Page 216 - Showsight December 2020
P. 216

                                                        GETTING BACK IN THE RING ALLOWS US TO SHUT OUT A BIT OF REALITY, AND CELEBRATE THE DOGS WE LOVE SO MUCH.
Doug Johnson
HOUND GROUP
Placements:
Group One: GCHP Pinnacle Kentucky Bourbon (Whippet)
Group Two: GCH Foxcliffe Claire Randall Fraser (Scottish Deerhound) Group Three: GCHG Aurora’s Rhythm Of My Heart (Saluki)
Group Four: GCHS Majenkir Bookstor Spellbinder (Borzoi)
With everything that we are experiencing in the world, escaping to your passion is a welcomed change. Getting back in the ring allows us to shut out a bit of reality, and celebrate the dogs we love so much. I was grate- ful for the opportunity. I have had the pleasure of judging Hounds at many prestigious shows throughout the country; this Group did not dis- appoint. The Hound Group was particularly deep in quality with many outstanding dogs across both scent- and sighthound breeds. I have some renewed hope that our competition will remain high since we’ve reduced the vast number of dog shows for the time being.
With too few ribbons for the quality of dogs, I was charged with pulling 10-12 dogs for our final consideration. For me, the top four are all worthy of their awards and more.
The lovely, curvy Whippet bitch will go down in history for her elegance, grace and style. She is brave and willing, and showed to perfection on the day. I love her eyes and ears, her length of neck, arching from head to clean shoulder placement. All of her parts are knitted together cleanly, the per- fect combination of curves and soundness to win the Group. What an honor that she would continue on to Best in Show; a true treasure. Second would go to the feminine yet strong and sturdy, Scottish Deer- hound bitch. I was so impressed with her. Her head and expression... Clas- sic. Strongly made with dense bone and body, in hard coat and muscle on the day, her condition is excellent. She has the correct topline and gait for the breed, correct rise in her topline and corresponding underline, great long tail, well boned, sound in all directions, with short hocks—some- thing difficult to find in most breeds today. She will have a long career. Third, to the Saluki. This dog put on a wonderful performance on the night. He is also in perfect muscle tone and mentally solid. He ignores you and make you want to see more of him; so very typical of the breed. I love that he is of one piece in a breed where the dogs are often in many parts. He has matured into quite the gentleman. His gait is what is called for in the breed; feet running on hot sand, covering great ground with a long stride.
Fourth to the beautiful Borzoi dog. This dog impressed me with his size and dramatic outline, both standing and moving. He has a great head and eye, strong underjaw and ear placement, graceful neck and cleanly blended shoulders, strong back, and the correct rise and rounded croup/ tail set. The breed suffers in backline, and I would encourage breeders and judges to go over him here... Perfection. Shown in correct coat and muscle, this impressive dog is clean-moving in all directions.
Honorable mention goes to the Ridgeback, Bluetick, Redbone, and both Foxhounds. All of them are superior in the breeds today.
This Group was a pleasure to judge as well as a challenge. I’m so grateful for the experience.
  214 | SHOWSIGHT MAGAZINE, DECEMBER 2020





















































































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