National Working & Pastoral Breeds Society

NW&PB

Mastiffs. 

Thanks to my very able stewards for their assistance and thanks for so many exhibitors having turned out when most knew that their dogs would be judged from a wheelchair. I regret that our giant breed was scheduled at the end of a hot day, and though I judged with a view to keeping movement to the bare necessity, my BOB had to go in the group immediately after the breed judging, which did him no favours.

My last couple of judging assignments were overseas, and I have only been to a few British championship shows in recent years, so I was delighted to see the breed much recovered here from the state it was in a decade ago. I would like to commend the exhibits as a whole for eyes, feet, hocks and stifles. Also, I simply did not have a poor head put before me, but bites still need some work.

PD (2,1) 1 Andrews’ Midas Assisi at Cyberus. A 9 month old fawn, well-grown and unusually strong-moving for his age. Forward in head and body. Saw him make the cut in the Puppy Working Group, and he is one to look out for. BP

JD (4,0) 1 White’s Swainsi Prince Saroo. A 14 month apricot of good size, with plenty of scope to further fill out, but already with a good head and plenty of bone. Strong, long and moves well, will contend for top prizes. RCC. 

2 Coulman-Hole’s Faynad Magic Man for Womlu. A 12 month fawn, pretty head, much less mature than 1, but all the right bits in all the right places. 3 Popp’s Cyberus Apollo of Penychen.

PGD (3,0) 1 White’s Swainsi Danny Boy. Large brindle, good bone, broad head, excellent length, solid dog. 

2 Saukas & Murray’s Mayfair’s Maximus de la Villa Bel Air. A very pretty boy of medium size. Nicely shaped and moved very well. 

3 Hazlewood’s Craiglestone’s Lord Thudfoot.

OD (3,0) 1 Zadeh’s Ch. Faynad Frankincense. Simply put, This big brindle would not look out of place among the champions of thirty and forty years ago. First glance is of a massive, dark brindle dog with a typical head, supported by a strong neck that fits smoothly into a correctly angulated front assembly. A firm topline supports a big ribcage and is strongly coupled to a wide rear, the whole held up by a big leg at each corner. When moved, the suspension is powerful and springy, with all the angles right. CC & BOB.

 2 Andrew’s Cyberus Babayaga. A long, strongly-built fawn with a short, wide head. An old-fashioned look, but a good one, recalling the works of Philip Reinagle. Moved with power. 3 Clarke’s Cwmtysswg Madoc.

PB (1,0) 1 Gittin’s Mulaloo Magical Enfys at Cwmtysswg. A 9 month fawn, which like the dog puppy is well-grown yet stocky. Good depth and head and another with promise.

JB (4,2) 1 Gittin’s Cwmtysswg Sabine, A nice 16 month brindle with a pretty head and a well-made body with a good width of thigh. Moved well. 

2 Coulman-Hole’s Faynad Morticia for Womlu. A brindle which is just out of puppy and less mature than 1. Fundamentals good and has lots of time to mature.

LB (3,0) 1 Clark’s Olga Of The Cheese Hill at Hallberd. A long, solid apricot with a pleasant head. Well made throughout. Very sound. 

2 Facey’s Hexnorden Everlong for Nordicface, medium-sized fawn with lots of pigment. Nice shape, moved well. 

3 Hazlewood’s Summer Storm of Craiglestone.

OB (2,0) 1 Andrews’ Hestia Spod Holi at Cyberus. Standout apricot, solidly made from all angles, strong quarters, moved with real power. Topline not entirely level, but not untypical. Strong head. Pushed the superb BOB hard and should prove an asset to the breed in this country. CC & BOS. 

2 Zadeh’s Faynad Storm In A Teacup. A pretty fawn with a nice head, well-shaped body. Good legs and moved well. Unlucky to meet 1. RCC.