Cheshire Agricultural Society

THE ROYAL CHESHIRE COUNTY PREMIER OPEN SHOW

22/06/2021

DOGUE DE BORDEAUX

It was such a privilege to have been invited by the Royal Cheshire County Show to judge my beautiful breed. Thank you to all the officers and committee for your hard work and hospitality and for my wonderful ring stewards who despite all the new regulations kept the ring running very smoothly.

I would also like to thank all the exhibitors for my excellent entry and your support. I must say I felt incredibly proud of all the dogs presented to me, all in wonderful condition, excellent temperaments and overall really lovely quality. I feel very excited for the breeds future as it’s clearly in safe hands. Finally thank you for all your sportsmanship in accepting my decisions, the atmosphere ringside was lovely.

PUPPY (8,9)

What a super class of promising puppies, all behaved amazing for probably their first ever outing in the show ring. I must applaud you all for your encouragement and gentle persuasion you gave to these babies. Well done to you all.

1st. CORBETT - IMPERATRIX IMPERIOUM

A beautiful 8 month old red male caught my eye with his confident attitude and character. A lovely developing masculine trapezoid head, broad skull with just the right amount of wrinkle. Good undershot dentition, and nice open nostrils. Strong straight front assembly leading on to nice tight feet, a great top line for one so young, his gait was sound, just a bit of puppy looseness which I would expect at his age. Super quality young man had all the right proportions I would want in a youngster. Presents a nice outline for an immature male showing great potential to be an impressive example of the breed. He seemed to really enjoy his time in the ring and was not phased at all with the whole experience. What a promising baby and a joy to judge, I shall follow his progress with interest. I was happy to award him BEST PUPPY IN BREED

2nd CORBETT - IMPERATRIX INPERIOUS

 A lovely feminine 8 month old fawn litter sister to my winner. Beautifully balanced puppy giving her a harmonious outline when viewed from the side. Nice developing head with a distinctive stop, and broad muzzle. Eyes set wide apart creating that frank expression. Well angulated hindquarters, upper thigh is developing nicely with visible muscle which gave her great drive on the move. Handled gently to really give this girl the opportunity to show herself off. Another exciting up and coming youngster for the breed.

JUNIOR (2,3)

1st. IQBAL & IBRAHIM - BELLAMIABAMS ROMEO

 A substantial, powerful 14 month old male, presented beautifully by his handler, he looked super stacked, with his imposing appearance. Large volumous trapezoid head, correct ear set nice clear eyes, pendulous upper flews, good dentition. Muscular strong neck and good depth and width of chest, well off for bone. Good tail set, Lovely tight feet for a male of his size. Shown in great coat condition, his movement was free and supple. He did everything his handler asked of him. I have judged the sire to this young male previously and boy has he certainly inherited his fathers look of arrogance that draws you in. Another one to watch.

2nd BREARLEY & WOODBRIDGE - PIECHOTTKA ANAKIN

 A very nice dark red 15 month old male showing lots of promise. A smaller overall type to my winner but still oozes quality. A beautiful head with a lovely expression. Correct undershot dentition and a nice clear eye. Straight front assembly and good depth of chest, strong level top line which he held on the move and in stature. This male could really move, displaying a beautiful side gait, I just feel with a little more time and some Ringcraft training (now things are starting up again) his handler will be able to show him off to his full potential and complete the picture.

POST GRADUATE (3,8)

1st CORBETT – IMPERATRIX INPERATOR

This 2 and a half year old Red Male was my eye candy on the move who had a great rapport with his handler. A very well balanced stocky male built closely to the ground, well off for bone and overall creates a beautiful profile. Large head with a strong wide muzzle, symmetrical wrinkles without excess. Thick, strong neck leading on to muscular shoulders, deep chest dropped just below the elbow. Topline well sustained, short broad loin. Well developed upper thigh, hindquarters are parallel when viewed from behind. Thick tail reaching down to the hock. Well up on his nice tight feet. I really like this boy a lot and he challenged hard in my final line up.

2nd TONGE – HARLEYDEAUX DOUBLE DEUCE

 Another impressive male who possesses lots of breed type. I was splitting hairs between my first and second placings who are both at different stages of development and it was the maturity of my 1st place that just edged my decision. This 18 month old male has the most stunning distinctive head piece, with a broad skull and a strong pronounced stop creating a near right angle. Well defined chin, flews moderately pendulous in profile forming that lovely wide inverted v. Topline solid with well marked withers and underline slightly tucking up, ribs well sprung. Moved out well for his skilful handler. Another promising youngster who I will watch with great interest as he matures.

OPEN (4,5)

This class was full of quality which I felt honoured to judge. Each exhibit had something special to offer.

1st GRICE & CLARKSON - FAIRHERO GO WEST JW IR JUN CH CJW ’19,

 This beautiful 3 year old female gave me goosebumps as I looked at my line up. She looked a picture in profile and certainly did not disappoint on going over her. She delivers everything on my wish list and epitomises the breed standard. Powerful, stocky, but still so feminine. A beautiful concave outline, built low to the ground, topline straight and just dipping at the withers. A forbidding expression that I couldn’t look past. Well defined chin with a good upturn and correct undershot dentition. Muzzle wide and powerful, nice opened nostrils and clean dark eyes. Her movement was sound with good drive from the hindquarters, dropping her head as she gained speed around the ring. Shown in excellent coat condition, her rich red coat was gleaming in the Cheshire sunshine. I have judged this girl before and has matured just as I expected and is now in her prime, a beautiful example of the breed. She has an indisputable ring presence and attitude that she and her handler maximise to their best advantage, I wanted to take her home with me. I was delighted to award her my BEST OF BREED.

2nd TONGE - HARLEYDEAUX LET ME ATOM

 A quality 18 month old substantial male who has style and showmanship, I really loved this young man, maturing at just the right pace. This male excels in head type, there was nothing not to like, displaying that typical masculine trapezoid head when viewed from the front with correct ear set, prominent forehead furrowed with symmetrical wrinkle, good undershot dentition. Very strong, muscular neck merging into powerful shoulders. Strong bone structure, topline solid with a broad muscular back. A rich red coat groomed to perfection. Good developing forechest, everything is in proportion, creating a nice clean outline, nothing is exaggerated on this boy. This male has qualities in abundance and I am sure will go on to win many top honours in the future. He was so in tune with his excellent handler who moved him beautifully around the ring on a loose lead displaying good reach and drive. I called him back in for the challenge, I could not look by this handsome dog with his imposing presence and was pleased to award him Reserve Best of Breed and Best Opposite Sex.

Kay Alexandra Strong

(Strongzbeaux)