Birmingham Dog Show Society Ltd

Birmingham National Championship Show 25th Sept 2021

Basset Griffon Vendeen (Petit)

Having undertaken & passed the breed assessment back in 2003 & judged the special classes @ the Club Ch Show in 2017, I was eagerly awaiting my first opportunity to judge the breed @ Championship level. This was certainly no “fast track” appointment.

Thank you to exhibitors for giving me the opportunity to assess your hounds.

I have to say that the entry was very varied in type & size. I was hoping to find a well balanced hound, hopefully with all the breed requisites, of correct proportions meeting the required ( 5:7) height to length ratio, soundly constructed, which would enable it to move out with both forward reach & drive, all wrapped up in a harsh double jacket.

I did not realise that “fronts” were such a problem. It was difficult to find a well constructed front with “forearms straight with well fitting elbows close to body”, “chest deep with prominent sternum” those I did find were well rewarded.

Delighted that my Best Of Breed found favour with Hound Group Judge Albert Wight & was placed Group 3.

SBD (1)

1 Townsend. Afterglow Curtain Call.

Houndy rugged youngster of 20 months has an attractive head, large nose pad, strong jaw, well set & folded leathers, pleased in angulation, firm topline, short hocks, moves out with free stride, is longer caste than ideal & like many others would like to see better filled front & close fitting elbows.

YD (2)

1 Brown. Callydena Dougal McLeennan.

Handsome & happy yearling of 22 mths in rugged jacket, full of the joys of spring, presents a pleasing & balanced outline, well angulated in both fore & hindquarters, good return of upper arm, firm strong body & topline, good ribbing, short strong loin, houndy head with strong jaw, well set & folded leathers, moves out well, still needing to develop & come together in his front. 

2. Afterglow Curtain Call.

PGD (1)

1 Reid. Maudaxi Egg Nog Eddie.

Handsome 2yr presenting pleasing outline, has a houndy headpiece, strong jaw, large nose pad, dark eye, well set/folded leathers, good length of neck, well angulated, pronounced sternum, good ribbing carried well back, firm in topline, completely natural coat presentation, moves out briskly with good drive from hindquarters, would like to see neater front.

LD (3)

1 Skerritt & Betts. Beaujons Vagabond Of Monkhams. Res CC

This ruggedly handsome 4yr , presented the outline & balance I was seeking, is well constructed, has all the required breed points required, excelled in top & underline & with short strong loin, sound free mover, wrapped up in an excellent jacket, would look even better with a little less weight. Pleased me enough to award the Res CC.

2 Bartley & Bartley. Erylan Zeus Roi Des Dieux Handsome hound out of a slightly larger mould & longer cast, pleases in head details, nicely constructed allowing easy free movement, not the underline of 1, harsh jacket, would ideally like closer fitting front/ elbows.

3 McEwan. Marunnel Orinoco.

OD (5)

1 Reid. Vilauddens Magnificent Mile. CC

Lots to like about this hound, of good size, balance & proportions, handsome head of good balance, carried proudly on good length of neck, pleases in fore & hindquarters, well filled front, pronounced sternum, well rounded ribbing carried well back to strong short loin, pleases in both top & underline, has a harsh jacket, moved out soundly with brisk free stride, carries himself really well. Pleased to award him the CC.

2 McCartney. Ch Soletrader Freddie Mercury JW

Another handsome hound who pleases in his headpiece/eye/leathers, liked his outline, though slightly longer cast than 1, balanced in angulation, well ribbed back, moves out with free easy movement, well presented harsh jacket.

3 Brown. Ch Soletrader Valentino Rossi

SBB (2)

1 Wheeler & Wheeler. Jacmist Tuesdays Child

This 2yr pleased for size & outline, in good harsh jacket, has a feminine head/expression, leathers well set & folded, free in her movement.

2 Whiting. Tangaer Enigma At Glanbeuno

3yr who pleased for size/balance & proportions, presentation would be enhanced with more coat left on muzzle & legs, preferred front & movement of 1.

MPB (2,2)

PB (4,1)

1 Cadmore & Cadmore. Soletrader Tangomango. BP & ResCC 

This 11mth beauty pleases all through, beautiful head & expression, strong muzzle, large nose pad, well set/folded leathers, stunning outline, excels in her forehand construction, straight forelegs with elbows fitting close to body, well rounded ribbing carried well back to short strong loin, firm in topline, well set tail, well angulated & muscled hindquarters & short hocks, moved with excellent stride, must have a bright future. A pleasure to award her BP & Res CC

2 Foote & McAuley. Erylan Fantastique Freya

Very attractive 10 mth of ideal size & balance,lovely head/eye/leathers, has balanced angulation in fore/hindquarters, pleases in both top & underline, moves out with easy profile gait, a little close moving away, would look even better with more natural presentation, preferred front of 1, will look better with maturity.

3 Watson & Kenna. Cynetkoy Winter Romance

JB (1)

1 Reid. Fox’s Nightmare Laura Fabian At Maudaxi (Imp Rus) Naf Taf Raf

Attractively headed 17mth with strong jaw & dark eye, would prefer slightly shorter leathers, has good head carriage on strong neck, balanced angulation & well ribbed back, still needing to fill her front, has a happy temperament , harsh jacket & is a free & easy mover.

YB (1)

1 Foote & McAuley. Erylan Hera La Reine

Nice stamp of a bitch with harsh jacket & happy temperament, 19 mths & still developing, has all the basics, most attractive head of good balance, lovely eye/expression, nicely set /folded leathers, strong lengthy neck into well laid shoulders, good to see well filled front, with elbows close to body, firm in topline & smooth in underline, could be a tad shorter in loin, well angulated hindquarters & short hocks,well set tail, free brisk movement, if a little close behind.

PGB (5)

1 Skerritt & Betts. Monkhams Memphis Belle.

Lots to like about this ruggedly attractive 3yr old, appealed for type & size, with lovely outline, attractive feminine head/eye/leathers, carried on lengthy strong neck, liked her well filled front with prominent sternum, deep chest, good ribbing, firm in topline, smooth in underline, pleasing hindquarters & well set stern, moved out briskly with easy action.

2 Wood. Beaujons Velvet.

This 4yr old appealed for size & type,has a lovely head/eye & expression, pleases in outline/proportions, harsh jacket still coming thro, moved out briskly with easy action, preferred the neck length & front of 1.

3 Moulding. Nykarth Quite The Surprise

LB (5,1)

1 Scott. Soletrader Langham Rose For Overbecks

This 3yr old presented a smart balanced outline in a harsh jacket, appealed for size/type & balance, has a lovely head/eye/leathers, she is well constructed, liked her angulation & forechest, appealed for firm topline, well set stern & short hocks, moved out smartly.

2 Skerritt & Betts. Monkhams Luna Luvgood

Again the appeal of this bitch was her size & type, head & expression, is well put together, pleases in her forehand construction, naturally presented harsh jacket, carries herself well, perhaps a shade longer cast than 1.

3 McEwan. Marunnel Miss Adelaide

OB (5)

1 Foote & McAuley. Ir Ch Erylan Hebe La Fille Jeune.CC & BOB + Hound Group 3 Stood away from the entry today. Beautiful head & expression, has all the breed points required, screams breed type, presents a fabulous outline, is so well put together, really well constructed in both her forehand (well laid shoulder, return of upper arm, pronounced pro-sternum, well filled front) & hindquarters (width behind, good turn of stifle, short hocks) she is well ribbed back & is firm in her topline & smooth flow to underline. Very sound in her movement, moves out briskly with good reach & drive. Could not be denied, delighted to award her the CC & BOB & to see her placed Group 3.

Points to consider:-

 Has an excellent harsh jacket ( perhaps would be enhanced with slightly more natural presentation) & although very well muscled ( might be enhanced by carrying a little less weight).

2 Foote & McAuley. Ir Ch Erylan Aphrodite La Belle 

Pleased to find out that this very typy & attractive bitch is the dam of 1. Possesses good points passed down to her daughter, has a lovely head, good well filled forechest, well ribbed back, firm topline, pleasing angulation,harsh jacket, easy in her movement.

3 Cadmore & Cadmore. Soletrader Cotton Candy

VB (1)

1 Moulding. Wizzkarth Meant To Be

Though alone, this 7yr old deserved her placing, has a happy temperament, feminine head & expression, with dark eye, has a well filled front, short hocks, moves out with easy ground covering gait, carries a harsh, naturally presented jacket.

Mike Caple. (Judge)