Dogue de Bordeaux Club of Great Britain

Dogue De Bordeaux Club Of Great Britain

17/07/21

I have loved this breed from when they first began appearing in the UK show rings and followed them closely ever since.

Always a challenge for a non-specialist to judge but always a pleasure. It was an honour to be invited by the Parent Club to judge their Breed Club Open show and a good idea to run it as a partnership show with the opportunity for exhibitors to attend 2 shows in one day. The only slight drawback on the day was the scorching hot weather. Never ideal to show a breed like the Dogue de Bordeaux in extreme heat, especially being 3rd in the ring. By 3pm when we started it was getting quite unbearable so I was most grateful for the exhibitors that stayed on after the breed judging to show their dogs. It must have been so tempting to stay in the shade or go home and avoid further sunburn!

As it was, the very good entry of 41 on paper was depleted by a half absentee rate. I would normally make some overall observations on the breed when doing a Club show but with an entry this size, I don’t think it would be representative and so a bit unfair. I would like to say, however, how well all those here coped with the heat and this suggested to me that none were having any problems heath wise. They were all sound both in body and mind. So many thanks to the committee for the opportunity to judge, the exhibitors for their support and their patient dogs. I had a great time!

PD (5) 1st Imperatrix Imperioum. A very promising male pup of 10 months. Super head shape, good strength of skull. Correct stop. Strong muzzle and excellent underjaw. Clean, open nostrils. High set ears. Strong neck. Moderately angled front and rear. Holds his topline well for his age and good body. Short, muscular loins. Excellent mover. Obviously needs to drop in chest and mature fully but has great potential and made a worthy BP over his equally promising litter sister. BPD & BPIS.

2nd Irwin De La Bulle Rouge. 9 month old deep, rich red pup. Similar in size and outline to 1st. Good type of dog with a pleasing head shape, correct eye and ears. Not as mature in body as yet and can settle a touch on the move. That said, he is sound, has an excellent temperament and with a bit more time could have a promising career.

JD (4) 1st RBD - Bellamiabam’s Playboy. Just loved this young male. For me he had one of the best heads here today. Excellent for breed type. Good size and outline and well balanced all through. Excellent bone and substance but fit and not overdone in any way. At 15 months he is young and still has a bit to do with regard to maturity, but I think he will just get better and better. Moved very well, sound in all directions. Well handled and presented to bring out his best. Look forward to following his career.

2nd Bellamiabam’s Romeo. Litter brother to 1st and share many of his attributes. Lovely outline on the stack. Another typey head piece. Excellent ear set and clean, oval eye. Good conformation and body. Just needs to tighten a touch in front. Moved soundly in all directions.

PGD (4) 1st Imperatrix Inperator. Medium sized male. Liked his outline and is nicely balanced all through. Very good head shape, strength to muzzle and good stop. Medium neck. Good front and rear quarters. Firm, muscular body. Thick tail. Good bone, pasterns and feet. One of the best movers here today. Would just prefer a bit more of him overall but a very worthy representative.

2nd Harleydeaux Double Deuce. Lovely male for size, substance and type. Good head. Reachy neck leading to a well laid shoulder and return of upperarm. Strong, fit body. Excellent rear angulation leading to low set hocks. Moved well enough, just not the freedom of 1st. In good coat and muscular condition.

3rd Bellamiabam’s Brighteyes. Strong, substantial male. Excellent head, plenty of strength and typical outlook. Excellent depth of chest. Strong bone. Overall very well made, just a bit weak in pasterns. Moved with freedom and power.

LD (2) 1st Harleydeaux Let Me Atom. Another super example from this kennel. Strong, well grown and maturing well. Loved his head proportions. Good width to a shapely skull with muzzle to compliment. Fine wrinkles. Well open nostrils. Medium sized, high set ears. Sound conformation and excellent body. Stands on excellent feet. Moved with reach and driving off the soundest of hocks. Changed handlers in the challenge so not giving 100% but he must have a great future. Close-up.

OD (3) Three worthy male representatives here.

1st Ch. Harleydeaux Vantage. The overall impression of this worthy Ch is of a well made, functional Dogue full of breed type. He is well balanced both in head and outline with the ideal height to length proportions. Excels in head. Good skull shape, fine, symmetrical wrinkles, deep but not exaggerated stop. Strong wide underjaw giving plenty of chin. Clean eyes and small high set ears. Thick, strong neck leading to a deep chest giving plenty of heart room. Good bone. Shapely topline and excellent ribs. Balanced angles front and back. Thick, well set tail. Moved with power and purpose, covering the ground well from profile. Makes an impressive picture and pleased to award him the top spot. BD & BIS.

2nd Loggerheads Creed. Strongly headed male. Good skull shape, stop and width to muzzle. Excellent chin with good dentition. Small, well set ears. Good eye giving a typical stoic expression. Excellent reach of neck. Strong bone. Well made front and rear. Just a bit long in loin, so not quite the balance of outline of 1st. Excellent type and a pleasing mover.

3rd Temptress ice Warrior At Bellamiabam. Strong dog. A touch shorter on the leg than those above him today. Excels in head properties but eye could be a bit tighter. Thick, muscular neck of good reach. Excellent bone, deep functional chest and strong body. Moved soundly in all directions. Completed a good trio.

VD (1) 1st Redlouis Setex Avec Bellamiabam. Rising 8 years and in fabulous condition, credit to his owners. He has a pleasing enough head and eye. Well set ears. Strong neck and good overall conformation. Excellent bone and plenty of substance. Excellent mover, really covers the ground belying his age. It is heartening to see the breed does so well in later years. Thanks for bringing him.

MPB (4) 1st Red Legacy Beautiful Girl. 7 months and has quite a bit of maturing to do. Going through a rather leggy stage at the moment. Good enough head proportions, feminine but shows some strength. Well conditioned all through. Excellent ribs and strong, short loins. Playful on the move and good to see her enjoying the experience in the ring. With time could do well.

PB (5) 1st Imperatrix Inperious. Feminine, but substantial pup of 10 months. Beautiful head and expression. Skull of good shape, coming along well. Good reach of neck. Chest developing and good angles front and back. Very together on the move displaying an easy, sound stride. Just pipped by her litter brother on his overall maturity but a lovely pair of youngsters. BPB.

2nd Willssburg Now You See Me At Aibrean. 9 month old and fairly forward for her age. Pleasing head shape. Excellent symmetrical wrinkles. Good eye shape and ear set. Would prefer a bit more width of underjaw. Thick, reachy neck. Good bone. Feet ok. Well bodied for her age. Moved soundly.

3rd R. Legacy Beautiful G.

J (2) 1st Aibrean Drops Of Jupiter At Granborde. Standing alone but a good moving youngster of 16 months. Head developing well. Excellent skull shape. Tight, clean, oval eye and excellent dentition. Excellent open nostrils. Thick, muscular neck of medium length. Well angled front and rear. Excellent body and firm topline. Good for size and overall breed type. Another with a promising future.

NB (3) 1st A. Drops Of Jupiter At G.

2nd Loggerheads Summer. Larger bitch than 1st. Pleasing outline on the stack. Good strength all through and pleases for type. Not the pleasing head shape of 1st, not having quite enough fill under the eye. Excellent width and strength of muzzle and shows enough chin. Good to go over and moved ok.

PGB (5) 1st Harleydeaux Pixie Lott. Liked her for size and balance of outline. Copybook head piece. Excellent eye shape giving a stoic expression. High ear set. Well opened nostrils. Moderate neck. Deep chest. Good bone, strong pasterns and good feet. Excellent body proportions. Firm topline. Thick tail. Free mover showing enough reach and drive from strong, low hocks.

2nd Dutchymoon Live A Little. Strong, sound bitch of medium size. Good for type and pleasing in most departments. Strong but feminine head, Fine, symmetrical wrinkles, clean eye and excellent dentition. Good reach of neck. Well bodied and in hard muscular condition. Soundly made all through allowing her to move very well from all directions.

LB (7) Excellent class of bitches, fairly close decision between them.

1st Sumo Shimano. Strong, substantial bitch. Excellent head piece. Strong, shapely skull and muzzle to compliment. Enough chin. Muscular cheeks. Excellent dentition. Clean eyes and well set ears. Moderate reach of neck. Excellent angulation, well laid shoulders and good length and lay of upper arm. Strong bone. Flexible pasterns and strong feet . Excellent ribs and muscular loin. Moderately angled behind. Strong hocks. Moved with enough reach and drive but the heat was just starting to get to her after a long day. That said, she did enough to take BB and RBIS. I can see she will be a future asset to any kennel. BB & RBIS.

2nd Dutchymoon You Better Run. Fit and athletic bitch but not compromising substance or bone. Slightly smaller overall than 1st but equally good in head shape with muzzle to compliment. Clean eyes. Good chin and dentition. Strong, reachy neck. Deep, roomy chest. Good outline and powerful quarters. Stands on good, functional feet. Moved with reach, drive and some extension.

3rd Harleydeaux Dirty Gertie. Great type, feminine but imposing outlook. Super head properties. Everything to like on the stack. Appeals for strength, substance and bone. Just not moving as well as those above her today.

Darren Clarke (Judge)