City of Birmingham Championship Show

Judges Critiques

Mr Alistair PARKER

Judging: Beagle, Hound Group

/City of Birmingham Championship Show 2025 Beagles Firstly my thanks to the Committee for inviting me to judge at such a superbly run show. The generous carpeted rings were ideal for showing free striding hounds to best advantage. Thank you also to my ultra-efficient stewards who so ably kept everything moving at just the right pace. I look for soundly constructed, well balanced hounds where all the component parts work together in harmony both standing and moving. I did feel that a tendency towards upright shoulders seems to be creeping in causing otherwise sound exhibits to present with either short choppy movement or swaying from side to side. I also noticed a number of hounds had a tendency to flick their front paws like an egg whisk. Finally, trimming claws is not just cosmetic and a few exhibits would have benefitted from theirs being shorter.

  SBD (1, 0) 1 Mrs S Bell-Thomas and Mr A Thomas’s Amorpapaver Copernicus. Smart black blanketed tri 7 month old puppy. Lots of developing to do but he is soundly constructed and well proportioned with a pleasing neck and shoulders; level topline. Good rear angulation which he used to advantage whilst remaining well collected. He was the Best Special  Beginner and I was delighted he was later rewarded with Sp Beg G 4, no small achievement for such a youngster.

Vet D (2, 1) 1 Miss A Phillips and Mrs A Keyte’s Lanesend Segenhoe JW Sh.CM. 12 years of age who I have had the great pleasure of judging before.  Very well proportioned, balanced and soundly constructed hound without a hint of coarseness. Lovely neck, good shoulders and correct hind assembly. On the move, he belies his age striding out freely whilst remaining parallel coming and going.

MPD (5, 0) 

1 Mrs  S Bell-Thomas and Mr A Thomas’s Amorpapaver Copernicus.

2 Ms S Dawson and Mr S Goodall’s Rundle Gambler. Pleasing 7 month old tan and white. A little longer cast that the winner but so much to like about him. Very pleasing head and expression. Good reach of neck into well placed shoulders. Nicely angulated hind quarters well knuckled feet. Moved with purpose and for one so young held himself together well. I’m sure he will mature into a fine adult.

3. Mrs S Stuart’s Boskenna Prince Charming.

PD (3, 1)

1 Ms S Hardisty’s Blunderhall Jackson. Very smart short coupled and well proportioned tri dog puppy. Just the right bone and nicely muscled. Good head and expression. Good reach of neck leading into correct shoulders, firm level topline and well set on stern. Moved with drive and parallel viewed end on. BPD.

2 Mrs C Lewis’s Fallowfield Charming Boy. Another very smart tri dog with much to admire. Although a little lighter than the winner he shares many of the same qualities. I felt he was a bit less settled on the move but he is a very promising puppy.

JD (5, 2)

1 Mr M and Mrs V Murphy’s Bayard Seal of Approval at Rhosyndu JW. Compact and very smart tricolour. Pleasing head and expression good neck. Level topline which he held on the move. Developing good heart and lung room. Soundest mover in the class.

2. Mr A Statham’s Molesend Jetsam at Brigham. Another very smart compact tri. Well proportioned head. Good neck and overall a balanced outline. Not quite as free striding as the winner.

3. Mrs  E Kowalska’s Figaro Laciata Sfora.

GD (3, 0)

1. Mrs J Ambridge’s Julemark Chaos. A sturdy well boned and soundly constructed hound. Clean head and appealing expression. Sound on the move.

2. Miss A Binks Tannahill Knockout. Smaller compact tricolour. Good level topline and short between the couplings. Not quite the reach of the winner when moving.

3. Mrs E Kowalska’s Figaro Laciata Sfora.

PGD (2, 1)

1. Miss H Timmins Timollymae Ace. Standing alone, an open marked tricolour. Pleasing head and mild expression. Well developed chest, good neck and topline. Parallel moving when viewed end on. Accurate on the move but not quite the drive.

LD  (4. 0) A lovely class of quality dogs.

1. Mrs C Tanner’s Felinoak Griffin JW. Soundly constructed, balanced hound. Well proportioned head, mild expression. Good lay of shoulder. Firm topline and correct set on. Good bone and muscling up well. Moved well and held it all together. A bright future awaits him.

2. Mr L Mitchell and Mr N Wrights’s Huntshill Up to Trouble. Another compact tricolour. Everything is correctly put together and in many ways he is a slightly smaller version of the winner. I did prefer the drive and energy of the winner.

3. Mrs P and Miss D Banks’s Forgebanks Santiano.

OD (4, 0)

1. Mrs E Jayes’s Rossut Zavier at Sandylands. A dark black blanketed tricolour who needs to be examined to appreciate his qualities. Soundly constructed in every department. His proportions are spot on. His neck is the right length his depth of chest and height from the ground are for me all in the right proportions. His shoulders are correctly set and his rear angulation just right. Clean masculine head without a hint of coarseness; dark appealing expression. Good bone and well muscled. On the move he flows around the ring effortlessly and accurately. A worthy winner and I was very happy to award him the CC.

2. Miss L and Mrs P Havard’s Annavah Justify. Very smart tricolour. Well proportioned head with mild expression. Good neck flowing into level topline. Just the right bone, nicely muscle. Good turn of stifle. A quality dog.  I preferred the movement of the winner but still a worthy RCC winner.

3. Miss A Binks’ Tannahill Ezra. 

GCD (2.0)

1. Mrs J Ambridge’s Julemark Chaos.

2. Ms S Webster’s Rossut Vizier For Houndcoast. Mature Tan and White dog. Pleasing head and expression. Well boned, firm level topline, good lay of shoulder. Moved with drive.

SpBB (5, 0)

1. Miss R Halse’s Clarismore Harlequin Lady. Compact, outgoing tricolour with a pleasing expression. Good front assembly and well angulated behind. Well developed chest with good heart and lung room. Moved with purpose. 

2. Mrs  S Bell-Thomas and Mr A Thomas’s Amorpapaver Ada Lovelace. Very similar to her brother from earlier so similar comments apply. Pleasing in outline and moved with enthusiasm. Only 7 months so lots of development to come and plenty of potential. 

3. Miss E Stuart’s Boskenna Bell of the Ball.

VB (9, 0)

1. Mrs V Davies’s Barrvale Grace. Compact and beautifully balanced 7 year old. Lovely head and expression, elegant neck and correct shoulder placement.  Firm level topline correct set on. Short coupled and showing just the right tuck up. Moved with plenty of drive and parallel viewed end on. Very pleased to make her BV.

2. Ms S Webster’s Michelroy Pimpernell With Houndcoast. A very pretty 7 year old tan and white. Good bone and maybe a shade heavier than the winner. Good front assembly and level topline. Moved vey soundly.

3. Dr C Roberts and Ms D Spearing’s Linkenless Lyric ShCEx ShCM VW.

MPB (8,0) A real treat to have some quality puppies in this class.

1. Mr D Craig’s Davricard Madonna. I predict a great future for this young lady. Only 6 months old, a compact, short coupled tricolour. Lovely balanced head with mild expression. Correct shoulder placement, well bent stifles and well let down at the hocks all combine on the move to produce the necessary drive with good reach in front. Parallel when seen end on and held her topline very well on the move. A worthy best puppy and delighted she was later awarded PG3.

2. Mr Philpott’s Charterwood Gold Magic. A very pretty tan and white with lovely head and expression. Short and sturdily built, good lay back of shoulder balancing well angulated hind quarters. Moved soundly and accurately. Another great prospect and I’m sure she will mature into the beautiful adult.

3. Mrs  S Bell-Thomas and Mr A Thomas’s Amorpapaver Ada Lovelace.

PB (4, 2)

1. Mr D and Mrs K Simkins’ Simeldaka Sliema Madame. Broken Tricolour, beautifully presented. Elegant neck and well placed shoulders. Lovely head and expression. Developing a good depth of chest, firm level topline correct set on. Hind quarters nicely angulated she moves freely.

2. Mrs Stathams’ Brigham’s Tainted Love. Compact tan and white puppy nicely balanced throughout. Soundly constructed. Good straight front. Good depth of chest but a little more turn of stifle would be a benefit. Moved accurately but not quite as free flowing and the winner.

JB (6, 2) The standout class of the day.

1. Mrs C Tanner’s Felinoak Hennessy. She carries the name of a very fine Cognac and at 17 months old she is already a worthy champion who will mature and improve further. A statuesque and beautifully balanced tan and white. Wverything correctly proportioned without a hint of exaggeration. Good bone to carry her developing muscle. Firm level topline. Shoulders correctly laid back to provide her with the reach required. Stifles well bent she covers the ground effortlessly. She maintains her accurate parallel movement coming and going. Delighted to award her the CC and BOB and thrilled she went G2 later.

2. Mr D Craig’s Davricard Bianca. Another superb one from this top winning kennel. Ultra-feminine tan and white with the melting eyes and soft expression it really was hair splitting to separate first and second. They possess the same qualities in overall confirmation so similar comments apply. But it boiled down to movement and in this department the winner had the edge but I had no hesitation in awarding her the RCC she richly deserved. I rather expect they will be swapping places at future shows. How fortunate we are to have two such outstanding young hounds.

3. Mr M and Mrs S Goldberg’s Molesend Impish JW. A real beauty who I’m sure will go far.

GB (6, 1)

1. Mrs J Thornton and Mrs E Thronton-Margetts Maplelayne Looks Like Barbara. Pretty broken tricolour with good head and kind expression. Good bone and soundly constructed, topline level and firm, good set on.  A tad straight in stifle but moved accurately and freely.

2. Mr L Mithchell and Mr N Wright’s Parkebreeway Parsnip and Huntshill. Close up to the winner, a compact tan and white bitch.  Another lovely head and expression.  Good shoulders although I preferred the neck of 1. Moved very accurately but not as energetic as the winner.

3. Mrs M Hunts’s Bondlea Cherished.

PGB (6, 1)

1. Mrs N Scarlett’s Vanitonia Enchanted Over Michelroy. Edged this class because of her overall soundness and movement. Proportions are just right and convey a well balanced picture. Good front and enough forechest. Her rear end looks as though she is made to move and so it proved. 

2. Mr D Craig’s Davricard Melody. Another quality hound from this top kennel. Very sound and my comments on my winner apply to her as well. I just preferred the little extra substance of the winner but not a lot in it.

3. Mrs J Philpott’s Charterwood Impact.

LB (13, 1) The largest class with some real quality in depth.

1. Miss L Havard and Mrs P Havard’s Annavah Teardrop. Sturdily built, compact tricolour from this top winning kennel. Striking  head and soft expression. Really good depth of chest firm topline. Correct should placement and good front.  Neat well knuckled feet and short nails. Moved well and kept parallel.

2. Mr M and Mrs S Goldbergs’ Molesend Jazzy. A quality tan and white hound from this consistent kennel.  Good overall confirmation with no exaggeration. Moved freely and accurately. I just preferred the winner’s head and expression but not a lot in it.

3. Mrs P and Miss D Banks’ Forgebanks Shantung JW.

OB (5,2) 1.

Miss L Havard and Mrs P Havard’s Ch Annavah Princess Tiana. What hasn’t been said about the breed record holder is hardly worth saying. She is superb and her balance and overall confirmation have made her what she is. Her movement is sound and accurate and she still has the enthusiasm to drive out freely. But today the younger generation came to the fore and much as I admire her the juniors prevailed.

2. Mrs V Davies’s Ch Annavah Nocturne at Barrvale. From the same kennel as the winner but in different ownership.   A very smart and soundly constructed tricolour. Prettiest of heads and typical appealing expression. Soundly put together with no exaggeration. I preferred the winner’s movement today.

GCB (1.0) 1. Miss K Stoddart’s Poppyville Adelaide. Another compact tricolour. Kind expression. Good forechest and depth of chest. Level topline and short between the couplings. Moved accurately.

Alistair Parker