Ladies Kennel Association

14th December 2025

Judge: Simon Pitts

I greatly appreciated such a numerically good entry for a general champ show. On today’s entry, I felt there was much to be positive about; some lovely youngsters are coming through, the narrow fronts of a few years ago have improved, and mouths were generally excellent. Type remains strong.

PD (2 Entries) Abs: 1

1st: LEREGO’s Teckelgarth Musket* Wow, what a start to proceedings this lad was. This 8-month B&T is well-grown, already a stallion of a dog, presents such a beautifully balanced picture on the stack. His skull is domed and well worked with no hint of coarseness, muzzle has breadth and depth to balance, eyes are dark, leathers are low set of excellent length and drape, he looks at you with a kind, majestic expression – he knows he is special. He stands on excellent, well boned legs and large round feet. Shoulders are well laid with a good length and return of upperarm. His body is already well sprung and deep, short and strong through the loin, and moderately angulated, well-muscled thighs, let down into short, strong hocks. His tail is perfectly set. Coat is of excellent texture and length. On the move is one of the few that goes from a shambling walk, springing into an effortless stride with drive and precision. For his first show he gave an exceptional account of himself. Sympathetically handled to his best advantage, I fell for him hook, line and sinker. It was going to take something exceptional to go past him today, and by the narrowest of margins, one of the best hounds of the last few years did, just with the extra finish and maturity of a fully mature adult. I’m sure it won’t be long before this young man is titled. Res CC and Best Puppy.

PGD (3 Entries) Abs: 1

1st: LEWIS’s Olphae Governor, at 17 months is leaving his teenage stage behind and maturing into himself. Has lots to like. He’s built on ideal height to length proportions. Has a clean, masculine head of correct proportions with no hint of coarseness, eyes are well set of good colour, his leathers are set low with good length and drape. Front is strong with good bone legs and round tight feet. Very well laid shoulders, and good return of upperarm, body is maturing well with good depth and spring, short and strong through the loin, rear angulation is balanced with the front, with good width across the first and second thigh. On the move he is sound, precise and with good drive giving an effortless ground-covering action, with his tail perfectly carried. Expertly handled to get the best from him.

2nd: LEREGO, SANDS,& SANDS, Teckelgarth Kraken, built on a bigger frame than 1, and not as together at this stage. Has an attractive, masculine head of good proportions, ears are well set but could have more length and drape. Has a decent front with forechest, His body has good depth, and he has good width to his frame. Has a good stride on the move but not as accurate as 1 today. He has promise, and I feel some conditioning work to muscle him up, to be in hard condition, would help him make the most of himself.

OD (3 Entries) Abs: 0

Super class of quality hounds, each with a lot to offer the breed

1st: LEWIS’s Ch Olphae Charman** Slightly surprised to see him here as he had the CC the last time I judged, my view of him has not changed; I still love him. He oozes type, he fills my eye for the ideal outline and proportions of what an Otterhound should be. On the stack he presents a completely balanced picture, each part flows seamless into the next. He has a beautiful headpiece, clean, deep and of correct proportions muzzle to skull. An intelligent expression from his dark eye, his leathers are well set, of excellent length and drape. Strong neck into ideal shoulders and upperarm, good width across his chest, deep mature body, straight topline, well ribbed back into his short strong loin, his hindquarters are solid, well-muscled, with moderate angulation, let down into his short strong hocks. Coat is in excellent order and presented to perfection. His movement is spot on, powerful, economical, not flashy or exaggerated but covers the ground effortlessly on a long, loose stride. At 7.5 is fully mature and the complete picture. At one with his handler, they put on a faultless performance, which they needed to today against the precocious youngster. A pleasure to award him the CC, BVIB, BOB.

2nd: LEREGO, SALT, & STRINGER ‘s Ch Teckelgarth Ingot, another top-class hound and so like his father. Possesses a majestic head, clean with good finish and depth to his muzzle, intelligent, expressive eye that tones with his red grizzle coat. Excellent length and drape to his ears, strong straight front with good width and forechest, well-made and mature body, straight topline, strong, moderately angulated hindquarters, moved with drive, but not quite the accuracy of 1 today.

3rd: PORTER’s Ottaryx Vandal ** completed a trio of top-class hounds. Has fulfilled his early promise from the last time I judged him as a baby puppy. Appealing masculine head, strong framed, stands on excellent well boned legs and big round feet, well-laid shoulders and return of upperarm. Strong in body, and moderately angulated hindquarters. Coat is of excellent texture. If dog and handler can build more of a rapport, I think this will help to show him to best advantage on the stack and on the move.

VD/B (4 Entries) Abs: 1

Quality class

1st: FINCH’s Olphae Clayton** B&T brother to the open winner, they are so alike in type, size and shape and really scores with me for those. Surprised he doesn’t carry a title, as he is worthy in my opinion. Presents a clean, balanced outline, his head is masculine but not overdone, his leathers are well set, of good length, his front is straight with good forechest, well ribbed into short loin, and muscled, correctly angulated quarters, that give him an easy effortless stride on the move.

2nd: PORTER’s Ottaryx Quinevere, bitch who carries her 7 years very lightly. Loved her for type and overall shape. She has a beautiful, feminine head, of ideal proportions, her correct shape and coloured eye give her a soft, intelligent expression framed by her low set leathers of excellent length and drape. Correct neck into well laid shoulders, good length of leg, well boned and into good round feet. Her body is ideal for depth and spring, carried well back into her short coupled loin. Her hindquarters are well made, and her stern set high, and carried perfectly on the move. Res Bitch CC/

3rd: WHEATLEY& LEREGO’s Ch Teckelgarth Zsa Zsa. Lovely bitch of excellent type, Super feminine head, and strong deep body, and can still move out. Just preferred the fronts of those above her.

PB (1 Entries) Abs: 0

1st: LEREGO’s Teckelgarth Manon* Litter sister to the dog puppy, and another cracker. Like her brother is well developed for age, and with so much to admire; a very balanced, moderate picture. Combines strength with femininity. Excellent bone legs and feet, superb front and forechest, body is deep, strong and well ribbed already, her topline is straight and firm, hindquarters have good width across her strong thighs, moderate bend of stifle, good length of second thigh that flows into well let down, short strong hocks and big rear feet, her coat is of excellent texture. On the move she is so precise, has power, drive and an effortless long easy, economical stride that is a pleasure to watch. Could absolutely do a day’s work. Will easily gain her crown.

JB (3 Entries) Abs: 0

1st: PORTER’s Ottaryx Cobweb (ai), 15 month old bitch who I really liked, is a little at that inbetween stage at the moment, and just needs time. She combines substance, strength and femininity so well. Has a beautiful head type, of ideal proportions, excellent set of leathers of ideal length and drape. Her strong neck leads into well laid shoulders, and good length of upperarm. She stands on excellent well boned legs, and good round, deep feet. Her body is developing but just needs that extra depth and finish that time will bring. Has a firm topline and excellent set on stern. Her handler needs to work with her to hit the right stride and get her settled on the move to display the sound, ground-covering action she possesses. When her sister threw away her chance for the resCC, I did seriously consider her. Another year on her and I think she will trouble the best, certainly one for the future.

2nd: BELL & JENNINGS’s Olphae Gladys For Dorinor, not as together as 1, and keeping her handler on her toes today. Has a feminine head, decent bone and a straight front, body is developing, and her coat is of good texture and in good condition. Moved ok.

3rd: LEREGO & SINGLE-BLOOM, Teckelgarth Maude *8 month puppy giving a lot away in age, and gave her handler a torrid time today. We have all been there at least a few times. Please keep persevering.

PGB (6 Entries) Abs: 1

1st: PORTER’s Ottaryx Chaos (ai), I’ve admired this bitch from the ringside, and I wasn’t disappointed when I got my hands on her. Is of excellent breed type, she has the most feminine, classic head shape; good length and depth of flew, wide nose, beautifully shaped and coloured eyes, well-worked domed skull, excellent leathers for length and drape complete the picture. She stands on well boned legs of good length for her height, and round, deep feet, her body is deep and well sprung, but like her sister think there is still more to come. Firm straight toplne, short coupled, ideal width across her backend, moderately angulated hindquarters, and scores in width across her first and second thigh. In excellent coat of correct length and texture. On the move she has a long, easy stride and scores in front action. Going into the challenge I thought she would be my resCC winner, but a change of handler, and she decided to give her new handler no end of grief and throw her chance away. She is out of the top draw, has plenty of time on her side, and will only get better as she matures. Certainly one for the future.

2nd: LEREGO, DICKSON, & DICKSON, Mrs Teckelgarth Kiss Me Kate. Another one I have admired from the ringside, and really rate having been over her. She is so like her great-grandmother, which is why she appeals. This is another bitch with much to admire when you get hands on. More strongly built than 1, but retains her femininity. She has an appealing head of correct proportions with good depth to her muzzle and enough flew, well-placed and shaped eyes, and domed skull. Her leathers are well set, but not quite the length or drape of 1. Stands on excellent legs and feet, with excellent forechest, straight front and width to front, body is strong and deep, well ribbed back, her hindquarters are well shaped with good width and depth of thigh. Her stern is excellently set and carried ideally on the move. It’s encouraging to see new people coming into the breed, please keep working and practising to get the very best from her, especially on the move. I could see she was sound, but the handling did hamper her today. She has the potential to do very well, I think she could gain her title, so is well worth the effort, in my opinion.

3rd: 7968 PICKERING, Miss Hannah Frances Rose & LEE, Mr Jake Ottaryx Apple * Critique under special beginners.

Class 3054 LB (2 Entries) Abs: 0

Two superb bitches, neither of whom were very settled today, which was a great shame, as both are more than capable of carrying titles.

1st: 7962 LEREGO, & SINGLE-BLOOM, Teckelgarth Le Lakme (ai), another I have admired from the ringside, is absolutely me to a T. Is super from from every angle, her head is beautiful, feminine and so appealing. Hands on her confirmation is just what you would hope for, but couldn’t quite pull herself out of herself to make the most of her shape. On the move she was sound but wasn’t settled enough to go with real positivity and drive today which was a huge shame.

2nd: PORTER’s Ottaryx Wicket** This bitch is right out of the top draw. Her confirmation is spot on throughout, and has so many virtues to offer. Her gentle, encouraging handler did her best to get the best from her, but she wasn’t going to make the best of herself on the stack or the move today. She really is worth the effort and I hope she decides showing is fun.

OB (3 Entries) Abs: 1

1st: FINCH’s Ch Conestoga And Crossroads English Dream At Otterslade (Imp USA). Really rated this bitch the last time I judged, and I think she was even better today. She is on the larger side, but everything is balanced and in proportion, and she is so utterly sound, and could go all day. I like her height to length proprotions and she presents an ideal outline and balance on the stack. Her head is femine, yet with strength, from her wide nose, depth and finish to her flew, just the right amount of stop, into a nicely domed skull. Her leathers are perfectly low set to the corner of her eye, of good length and enough drape to giver her a majestic finish to her head, her strong neck leads to a super lay of shoulder, and equally good length and return of upperarm. Her well boned straight legs, go right into her deep, arched, round, large feet. She has a super straight front, with well developed forchest and perfect width. Her body is deep, well-sprung and fully mature. Her topline is rock solid straight, her loins are short strong and wide, her hindquarters are perfectly moderate with excellent width and development of first and second thigh. Her tail is ideally set and carried on the move, which she excels; her accurate footfall front and back is matched by an easy driving long stride in profile, with textbook ground coverage underneath her. Her unassuming handler gets the very best out of her, stacked and on the move. A super bitch shown to her very best advantage. She thoroughly deserved the CC.

2nd: LEREGO, COOK, & NAISH’s Teckelgarth Little Limpet (ai), Well-balanced bitch of excellent type, with a beautiful head piece, excels in front and forehest, firm straight topline, short strong loin, and with a coat of ideal texture. On the move she goes with lots of style, but today she lacked the accuracy of 1.

SBB (1 Entries) Abs: 0

1st: 7968 PICKERING, Miss Hannah Frances Rose & LEE, Mr Jake Ottaryx Apple, bitch of decent type with appealing head, overall balanced proportions.