VETERAN SWEEPS

BEST VETERAN IN SWEEPS
012 CH Soundtrack Locomotion
Breeder/Owner by CH Soundtrack Roll Me Away CD ex CH CH Soundtrack Rainbow Connection
Owner: Miriam Dalfen

BEST OF OPPOSITE IN VETERAN SWEEPS
008 CH Howlhavens Pageant Player CGN
Breeder/Owner by CH Bow-Ridges Varley ex CH Bow-Ridges Stepney
Owners: Bob and Carol Bedell

JUDGES CRITIQUES

I thank the members of the Basset Hound Club of Canada for the honour of judging the Puppy Sweeps and Veterans classes at this year's National Specialty in Caledonia, ON.

My particular thanks to the breed judge Bob Rowbotham and his wife Margot for their kindness to me and to Robin Nutbeem, a native Newfoundlander, for stewarding so efficiently.

There are always trade offs when we breed or show and our breed is a challenging one to "get right" and "keep right". As breeders we aim for the "whole package" mindful that we still have a way to go. It's a great breed to keep you humble!

I never met a basset I didn't like and that was certainly true at the Specialty. So while I liked all, I had to choose only some.

My puppy Sweeps winner had a lovely headpiece, good pigment, dark eye, fine ear set, sufficient length of neck and smooth shoulders leading to a level topline and balanced rear. His feet were tight and reach and drive moved him smoothly around the ring. The owner should have fun with him.

The Best of Opposite in puppy sweeps was well presented, moved in true fashion, had well laid back shoulders and good sternum showing. Her pigment was dark, eye set very proper, fine headpiece and topline held on the move.

The Veteran's winner was a bitch of good substance. She presented to a marked degree the qualities of head, body, feet and movement which make this breed so appealing in type and style.

The Veterans' Opposite winner must have been a stunner when in his prime. A substantial dog, great presence and dignity possessing so many of the "parts" that go to make up an impressive "whole" in our breed.

As breeders we are all judges. When we select the sire for our litter, when we evaluate our puppies, when we compromise with the front that's improved but still not quite "there", when we see a rear that's better than the last breeding, with a topline which needs more work, with hocks which could be more furnished and so on.

As Rome wasn't built in a day so our breeding program continues to need work.

National and other specialties are great times to compare and to pay more attention to the things we need to fine tune.

I saw much I liked and admired and I congratulate the breeders and exhibitors on the puppies and veterans presented to me.

I am most grateful to the Club for their hospitality and the fine dinner on Grand River as well as the excellent accomodation at the Lalor Estate Inn. I was truly spoiled.

Thank you all!

Pat Kennedy

BEST OF BREED
030 CH Franbars Canadiandreamer CGN by Hip Hip Hurrah ex Hullabaloo’s Certain Asset
Breeder: Barbara Folco (IT) Owner: Debra Hull and Denise Lavoie

BEST OF OPPOSITE SEX
029 G CH Hullabaloo’s Breath of Spring CGN by CH Franbars Canadiandreamer CGN ex CH Hullabaloo’s I.P.O.
Breeder/Owner: Debra Hull

BEST OF WINNERS / WINNERS BITCH
028 CH Hullabaloo’s Silver Cloud by CH Hullabaloo’s Stock Car ex Classic Mamories Della Luna Caprese
Breeder/Owner: Debra Hull

RESERVE WINNERS DOG
009 Howlhavens Captain Cook
Breeder/Owners: Bob & Carol Bedell and Lou & Roxanna Bowman

RESERVE WINNERS BITCH
010 Howlhavens Tinkerbelle by Bayowulf’sBronte of Bow-Ridge ex Howlhaven Coffee K of Bow-Ridge,
Breeder/Owners: Bob & Carol Bedell and Lou & Roxanna Bowman

BEST PUPPY
035 Bayfouryou’s Midnight Special

BEST CANADIAN BRED
029 G CH Hullabaloo’s Breath of Spring
Breeder/Owner: Debra Hull

AWARD OF MERIT
032 Pennieslogon Cupids Arrow by CH Soundtrack Canadian Brass ex CH Lowryders Pinching Pennies
Breeder/Owner: Penny Bernas

VETERAN DOG
024 Bridgleas Son of a Charmer, by CH Wilburdans Magic Moments ex CH Bridgleas Hidden Charm
Breeder: Anna Phillips
Owner: Elaine McKinnon

VETERAN BITCH
027 Hullabaloo’s Sound Investment by CH Morningwoods Ulysses S Grant ex Bow-Ridges Iris
Breeder: Debra Hull
Owner: Janet Smylie

SEXUALLY ALTERED BITCH
025 Lowryders T Cup Charm by Lowryder Lucky Charm ex CH Bridgleas Charming Moments
Breeder: John & Elaine McKinnon
Owner: Yvonne Moore

BEST BRACE
011/012 CH Soundtrack Spice Girl/CH Soundtrack Locomotion Breeder/Owner: Miriam Dalfen

STUD DOG
014 CH Soundtrack Canadian Brass by CH Bazeetts Greatman ex CH Soundtrack Spice Girl Breeder/Owner: Miriam Dalfen

BROOD BITCH
007 CH Howlhavens Coffee K of Bow-Ridge by CH Bayowulf’s Lonfellow of Obie ex CH Howlhavens Rainbows End
Breeder: Carol & Bob Bedell,
Owner: Carol & Bob Bedell and Lou & Roxanna Bowman

2008 HIGH POINTS WINNER
CH Hullabaloo’s Perfect Ten by CH Bayowulfs Longfellow of Obie ex CH Hullabaloo’s I.P.O.,
Breeder Debra Hull
Owner: Les Armstrong

I would , first off, like to thank the Basset Hound Club of Canada for extending me the honour of asking me to judge its 2009 National Specialty. I appreciate, that not being a breeder judge, it would have been a concern to some of the membership. Suffice to say, I found the invitation truly humbling.

I should preface my remarks, that not being a breeder judge I may tend to look at the breed and exhibits with a different eye. While judging, the total picture I see in front of me, is of the most importance.

The overall quality of the entries impressed me. Although I didn’t see any common recurring faults there were the odd poor toplines, poor rears and fronts etc. Each minor fault however, was offset by many good points on the same exhibit.

Conditioning was my major concern. Several dogs were soft and as a result had to work to move, despite having good structure. The “apple rear” called for in the standard was missing on some of the exhibits.

Both my best of breed dog and best of opposite sex excelled in movement. They floated effortlessly around the ring. The puppy classes held great promise for the future of the breed.

Once again, my sincere thanks for the invitation.

By Mr Robert Rowbotham