Our Open Show was held at Hurlford in Ayrshire.   We had a quality entry for our breed specialist Judge, Taija Turkia from Lohja, 40 miles north west of Helsinki, Finland.   A number of new owners and prospective owners looking for puppies also came along to view the Bassets and meet other owners.

Taija found her Best in Show in Liz Cudlip's Blevwils Free 'N' Easy at Harvidene bred by Roy and Lesley Ann Blevins.   Reserve Best in Show was Sandra & Tommy Johnston's home bred Burnvale Ringmaster.   The Best Puppy award went to Sylvia Mitchell's home bred Rakefoot Midnight Caller and the Best Veteran was Natalie Hirst's Dereheath Delilah at Kejana ShCM, bred by Heather and Derek Storton.  

Taija very kindly presented each of the above winners with a specially engraved silver tray, human chocolate for all the class winners’ handlers and miniature basset hound ornaments for all exhibitors.

This year, with the permission of the Scottish Kennel Club, we introduced three Special Awards – these are categories for, as a rule, inexperienced Judges to gain more knowledge in assessing our breed.   Our Judge for the Special Awards was Lee Cudlip, who is well known at shows for handling Basset Hounds and Bloodhounds.

The fees from those entering for these Special Awards were donated to the Basset Hound Health Group.  

Judge's report will be published shortly once published in National Canine Press. 

At the Basset Hound Club of Scotland’s Championship Show a warm welcome was given to well known hound judge Mrs Pamela Mottershaw from Jersey who was awarding CC’s in Basset Hounds for the first time.  She found her Bitch CC winner and Best in Show in Tina Watkins’ Blackvein Havoc.  The Reserve Bitch CC was Liz Cudlip’s Blevwils Free N’ Easy At Harvidene.  The Dog CC and Reserve Best In Show was Roy and Lesley Blevins’ Ch. Blevwils Forest Gump with the Reserve Dog CC going to Tommy and Sandra Johnston’s Burnvale Ringmaster.  Best Puppy was Pat Feetham’s dog Kimbleholme Wizard World.  Pat had a wonderful day as her Ir. Ch. Kimbleholme Make A Wish was awarded Best Veteran and Best Hound Resident in Scotland. 

Our new venue appeared to meet with approval by the exhibitors, being close to motorway connections and the location having a beautiful vista.   It was nice to welcome some new exhibitors and hope they will return in future. 

The Judge's critique is published under Show Reports in the Index on the left.

The Basset Hound Club of Scotland held its annual Fun Day on Sunday 7th September and was, as usual, fun and funny.   This event is held mainly for pet owners who do not show their Bassets, who can have some fun and exchange Basset conversation with other pet owners.  There were nine well filled classes and a hilarious photo/caption competition.    Judge for the day was Sandra Caldow (Livlandean), who breeds and shows German Spitz. 

Judge Sandra Caldow with Club Chairman Tom Johnston

All class winners were presented with a trophy and all who were placed, a rosette.   It was so nice to see so many “oldies” still fit and fun loving, and taking part.  Everyone who entered in the classes got both human and doggy goodies. 

The six best legs class had 21 Bassets and handlers in it, so that was 126 legs to be judged – no mean “feet”!  The fancy dress competition theme was The Commonwealth Games and here, owners to be applauded for their ideas.  There were event related “athletes”, Team Scotland representatives and Opening Ceremony displays – all were happy to be dressed up and each “competitor” received a GOLD medal, the winner also receiving a trophy. 

There was a break for afternoon tea when the photographic competition was judged and thanks must go to those who took the time to think up some brilliant captions.  

Sausage almost at the dog!!!

The sausage catching class had every dog take part – it was a bit of a squash, but we managed. 

This is such a funny-to-watch class as all Bassets’ eyes are on the judge (sausage thrower).  You’ll never see a Basset, at a show, looking at a judge like this! 

No one left without a rosette and I believe we all went home tired but happy having had a great get-together, once again.