Paignton & District Fanciers' Association

Paignton & District Fanciers Association

31st July 2026

Briard

I would like to thank the committee for the kind invitation to award my first set of CCs in the breed. I was pleased with the entry, particularly given the geographical location of the show and the current trend towards lower entries across the show scene.

Overall, I feel the breed is in a reasonably healthy position, although there are a couple of areas that I believe breeders should remain mindful of.

Mouths and muzzle strength are perhaps my greatest concern. In some exhibits, I found a loss of tooth size and strength of muzzle, with several also lacking sufficient strength in the underjaw. This inevitably affects the desired square, strong appearance of the muzzle and is something I feel we should be careful not to lose.

Rear movement is another area that warrants attention. I saw a number of exhibits tending towards cow hocks, together with some displaying unsoundness when moving away. Correct construction and sound, purposeful movement are fundamental to breed type and should continue to be given careful consideration.

All had rear double dew claws present. 

Special Beginners D/B

1: TRIMNELL, Miss Georgina Vallonne Magical Flame. Fawn bitch who has a feminine outlook. Correct mouth, decent head proportions and a dark eye. Would prefer more angulation in front and needs to fill in chest. She has a level topline leading to correct tail carriage. Coat texture acceptable for her age. She moved out on the right track. 

2: SPARROW, Mrs J S Tulipe Bleue De La Baie D'adonis. Grey bitch slightly smaller than 1. Good head and eyes. Moved out well and has decent coat texture. Would prefer more angulation in front.

Dogs

Puppy:

2 differing styles at differing stages of development

1: KEOGH, Miss India-rose Gilcoru Regi D'brie. Fawn. Slightly smaller framed of the 2 and as such more together for his age. He has an excellent head and eye, good mouth. Good for front assembly, level topline and an excellent tail with the required J. On the move he impressed on the out and back and kept his outline in profile. Correct rugged appearance.

2: WILSON, Miss Debra & WILSON, Mrs Janette Hartswelin Eye Of The Tiger At Jandade. Fawn. Larger framed dog who was slightly paler in colour. He too had an excellent head and expression and a super mouth. Decent in front angulation but needs to settle in topline as he tended to roach on occasion. Needs to strengthen behind, but this will come. Super coat texture for his age.

Limit:

1: WILSON, Miss Debra & PEIRSON, Mr and Mrs K and m Jandade Roi Charles. Fully mature and masculine black boy who stacked up screams Briard and he will always take the eye. Excellent head and expression and a super mouth. Scores in forehand leading to broad chest and spring of rib. Level topline and has good length to tail, although today he seemed to be a little too proud of it. The floor did not seem to suit him as he was erratic moving away and unfortunately this cost him.

Open:

1: RUAL - KEOGH, Mrs N UK Ch Gilcoru Wolfblass D'brie. 7-year-old fawn male whom I have admired from the ringside on many occasions, so I was delighted to finally have the opportunity to get my hands on him. All male, with strength and substance throughout, yet remaining beautifully balanced. He has a superb head and expression, with an excellent mouth. Strong neck flowing into well-placed shoulders, excellent spring of rib and a firm, level topline. Well balanced behind, with the correct ‘J’ to his tail, and presented in superb coat of the correct texture. On the move he carried himself beautifully, maintaining his outline and placing his feet exactly where they should be. On this form, he is incredibly hard to beat. I was delighted to award him the CC, adding another to his collection, and BOB, and equally pleased to see him later shortlisted in the Group.

2: FIELDSEND, Mr Mrs Trevor & Angie Ch Ir Ch Honey I'm Home Moravia Companell At Starwell. Fawn boy who is slightly darker in colour. Very worthy of his title. He has a super head and expression. Excellent spring to ribs and level topline, although slightly longer in loin than the winner. Decent front. Excellent tail and good texture to his coat. His handler took him at the right pace, and he is true coming and going. RCC

3: THORP, Mrs E Gilcoru Malbec D'brie Jw

Veteran

1: JACOBS-PEARCE, Lady Nicola Lorraine Arundall Mithra ShCEx. Fawn. Good for his age and showed well for his young handler who did a super job. Decent for colour and texture of coat. Pleasing head proportions but his ears are a little too high set. Moved out well.

Bitches

Puppy:

1: COLEMAN, Miss Linda Hartswelin Midnight Skye. A new one to me, and she captivated me from the moment she set foot in the ring. Beautifully constructed and unmistakably Briard, she has a superb head and expression, enhanced by an almost mischievous look in her eye. Excellent mouth, with a superb front assembly and equally well-balanced behind. Once she settled and put her mind to the job, she moved with an effortless, ground-covering stride, displaying correct carriage and excellent footfall. Good coat texture for her age, and I feel she has a very assured future ahead of her. I simply could not resist her for the RCC and Best Puppy and was delighted to see her later awarded Puppy Group 2.

Junior:

1: TRIMNELL, Miss Georgina Vallonne Magical Flame

Post Graduate:

1: CRAKER, Mrs M Valegro Oda Miss Crakebrie (imp Fra). Fawn girl of good colour. Decent head, eye and ear set. Moved out ok in profile and kept her outline, just slightly erratic on the out and back today. Super length to her tail. 

Limit:

1: FLETCHER, Mrs K Gilcoru Quaid At Arrowflec. Mature Black girl with a very pleasing outline. She scores in head proportions and has a very decent front. Level topline but a little over enthusiastic with her tail today. Puts her feet in the right place, when she puts her mind to it.

2: SPARROW, Mrs J S Tulipe Bleue De La Baie D'adonis

3: CRAKER, Mrs M Valegro Oda Miss Crakebrie (imp Fra)

Open:

1: HARTWELL, Mrs Pat Chavell Bonjour Maisie JW. Mature fawn bitch with shading, very honest to go over and beautifully balanced throughout. She has a most pleasing head and expression, complemented by an excellent mouth. Level topline with a well-set tail, carried correctly. On the move she maintained her outline beautifully and was sound both coming and going. Today was her day, and it gave me great pleasure to award her the CC which crowned her a Champion.

2: HADDOCK, Mr & Mrs Peter Michael Gilcoru Intuition D'brie. Black with good overall shape. Good in head and expression and a decent length to tail. Not quite the front angulation of the winner and she was a little erratic on the move today. 

Veteran:

1: GASKIN, Mrs N Shezmo Lady Midna. Smaller black girl who is totally feminine all through. She is excellent for her age and a credit to her owner. Good head, eye and mouth. Super coat texture. Excellent tail with J. Moved out soundly. Best Veteran

2: COLEMAN, Miss Linda Ch Jandade Shooting Star To Hartswelin JW. Black girl slightly larger framed than the winner. Honest to go over and she too has a very pleasing head and expression. Just not as positive going away today. 

Adam Gardner (Judge)