Welsh Kennel Club

Welsh Kennel Club 2025 – 16 September 2025

Critique:- Mastiffs Judge:- Mrs Anne Griffin

Many thanks to The Welsh Kennel Club for the invitation to judge at this prestigious event. From the time I arrived on site to the time I left there were officials available to answer any questions – at times I felt like royalty. My ring stewards were bright, cheerful and efficient and kept everything rolling along at a comfortable pace. I was impressed by the respect almost all exhibitors showed the playing of the Welsh National Anthem, to me it is always a good start to a day of competition. In numbers a modest entry which appears to have become the norm for this show which I think is a great shame as the only thing it doesn’t seem to having going for it is a nearby motorway but it is readily accessible from most directions. I don’t believe the quality of the mastiffs present has changed significantly since the last time I judged , perhaps fewer on the high side of average but also fewer on the low side. Most of the high flyers were in the Open classes but some in the lower classes with exciting potential. The overall quality of handling is hugely divided. Some excellent handlers but others made it extremely difficult to assess their charges. The show ring at a Championship show is not the place to learn the craft of handling. There are Ringcraft classes all over the country. Find one that suits you and your dog and then enter a few local open shows to consolidate what you learn in class. Some coats could have been fresher and there were far too many over length nails. Nails matter. Too long displaces the toes turns the foot and eventually can affect movement. If you are unable to cut them yourselves your vet will do them or a trusted groomer. There were no absentees. Puppy Dog 1st Graham’s, Savarow Adonis at Odextin Large fawn well developed for his age. Good width and depth throughout his body. Tight feet. Needs to develop further in the rear to drive forward off his hocks. Delightful expression typical of the breed. BP 2nd Hazlewood’s Craiglestone Lord Pu Nam Eleven months but still very much a baby. Beautiful dark brindle with no exaggerations. Body needs to develop and needs to strengthen up behind for better drive. Junior Dog 1st Harris’s Quincy of Seven Oaks (Imp) Deu Large and well developed for his thirteen month with plenty of bone. Excellent tight feet. Would prefer a darker eye. All I can say about his movement is that he was sound. To progress in the ring he needs to learn his job and move in harmony with his handler. Post Graduate Dog 1st Thompson’s Morganlefay Aghori at Thetchra A lovely, happy large fawn rising three. Heavy boned and a well proportioned head. Another one who would benefit from more training so he understands about being touched by strangers and learns to move with drive with his owner. 2nd Bowdery’s Suncamo Klarence By Morganleyfay Something of a pocket rocket. A lot to like about this boy and he is all mastiff. Just not very much mastiff. Everything in proportion and very attractive to the eye would prefer a more rounded ribcage and for him to move with more drive. Limit Dog 1stZadeh’s Suncamo Kayden With Faynad All my notes say is Large Fawn. Beautifully presented. Width and depth throughout. Large boned. Truth of the matter is I was absolutely stunned by the view of this dog head on. He is magnificent, wide where width is called for, strong where strength is called for absolutely everything a front should be. RDCC 2nd Whelan’s Arleith After Darkness Infinite Beauty (Imp Pol) Large big boned brindle, well proportioned throughout. Pleasing head and expression. Would like to see him moved a bit faster as I suspect he could be a long striding dog with great drive. Not easy to keep a dog of this size and weight as sound as he is. Open Dog 1st Coulman-Holes’ Womlu Destined to be King Just two years old and so much quality size and substance. Well proportioned head with lovely dark eye Good width throughout with good spring of rib. Great body depth. Moved with drive from behind. By far the best dentition of the day. I was happy to award him BOB although was not convinced he was a “Big Ring” dog. I was stunned when he hit that group ring – he owned it and strode out strong and proud and continued to shine throughout his time there. I knew he was good but right then he was up there with the very best of the breed. DCC & BOB 2nd Burgoine’s Ch Hallberd Finbar Another large brindle with excellent bone and substance. As always well handled and presented, moved a little close behind. At last he seems to have warmed up to the showing game and he was so happy to be in the ring. He has already won a lot and he is still so youthful I am sure there is a lot more winning to come with this dog Puppy Bitch 1st Hazlewood’s Craiglestone Miss Whimsy. Very dark brindle, only eleven months old and looking younger, hopefully there is a lot more to come from her. Dark eye, the kindest of expressions, thus far undeveloped body. Moved well. Lovely dentition. Junior Bitch 1st Barrett’s Phoebe of Seven Oaks (Imp Ger) Just seventeen months old and there is more to come from this girl. Well developed throughout and moved soundly with drive. Head and expression pleasing, foreface could be a bit shorter. Nothing striking about this bitch to grab the spectators attention but when examined everything is correct.BCC. Post Graduate Bitch 1st Crump’s Askuwheteau Eva Lightly built silver fawn brindle, everything in proportion with adequate height and width. Would prefer a shorter nose. Limit Bitch 1st Burgoine and Nicholas’s Suncamo Jocelyn Light fawn bitch beautifully presented. Warmed up to her task in the ring and when moved showed reach and drive. Open Bitch 1st Coulman-Hole’s Ir Ch Womlu Mischief in Motion Solidly built large bitch, width and length to spare and heavy boned. Moved well with reach and drive. Would have preferred more width throughout the length of her muzzle. RBCC