British Briard Club

The British Briard Club

Open Show

Brailes Village Hall, Castle Hill Lane, Brailes OX15 5AS

Saturday 19 July 2025

Thank you to the committee for the kind invitation to judge at your show and for your generous hospitality. I’m also grateful to the exhibitors who, despite the rain and accepted my decisions with good grace. A special thank you to my ring stewards, Natasha Elder and my partner Grant Hughes, whose calm efficiency kept things running smoothly.

All exhibits presented with the required double dewclaws but there was some variation in mouth quality and tail length. The correct “J” carriage is becoming less common, breeders and exhibitors need to continue prioritising these important breed points. One upside to the weather was that there was no opportunity to overgroom - the dogs maintained their natural “rugged appearance” true to the breed. Coats were clean, knot-free and slightly wavy (if a little damp!), just as they should be. A lovely reminder of what a rustic working dog this breed truly is.

Minor Puppy Dog

1st – WESTCOTT-SMITH & SMITH, MRS T & MR S, Urban Legend Dilorini at Rozimba (Imp Pol)

Eight-month-old fawn male, still very much a baby but with lots to like about him. Well-balanced and proportioned throughout, with pleasing development for his age - particularly in the forequarters. Head of correct rectangular shape and length with well-set dark eyes that give the typical expression, appealing and soft. Large black nose. Excellent mouth with correct scissor bite. Neck and topline are developing well. Tail of sufficient length, showing a slight hook. Puppy coat is of appropriate texture for his age. Once settled, he moves freely and soundly. A very promising youngster. BPIS

Puppy Dog

1st – RACK, MR K & MRS G, X’Walter Des Etoiles Taquinantes (Imp Bel)

Nine-months-old black male of pleasing proportions and masculine type. Currently in a natural growth stage which sees him a little higher at the rear, affecting his outline and topline at times on the move this should balance out with maturity. Head of correct rectangular shape and length, with a strong black nose, dark eye and confident, masculine expression. Excellent scissor bite. Developing steadily for age with good body and bone, though still understandably immature. Tail reaching to the hock. Playful and spirited on the move, shows a more coordinated action once settled. Another promising youngster.

Yearling Dog

1st – THORPE, MRS E, Gilcoru Malbec D’Brie JW

Twenty-two-months-old fawn male of pleasing type, presenting a strong yet balanced outline. Masculine head of rectangular proportions with a strong muzzle and well-defined stop. Dark eyes are well set, giving the typical soft and intelligent expression. Well placed ears of appropriate length. Good reach of neck into a firm topline, which he holds well on the move. Coat is currently transitioning with colour and texture still settling. Moved out freely with reasonable reach and drive in profile, would prefer a little more positivity and confidence on the move. Needs to tighten overall to complete the picture but a sound young male with much to offer as he continues to mature. Well presented and handled.

Veteran Dog

1st – THORPE, MRS E, CH Charson Worth The Wait

Nine-years-old black male of excellent overall type, presenting a masculine, upstanding outline. Strong, sturdy frame with a well-developed chest and good bone throughout. Head of correct rectangular proportions balanced and typical with a strong muzzle. Dark, well-set eyes giving the desired soft yet intelligent expression and a large black nose. Neck of good length leading into a firm, level topline that he maintains well on the move. Angulation is moderate but balanced front and rear. Tail reaches to the hock with the correct hook, though it has a slight tendency to tighten when moving. Coat is of excellent texture and condition. Moved well in profile, a quality veteran who presents a very pleasing picture. Best Male. BOS and BVIS

2nd – RUAL-KEOGH, WESCOTT-SMITH & SMITH, MRS N, MRS T & MR S, CH/IR/BE/INT/NL/LUX CH Gilcoru Sauvignon D’Brie at Rozimba BE/NL JCH BJW18 AJW18

Eight-years-old fawn male of good overall type, presenting a balanced and harmonious outline. Head is well-proportioned with well placed, dark eyes and a typical expression. Large black nose. Muzzle is strong and correctly shaped. Good angulation front and rear, allowing for efficient movement, though he tended to move a little close both coming and going. Maintains a level topline on the move and carries a tail of correct length. Coat of appropriate texture and length. Very well handled and presented. I preferred the overall size, presence and masculinity of the class winner.

Yearling Bitch

1st – RYAN, MS J, Fostebrie Pure Binoche for Badgerhurst

Sixteen-months-old fawn bitch of pleasing overall type, presenting a balanced and feminine outline. Head is of correct proportions with a strong, well-developed muzzle, dark expressive eyes and a well-pigmented black nose. Angulation is well balanced both front and rear, allowing for smooth side gait. She holds her topline well both standing and on the move. Tail reaches to the hock with a clearly defined hook and is carried correctly. Movement in profile is free and steady, though she is a little wide coming towards and slightly untidy going away. Coat is of excellent texture and condition for her age. Very well handled and presented.

Post Graduate Bitch

1st – RYAN, MS J, Fostebrie Pure Binoche for Badgerhurst

As Above

2nd – WESTCOTT-SMITH & SMITH, MRS T & MR S Sunrise Madison Dilorini with Rozimba (imp Bel) LUX JNR CH

Two years old smaller fawn bitch giving her handler a hard time today and not showing herself to advantage. Feminine throughout with several commendable breed characteristics. Head is of good shape and proportion. Coat is of correct texture and well presented, showing care in preparation. Tail is of correct length, reaching to the hock with the characteristic hook. Would prefer a touch more length of leg to enhance overall balance. Movement gave occasional glimpses of the correct elastic gait, though she lacked drive and positivity and was rather distracted. A bitch with the potential to present a much stronger picture when more settled and focused.

3rd – FOSH, MRS S J, Touslefell in a Flash

Six years old fawn bitch of pleasing overall type, slightly short in neck and a little long in loin, which affects the overall balance of her outline. Feminine head with a dark, expressive eye, muzzle could be stronger to complete the picture. Maintains her topline well when standing, though it softens slightly on the move. Tail reaches to the hock and is of correct carriage. She moves out with a smooth, flowing side gait and was handled to advantage. Placed third today, as I preferred the more typical outlines and proportions of the first and second in this class.

Limit Bitch

1st – RYAN, MS J, Tant Mystique de la Chaume du Bois Dieu to Badgerhurst (Imp Fra)

Two and a half years old black bitch of pleasing overall type and feminine appeal. Slightly long in loin but this does not detract significantly from her overall balance, particularly as she truly comes into her own on the move. Feminine head with a strong, well-developed muzzle and dark, expressive eye. Balanced angulation front and rear contributes to her fluid movement. Topline is held well on the move. Tail reaches the hock with a very slight hook. Coat is of excellent texture and slightly wavy. Movement is a highlight - easy, efficient and ground-covering, showing the characteristic elastic gait of the breed. She gives the impression of being capable of working all day. Reserve Best Bitch

2nd – SKEGGS, MS J, Chavell Secret Vision (AI)

Two and a half years old fawn bitch of good overall proportions, presenting a pleasing and feminine outline. Head is well-shaped with parallel planes, dark expressive eyes and a well-pigmented black nose giving the desired typical expression. Angulation is balanced front and rear. Tail reaches the hock and is correctly carried. Coat is of appropriate texture and presentation. Moved a little close coming and going but showed a lovely side gait. A feminine, well-balanced bitch but I preferred the drive and fluidity of the class winner.

Open Bitch – lovely class to judge

1st – WEBB, MRS A T, CH Barronoaks Etta Bagel ShCEx

Four and a half years old black bitch of striking presence and excellent breed type. Presents a lovely, feminine outline with balanced proportions and a well-shaped rectangular head. Dark, expressive eyes complete a typical and appealing expression. Strong neck flows into well-laid shoulders and a chest of good depth. Angulation is balanced throughout with well-developed breadth and length of thigh. Tail reaches to the hock with the characteristic hook and is carried correctly. Moves true coming and going, with a light, easy, ground-covering gait - when her handler can keep up! Coat is of beautiful texture and condition. Best Bitch and BIS.

2nd – COLEMAN, MISS L J, CH Jandade Shooting Star to Hartswelin JW

Six and a half years old grey/black bitch of very good overall type, presenting a clean, strong outline with balanced proportions. Feminine head with correct proportions, dark expressive eyes, and a large black nose. Pleasing length of neck flowing smoothly into well-laid shoulders with good depth of chest and good forechest. Angulation is balanced and functional, contributing to her steady, purposeful movement. Coat is of correct texture. Tail reaching the hock and carried correctly. Moves true coming and going with a fluid, easy side gait. Well handled and presented. A quality bitch who pushed hard for top honours but had to give way today to the winner’s extra polish and breed presence.

3rd - HARTWELL, MRS P, Chavell Bonjour Maisie JW

Three and a half years old fawn bitch of feminine type with a pleasing expression and well-pigmented black nose. Would prefer a little more neck length to enhance overall balance. Holds her topline well when standing and on the move. Tail reaching to the hock. Well handled and presented in good condition.

Veteran Bitch

1st – BARBER & GASKIN, MRS A & MRS N, Shezmo Lady Midna

Ten years old black bitch presented in excellent condition for her age. Feminine head with a dark, expressive eye and she still retains a pleasing and typical breed expression. Holds her topline well when standing, though it softens on the move. Tail reaches the hock with a very slight hook and is carried correctly. Moves soundly when settled with a steady, purposeful gait. Coat is of correct texture and well maintained. A lovely veteran and a real credit to her owner for keeping her in such great condition.

Elizabet A Caminade-Lavault