Blackpool & District Canine Society

I would like to extend my sincere thanks to the Committee of Blackpool Championship Show for inviting me to judge. I also thank all the exhibitors for their support and patience, even when faced with the occasional shower, to make the lost of the lovely, spacious ring we were allocated. Judging your own breed is a true privilege, and I was delighted with the high quality of my entry. It is exciting to see promising young Bracchi emerging through the ranks.

Class 969 Puppy Dog (2:0)

1st Mrs M Dodds & Mrs A Struthers-Lake, Elfrindew Yankee Doodle, 10 months male, a youngster with so much to like, he has a beautifully sculpted head, lean cheeks, close fitting eyes of a rich amber colour eye, narrow at the zygomatic arches, correct shape and length of ear, with sufficient dewlap, strong neck flowing into a good lay of shoulder with a super front, just needs to drop in his chest which will come as he matures, he stands nice and square with a look at me attitude about him. On the move he is coming together, he is at the stage where he is loose but still has a strong stride and flowing movement, as he matures, he is going to be one to watch out for.

2nd Mr K Duggan & Miss S Rush, Kelevra Asilo Dei Cucul, coming up to his first birthday, I loved this young man, he is coming together so well. Head of good clean proportions, with good divergence, long and lean with sufficient depth of muzzle, a soft expression and supple ears, He is was shorter coupled than my 1st with stronger pasterns, and tighter feet, not docked his tail was of correct length, which he carries correctly. At times he was unsettled in the ring, he does have a lovely stride that powers him round, just needs more confidence to reach his full potential.

Two very promising youngsters.

Class 970 Junior Dog - (3: 1A, 1WD)

1st Mr D Bramley, Miss K Holdstock, Mr J Fretwell & Miss G C Markin, almost 12 months, I held my breath when this young man came into the ring, as he does give his handler the hardest of time. Today he was on his best behaviour, settled he has a lovely stride, which is very neat coming and going. My notes say lots to like, his head is of excellent proportions, with good divergence, nice lean cheeks, and soft correct length ears, he has a super front with good lay of shoulder into nice legs with good oval bone, slightly sloping pasterns and good feet, his maturity won him overall Best Puppy and Best Junior in breed today.

Class 971 Post Graduate Dog (4:0)

1st Mr A & Miss S Pipes & Groves Bushwacker Don Juan, I have judged previously, and was delighted with how much he has improved, seriously considered for top honours. He is balanced with nothing overdone, overdone. Head of good proportions, strong neck. shoulders and excellent front, nice tight feet with good oval bone. Very smart in outline, deep in chest and short in loin. Good topline, underline and tail carriage. On the move he displayed a good length of stride, and overreach, strong hocks which powered him around the ring. In the challenge a mature dog beat him, this boy is coming up 2 years old, with maturity he will worry the best. Delighted to award him Reserve Best Dog.

2nd Mrs EL & Mr G Phillips, Bushwacker Donnie Darko, litter Brother to 1, I have also judged before, he is maturing and coming together so well. His head is breathtaking, noble with a soft expression, lean cheeks, well chiselled below the eyes, good divergence, ears soft and supple.

He is built on a super frame, from all angles, on the move he has a graceful trot which was a joy to watch. He is still maturing, and his litter brother had the edge on him today, a young male who I am delighted to see turning into the dog I thought he would.

3rd Mr R Smith & Miss L Fazenfield Owlspoint Askin For Trouble, another exciting young male who is maturing well, lots to like about him.

Class 972 Open Dog (4:0)

1st Mr M R & Mrs C R Sanderson, SH CH Owlspoint Trouble Again JW ShCEx OSW, I can’t believe he is a veteran already, a dog I have always admired from the ringside, today he was presented in excellent hard condition, when stacked he filled my eye completely. He has a beautifully sculpted head, lean cheeks, close fitting eyes of a rich colour eye matching his monks habit Chestnut colouring, which gleamed with a metallic amber glow. Narrow at the zygomatic arches, correct shape, and length of ear, with sufficient dewlap, strong neck flowing into a good lay of shoulder with a super front, into a deep chest, strong loin, and good tail carriage. On the move, he was undeniably the best mover of the day, trotting out on a loose lead with his head held high, as it should be. It was my honour to award him Best Dog, Best of Breed, and Best Veteran. I stayed to watch the groups and was delighted to see him awarded Group 4 Veteran.

2nd Mr A & Mrs V Warburton, Owlspoint Loads Of Trouble at Heberhouse JW, I have enjoyed watching this boy from the ringside, and today he did not disappoint. An outstanding example of a young Bracco male. Excellent head of correct width with a soft noble expression, super head planes and divergence, oval close-fitting eye of good colour, ears set level with corner of eye. Strong neck with sufficient dewlap, well laid-back shoulders of good width, straight front with oval bone, slightly sloping pasterns to tight feet. He stands almost square with a good fill of chest to a strong wide loin, and good tail carriage. On the move his excellent quarters powered him round the ring with ease, considered for RBD. A super youngster with his best yet to come.

3rd Mr S A Pearson & Ms C A Pearson, Kelevra Bacchustabio, another super youngster, with an impressive stride, he was a bit unsettled today, which unfortunately cost him his placing.

Class 973 Veteran Dog (1)

1st Mr M R & Mrs C R Sanderson, SH CH Owlspoint Trouble Again JW ShCEx OSW, was my Open Dog winner.

Class 974 Puppy Bitch (1)

1st Mr S & Mrs R Woodhouse, Elfrindew Bye Baby Buntin, 10 months old, littermate to my puppy dog winner, and similar comments apply. This young lady is truly impressive, full of breed type and quality. She has a feminine head with a soft expression, good eye shape and colour, her ears were soft and supple and reached to the end of her nose, she has a good depth to her muzzle, and sufficient dewlap. Her front assembly is correct, although her handler tends to stand her to wide in front which affects the whole picture. On the move although still raw you can clearly see her early promise, coming and going nice and tidy. In the challenge, she called out "look at me," I was delighted to award her Reserve Best Bitch. Her handler is new to showing, and with more experience over time, she will undoubtedly become a favourite to watch as she progresses through the ranks.

Class 975 Junior Bitch (1)

1st Mr S & Mrs R Woodhouse, Elfrindew Bye Baby Buntin

Class 976 Post Graduate Bitch (no entries)

Class 977 Open Bitch (5:2A)

1st Mr S A Pearson & Ms C A Pearson, SWISS CH Kelevra Covo Di Ladri JW, a beautiful orange/white girl approaching 5 years. She has a kind expression, and good head proportions, divergent planes, with narrowing at the zygomatic arches, and well chiselled below the eye. Ears of correct length with slight turn inwards, set along the corner of the eye. Nice reach of neck, into good shoulders with sufficient width between the shoulders, a good spring of rib into a short loin and correct croup. On the move she showed her beautiful muscle tone, and true driving action in a trot which powered her effortlessly around the ring. She headed up a class of quality.

2nd Mr S Kelsey, Elfrindrew Kinky Reggae, I've always found this girl's movement a joy to watch ringside; she is simply mesmerising when you can let her go. She is powerful, reaching with her well-assembled front, and her drive behind is accurate. When in motion, her tail shows the classic "tick-tock" movement that this breed is known for. However, today she was a bit fidgety with her handler, perhaps due to the humid heat of the day. She has one of the best female heads, correct from any angle. A good lay of shoulder and an excellent return on her upper arm, with nice oval bone. Her feet have never been her strongest asset, but when you consider her overall quality, this more than compensates. Slightly longer in the loin than I would prefer, but this does not detract from her true quality. She was unfortunate to meet the winner on such good form.

3rd Mr A & Mrs V Warbuton, Withamfriary Lush Blossom at Heberhouse JW, another I could take home with me, a lovely chestnut bitch moved and shown in excellent condition lost out on maturity today, her time will come, and I am sure she will reach top honours.

Class 978 Veteran Bitch (1)

1st Mr S A & Ms C A Pearson, INT/IR SH CH/NLD CH/SH CH Braccorion’s Nesta Vipas, I can see why this girl has won so much in her career, Just turned 7, and beautifully finished, she is so well balanced; there is nothing I would change. Her outline is almost square, with an excellent forehand, neck, and shoulders. Her head is beautifully sculpted, very typical, and clearly, she embodies all the traits of a Bracco. On the move, she comes alive and is simply breathtaking. Coming and going she was accurate, and in profile floated around the ring with a breed-typical, extended, fast trot. I expect her to continue her winning ways well into Veteran, could not deny her Best Bitch, and Best Opposite Sex.