On January 13, Tyne, Wear & Tees Hound Association held their annual Hound of the Year, with this year’s mystery judge Julie Bates of the Gunthwaite/Burncote Rhodesian Ridgebacks.

As usual, veterans were first to be judged, and the winner of this was Chris & Dave Warren’s evergreen standard long haired Dachshund Ingeborg Danketina. Although lightly shown, she won at Res. CC level. Now a veteran, she is doing well in veteran competitions & was also last year’s top veteran at this event.

A knock out match with the hounds followed, with the eventual winner Sylvia Mitchell’s Basset Hound Rakefoot Dirty Dancing. The reserve was Harry Mitchell’s (no relation) PBGV Monkhams Elderberry. Both these exhibitors came from across the Pennines, so it was certainly a worthwhile journey for them. It was especially pleasurable for Harry, because he had been uncertain he could attend following some chemotherapy.

The famous buffet was then enjoyed, and then the puppies came in. The ultimate winner was Bailey’s Rhodesian Monduri Un Beaulion handled by his breeder Chris Nuttall. This was another raid from across the Pennines! Reserve to him was another of Sylvia Mitchell’s bassets Rakefoot Mis Saigon.

Denise Tyerman