Judge's Critique

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Irish Wolfhound Society Open Show

Sunday 25th January 2026

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It is a privilege to be invited to judge at a breed club show and I would like to thank the committee of the Irish Wolfhound Society for the opportunity.  This was the second show of the day and the Society is to be congratulated for the tremendous feat of organisation.  Thanks also to Peter and Anthony for their efficient stewarding and to all the exhibitors who entered their dogs for my consideration.  I thoroughly enjoyed my appointment.

 

I found temperaments to be good although some of the younger puppies were rather unruly by the afternoon.  There were no dogs with a narrow jaw causing misplaced canines, but there were a few where the lower canines were very tight up against the gum.  The biggest problem I found was one which seems to be widespread now, namely an upright shoulder construction.  I was looking for dogs that displayed balance, with angulation of the forelimbs matching that of the hind limbs, as described in the breed standard.  This is a major factor in efficient movement in our hounds, and I make no apology for thoroughly assessing movement!  The presence or absence of a balanced outline was a major factor influencing many of my decisions on the day. 

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Minor Puppy Dog  1 entered, 0 absent

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1st Forret’s Culvercroft Ivanhoe​

7 month old red brindle puppy who was becoming rather fed up with a long day of showing!  Attractive head with small well held ears and a correct bite.  Long, strong neck leading to well laid shoulders with a good return of upper arm placing the elbows well under the chest.  Good spring to pasterns.  Breadth and depth of chest appropriate for a young puppy.  Well ribbed back but topline rather flat at the moment.  Good rear angulation and tail carriage.  Well off for bone and in good coat.  Movement was difficult to assess as he had decided not to cooperate with his handler.  A very nice puppy nevertheless.

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Puppy Dog   2 entered, 1 absent

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1st  Forret’s Culvercroft Ivanhoe​

As MPD.  When asked to move again in this class he was more settled and demonstrated sound and reasonably accurate movement.  I see he had a tremendous morning being awarded RDCC in the Championship show.  Well done!  Owner decided not to wait for the best puppy challenge in the Open Show as he was clearly feeling tired.

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Junior Dog  2 entered, 0 absent

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1st  Gregory’s Xciting Luke VD Tortelduif at Killoughery​

14 month red brindle dog presenting a balanced outline.  Correct head with dark eyes, neat ears and correct bite.  Long, strong neck, well constructed shoulders and upper arms.  Straight legs, well boned with nice spring to pasterns.  Good feet.  Well ribbed back with correct arch over the loins which he kept on the move.  Movement was sound, active and true.

 

2nd  Harris’s Haziannes Knights Templar at Sullyenda​

1 year old black brindle dog.  Head correct although rather plain and lacking furnishings.  Lovely dark eyes.  Ears on the large side but well held.  Long neck leading to well laid shoulders.  Upper arm rather short and upright and pasterns lacking spring as a result.  A little long in the loin and I would prefer to see some arch over the loin.  Hindquarters lacking in angulation.  On the move he was sound and moved actively.  His current rather upright structure is limiting his reach and drive at the moment.  This dog is only just out of puppy classes and has a great deal of growing and maturing to do.  I would expect the picture to change in the future. 

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Yearling Dog  3 entered, 0 absent

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1st Dawson’s Hydebeck Tyme to Love at Graefyn JW
Substantial brindle dog approaching 2 years old and presenting a balanced outline.  Masculine head with well held ears and correct bite.  Long strong neck leading to well constructed shoulders and upper arms.  Forelegs straight and well boned with spring to pasterns.  He is maturing well with a broad and deep chest, well ribbed back and with a good tuck up.  Shapely hindquarters with hocks well let down. Harsh coat. Movement was sound and accurate keeping the arch over the loin on the move.  I thought he was carrying some extra weight today but was an impressive  dog who still has growing and maturing to do.

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2nd  Connor’s Hydebeck Eternal Love
Littermate to 1st placed. My notes on these two were almost identical before I realised they were siblings.  He has very similar construction to his brother displaying a pleasing set of curves from nose to tail but at the moment looks less mature.  I have judged this pair when they were minor puppies and it is satisfying to see how  they are developing.  Movement was active and sound although not as powerful or as accurate as that of 1st placed as he was dishing with his front feet.  A good dog and still not the finished article.  

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Novice Dog  1 entered, 0 absent

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1st Dawson’s Cairnstorm Latest Edition of Shalico

15 months old red brindle dog presenting a balanced outline.  Handsome, masculine head with lovely dark eyes and correct bite.  Long strong neck leading to well constructed shoulders and upper arms placing the elbows under the chest.  Straight well boned forelegs with good spring to pasterns.  Good breadth and depth to chest.  Well ribbed back but a little long in the loin with a flat topline at the moment.  Well angulated hindquarters.  Movement was sound but he was rather fond of his tail  which spoiled the picture slightly. 

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Post Graduate Dog   3 entered,1 absent

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1st Connor’s Hydebeck Eternal Love

As 2nd in YD.

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2nd  Littlefair’s Conmeryl Joshua Jopp

3 year old brindle dog who is looking more mature than the last time I met him.  Handsome masculine head with dark eyes and correct bite.  Strong neck leading to well laid shoulders.  Upper arm rather straight with the associated lack of spring in the pasterns.  Chest deep but would prefer to see more breadth in a mature dog.  Well ribbed back but a little long in the loin with a flat topline.  Well angulated hindquarters.  Sound on the move but tending to paddle in front due to the upright forehand construction.  Preferred the more balanced picture of first placed.

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Limit Dog  2 entered, 1 absent 

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1st  Evans’s Killoughery Ricochet with Braewisan

4 ½ year old mature brindle dog presenting a balanced outline.  Masculine head with well held ears and correct bite.  Long strong neck leading to well laid shoulders with a fair return of upper arm.  Well boned legs with correct pasterns.  Good breadth and depth of chest, well ribbed back but topline a little flat.  Shapely well angulated hindquarters.  Movement sound and true. 

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Open Dog  6 entered, 3 absent

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1st  Gregory’s Killoughery Touchstone

2 ½ year old substantial brindle dog with great size and a commanding appearance, presenting a balanced outline.  Masculine head with well held ears and correct bite.  Long strong neck leading to well laid shoulders and fair return of upper arm.  Strong straight legs with good pasterns.  Great breadth and depth of chest, well ribbed back with a good topline which he kept on the move.  Well angulated hindquarters which provided the powerful drive for sound and accurate movement. An impressive dog who I was pleased to award BD and BIS.

 

2nd Tebbutt’s Fidelio Della Bassa Pavese Caredig

Handsome dog approaching his second birthday, presenting a balanced outline.  Masculine head, ears a little large but well held.  Correct bite.  Long strong neck leading to well constructed shoulders and upper arms.  Strong straight legs with correct pasterns.  Good breadth and depth to chest.  Well ribbed back but topline rather flat.  Well angulated hindquarters.  Movement sound in profile but very erratic on the up and back and impossible to assess.  A very good dog but preferred the maturity and accurate movement of 1st placed today.  RBD.

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Veteran Dog  0 entered, 0 absent

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Minor Puppy Bitch  4 entered, 1 absent

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This was a difficult class to judge with three puppies of the same age but very different levels of training making assessment tricky. 

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1st  Avevor’s Ersebrayer Knockando

8 months old red brindle girl.  Beautiful head with dark eyes, neat well held ears and correct bite.  Strong neck leading to well laid shoulders with good return of upper arm.  Well boned forelegs with correct spring to pasterns.  Appropriate breadth and depth of chest for a young puppy.  Well ribbed back and with a good topline.  Shapely hindquarters creating a pleasing series of curves from nose to tail. She has lost most of her puppy coat and is awaiting the development of her adult coat. Movement was sound but very hard to assess due to lack of ring training and rather chaotic handling.  This is a very nice puppy but both she and the handler need consistent ringcraft training.  Some unruly behaviour is not unusual in minor puppies but if she is to have a successful show career training is required to help her achieve her potential. BPB and BPIS.

 

2nd  Tebbutts Honoris Caredig Della Bassa Pavese

Very shapely 8 month old puppy.  Feminine head with dark eyes, well held ears and correct bite.  Long strong neck leading to well laid shoulders. Would prefer to see a slightly better return of upper arm.  Well boned straight forelegs with correct pasterns.  Good depth to chest.  Well ribbed back but would prefer to see more arch over the loin.  Shapely well angulated hindquarters.  Movement was sound and accurate.  This young lady behaved impeccably and was sympathetically handled to bring out the best in her.  On the day I preferred the more balanced overall construction of 1st placed.

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Puppy Bitch  2 entered, 1 absent

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1st  Cope & Kingsley’s Dainwolf Another Debut

11 months old tall red brindle puppy.  Attractive head with very neat ears and correct bite.  Long strong neck leading to well laid shoulders.  Would prefer better return of upper arm and more spring to pasterns.  Good depth to chest with appropriate breadth for age.  Well ribbed back with correct topline.  Shapely hindquarters with excellent firm muscle.  Movement was accurate and sound.

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Junior Bitch  5 entered, 1 absent

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1st  Warwick and Gregory’s Cairnstorm Legacy

14 month old red brindle girl presenting a balanced outline with a very pleasing series of curves from nose to tail.  She stood out for me in this class as she entered the ring.  Beautiful head with dark eyes and well held neat ears.  Correct bite.  Strong neck leading to well constructed shoulders and upper arms with elbows well under the chest.  Strong straight forelegs with well sprung pasterns.  Chest deep with adequate breadth.  Well ribbed back with correct topline and good tuck up.  Well angulated hindquarters to match the shapely forehand.  Her movement was powerful, accurate and sound.  She was flying her tail on the move which did spoil the picture but hopefully will grow out of that.  This is a lovely bitch with a lot of maturing still to do.  RBB.

 

2nd  Malone’s Barachois Quackle

18 months old brindle girl.  Lovely head with dark eyes, well held ears and correct bite.  Long neck leading to well laid shoulder.  Would prefer better return of upper arm.  Long straight forelegs with some spring to pasterns.  Chest deep but would prefer more breadth which hopefully will come with time.  Well ribbed back with well angled hindquarters.  Movement was sound and accurate.

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Yearling Bitch  3 entered, 1 absent

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1st  Pask’s Florence Della Bassa Pavese JW

Almost 2 years old, very tall brindle girl showing great ring presence.  Feminine head with well held ears and correct bite.  Long strong neck leading to well laid shoulders.  Reasonable return of upper arm.  Strong straight forelegs, well boned, although I would prefer to see more spring to the pasterns.  Well ribbed back with correct topline and good tuck up.  Powerful well angulated hindquarters enabled her to move actively and soundly round the ring.  An impressive bitch who I was pleased to award BB, RBIS and BOS.

 

2nd  Crosse’s Cairnstorm Lullaby

At 14 months old this bitch was giving away a lot in age and maturity.  Attractive feminine head with dark eyes, well held ears and correct bite.  Long neck leading to well laid shoulders and a reasonable return of upper arm.  Well boned forelegs and good pasterns.  The topline was not quite correct as the rise over the loin began over the lower thoracic region rather than the lumbar region.  Well tucked up and hindquarters were very shapely.  On the move she was accurate and sound.  I preferred the maturity of 1st placed.

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Novice Bitch  3 entered, 0 absent

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1st  Avevor’s Killoughery Madeleine

3 ½ year old substantial brindle bitch, carrying some extra weight today.  When she stood still she demonstrated a balanced outline.  Correct head with a strong neck leading to well constructed shoulders and upper arms.  Well off for bone and well sprung pasterns.  Well ribbed back with correct topline and strong well angulated hindquarters.  Movement was sound but rather hurried and erratic.  She tended to move with her head down which did spoil the picture.

 

2nd  Cope & Kingsley’s Dainwolf About Time Too

Very pretty 11 month old wheaten puppy with lovely dark pigmentation.  Attractive head with lovely neat ears, dark eyes and correct bite.  Long strong neck leading to well laid shoulders and a reasonable return of upper arm.  Long straight forelegs but would like to see more spring to pasterns.  Well ribbed back with correct topline and good tuck up.  Shapely hindquarters which enabled her to show sound and active movement.  A lot to like in this young girl but I preferred the better overall balance of 1st placed. 

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Post Graduate Bitch  2 entered, 2 absent 

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Limit Bitch  3 entered, 2 absent  

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1st  Crosse’s Rainster Evie

4 year old dark grey bitch who I have met before as a youngster.  She presents a balanced outline with matching angulation front and rear.  Now that she has matured her deep chest has altered her proportions slightly and longer legs would have improved the overall picture.   Attractive head with well held ears and correct bite.  Strong neck leading to well constructed shoulders and upper arms.  Good breadth and depth of chest.  Well ribbed back but slightly long in loin.  Strong well shaped hindquarters provided the drive for accurate and sound movement. 

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Open Bitch  1 entered, 1 absent   

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Veteran Bitch  2 entered, 0 absent

 

It is always good to see veterans in the show ring and both these older ladies gave a good account of themselves.

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1st  Gregory’s Braewisan Kallai at Killoughery

At 7 years and 4 months this strong girl still has what it takes.  Attractive head with well held ears and correct bite.  Strong neck leading to well constructed shoulders and upper arms.  Strong straight forelegs but would prefer to see more spring to the pasterns.  Well ribbed back with correct topline and good tuck up.  Strong well angulated hindquarters.  Movement was active and sound. 

 

2nd  Bruce’s Goldswift Leap of Faith.

At 9 years and 4 months this old lady was enjoying her day.  Very attractive head with correct ears and bite.  Strong neck leading to good shoulders and upper arms.  Good spring to pasterns.  A little long in the loin and starting to lose her topline.  Nevertheless she moved soundly, if rather unenthusiastically at the end of a long day. 

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Dr Judith  Wilkes