BRITTANY
JUDGE: Mr Chris Bexon
Firstly, can I say what an honour it was to judge this unique working breed for the first time with CC’s and how long ago it seems when I attended the breed club’s first open shows. I really enjoyed this assignment which was challenging, but rewarding in equal measure.
Type today was still mixed, even though the breed standard has good descriptive text, clearly everyone interprets things slightly differently. I am keen from the outset that the size, the proportions and dimensions fit into that narrative, as this is the first thing you see as they enter the ring. Some were longer than square, some with level toplines, one or two with little hind angulation to speak of, heads did not always have the 3/2 proportions, making it difficult to find consistency in every class. Presentation, coat condition and temperaments were good, handling could be improved to advantage, you have to enhance the dog you are showing. One or two really impressed stacked, but had rather odd hind action and one or two very promising ended up side winding or crabbing.
I have a notional tick list of the standard in my mind, I was pleased with my main winners which I think had type, size, were well constructed and moved soundly, all but one of the entry was new to me which was refreshing and I came with no preconceived ideas or prejudices.
Minor Puppy – Dog (3)
1st Cook’s Highclare Only One Avec Tailliside (A I) I was taken aback by the quality of this young male, which for me ticks so many boxes, he is in my mind exceedingly special, yet I know he will continue to develop in so many areas, it is about degree at the moment, judging performance on the day was crucial. His type and size was good, proportions were excellent. I liked his head, he has a rounded skull, decent head plains, moderate stop with a tapering muzzle. 3/2 proportions. His eyes were a dark hazel, correct size, shape and placement with good pigment, giving him an intelligent expression. His ears were a reasonable shape, high set and rounded at the tips, perhaps a shade well off for size, but I am sure will blend in with maturity. I liked his medium length of neck, which was well shaped into a gently sloping topline, with good shoulders. He has a good width of chest essential if you have really rounded ribs, on a short back and with a strong short loin. He has a decent underline, good depth of chest with proportionately longer legs, to body depth, which were straight and had correct bone, some pastern angle and decent feet. He has moderate hind angulation with good rear pasterns. Shown in a decent coat in good condition. On the move he was typical, correct striding, driving from his hocks which were perpendicular, he has style and good deportment. CC, BOB, Best Puppy. My apologies for consigning you to the limit class.
2nd Robinson’s Tarward Our Joe – A pleasing young male, built on finer and racier lines with not quite the development of 1. He is a good height, with a reasonably good outline. I liked his head properties and expression, with good median line in skull, nice ears and muzzle. He has a medium length of neck, gentle slope to topline and has straight forelegs, but I would like just a tad more upper arm angulation, his ribs are developing, but needs more time in body development. I liked his moderate hind angulation. He moved quite well. Shows promise.
3rd Davies’ Tarward Olmo – Litter Brother to 2, I liked his type, size and shape, not quite getting his movement together yet.
Junior – Dog (2, 1 abs)
1st Poole’s Sanbosier Naos At Laurremar – Things to like. He has type, but free standing with youngsters is a bit of a gamble unless perfectly schooled. It should be about showing the dogs best features off to advantage. I liked his size and basic shape, I thought he was masculine, with a fair head, and really good eye colour and expression, I thought his muzzle and skull, about equal in length though, with a tapered muzzle. He has a good reach of neck, but when stood he is a bit uneven in topline with a slight dippy back and then rises towards the rear, but then a little low set in tail. When standing his elbows could have been tighter to his body, he could do with a bit more filling in chest. He has reasonable bone with good feet. He is developing pleasing spring of ribs and a good basic body shape with good coverage over rump, he has moderate bend of stifle and strong rear pasterns which deliver sound hind action, front movement not quite as good. Shown in good condition.
Limit – Dog (3)
1st Hargreaves’ Bonapartist Lancelot, A combination of good breed type, well-constructed of good proportions, with decent movement. Not the top of the height standard but a good basic shape, squarish with a good outline, very good head and expression, moderate length of neck, strong, with good shoulders. He has a deep chest, straight well boned forelegs, placed well under his body, nicely angled front pasterns. He has a sloping topline, is short backed with a strong loin and moderately angled hindquarters. Moved well, straight and true.
2nd Rush’s Patouche Milord – I liked this tri coloured male, pleasing type, different from 1, but acceptable, well-constructed, with good body proportions, especially in forequarters, best of legs and feet. I liked his head, masculine, with correct relationship between skull and muzzle, moderate stop, but for me a little lightish in eye. He has a moderate reach of neck, sloping topline, with strong ribs and short loin, appropriate hindquarters, moved well.
3rd Samaradzija’s Patouche Lambert – Very similar comments apply to 2, but built on a larger frame, masculine, nicely constructed, not keen on his his hind action, good front action though.
Open – Dog (6)
1st Hawtree’s Sh Ch Highclare Hold Your Horses At Bremalyn JW, Smart, almost six-year-old a strikingly marked male, excellent type, very good outline and proportions. He has a very good head, 3/2 proportions, a rounded skull, median line, moderate stop, tapered muzzle, with good ear size and shape, high set. He has good eye shape and dark hazel eyes, giving a lovely expression. He has a tweak longish neck for me, but with clean shoulders, correct sloping topline, good width of chest and fill in, straight columns of support in front, with decent bone in forelegs of decent length, very good tight forefeet. I liked his body shape, with good ribbing, short loin, moderate rear angulation and relatively short hocks. He was well handled and moved with purpose and precision. A worthy Champion. Res CC.
2nd Yarrow’s Sh Ch Bonapartist Grenadier- Mature, strongly built shaped male, who looks really useful, has a masculine head of quality proportions, good median line, good ear size, shape and set, pleasing eye and intelligent expression, nicely shaped muzzle. Not quite the topline or the correct angle of front pasterns of winner, but with really good round rib cage, strong loin and he has pleasing hindquarters with good muscle tone, shown in good coat, a really positive mover, shortish striding. Top quality.
3rd Taylor’s Tillybirloch Guyas At Dragonflight – Smart square shaped male, lighter framed, built for speed, nicely constructed, not quite the width of chest of 2, and his topline rises towards the rear. He has a pleasing head and expression, on the move he crabbed a little.
Minor Puppy – Bitch (2)
1st Tully’s Highclare Oos The Daddy – Another first-rate youngster, pleasing colour, but a bit of a handful. Exhibits very good breed type, is a good size, with a dash of feminine elegance. I thought her head was quite pleasing, nicely rounded in skull, moderate stop, tapered muzzle, with a really pleasing expression, good dark hazel eye colour, of the correct oval shape. She has good ear shape and size. I found her a little over moderate in length of neck, she has good shoulders, at times she could look a little level in topline. She had good width of chest, pleasing straight bone and good feet, she has some tuck up. I liked her moderate hind quarters with good width. She can move well when she wants, she chose not to for the best puppy bitch award. Will have a bright future.
2nd Ryan’s Patouche Oriana – Racy, tri colour, with a pleasing head and expression, with high set ears and tapered muzzle with a decent eye and expression. She has good leg length to depth of body proportions. Whilst she is developing a decent spring of rib, I found she has a levelish topline and was slightly longer in back than 1. She has reasonable width of chest, with straight forelegs and nice feet. I thought she has pleasing hindquarters and was shown in a decent coat. Moved well, sound.
Puppy – Bitch (2)
1st Rush’s Patouche Nadia – A really nice feminine B/W bitch, well-constructed of good type and size. She is square shaped and has very good breed specific proportions length of leg to depth of body. I liked her head with a good shape to skull and muzzle, she has a nice eye and expression. Moderate in neck length, with good shoulders, straight forelegs and slightly angled front pasterns and good feet. She has a good width of chest, very good spring of rib, a strong loin, with good width. She has a good angle of croup. She has some tuck up. Her hindquarters have moderately bent stifles and she is developing good muscle tone. She moved well, sound and true, in good condition. Best Puppy bitch.
2nd Southorn’s Rochus Nelke – Pretty tri puppy, a little less mature than 1, but typy, she is square shaped, nicely constructed, with good length of leg to depth of body. She has a good head, rounded skull, moderate stop, good small ears set well and with a good muzzle, I liked her body shape with reasonably good underline, short loin, with moderate bend of stifle, shortish rear pasterns nicely perpendicular. I liked her super tight front feet and slightly longer rear feet. I loved her playful temperament. Promising.
Junior – Bitch (2)
1st Graham & Denwood’s Bonapartist Orchid Of Lyndfil – This good-sized bitch has quite a lot to like, but slightly more mature than 2 today. She has a really nice head, which is well proportioned and quality, with a gently tapered muzzle, lovely eye and expression, with decent ears. She has a strong neck of good shape, but I found her a little longer in body than square though with a levelish topline. Her ribs were good, she has good underline, straight good forelegs & decent feet. Her hindquarters have moderate hind angulation with really short rear pasterns. Moved very well, didn’t put a foot wrong.
2nd Frost’s Neska De Skol Louarn At Patouche – B/W very nicely marked, eye catching. Her proportions are basically good, her topline a little levelish, not quite as mature as 1 in body but developing, with some spring of rib. She has a pretty head and expression, 3/2 proportions. She has a medium length of neck, reasonable depth of chest, she has a bit of a tendency to stand a little at 10/2 with her feet. I would like a little more angulation and width in hindquarters. On the move she was a little erratic.
Limit – Bitch (4, 1 abs)
1st Davies’ Rochus Lottie – Lovely bitch, mature, very good outline shape and of a strong type. She has a very good head shape, with work in her rounded skull, moderate stop, good ear shape, size and set. I liked her nice dark eye, she is a good size and has slightly longer legs to depth of body, just a shade over square, with pleasing shoulders, a gentle slope to topline and a reasonable tail set. She has a lovely body shape, with moderate hind angulation, medium length of rear pasterns, pleasing feet. She covered the ground well.
2nd Yarrow’s Bonapartist Linnet – Appealed a lot for type, very good head proportions, nice hazel eyes, moderate stop, tapered muzzle, with a good neck and shoulders, a mature body shape, some fore chest and good width of chest, but a little levelish in topline, slightly lower in tail set. She has moderate width of hindquarters, very good bone and tight feet. Shown in good coat, she is a super mover.
3rd Ryan’s Patouche Jaimee – finer built, square shape, with good body proportions, leg length to body depth good, but a little uneven in topline and not quite moving as well as 1 and 2.
Open – Bitch (7)
1st Yarrow’s Sh Ch Loubie Rose Of Bonapartist – I really liked this mature, balanced bitch, so typy, with a lovely head, moderate stop, wedge shape muzzle, pleasing dark hazel oval shaped eye, good ear set, she had a medium length of neck, clean in throat, she is square shaped, with good shoulders, very good spring of rib, short strong loin, with good underline, moderate hind angulation, good straight forelegs. Really positive mover, has a good temperament. Res CC.
2nd Southorn’s Rochus Juliet – tallish, square shaped bitch, I don’t think she was particularly happy today, excellent proportions and a good type. I liked her head with a rounded skull, dark eyes and giving a good expression, moderate stop and median line, good ears and a good muzzle. She has good front support columns, good width of chest and very good rounded ribs, with a short loin. Her bone is good and she has decent feet. A little straighter in stifle than 1 though. Moves quite well.
3rd Robinson’s Rochus Hazel To Tarward – Completed a trio of nice bitches longish in body compared to 1 and 2 with a level topline though. She has a very nice head, moderate neck and decent body shape, with fairly good conformation fore and aft. A decent mover.
Veteran – Bitch (1)
1st Tully’s Sh Ch Highclare Flaming Nora, Nine years old. A combination of excellent breed type, good conformation and a sound positive mover. She has a lovely head, good size ears. dark eye and tapered muzzle, she is well constructed, squarish shape of good proportions, very good bone and feet. Short backed with excellent spring of rib, short strong loin, very good hindquarters, with moderate bend of stifle, shown in excellent coat and condition. She still proves to be a sound active and energetic mover. Bitch CC. In the challenge for Best of breed elements of her deportment on the move gave away to the effects of age.
