Critique Bernese Mountain Dog Club of Ireland Championship Show 2014
I would like to thank the Bernese Mountain Dog Club of Ireland for their invitation to judge their 34th Championship Show on Sunday 22nd June 2014. Well done to my able steward Amanda Marrow who kept a very tidy and well run ring. I was honoured to have none other than our Club President Michael Forte join us as Deputy Steward on the day. Thank you to all my exhibitors for giving me the opportunity to go over your lovely dogs. The dogs were all presented in top class condition and all placings were accepted graciously. It is wonderful to see some really nice youngsters coming up through the lines and I have no doubt there were some future champions amongst them.
I would like to thank the Bernese Mountain Dog Club of Ireland for their invitation to judge their 34th Championship Show on Sunday 22nd June 2014. Well done to my able steward Amanda Marrow who kept a very tidy and well run ring. I was honoured to have none other than our Club President Michael Forte join us as Deputy Steward on the day. Thank you to all my exhibitors for giving me the opportunity to go over your lovely dogs. The dogs were all presented in top class condition and all placings were accepted graciously. It is wonderful to see some really nice youngsters coming up through the lines and I have no doubt there were some future champions amongst them.
Baby Puppy Dog (1)
1st Pustowar’s Black Prince Poczatek Czegos Niezwyklego – Lovely baby boy who was obviously thoroughly enjoying his day out. Excellent temperament. Lovely head shape with tight dark eye. Medium bone, good angulation fore and aft. Correct tail carriage. Moved well for one so young. Very promising. Best Baby Puppy Dog.
Puppy Dog (3)
1st Butler’s Ridgewater Jolly Jasper – Medium to large puppy with excellent bone. Relaxed temperament. Super head with tight dark eye. Correct bite. Presented very well. Good depth of chest and good hind angulation. Correct tail set and carriage. Did struggle a little with the heat but still moved well around the ring. I believe this was his first outing and he did not disappoint. Lovely boy.
2nd Maguires Moyannabern Good Luck Charlie – Medium sized boy of finer type than 1st. Another on his first showing. A little unsure initially but settled. Presented in excellent condition with excellent muscle tone for one so young. Super rich black coat with deep tan markings. Lovely head shape with kind expression. Correct bite. Good angulation both front and hind. Moved very well, just preferred 1st on the day.
3rd Griffin’s Irish Warrior – I loved this boy for type but unfortunately he was a little unsure on the day. Good head shape with excellent dark tight eye. Medium sized dog with lovely make and shape who showed to his best advantage when striding around the ring. At one with handler. Shown in tip top condition. Well worth persevering with this boy.
Junior Dog (1)
1st Roche’s Rockybear Chocolate Brownie – Very nice typey dog with lovely compact shape. Dark facial markings did not distract from the lovely shape of his skull with good stop and tight dark eye. Correct bite. Shown in super condition with excellent muscle tone which was evident as he strode around the ring with ease. Very confident young man! Good angulation. This young boy has a tendency to carry his tail high on the move. Well handled.
Open Dog (8,5)
1st Giffney’s Doremis Lolvo Kid – Medium to large size dog of excellent type. Very impressive standing. Steady calm dog with excellent temperament. Correct make and shape with deep chest, well sprung rib cage and excellent hind angulation. Handler had a tendency to set him up wide in front but the dog corrected this when self stacking. Loved this dog for type. Super jet black coat with correct markings, very well presented. Powered around the ring. Would have preferred a darker eye but he showed to perfection and I was happy to award him first place. Green Star Dog and Reserve Best In Show.
2nd Joyce’s Fujitsu Major Razzle Dazzle – 7 year old male presented in excellent coat. Rich dark tan complimented a gleaming black coat. Calm steady temperament. Lovely head shape with well defined stop and dark eye. Correct bite. Deep chest, well sprung rib cage. Carrying a little excess weight. Good hind angulation and level topline. Moved wide in front probably because of the extra weight. At one with handler and shown to perfection.
3rd Giffney’s Belhof Keltic King – 3 year old male. Medium build with excellent coat and colours. Correct bite. Lovely head. Excellent temperament. Compact body. Moving close behind.
Baby Puppy Bitch (1)
1st Mellett’s Bernemcourt Keep The Faith – 4 month old gorgeous puppy. Happy, outgoing temperament. Pretty head with sweet expression. Tight dark eye. Correct bite. Lovely compact shape. Good angulation both fore and aft. Strode out around the ring with good reach and drive. Well presented. I was happy to award this baby Best Baby Puppy in Show.
Puppy Bitch (3,2)
1st Benson’s Tickbern Still On Top At Bernervalley – 9 month old compact puppy with super dark eye. Correct bite. Lovely head shape and sweet expression. Compact build with good forechest and correct hind angulation. Moved out well just slightly up in the rear as to be expected at this age. Presented to perfection.
Junior Bitch (2)
1st Benson’s Miss Sunshine De Zandviljver at Bernervalley – Approaching 12 months old, this girl stood out for me today. Loved her make and shape. Medium build with tight dark eye. Lovely feminine head shape with showed to perfection when ears were alert. Classic colours with rich dark tan. She was a picture to behold on the move with lovely hind quarters. I would have preferred a longer tail but this could not take from the overall picture. I will watch this girls progress with interest. Green Star Bitch and Best In Show.
2nd Joseph O’Callaghan’s Copy Paste from Berno Manija – 14 month old bitch who was reluctant to be handled today, possibly coming into season. Pretty head with dark eye. Gleaming black coat and another with that lovely rich dark tan. Medium build with good bone. Medium angulation. Level topline and moved out well. Excellent tail carriage. This girl just needs patience and time and should do well in the future.
Intermediate Bitch (1)
1st Malone’s Killeenboylegans Touch Of Class – 21 months old. Unfortunately this girl was very unsure of her surroundings today. Presented to perfection in excellent coat. Pretty head with feminine expression. Would prefer a darker eye. Good reach of neck and level topline. This girl really strode out on the move with super reach and drive. What a shame she lacked confidence today. Lovely to see such sympathetic handling by her young handler.
Open Bitch (2)
1st Roche’s Ridgewater Krazy Love – 4 year old bitch. Love this girls compact shape. Excellent head shape with medium/dark eye. Correct bite. Good bone and excellent muscle tone. Level topline which she held on the move. She has a tendency to fly her tail on the move. Very nice hind angulation. This girl played up on her handler for the challenge which cost her a higher placing.
Champion Bitch (4,2)
1st Dunne’s Tiblisi Zielone Sciezki – 4 year old bitch who I have admired from the sidelines. I was so disappointed to see she was considerably overweight today. Substantial sized bitch with super bone. Medium/dark eye. Correct bite. Lovely reach of neck with level topline. Her long gleaming coat was presented to perfection. Super deep chest, good spring of rib and excellent hind angulation. Moved out well but was struggling with the high temperatures. Excellent handling.
2nd Jeffer’s Kinelarty Lady of the Loch – Coming up on 4 years old. Excellent temperament. Medium sized with correct proportions. Lovely kind expression with super tight dark eye. Correct bite. Good deep chest with well sprung rib cage. Level topline and good hind angulation. Her movement let her down today as she was not quite sound on the move. Excellent presentation.
Veteran Bitch (3,2)
1st O’Neill’s Siansela Missy Elliott – 11 year old bitch who completely belied her age. Lighter build with medium bone. Confident happt girl who was obviously thoroughly enjoying her day. Correct bite, feminine head shape. Level topline. Medium hind angulation. Correct tail carriage. This girl powered around the ring with greater ease that many of the younger dogs. A credit to her breeder and owner. I was pleased to award her Reserve Green Star and Best Veteran.
Clarification of Club Show Judging Appointment 2014: We would like to clear up any confusion that exists on the Judges’ Appointment for the Championship Show 2014. No rules were breached and the Judge was fully endorsed to Judge the Show by the Irish Kennel Club. All paperwork for said appointment and ratification from the IKC is available for members perusal.
1st Pustowar’s Black Prince Poczatek Czegos Niezwyklego – Lovely baby boy who was obviously thoroughly enjoying his day out. Excellent temperament. Lovely head shape with tight dark eye. Medium bone, good angulation fore and aft. Correct tail carriage. Moved well for one so young. Very promising. Best Baby Puppy Dog.
Puppy Dog (3)
1st Butler’s Ridgewater Jolly Jasper – Medium to large puppy with excellent bone. Relaxed temperament. Super head with tight dark eye. Correct bite. Presented very well. Good depth of chest and good hind angulation. Correct tail set and carriage. Did struggle a little with the heat but still moved well around the ring. I believe this was his first outing and he did not disappoint. Lovely boy.
2nd Maguires Moyannabern Good Luck Charlie – Medium sized boy of finer type than 1st. Another on his first showing. A little unsure initially but settled. Presented in excellent condition with excellent muscle tone for one so young. Super rich black coat with deep tan markings. Lovely head shape with kind expression. Correct bite. Good angulation both front and hind. Moved very well, just preferred 1st on the day.
3rd Griffin’s Irish Warrior – I loved this boy for type but unfortunately he was a little unsure on the day. Good head shape with excellent dark tight eye. Medium sized dog with lovely make and shape who showed to his best advantage when striding around the ring. At one with handler. Shown in tip top condition. Well worth persevering with this boy.
Junior Dog (1)
1st Roche’s Rockybear Chocolate Brownie – Very nice typey dog with lovely compact shape. Dark facial markings did not distract from the lovely shape of his skull with good stop and tight dark eye. Correct bite. Shown in super condition with excellent muscle tone which was evident as he strode around the ring with ease. Very confident young man! Good angulation. This young boy has a tendency to carry his tail high on the move. Well handled.
Open Dog (8,5)
1st Giffney’s Doremis Lolvo Kid – Medium to large size dog of excellent type. Very impressive standing. Steady calm dog with excellent temperament. Correct make and shape with deep chest, well sprung rib cage and excellent hind angulation. Handler had a tendency to set him up wide in front but the dog corrected this when self stacking. Loved this dog for type. Super jet black coat with correct markings, very well presented. Powered around the ring. Would have preferred a darker eye but he showed to perfection and I was happy to award him first place. Green Star Dog and Reserve Best In Show.
2nd Joyce’s Fujitsu Major Razzle Dazzle – 7 year old male presented in excellent coat. Rich dark tan complimented a gleaming black coat. Calm steady temperament. Lovely head shape with well defined stop and dark eye. Correct bite. Deep chest, well sprung rib cage. Carrying a little excess weight. Good hind angulation and level topline. Moved wide in front probably because of the extra weight. At one with handler and shown to perfection.
3rd Giffney’s Belhof Keltic King – 3 year old male. Medium build with excellent coat and colours. Correct bite. Lovely head. Excellent temperament. Compact body. Moving close behind.
Baby Puppy Bitch (1)
1st Mellett’s Bernemcourt Keep The Faith – 4 month old gorgeous puppy. Happy, outgoing temperament. Pretty head with sweet expression. Tight dark eye. Correct bite. Lovely compact shape. Good angulation both fore and aft. Strode out around the ring with good reach and drive. Well presented. I was happy to award this baby Best Baby Puppy in Show.
Puppy Bitch (3,2)
1st Benson’s Tickbern Still On Top At Bernervalley – 9 month old compact puppy with super dark eye. Correct bite. Lovely head shape and sweet expression. Compact build with good forechest and correct hind angulation. Moved out well just slightly up in the rear as to be expected at this age. Presented to perfection.
Junior Bitch (2)
1st Benson’s Miss Sunshine De Zandviljver at Bernervalley – Approaching 12 months old, this girl stood out for me today. Loved her make and shape. Medium build with tight dark eye. Lovely feminine head shape with showed to perfection when ears were alert. Classic colours with rich dark tan. She was a picture to behold on the move with lovely hind quarters. I would have preferred a longer tail but this could not take from the overall picture. I will watch this girls progress with interest. Green Star Bitch and Best In Show.
2nd Joseph O’Callaghan’s Copy Paste from Berno Manija – 14 month old bitch who was reluctant to be handled today, possibly coming into season. Pretty head with dark eye. Gleaming black coat and another with that lovely rich dark tan. Medium build with good bone. Medium angulation. Level topline and moved out well. Excellent tail carriage. This girl just needs patience and time and should do well in the future.
Intermediate Bitch (1)
1st Malone’s Killeenboylegans Touch Of Class – 21 months old. Unfortunately this girl was very unsure of her surroundings today. Presented to perfection in excellent coat. Pretty head with feminine expression. Would prefer a darker eye. Good reach of neck and level topline. This girl really strode out on the move with super reach and drive. What a shame she lacked confidence today. Lovely to see such sympathetic handling by her young handler.
Open Bitch (2)
1st Roche’s Ridgewater Krazy Love – 4 year old bitch. Love this girls compact shape. Excellent head shape with medium/dark eye. Correct bite. Good bone and excellent muscle tone. Level topline which she held on the move. She has a tendency to fly her tail on the move. Very nice hind angulation. This girl played up on her handler for the challenge which cost her a higher placing.
Champion Bitch (4,2)
1st Dunne’s Tiblisi Zielone Sciezki – 4 year old bitch who I have admired from the sidelines. I was so disappointed to see she was considerably overweight today. Substantial sized bitch with super bone. Medium/dark eye. Correct bite. Lovely reach of neck with level topline. Her long gleaming coat was presented to perfection. Super deep chest, good spring of rib and excellent hind angulation. Moved out well but was struggling with the high temperatures. Excellent handling.
2nd Jeffer’s Kinelarty Lady of the Loch – Coming up on 4 years old. Excellent temperament. Medium sized with correct proportions. Lovely kind expression with super tight dark eye. Correct bite. Good deep chest with well sprung rib cage. Level topline and good hind angulation. Her movement let her down today as she was not quite sound on the move. Excellent presentation.
Veteran Bitch (3,2)
1st O’Neill’s Siansela Missy Elliott – 11 year old bitch who completely belied her age. Lighter build with medium bone. Confident happt girl who was obviously thoroughly enjoying her day. Correct bite, feminine head shape. Level topline. Medium hind angulation. Correct tail carriage. This girl powered around the ring with greater ease that many of the younger dogs. A credit to her breeder and owner. I was pleased to award her Reserve Green Star and Best Veteran.
Clarification of Club Show Judging Appointment 2014: We would like to clear up any confusion that exists on the Judges’ Appointment for the Championship Show 2014. No rules were breached and the Judge was fully endorsed to Judge the Show by the Irish Kennel Club. All paperwork for said appointment and ratification from the IKC is available for members perusal.