entries)

 

 

The Otterhound Club

6th April 2025

Judge Roger Perkins

Special Yearling Stakes Dog/Bitch (5,3)

Lewis’ Olphae Governor – 9 months old dog, loved his overall shape stacked and on the move. Well presented, head balanced and in proportion to body, correct ear carriage. Forelegs straight with enough bone for his age, chest deep with well sprung ribs, level topline and short strong loin. Muscular hindquarters, moved well with correct tail carriage.

Gracie & Thomas’ Conestoga & Crossroads Kellan Journeys to Trailkeeper –8 months old dog, well balanced head and ears long and pendulous correctly set. Long neck leading to well laid back shoulders. Well boned straight forelegs, with good sized feet, deep chest and a good spring of ribs, moderate rear angulation. Sound on the move showing an active stride but not as foot perfect as first today.

Hannsford & Donnelly’s Olphae Graceful With Peregos

Special Open Stakes Dog/Bitch (2)

Lerego & Wheatley’s Teckelgarth Zsa Zsa – bitch with good strong muzzle with depth, large nose pad, long leathers with correct fold, strong arched neck into well laid back shoulders, well boned straight forelegs, large round feet, balanced throughout in overall proportions, firm level topline, loin short and strong, moderate and well muscled hindquarters, moved freely with correct width to hindquarters.

Lewis’ Olphae Oriaith – bitch slightly bigger set than first, but she has a pleasing and typical head, a good earset with long leathers and the desired roll. Well boned straight forelegs with large feet, she has a good length of neck that runs smoothly into well laid back shoulders, deep brisket, good spring of rib and moderate hind angulation. Sound movement with an easy stride.

Special Members Stakes Dog/Bitch (7,6)

Lewis’s CH Olphae Charman – Really loved this dog for his type and construction. Masculine balanced head with good eye shape. Long rolled ear leather set correctly on skull. Strong neck into well shaped body. Good depth to his brisket, elbows tucked in, well sprung ribs and powerful hindquarters. Coat of the correct length and texture. Moved with typical gait and ground covering action.

Porter’s Ironquest’s First in all Things at Ottaryx - Classic bitch of quality, so typy with super head and expression, long rolled leathers set correctly on her skull. Strong neck into well laid back shoulders, well ribbed and strong moderate angulated hindquarters. Sound from all directions.

Porter’s Ottaryx Vintage