British Briard Club

British Briard Club Open Show 

20th July 2019 

It was indeed a pleasure to judge the British Briard Club Summer Open show and I would like to thank the Club for the kind invitation and to the exhibitors for their entry. The atmosphere at the show was super, very relaxed and sportsmanship was of the highest.  

The entry was typical of this day and age and sadly there were some absentees too. However, I found it an interesting day with a breed that fascinates me greatly. Temperaments, without exception I am delighted to say, were excellent. Presentation, however, was mixed. I fully understand that a Briard’s coat is a breed characteristic with the desired dry, goat like feel and break. However, I am not only a firm believer but also quite passionate that this, with the correct texture, can still be achieved with a clean, knot free Briard.  

I think it was clear to everyone that movement plays a very important part when I’m judging. This is a working breed and is designed to do a particular job and I always try to keep this in the forefront of my mind. They should be able to go all day with an ease of stride without tiring too soon. Luckily the weather was not too hot and so I was afforded the opportunity to be able to move the exhibits, although I think some of the handlers had a good nights sleep that night, so thank you. 

One slight concern that hit me was tails. Another breed characteristic and the standard asks for the bone of the tail to reach to at least the hock joint with an upward hook, or J, at the end. I did find a lot of shorter tails and also tails that were almost sabre like.  

Rear Double dew claws were present in all.  

Some very promising youngsters and the puppies today were delightful, which bodes well for the future. 

Dogs 

Puppy 

1: Desantis & Davison’s JANDADE STARSHIP TROOPER, was very impressed by this 9-month-old black, good for size and showing potential in spades. He is good for size and substance and there is no denying his sex, which is refreshing. I liked his head properties with good expression. Decent neck into firm topline and well-set tail of good length. Super front assembly and dropping into his chest. In outline he is balanced, and he is well let down behind. On the move he has an ease of stride and is decent in profile. Presentation was the icing on the cake and should be commended. His coat texture is coming along, and he has the start of the desired break. I liked him and will watch his future with interest. BPD and BPIS 

Junior 

1: Stanley’s ELVINVILLE INSPIRE, black, pleasing outline. Coat of good texture but would prefer a touch more attention to grooming. Needs a little training for his benefit. Excellent front assembly and he has super depth of chest. Tail could be a touch longer. A bit more practice and attention to the finer things and he could be away. Keep going. 

Post Graduate 

1: Kass’ FOSTEBRIE VENCHI STAR JW, fawn dog of good size. He has a masculine head with decent expression. Good length of neck and firm topline. Well set tail of superb length. His coat, being of superb texture will take time to develop, but it is coming along. Super angulation behind. Moved out well in profile. Handled well. 

2: Stanley’s NOUVION ECLIPSE, black dog of good size and balanced in outline. He has a super head for balance and shape. Firm topline and tail of good length. Super temperament and when settled he covers the ground. Just needs a little experience. 

Limit 

1: Baker and Elder’s STORMFIELD BAKTU OUR ROOTS TO BARBUREVE, liked this young fawn dog very much indeed and he is very much of the type and size I admire. All male, he has a masculine head and soft expression, strong neck into firm topline. He won the class today on front assembly and forward reach. Fantastic bone and good feet. Depth of chest with moderate spring of rib leading into a slight slope to his croup. Nothing exaggerated at all about this boy, but his outline is quite delightful. Tail set well and good length. A tad proud of it today though but being a teenage male, this can be forgiven. Presented to perfection his colour is coming in nicely. His coat is profuse, and its texture is good although I can see that this will continue to improve as he matures as he will also develop more of a break. On the move he impresses going away, has precision coming towards you and in profile he has an ease of stride that shows that he could keep going all day. He was handled masterfully by an absolute expert who gets the very best out of her charges. I wish him well for the future. BD and a deserved BIS 

2: Thorp’s CHARSON WORTH THE WAIT, black dog who has the most fantastic head and expression, in fact probably the best head of the day. Good for size and all male. Presented to perfection. I liked his shape in profile and he has fantastic bone. Good topline and well-set tail, would possibly prefer a better J. Here is an old-fashioned dog that will need time to finish, as breeds always used to. His type cannot be denied, and he has so much going for him. For me today he just needs to drop in chest which in turn will give him a little more width in front, which will be to his benefit. As I have said before, he will be Worth The Wait. Considered him for Res Best dog but it was the accuracy coming towards me of the Open winner that tipped the balance. 

Open: 

1: Coleman’s CH HARTSWELIN SO MACHO, mature black dog who pleases in balance of outline. Masculine head, strong neck and super front assembly. Grand for bone and substance. Best topline of the class and well-set tail. He was sensibly presented, and his coat texture is decent. On the move he reaches in front and carries himself with a typical outline. In the challenge he faltered slightly going away and this tipped the balance in the favour of the young fawn. Deserving of his title and he will continue to win well I’m sure. I will not disagree when he does. RBD 

2: Chester’s LYSDENOIRE LE ROC JW SHCM, fawn dog who is masculine and pleasing for size. Decent head and expression. A tiny bit stiff in topline today which slightly spoilt his outline, which was a shame. Coat of excellent texture. Could have used his front a tad more in profile but good going away. Handled and presented extremely well, his title will not be far off as he will have better days, I’m sure. 

3: Wilson’s CH JANDADE L’BUTLER 

Bitches 

Minor Puppy 

1: Hall’s BARGEMON ST EMILION, cute as a button and absolutely full of potential. Everything in the right place for a 6-month baby. Fawn colour clearing. Delightful head and expression good topline, well set tail and good length. Completely balanced. Her head and expression is delightful and although only a raw baby, she has substance yet retains a look of femininity. Which watch how she grows with much interest. 

Puppy 

1: Coleman’s JANDADE SHOOTING STAR TO HARTSWELIN, slightly taller yet very feminine black bitch who presented the most balanced outline today. Feminine head and expression, good neck and shoulder. Strong topline and balanced in angulation. Tail of good length. Exuberant on the move but she had moments where she really covers the ground. BPB 

2: Wilson’s JANDADE PRECIOUS BLOSSOM, 9-month-old fawn whose colour is clearing. Loved her head and expression. Super neck and decent topline. Just needs to grow up on front leg for balance but this will come I’m sure. Moves well in profile. Coat of good texture  

Junior 

1: Wilson’s JANDADE PRECIOUS BLOSSOM

Yearling 

1: Biddlecombe’s STORMFIELD FERGIE AT CHAVELL, dark fawn bitch full of quality and most certainly a champion in the making. When you first look at her, you cannot but be impressed by her shape and type, she oozes Briard. Her head has yet to finish but her expression is quite delightful. Has substance yet retains femininity. Coat texture superb with the desired break already in place, length coming along. Her topline is faultless. Has good return of upper arm. Decent angulation behind. Her tail is of superb length and she carries it perfectly on the move. In profile she moves with an easy stride but today she was just a tad erratic coming towards me and this cost her. Her future is assured though. RBB 

2:  Fieldsend’s QESSI HEAVEN DEVIL, and a devil she is giving her handler quite a time of it! Fawn bitch who is slightly different in type. Well-presented and coat of good texture. In super condition. Good neck and firm topline. Today she had other things on her mind on the move and just wanted to throw any chance she had away. 

Post Grad 

1: Biddlecombe’s STORMFIELD FERGIE AT CHAVELL 

2: Barber Gaskin & Gaskin’s SHEZMO LADY MIDNA, very nice black bitch who is typical in outline. Very feminine. Liked her head and expression. Good neck and well-set tail. Would prefer a tad more return of upper arm. Sloped slightly in topline which is a shame. Moves well and has an easy stride 

Limit 

1: Thomas’s FOSTEBRIE SEDUCTION AT LAVENDALE, fawn who is totally unexaggerated. Pleasing outline. Strong topline, well set tail of superb length that she carries correctly on the move. Coat a tad soft today. Moves well in profile. 

Open 

1:  Wilson’s CH JANDADE PRECIOUS CHARM. Black bitch oozing femininity, she is a bitch that really has to be gone over to be appreciated. Liked her balance and shape. Her head and expression are quite delightful. Her mouth is exemplary, as were all the exhibits from this kennel. Strong neck of decent length flowing into the most excellent front assembly. Well ribbed and has depth to her chest. Balanced in hindquarters with slight slope to croup and well-set tail of good length. She uses herself well on the move and has an ease of stride. Coat of super texture, fully mature and with the desired break. It was her honesty and precision on the move today that tipped the scales in her favour and so she was a deserved BB and RBIS.  

2: Scrutton’s CH GEMEAU PIA ZADORA, fawn bitch who is decent to go over and I have done her well in the past. Lots to like about her but today she just didn’t seem very happy on the move which gave her the appearance of being a little short of leg, shame 

Veteran 

1: Murray-Walker’s LASCAUX NEOLA OF WALKERBRAE AHCM. What a super class of oldies. This black bitch has won well under me in the past, she has the most delightful shape and typical outline. Her head and expression is super. She is decent in front and has a strong topline. Balanced in angulation. Moved well with an ease of stride and could keep going all day. Her coat is beautifully presented, of the correct texture and has the desired break. Good length to tail. Strongly considered in the challenge and a bitch that really should have a title in front of her name. BVIS 

2: Chester’s CH LYSDENOIRE LUMIERE SHCM, super shape on this fawn bitch. She is delightful to go over with everything in the right place. Moves well but not quite the front extension today of the winner. A real credit to her owner and the breed.  

3: Wilson’s CH JANDADE BEAR’LISHUS 

Lee A S Cox 

(Judge)