My thanks to the Bernese Mountain Dog club of Ireland for the invitation to judge their Open Show and to the exhibitors who came along on the day. I'd also like to extend my thanks to the Midland Counties show committee for running a show with such a lovely atmosphere and wonderful hospitality.
Overall I was pleased was temperaments, size and structure. I was conscious that the weather was quite warm but a working dog needs to move to be properly assessed.
Puppy Dog
1st Benson's Pasturegreen Irish Prince At Bernervalley Very lively pup! 7 months old. Couldn't fully assess his teeth as he decided it was playtime. Head coming on, good stop and furrow. Movement a little loose but that's to be expected for his age. Angles and basics all there. Tan needs to deepen slightly. Best Puppy
Junior Dog
1st Hughes' Carraigbern Mr Darcy 15 months old. Large dog, big frame to fill. Slightly affected by the heat. Front movement a touch wide but should tighten up in time as he matures. Very strong in head, his crowning glory. Good dark tight eyes. Flews a little loose. Has the makings of a very nice dog and I'll watch his progress with interest. Reserve Best Dog
Open dog
1st Dunne's Tiramisu Zielone Sciezki 2 1/2 years old. Sweet expression. In good coat. Would prefer a touch more front angluation but rear angulation was excellent. Good deep chest. Could do with a larger skull for a more masculine head. Moved out well around the large ring. Best of breed, BIS and delighted to see him to go to win reserve in the group afterwards.
Junior Bitch
2nd Butler's Siansela Miss Anja Almost 18 months of age. Has come on a lot since I last her. Wonderful movement with excellent reach. Angulation good. Muzzle a little long. Would prefer her to have a slightly more attentive expression but her movement during the bitch challenge won it for her. Best Bitch and reserve BIS
Open bitch
1st Shields Byrne's Ridgewater Belgian Queen Almost 3 year old bitch in gleaming condition, shining coat, rich deep tan, beautifully presented. Very attentive to her handler. Movement was excellent. Correct tail carraige and good length of tail. Good depth of chest, mature looking bitch. Eyes a little round. Pushed hard for best bitch but the youngster had the edge on movement today. Reserve Best Bitch
2nd Bermingham's Berdonheights Anam Cara 2 years old. Well behaved. A finer boned smaller bitch all round. Not the size or substance or body of 1st. Nontheless a happy girl who enjoyed herself and moved well around the ring.
Veteran Bitch
1st O'Neill's Siansela Missy Elliot Almost 9 year old bitch. Very happy temperament with permenantly wagging tail. Tail a fraction short. Moved ok. Lovely femine expression. A credit to her owner and her breeder. Best Veteran
Nicola Tull (Brogholme)
Overall I was pleased was temperaments, size and structure. I was conscious that the weather was quite warm but a working dog needs to move to be properly assessed.
Puppy Dog
1st Benson's Pasturegreen Irish Prince At Bernervalley Very lively pup! 7 months old. Couldn't fully assess his teeth as he decided it was playtime. Head coming on, good stop and furrow. Movement a little loose but that's to be expected for his age. Angles and basics all there. Tan needs to deepen slightly. Best Puppy
Junior Dog
1st Hughes' Carraigbern Mr Darcy 15 months old. Large dog, big frame to fill. Slightly affected by the heat. Front movement a touch wide but should tighten up in time as he matures. Very strong in head, his crowning glory. Good dark tight eyes. Flews a little loose. Has the makings of a very nice dog and I'll watch his progress with interest. Reserve Best Dog
Open dog
1st Dunne's Tiramisu Zielone Sciezki 2 1/2 years old. Sweet expression. In good coat. Would prefer a touch more front angluation but rear angulation was excellent. Good deep chest. Could do with a larger skull for a more masculine head. Moved out well around the large ring. Best of breed, BIS and delighted to see him to go to win reserve in the group afterwards.
Junior Bitch
2nd Butler's Siansela Miss Anja Almost 18 months of age. Has come on a lot since I last her. Wonderful movement with excellent reach. Angulation good. Muzzle a little long. Would prefer her to have a slightly more attentive expression but her movement during the bitch challenge won it for her. Best Bitch and reserve BIS
Open bitch
1st Shields Byrne's Ridgewater Belgian Queen Almost 3 year old bitch in gleaming condition, shining coat, rich deep tan, beautifully presented. Very attentive to her handler. Movement was excellent. Correct tail carraige and good length of tail. Good depth of chest, mature looking bitch. Eyes a little round. Pushed hard for best bitch but the youngster had the edge on movement today. Reserve Best Bitch
2nd Bermingham's Berdonheights Anam Cara 2 years old. Well behaved. A finer boned smaller bitch all round. Not the size or substance or body of 1st. Nontheless a happy girl who enjoyed herself and moved well around the ring.
Veteran Bitch
1st O'Neill's Siansela Missy Elliot Almost 9 year old bitch. Very happy temperament with permenantly wagging tail. Tail a fraction short. Moved ok. Lovely femine expression. A credit to her owner and her breeder. Best Veteran
Nicola Tull (Brogholme)
