South Eastern Pyrenean Mountain Dog Club

I was absolutely delighted to receive this unexpected invite to judge a club show for a breed I have been involved with for a considerable time. Heartfelt thanks to the committee members who saw fit to offer me the appointment and my appreciation to every exhibitor who walked into the ring. Your support meant a lot.

A couple of overall observations – in the main, exhibits were relatively well presented and comfortable to be in the ring. Not always an easy feat for livestock guardians. Expressions varied but all were relatively pleasing. Coats were in good working order, all possessing the necessary double coat with decent texture. Some were harsher (and cleaner) than others but all capable of the job at hand. I found no cause for concern with pigment in any exhibit, all possessed required dentition and the necessary rear double dewclaw with most being well boned. So I have not referred to these latter points in individual critiques. 

Minor Puppy D/B (0)

Puppy Dog (0)

Junior Dog (2,0)

1st Berkanas Gintarine Sala at Lakamoni (Imp LTU) - 15mth upstanding young dog with subtle attractive blaireau marking. Head showing promise with correct proportions, a gentle break from skull to muzzle and possessing the desired ‘v’ when viewed from above. Dark oval eye that I might prefer a little tighter but as maturity kicks in and his cheek fills, this will likely tighten. Lip could be tighter. Strength in neck and well set on shoulder, his angulation was balanced in fore and aft, level topline, gentle croup and a well set on tail with desired crook that wheeled on the move. His rear power was evident and he was measured and easy on the move. Just needs time to fill his frame. Will be interesting to see as he matures on. 

2nd Gillandant Harvest Night at Pyrcot -12mth boy who was smaller in frame than 1st but still with lots to like. A gentle correctly proportioned head from both above and in profile with beautifully shaped dark tight oval eye. Tight lip. Short strong neck and well placed angulation. Currently waiting for his chest to develop and coupled with a heavy coat in places causes him to appear more out of balance than the hands suggest. A little pensive on the move today - a shade more confidence and development of bone will work wonders.  

Yearling Dog (2,0)

1st Berkanas Gintarine Sala at Lakamoni (Imp LTU)

2nd Gillandant Harvest Night at Pyrcot

Novice Dog (1,0)

1st Gillandant Harvest Night at Pyrcot

Graduate Dog (1,0)

1st Berkanas Gintarine Sala at Lakamoni (Imp LTU)

Post Grad Dog (4,1)

1st Berkanas Gintarine Sala at Lakamoni (Imp LTU)

2nd Angelrain Avante Aragon (AI) - 5yr male, smaller in size than 1st but all in proportion and well balanced. Did like his overall outline. Strong male, well proportioned head both from above and side profile, broken by a gentle slope. Curved skull filled my hands with no hard edges. A little round in the eye for me but the best of pigments. A definite smiler and I couldn’t help but smile back! Correct ear set and carriage. Balanced in front and rear angulation from the side on the stand and move. A little wide when coming towards. Pleased to meet him. 

3rd Kricarno King Lorek - 2yr beautifully groomed and presented boy with not a hair out of place. Well off for size in all departments and coming to maturity. Rounder in skull than I might have liked, dark eye. Level topline, well set and length to tail with desired crook. On the stand, his legs balance his frame, but this boy’s movement was not his fortune today and rather erratic.  

Limit Dog (1,0)

1st Pyrcot Spirit of Hanai - 5yr white, well groomed and presented male. Head with parallel planes when viewed from the side and balance between the skull and muzzle. A little stronger break than ideal but otherwise very pleasant. Oval eye with good fill underneath. Tight in lip. Good shoulder angulation and his chest was of correct depth and width. Decent length of leg. Level in topline, would prefer a touch more length. Rump slightly sloping and correct set /length to tail. Moved easy around the ring with encouragement from his competent junior handler. Well done. 

Open Dog (5,3)

1st CH Gillandant Thief of Hearts at Dewyche ShCEx - 6 ½ yr attractively marked mature male who fills the eye from all angles. Balanced in head, skull slightly curved on the go over, v shape when viewed from above. Dark oval kind eye with exquisite pigment and well filled underneath. Short neck, good lay back of shoulder that has to be felt to be truly appreciated due to his profuse mane. Viewed from the front he has the required depth and width of chest to balance his frame, viewed from the rear, he stands square and true. Appearance from the side could dictate his topline a little soft but much of this is profuse coat. Tail of good length and with required crook, his fortune today was his rear movement and watchful eye. Gentle yet imposing. A lovely combination. 

2nd Sabre Golden Ticket du Pyrdanti (Imp Fra) - 5 year upstanding boy who, when going over, I very much liked what I found. Pleasing in proportion throughout, his head was all in balance. If being picky, I would prefer his ear a little lower set. Tight lip with decent underjaw. Muscular neck and moderate front angulation that was well demonstrated on the move. Held his topline at all times, even when deciding to go in the opposite direction to his Mum. But. His Mum got him in check and he then moved with purpose, pushing from the rear. And in the right direction. A little bit of well channelled sparkle and mischief for this boy worked wonders today. RBD. 

Veteran Dog/Bitch (6,2)

1st Noah Du Val De Pyrene (Imp Fra) - 9yr male. Really liked the overall outline on this gentleman and could easily be mistaken for a couple of years his junior. Masculine throughout but not coarse in any way. Head was smooth to go over from all angles, correct ear set and shape, almond eye – possibly set a touch wide. Short neck, well placed front angulation which was well demonstrated on the move. His front pasterns are just starting to soften so on the move, he did flick his front feet slightly, but otherwise he has ample muscle and angulation in his rear, a firm topline and stood out to win this class today.  

2nd Night Owl - Smaller all through than 1st but all in balance and proportion. This boy is timeless. His head was balanced with a gentle break between his skull to muzzle and curve to skull. Eye a little round but otherwise pleasing expression. On the stand, his angulations were complementary and strong upright rear hocks were apparent. He was a little loose in his front movement but very happy and measured in his pace - wheeled his tail well. 

3rd Shanlimore Baby Love - This 7 year bitch was my surprise find of the day on the go over. She was very well constructed, with a good head, beautiful eye and pigment. Unfortunately carrying a little too much weight which laboured her movement to her detriment. 

Puppy Bitch (1,0)

1st Shanlimore Monique at Myrelis - My notes say ‘sweet, pretty and elegant’. This 9month bitch already shares a wonderful partnership with her Mum. Beautiful head planes separated by a gentle break, oval dark eye set slightly oblique, tight lip. She had decent length to her neck but not too much, balanced in her angulation and very gentle on the move but rear propel from strong hocks was evident. Correctly set and carried tail with a required crook. If she continues in this vein, she will do well. BPIS.

Junior Bitch (1,0)

1st Lisjovia Over The Moon - This 13 month bitch made me smile – somehow she just had a touch of mischief about her. Head when viewed from above gave the desired blunt v shape and of correct proportion. When viewed in profile, I would prefer slightly less eyebrow as these give her the appearance of having more stop than is true. Correct ear set and shape. Correct length of neck, and balanced in angulation, a touch more length to loin than preferred. Easy happy mover with a measured gait and beautiful plume to her tail. 

Yearling Bitch (2,0)

1st Reina De Alba De Los Danzantes with Sketrick (Imp Esp) - Where to start. Such a pleasure to meet this 19month girl. Extremely well off for size –yet retaining such pretty femininity, elegance and balance throughout with no hard lines. Her head is her first fortune, parallel planes with the slightest perceptible break to separate, decent fill below her almond eye, ear of correct set. Powerful neck and shoulder, the width to her body throughout is fabulous – substance with feminine style. Body to leg ratio is correct, decent bone, well-muscled and stands on correctly shaped feet. Texture to her coat and correctly presented. This bitch comes alive on the move. She’s effortless, covering the ground with a minimum of effort. Correctly set tail which wheels on the move. Could watch her all day - I absolutely loved her. BB and BIS.

2nd Lisjovia Over The Moon

Novice Bitch (0)

Graduate Bitch (0)

Post Grad Bitch (1,0)

1st Shanlimore Baby Love

Limit Bitch (6,1)

1st Reina De Alba De Los Danzantes with Sketrick (Imp Esp)

2nd Gillandant Jasmine - 4yr beautifully groomed and presented bitch – of a different type to 1st but I could very easily get lost in her exquisite eyes - dark almond shaped pools of heaven. Coloured to draw attention to her head features, her head was correctly proportioned when viewed from both above and side profile. Slightly prominent eyebrow. Strength to neck and balanced in her front and rear. An easy mover and when viewed from the rear, was straight and true. 

3rd Chia Apaltasunez avec Kricarno (Imp Cze) - 2yr bitch who could easily have placed 2nd. More the type of my 1st place and at first look, I believed she would be my 2nd place in this competitive class. Head was beautifully feminine, kind eye. When viewed from the front, she had width without being overdone. Would prefer a touch more bone. Easy elegant profile movement. 

Open Bitch (3,1)

1st CH Gillandant Simply The Best - 6 ½ yr bitch and litter sister to my BD. Her overall profile filled my eye. Standing with impassive dignity she could not be overlooked. Well groomed her head was correctly proportioned from both above and side. Correctly placed and shaped eye, just needing a touch more fill underneath to complete the picture. Ear correctly set and triangular in shape. Short strong neck and balanced throughout she wasted no effort yet covered the ground beautifully. I have no doubt could move steadily and with ease for lengthy periods of time. RBB & RBIS. 

2nd Febus Hardknott - Love the overall outline of this 4yr old bitch. Head was good to go over, correctly proportioned, gentle break bridging her skull to muzzle, flat cheek and correct fill beneath her dark kind eye. Stood upright and on neat and tidy feet. She had balanced laid back measured movement, would prefer a little more drive from the rear. A little pensive to be gone over today.