Judge's Critique - Gretchen Bernardi
Puppy, 6 to 9 Months Dogs 1. Glenamadda Starkeeper Victory, Malone & Smith. This tidy red brindle dog is perfectly balanced, standing and on the move with a good shape, all soft curves and an especially nice topline. His beautiful neck settles into his body perfectly and has the correct length all over. He moves true on both ends and is a puppy with a lot of promise. 2. Wildisle Castlekeeper Quest, Kneavel & Bregy. This young dog is also true coming and going, has good length of leg with great width across the thigh and beautiful length of second thigh. He is well bodied up for his age with good bone, but is slightly high in the rear at this stage of his growth and just a bit too short in back. 3. Glenamadda Starkeeper Armagh, Carter. Another very athletic young dog, solid as a rock, well-muscled and deep in the body. He doesn’t have quite the width of stifle as the two in front of him. He was not cooperating with his handler on the move, making it difficult to evaluate him in that regard. 4. Taliesin’s Waleron, Smith. Although not as mature as the others, this dog was the best of the four on the move with a nice, reachey front and true coming and going. He is not as shapely in the rear as he should be, but he is in hard condition and won me over with his side movement. Puppy, 9 to 12 Months Dogs - Is there a more difficult age of male Irish Wolfhounds, with all the body parts growing at different rates? 1. Armagh’s Faolan Buster O’Ros—Carter & Brehl. This dog doesn’t quite have all of his parts together at this stage, but he has lovely long legs and tons of quality. When moving on a loose lead, he covers the ground effortlessly. 2. Kellamore Braemar of Fitzwick, Fitzgerald. Although not as mature as the first place dog, he has good bone and his front assembly is laid on well. He is quite sound coming and going. 3. Armaitiu Corcragael Cruac Draoi, Damron & Bono. This is a typical young dog of quality that needs more forechest and width across the front, but moves well. 4. Athair Crionna O’Ros, Brehl. A brother to the first place dog, but quite different. He has a crisp coat and hard muscling, but needs more forechest and width in front. Dogs, 12 to 18 Months - There was an interesting mixture of shapes, sizes and styles in this class and also in the placements. All four of these dogs covered ground beautifully and effortlessly. 1. Carrickaneena Slieve Gullion, Flanagan. This is a beautiful, masculine, well-made dog full of quality with nice long legs and good movement in all directions. His whole front assembly is laid on well, he stands over a lot of ground without being extreme in any way. He is of hunting type, athletic, and to top it all off, he has a lovely head. Winners Dog. 2. Kellykerry Penn of Sidhe, Myer. A shorter dog with correct shape, including topline, his neck flowing beautifully into his body. This dog has enough overall quality to override a faulty front assembly. He has a crisp coat and was beautifully groomed and presented. 3. Ber-D-Mar’s Classic Cruiser, Roland. This is a very leggy dog who also has soft, flowing lines especially from the neck into the body. His shape is not quite right at this stage, but he has great quality. 4. Carrickaneena Slieve Carran, Peltier & Flanagan. This dog does not stand out in a crowd and doesn’t draw attention to himself in any way. And yet he is hard to fault, aside from not having quite enough second thigh and being slightly too upright in pasterns. But he is masculine with a lovely head. Novice Dogs 1. Can. Ch. Aotearoa Emrys Meriadoc, Daley & Freedman. This is a tall dog with correct length of leg, beautiful shape and just as fit as he could be. He exudes the requisite power of a hunter. 2. Calcara Feach Orm, Flynn, O’Keefe, Reese/Hoffinan. Although his handler never convinced this dog to move straight on the down and back, he was nevertheless a good mover and in very good condition. 3. Calyddon Seanean of Thor, Findlay & Pitt. This dog is similar to the second place dog and, like him, of a beautiful, old-fashioned type with good shape and curves. He lost to the second place dog due to his lack of good muscling, which showed on the move. 4. Castlekeeps Viking Soul & Spirit, Kindree & Tomson. Another dog of good shape and correct length of leg. He has an unattractive tail, a fault I always try to keep in perspective since it is 15 in the List of Points in Order of Merit in our standard. In this case, however, it was enough to place him fourth behind some very nice dogs. Bred-By-Exhibitor Dogs - It was a great pleasure to judge this class and to find so many good males that I was able to get down to some very fine points. All four of these dogs are a credit to their breeders and could win in any competition. 1. Tailstorm Karontara Timothy, Abrams, Volk & Brown. This first dog is simply a beautifully balanced dog in every way, with no exaggeration of any kind, all parts flowing together. He uses himself with ease, has tidy, low hocks and is sound coming and going. Because he is not extreme or flashy in any way, he doesn’t call attention to himself. No drama here, but a well-made, correct hound. 2. Carrickaneena Bard of Armagh, Flanagan. Another well-balanced dog with a slightly exaggerated croup and not the forechest of the first place dog. But he is masculine with plenty of bone and good length of leg. 3. Calyddon Pendragon, Pitt. This dog is of beautiful old type with tremendous width across the stifle and ample bone. He was not quite as correct in front as the two dogs in front of him. 4. Can. Ch. Aotearoa Kia Ora, Daley & Shorey. Another beautifully balanced dog who, depending on how he was standing, sometimes, but not always, looked short in back. He is masculine and very powerful and moved with determination and ease, which a dog of this size could only do in good condition. American-Bred Dogs 1. Erinwood Plumbaroque Quirio, Ross & Paloma. A very powerful and masculine dog with good bone and soft lines. Although he needs more forechest, he stood away from the others in this class. 2. Kellykerry Grungeon of Eagle, Grasso. A wonderful old-fashioned type of dog with probably the best shoulder and upper arm I have seen so far with good width across the stifle. But he looks a little old for his age and needs more muscling for a dog his size. 3. Erian’s Iorwerth Connor Olynn, Shriver. A less masculine dog who showed his youthfulness in this class, but moved well and has a good shape and ample bone. 4. Clossongrey Whyzzard de Burgh, JC, Burke. This is another dog that doesn’t leap out and catch your eye, but is still a quality dog, very pretty, with an especially lovely neck set and soft curves across the croup. Open Dogs - This was an interesting class for me to judge, primarily because many of the dogs that appealed to me standing did not appeal to me moving, and vice versa. That is, I think, an age-old dilemma: do we judge dogs on how they stand and feel under our hand or how they move? But beautiful as our hounds are, they should not be static pieces of art and I placed them on movement. This class also reaffirmed my earlier statement that these giant dogs can look very different from day to day and from year to year. This was another strong class of dogs and and I was pleased with all of my final placements. 1. Pitlochry’s Ypsilon, Marx & Benjamin. This dog is one of those that looks so much better when left to stand on his own than when set up. He is strong and masculine, very handsome, deep and has length in all of the right places. He needs more curves behind, but on the move, that does not deter him in any way. Reserve Winners Dog. 2. Lonnkyle Padraig, Paloma. A strong, hard dog of very similar type as the first, loaded with quality and shown in perfect condition. 3. Cnoccarne Carrowmoragh, Patterson. Another dog of great quality with graceful lines, a great temperament and an especially beautiful head. 4. Wolfhaven Hearthstone Dan Aerie, Guilfoyle, Todd & Benjamin. Yet another strong, powerful dog with the correct shape, who simply wasn’t moving well today in any direction. He was not cooperating with his handler and that threw him off balance on the move, so he was doing himself no favor in that regard. Puppy, 6 to 9 Months Bitches - What a really good class of puppies, a huge class and not a really bad one in it! Three months can make an enormous difference in development at this age and, of course, all little wolfhound girls do not want to show the way their handlers have in mind. A word on judging wolfhound puppies of both sexes: a judge can only place puppies as they appear on that day in that ring at a specific time. It is sometimes necessary to give high awards to dogs that I know will, in the end, not be the superior specimen. Dogs with correct length of leg often look coltish, uncoordinated and out of proportion as youngsters, but grow up to be grand adults. Conversely, smaller dogs that will end up with too-short legs can often look fabulous at a very young age. 1. Carrickaneena Darcy Crionnacht, Flanagan. This red brindle puppy is perfectly balanced, moved well and looked good both standing and on the move, holding her pretty shape all of the time. 2. Vesulvius of Aerie, Luther, Benjamin & Marx. This is a very substantial cream bitch who also moved well with an especially reachy front and good bone. She pushed the first place bitch very hard, but lost in the end on a slightly less well placed front assembly. 3. Starkeeper Glenamadda Veronica, Gagne & Prokopenko. A leggier bitch with beautiful long legs and good bone, but not quite the depth of the others. She, too, moved very well, but lost her topline once in a while, which was enough to put her third in a very, very strong class. 4. Crionnacht Carrickaneena Lyons, Carney. A really big, substantial bitch for her age, exuding power and strength. She was not moving quite so soundly behind and I would prefer to see more strength in her neck to match her ample body, but she has plenty of time for development. Puppy, 9 to 12 Months Bitches 1. Riversong’s Road to Falcarragh, Patterson. This red brindle bitch is of real hunting type, long in every regard, but not extreme in any way. All of her curves are soft and in the right place with her neck going beautifully into her body. She covered ground and was sound on both ends. She does not have the most beautiful tail in the class, but her overall quality allowed me to hardly notice. 2. Armaitiu Deireadh, Bono. The lines on this young bitch are all clean and neat and she has good bone and substance, moves well in all directions. But she loses her topline both moving and standing which is worrisome in so young a bitch. 3. Carnasserie Cerridwen, Carswell & Newgard. This is another bitch with the requisite length all over: head, legs, body, neck, but nothing in the extreme. She covers the ground beautifully, but needs a little more width in the front and more forechest. 4. Riversong’s Road to Rosslare, Littlewood & Patterson. This one was the bad girl of the class, giving her handler quite a workout, but her overall quality shone through. She is a substantial bitch with beautiful width across the stifle, but she needs more depth in the brisket. Bitches, 12 to 18 Months - A judge could judge a lot of dog shows and never have a class of Irish wolfhounds of this quality. As a breeder, it was inspiring to be able to go over these bitches, but it was also difficult to send really good ones out of the ring unrewarded. I know it is common for judges to write that he or she needed more ribbons and I would like to think of a more clever way to say that. But the truth is, there were very few bitches that could not win high awards in other competition. What a class! 1. Guffaw of Aerie, Marx & Benjamin. The first place bitch is substantial with plenty of good, hard muscle to go along with it, long legs, great width and breadth and shown in superb condition. She moves effortlessly and soundly, balanced perfectly on all four legs. 2. Erinwood Saving Grace of Ulster, Straghan. A slightly different type of bitch, this one doesn’t have quite the length of leg or length of second thing as the first bitch, but she is powerful and moves very well. 3. Wildisle Spicemate Charmer, Bregy. She is slightly different than the others in this class, shorter in the back. But she is balanced with good sweep in the hindquarters, beautiful low hocks and moves effortlessly and soundly. 4. Tomahawke’s Hau Kodah, Pline & Osborne. This bitch appears much less mature than those in front of her, but she is so well balanced and comfortable on the move and standing that I could not deny her a placement in this class. Novice Bitches 1. Riversong's Ragged Glory, Patterson. The first place bitch stood apart in this class by virtue of her balance. She has great width across the stifle with a front assembly set on beautifully with elbows well back and good forechest. She moved well in all regards. 2. Aotearoa Emrys Mango, Daley & Freedman. This is another wonderful bitch—strong, substantial and shapely. She has a slightly upright neck, a characteristic that her owner/breeder and I have a friendly disagreement, but which I find incorrect. This bitch’s neck was quite strong, but set on too high and slightly exaggerated. Nevertheless, she has strength and quality to spare. 3. Laislinn Starkeeper Rayne, JC, FCH, Gagne & Watts. A pretty, dark brindle bitch with good bone and substance throughout but does not have quite the curves in the rear of those in front of her. 4. Wolf Tone Bonne Louise, Smith. This bitch is all clean lines and soft curves, but is showing the effects of a recent pregnancy. She is ample and shapely with the most extraordinarily beautiful ears, which I think we should notice on the rare occasion they appear, especially in a worthy dog. Bred-By-Exhibitor Bitches - There were eight of nine bitches in this class that perfectly fit my ideal picture of an Irish wolfhound bitch. I believe than any one of these four bitches could win at any specialty in the world today. There was so much quality in this class, that I was able to consider some very fine points. 1. Erinwood Mueslix, Paloma. This bitch excels in the set of her front assembly, placing the elbows well back and underneath her, giving her beautiful balance and forechest. She has great width across the thigh, has length in all of the right places and a strong, correct loin. She is my idea of a huntress. Winners Bitch. 2. Hanta Yo's Cree Of Tomahawke, Pline. This bitch is very similar to the first place bitch with the correct shape and curves, moves well but does not have quite the strength in the hindquarters. Nevertheless, a first class bitch. Reserve Winners Bitch. 3. Wolfhaven Don't Go Brakin My Heart, Osborne. Another bitch with all of the same qualities, all sort curves with no harsh angles, but whose front assembly is not quite as correct. 4. Glenamadda Starkeeper U R Zada JC, Prokopenko & Gagne. A big, strong bitch with ample body, depth, width, correct curves. She is slightly too upright in the pasterns. American-Bred Bitches 1. Erinwood Niagara, Straghan. A strong bitch with lots of body but not quite enough leg. But she is another one with a beautifully laid front assembly, elbows well back and close to the chest and she has especially nice feet. She is just slightly close in the rear movement. 2. Avalon Rhu Of Calyddon, Pitt. Another beautiful old type, this bitch didn’t have quite the desired forechest and sometimes lost her topline on the move. But she is ample with good bone and four good legs under her and in good condition. 3. Hound Hill Tulip O'Tailstorm, Brown, Shultz & Abrams. A bitch of quality with a beautifully set on neck, but not quite enough bone to go with her body. She needs to be in slightly harder condition to accommodate all of that body, a failing that was apparent in her topline on the move. 4. Tailstorm Karontara Helix, Levin & Abrams. Another very pretty bitch that is built correctly but needs more muscle mass to accommodate her body size and also needs more strength in the neck to go with the rest of her. Open Bitches 1. Grealla Of Eagle, Ewing, McDonald & Roland. This bitch is very well balanced and the proof is her ease of movement. She is sound on the move and covers the ground well at any speed. She is long in all of the right places with good sweep in the rear and low hocks. 2. Wolfkin Wolfhaven Gaia Curiann, Osborne & Ryan. Another well-balanced bitch, almost three years younger than the first and showing it, with not quite the depth of brisket or width of thigh. Moved beautifully. 3. Brimstone Sara, Morris. She is put together very well with the perfect greyhound shape, but not the maturity or development as the two before her. 4. Kindred's Mythic Lady Anu, Linden & DiStefano. Another quality bitch of similar type with good length but not overdone in any way. She is balanced and curvy, very pretty. Veteran Dogs - I judged the veteran classes as I judge all classes, comparing the dog against the standard and against the others in the class. Because I presumed they were veterans by virtue of being in the class, I did not take their age into consideration at all when I made my final decisions. I am always amazed at how much fitter and in better condition the veteran bitches are than the veteran dogs. I wonder if that is because of their greater size, requiring more exercise, or their somewhat softer demeanor. Or is something to do with their “maleness”? It was because of this curiosity that I asked the age of the veterans, not because it made a difference in the placements. 1. Ch. Taliesin's Llenlleawg, Malone & Smith. Barely into this class, this dog was shapely, moved right along, but could use more strength in the hindquarters. His neck flows beautifully into his body and he has a short, strong loin. 2. Ch. Ailillan Of Eagle, Kubacz. The oldest dog in the line-up with a beautiful shape that he held on the move. He has a beautiful set of neck and low hocks. 3. Ch. Taliesin's Lorcan, Vaughn & Smith. A well-made dog who moved with vigor, but with not quite the sweep in the hindquarters or as nice an underline. 4. Ch. Carrickaneena Dearg Mac Logan, English, Flanagan & Flanagan. A well-made very masculine veteran, energetic and moving right along, also with a lovely neck set. Veteran Bitches 1. Am.Can.Ch. Starkeeper Cuhaven Karontara., Gagne, Volk & Hendrickson. What a lovely girl—lively, hard and shapely, moving beautifully and interested in all the world around her. She is shown in beautiful condition. 2. Ch. Taliesin's Aingeal Dana Bree, Vaughn & Smith. Another lively, spry veteran, moving with strength and purpose, ready to go. But showing some softness in her topline. 3. Ch. Taliesin's Luas, Smith. A very substantial bitch with not quite enough neck for her big, ample body, but deep and shapely, with a wise expression. She is losing her tuck-up a little. 4. Ch. Carrickaneena Ruithneach, Flanagan & Flanagan. This spectacular, upstanding nine-year old bitch has not lost the look of a hunter. She has gone a little down in her feet and is showing her age in the hindquarters, but her overall high quality can not be denied. Best of Breed Ch. Curiann RQ Home To Wolfhaven, bred and owned by Donita Osborne and Judith Ryan. There is no exaggeration anywhere in this spectacular four year old male and he both felt and looked strong. He is powerful and exudes strength but without a hint of coarseness. He is sound as a dollar and did everything his handler asked. He has beautiful expression, both kind and intelligent. For me, this dog embodies that difficult balance between power and speed that our standard demands. He could catch and even kill a wolf and yet he was beautiful whenever I looked his way, whether moving or standing. Best of Opposite Sex Ch. Starkeeper Glenamadda Realtan, bred by Judith Ryan and Jocelyne Gagne and owned by Dr. Susan Prokopenko and Jocelyne Gagne. This is an interesting bitch to me, because she never really catches one’s eye until she moves. Almost unassuming as she stands there, she is nevertheless made correctly and shows it the first step she takes. She uses everything she has on the move. On the side gait, she is spectacular, perhaps the best I have ever seen and she has that beauty in motion at any speed, with no need to race. To go over, she is clean with no lumpiness, and in very good condition, a bitch in her prime. Awards of Merit Ch. Whycket Of Eagle, bred by Pamela Paloma & Samuel Evans Ewing, 3rd and owned by Randy Kubacz. This dark, typey dog is beautiful but in no way feminine, upstanding with a long, low stride. A joy to go over and to see move, he was slightly too upright in the pastern and not quite as clean coming to me, but of sufficient quality to earn him the first award of merit in very tough competition. Ch. Erinwood Rainier, bred by Pamela & James Paloma and owned by the Palomas and Mary Clegg, this cream, masculine dog is powerful and sound and moves well. He has tremendous width across both ends. He is deep in brisket, but needs a little more leg for his depth and slightly more tuck-up. Ch. Taliesin's Llenlleawg, bred by Donna & David Smith & Samuel Evans Ewing, 3rd and owned by Karen Malone and Donna Smith. This Veteran Dog Winner is powerful and strong, but with not quite the scope of the other dogs before him. But he is a handsome dog who deserved his place in this line-up.
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