South Wales Kennel Association

SOUTH WALES KENNEL ASSOCIATION

BULLDOG

Judge: Mr S Parker (Albionpride)

I would like to thank South Wales Kennel Association for the kind invitation to judge Bulldogs at their Championship Show. I was excited to find a Bulldog that would go well in the group and I think I did just that. I would like to mention my ring stewards Huw Morris and Lisa Crothers who kept the exhibitors entertained and created a great atmosphere. I would also like to mention the caterers who provided my wife and myself with an amazing meal and a pudding to “die for”. 

 I had an entry of 49 dogs with 36 being present on the day. Overall, the quality and health of the breed was extremely good with just a few having tighter tails or nostrils that could have been more open. This was noted in my placements. Jaws were better than when I last judged though one or two were still quite narrow. Tails on the whole were very good and were straight, well placed and free moving. The absolute “icing on the cake” for me.

Class: Veteran Dog

Entries: 0

Class: Minor Puppy Dog

Entries: 1 (1 Absent)

Class: Puppy Dog

Entries: 2 (1 Absent)

Placing: 1st - Rosebulls Rome Veni Vidi Vici

Owner: Mrs H and Mr S and Miss N Rose and Rose and Burridge

An incredibly promising 11-month-old red and white puppy with a great deal to like. He possesses an excellent headpiece with well-set ears and a prominent, large nose featuring beautifully open nostrils. His jaw is strong, displaying the correct, standard upsweep. When stood he presents a classic, standard-sized cobby body, featuring a correct front assembly and a well-let-down brisket. This youngster truly excels in his topline and is exceptionally shapely throughout. He carries a superb, well-set tail that remains completely free-moving. He is remarkably sound in motion, moving exceptionally well both coming and going. I saw a number of quality dogs on the day with bright futures ahead of them, and this young dog is undoubtedly one of them.

Class: Junior Dog

Entries: 2 (0 Absent)

Placing: 1st - Prideofbully Red One

Owner: Mr S and Mrs J Bragger

A breathtaking exhibit that gave me chills from the moment he entered the ring; if there had been a hair on my head, it would have stood up. This magnificent white dog possesses a super-broad skull with a highly defined stop and furrow, accented by a slight, correct wrinkle to the head. This spectacular headpiece is the likes of which I have only ever seen in historical pictures. Thin rose ears are excellently placed, framing beautiful, round, dark eyes, set wide apart, that display lovely, deep pigmentation. He has a big, black nose that is exceptionally well-placed, a beautifully true jaw with a correct upsweep, and lovely dentition. When viewed from the side, he shows a lovely layback. His front assembly and shoulder placement are nothing short of exceptional, though I would just like to see a slightly further drop in the brisket as he matures. For one so young, he is remarkably well-boned and heavily muscled, and I am certain he will only improve as he hits full maturity. He carries a correctly formed, well-arched neck. At the withers, he rises gently to an exceptional topline and a beautiful under-loin. In motion, he moved with absolute ease, walking both his width comfortably and holding his flawless topline while making the absolute most of the ring. When asked to stand, he stood with a superb, "stand-offish" expression that commands attention. He is presented in exceptional health, boasting a coat so brilliantly white that it genuinely glistens. Delighted to award him BOB and DCC, and pleased to hear he took Utility Group 4 and was shortlisted in the Utility Puppy Group.

Placing: 2nd - D’orwood Armored Glory at Burenperro (Imp FRA)

Owner: Lady L Hanslow

A high-quality youngster, white, who is just 12 months old. He is another very good dog who was simply unlucky to run into our class winner today. He possesses good head qualities and a nicely put-together front assembly. He shows a decent, standard-correct topline that leads into strong rear quarters, carrying a good tail that is well-set. On the move, he moved nicely and covered the ground well.

Class: Yearling Dog

Entries: 1 (0 Absent)

Placing: 1st - Asharlo Jumpin Jack Flash

Owner: Mrs D and Mr S Brown

A very high-quality brindle and white dog who is maturing quite nicely. He was presented in immaculate, great condition today. He possesses a good headpiece featuring a correct, flat skull and nicely placed rose ears. His dark eyes display excellent, deep pigmentation. He features a very good, wide jaw, leading into a strong, broad neck of good length. His front assembly is well-constructed, showing good shoulders that flow into straight, well-boned forelegs down to neat feet. He has a good depth of brisket, a decent standard topline, and a superb tuck-up. On the move, he handled the ring effortlessly and moved very well.

Class: Post Graduate Dog

Entries: 2 (1 Absent)

Placing: 1st - Kenbloom Denethor

Owner: Miss J Bond

A very proper, doggy-looking red and white male who is impressively compact. He stands square on a correct front assembly, displaying well-placed, nicely tacked-on shoulders. He is beautifully ribbed with an excellently set, well-bodied, and nicely curved frame. He carries a good topline leading down to a correct pump-handle tail, accented by a clean under-loin and very nice rear angulation. On the move, he travelled okay, though I would just like to see him walk more to his width when coming back toward me in the ring.

Class: Limit Dog

Entries: 9 (2 Absent)

Placing: 1st - Asharlo Fury with Andlare

Owner: Mr A R and Mrs C L Bannister

Well, what can I say about this lovely, red and white, 4 year old cobby-bodied dog? What an incredible headpiece and jaw—you simply do not see many exhibits with a mouth quite like this! He displays a magnificent upturn of the jaw that fits beautifully, complemented by exceptional dentition. He features correct, round eyes set into a flawless flat skull, with perfectly placed rose ears. His front assembly is excellent and powerfully constructed. When stood he exhibits a correct standard topline and a lovely, clean tuck-up. There is so much to admire about this dog. On the move, he travels superbly, demonstrating the ideal, breed-typical rolling gait both coming toward me and going away.

Placing: 2nd - Leximus Retribution

Owner: Miss S and Mrs L Bland and McElligott

A high-quality 6-year-old white and red male who remains remarkably fit for his years. There is a great deal to like about this mature dog; he is beautifully balanced and not overdone in any way. Although he is now six, I am certain he still has some good winning left in him, especially under his handler who really got the absolute best out of him today. He possesses dark eyes set into a good headpiece with a lovely, well-formed skull, featuring a beautifully defined stop and furrow. His neck is excellent—both wide and correctly arched. When stood he displays a really good, standard topline leading to a decent tail and a well-turned, strong rear assembly. In motion, he moved very well indeed and stood out as one of my true delights of the day.

Class: Open Dog

Entries: 5 (2 Absent)

Placing: 1st - CH Ricatori Reimagined

Owner: Mrs V and Mr R Eaton

This was my second time going over this exceptional dog, having previously had the immense pleasure of awarding him Best Baby Puppy Dog. Even as a "likkle" baby puppy, it was glaringly obvious that he possessed all the right curves in all the right places, making it clear he was destined for great things. Seeing him today—22 months on with 11 CCs already to his credit—it was an honour to award him his 10th RCC. He features a beautifully flat skull accented by well-placed, dark eyes showing no haw whatsoever. He has a wonderfully padded foreface and a lovely mouth boasting an excellent upturn of the jaw. His front assembly is strong with well-placed shoulders, good bone, and the absolute neatest of feet. I absolutely love this dog's topline and exceptionally strong back, which showcases all the correct, beautiful curves a proper Bulldog should have. He stands over a large forechest and a great, well-let-down brisket. He carries a well-set tail and an incredibly strong, beautifully angulated rear assembly. On the move, he travelled very well indeed. He narrowly missed out on the ultimate top spot today, as I just slightly preferred the front assembly on my CC winner. It is always a genuine pleasure to go over this kennel’s dogs; they consistently exhibit exhibits that perfectly embody what the breed standard asks for. RDCC

Placing: 2nd - CH Chayo What Is Love For Tynemite

Owner: Mr S and Mrs D Lowthian

Another quality male in this high-calibre class. Brindle and white. He exhibits a beautifully breed-typical, sour-looking expression that instantly commands attention. He possesses great head qualities, highlighted by an excellent mouth with a super, textbook upsweep of the jaw.

His front assembly is excellent, displaying exceptional, heavy bone down to the forelegs. He has a very well-put-together body that truly excels in spring of rib, coupled with a desirable short coupling that makes him a remarkably compact dog overall. In motion, he moved with immense presence, like he absolutely owned the place.

Class: Veteran Bitch

Entries: 1 (0 Absent)

Placing: 1st - Baalzebul Venus

Owner: Mr S M Davies

There is the X-factor, and then there is the WOW factor. This ten-years-young girl completely holds her own and could probably still place highly in any open class today. She is a testament to the breed, without a single blemish on her. Her eyes remain remarkably clear, her skin condition is excellent, and her sublime movement defies her age. Astoundingly, she still has all of her own teeth. She is a textbook, standard-sized bitch featuring a good headpiece with widely placed dark eyes and a grand, wide jaw. She exhibits a lovely length, width, and reach of neck. Her front assembly is beautifully square, leading down to good, straight bone and neat feet. Her body is excellent, boasting a big, barrelled rib cage, and she remarkably still maintains a correct standard topline and tail set. She moved with total ease around the ample-sized ring and genuinely gave me goosebumps. I was absolutely delighted her owners brought her out today, and I was over the moon to award this magnificent ten-years-young bitch Best Veteran.  

Class: Minor Puppy Bitch

Entries: 2 (0 Absent)

Placing: 1st - Pacolito By Design for Queensrose

Owner: Miss S Jones

A lovely brindle, very feminine girl who is just 6 months old. She needs a little ring work at the moment, but in time she will definitely settle down. She features a good headpiece that has a lot of maturing to do yet, highlighted by a black nose with huge nostrils and beautifully pigmented eyes. This young lady is well-ribbed-up and already possesses an excellent topline. She moved okay for a "young 'un" and shows plenty of future promise once she finds her confidence.

Placing: 2nd - Pacolito Flamin Hot

Owner: Mr R Nash

A red and white brindle bitch who is the litter sister to our first-place winner. Like her sibling, she is another very feminine-looking puppy who has a lot of future maturing ahead of her. She has a decent head with dark eyes and a good, well-placed nose. When stood she presents a fair front assembly leading down to neat feet. She is currently a little dippy in her topline and needs some time to firm up overall, but she is still only a baby and has plenty of time on her side to develop.

Class: Puppy Bitch

Entries: 2 (0 Absent)

Placing: 1st - Ricatori Hold Ma Ego

Owner: Mrs V and Mr R Eaton

A stellar 9-month-old puppy bitch with such a lot to like about her. This well-put-together youngster displays many virtues throughout her strong, cobby body. She has a lovely headpiece that is both broad and square, exhibiting a beautifully typical, sour Bulldog expression with lovely padding to her foreface. Her dark, round eyes are correctly set with good distance between them, and she carries lovely, thin rose ears that are superbly placed. She features a good black nose with nice, wide open nostrils. Her front assembly is good, though I would have liked to see her standing just a little squarer today. She possesses the most delightful, breed-correct pear-shaped body with a great, well-sprung rib cage. I truly love to see correct curves on a Bulldog, and this girl has them in abundance, including a wonderful standard topline. On the move, she travelled very well both coming and going. She is yet another puppy from this show that I confidently predict a very bright future for.

Placing: 2nd - Nineglens Snow Gem

Owner: Mrs H M Watkins

A high-quality 9-month-old white girl who is of a slightly bigger build than the class winner. She possesses a good headpiece with neat, correctly rosed ears. She stands with a nice square front assembly and displays a pleasing standard topline. She is still very much a puppy at heart and today she preferred to play rather than show—but who can blame her for that? Once she finally settled down for her handler, she moved away quite nicely.

Class: Junior Bitch

Entries: 5 (1 Absent)

Placing: 1st - Andlare Eenie Meanie

Owner: Mr A and Mrs C Bannister and Mr S Peebles and Miss P Kirkwood

I remember seeing this bitch as a puppy when she stole everyone's hearts, and although she was so young then, her potential to go very far in her show career was already undeniable. I was very happy when she entered the ring today; I always believe that to truly appreciate a great brindle, you have to get your hands on them and get up close and personal. Well, she certainly did not disappoint. This is a brindle from the top drawer that absolutely oozes breed type. She is a very fit young bitch with remarkably little to dislike. She possesses a flat skull that is both long and wide, framed by thin rose ears that are set perfectly, alongside a flawlessly placed nose. Her wide jaw exhibits a super upsweep, fitting beautifully, complemented by superbly cushioned cheeks. She stands over a strong, wide chest and an exquisitely let-down brisket. She carries a nice topline, though she does have a slight tendency to let it go when at rest; however, when standing in a stacked stance, it is very good. Her rear assembly is excellent—displaying correct angulation, great strength, and beautiful muscling. Shown today in immaculate condition, this bitch moved with absolute purpose and intent. Her intention was clearly to win the "ticket" that grants champion status, and I was only too happy to award her the Bitch CC.

Placing: 2nd - Unverdadero Stand N Deliver

Owner: Mrs D and Mr D Kent

Another high-quality young bitch, this one a white and red. She possesses a good, straight front assembly that leads down to neat feet. Her neck is well-constructed, showing excellent length, width, and a lovely, correct arch. When stood she displays a good topline that rises and falls well beyond the withers, showing a nice, classic roach curve. While I would have preferred to see her carrying a little less weight and looking slightly trimmer, that being said, she still moved very well in the ring today.

Class: Yearling Bitch

Entries: 4 (0 Absent)

Placing: 1st - Mystyle The Dutchess at Unverdadero JW

Owner: Mrs D and Mr D Kent

I had been very keen to get my hands on this red and white bitch, as she has been doing a great deal of winning lately—mainly taking her classes or placing consistently in the frame at club open shows. Today, I could clearly see why! Going over her, she possesses the distinct qualities needed to go all the way in her show career. Judges often say they find themselves wishing they had more "green cards" (RCCs) to hand out, and that was exactly the case with this lovely, beautifully put-together bitch today. She possesses lovely head qualities and is not overdone in any way. She features dark eyes and a black nose with good, open nostrils. She looks beautifully feminine while still maintaining that essential, classic sour expression. Her front assembly is superb, displaying perfectly tacked-on shoulders that flow into straight forelegs resting on neat feet. When stood she shows a lovely standard topline with a correct rise and fall, framing a short, cobby body that leads into a strong rear with good angulation. Once she settled down in the ring, she moved incredibly well.

Placing: 2nd - Avaword Bonnie

Owner: Miss A George and Mr J Coburn

A high-quality red and white bitch. She possesses a good, well-placed nose with nice open nostrils and displays an excellent jaw with a strong, correct turn-up. Her front assembly is very good, showing straight bone down to the feet, though she is currently just a little lacking in forechest. She is built on a nicely compact, short body and possesses a very good rear with correct angulation at the stifle. On the move, she moved okay.

Class: Post Graduate Bitch

Entries: 4 (2 Absent)

Placing: 1st - Avaword Gwenno

Owner: Miss A George and Mr J Coburn

A high-quality, standard-sized red and white bitch displaying very good head qualities and beautiful, clear eyes. On the stack, she stands over a nice square front assembly boasting good, straight bone. This bitch truly excelled in her spring of rib. While I would have preferred to see a slightly better, truer topline on her, it was nonetheless entirely acceptable. For me, it was when she was put in motion that she truly won the class. She moved with absolute purpose, moving cleanly both when going away and coming back to me.

Placing: 2nd - Bullmont Willow at Luxira

Owner: Miss D Cantellow

This was also a very nice bitch whom I would genuinely like to see out at shows more often. She carries very good head qualities and a lovely expression, highlighted by a black, well-placed nose with good open nostrils, complemented by a neat, clean nose roll. Her dark eyes display lovely, deep pigmentation. When stood she stands over a very nice, square front assembly. She has plenty of spring of rib, alongside a very good standard topline and a clean tuck-up. She is well-balanced with a rear quarters that is just as good as her front, though I would have liked her tail to be a little looser. In motion, she moved okay but appeared a little nervous in the ring on the day.

Class: Limit Bitch

Entries: 4 (0 Absent)

This again was a very good class with my first and second-place winners showcasing top-quality breed type. Both of these excellent bitches were beautifully short in body and excelled in carrying superb, correct standard toplines.

Placing: 1st - Wilsonpride It Is What It Is

Owner: Mr M and Miss R Harding

A red and white bitch who is absolutely stunning from every single angle. I truly feel her coming of age and ultimate breakthrough is just around the corner. She possesses super head properties, displaying a lovely, wide, flat skull with a well-defined furrow and stop, complemented by the neatest, thinnest rose ears. Her nose is perfectly placed. On the stack, she stands over a lovely front assembly that is truly square, looking beautifully balanced and not overdone or exaggerated in any way. For me, she has the ideal length of body and genuinely excels in her topline, which rises correctly from the withers and curves gracefully over a substantial loin and croup before angling downward to a well-placed tail and beautifully angulated rear quarters. In motion, this girl really walks her width and moves soundly both coming and going. I was highly surprised to learn that she always seems to play the bridesmaid, currently holding five Reserve Bitch CCs. I am absolutely certain that very soon she will be the bride; she has all the makings of a true Champion. I was very pleased indeed to award her her 6th reserve "ticket"— Reserve Bitch CC.

Placing: 2nd - Blenheimstar Proud Mary Pectus

Owner: Mrs T J Mayes

Another high-quality bitch whom I have had the pleasure of judging before. Nothing has really changed since our last meeting, other than she has now reached full maturity, and it was a genuine pleasure to go over her today. She is a very well-put-together bitch displaying a lovely, typical Bulldog expression. When stood she presents a beautifully square front assembly that showcases a good depth of brisket and an excellent forechest. She has straight bone leading down to neat feet that stand correctly up on their pasterns. Built on a short body, she carries a lovely, properly strong topline that leads to a great, free-moving tail. She moved very well around the ring and was presented by her handler in absolutely "tip-top" condition.

Class: Open Bitch

Entries: 5 (2 Absent / 3 Present)

Placing: 1st - Ragmarte Daiquiri at Pectus

Owner: Mrs T J Mayes

A standard-sized red and white bitch whom I have long admired from the ringside. She features a good upsweep with a beautifully fitting jaw, alongside dark, round, and exceptionally well-placed eyes. She carries a very feminine look while remaining remarkably strong in appearance. On the stack, she stands over a most excellent front assembly, displaying a lovely, well-pronounced forechest and depth of brisket. She is a very high-quality bitch all round, built on a short, cobby body with a beautiful, correct standard topline. She possesses an excellent rear assembly, and when asked to move, she did just that! She is a truly super mover. If I had been granted just one more "green card" (RCC) today, I feel she would have undoubtedly had it.

Placing: 2nd - Chayo Hot To Trot

Owner: Mrs H M Watkins

A bigger built girl than our class winner, who displays very good head qualities and carries her ears beautifully on a well-set placement. She shows a nice breadth and length to her neck, which fits smoothly into her shoulders. When stood she stands over a very nice front assembly with straight, excellently boned forelegs. Overall, she is another very high-quality bitch, though on the move today, I just felt she was a little straight in her rear angulation.

Steve Parker