Pyrenean Mountain Dog Club Of Great Britain

What a great honour it was to judge this very well run show – even more so in this anniversary year. Thank you so much for inviting me. Thank you too to my 2 excellent stewards who ran the ring so well for me. The were some truly fantastic dogs here, with my BIS winner, in my mind, being a quite beautiful example of this breed. There were some that were slightly too heavy, some too light in bone and there were a few with what I would say had Labrador like heads. Movement on the whole was sound. I was looking for a free action with a degree of agility which I’d expect if they were doing their job of work. All were presented in super clean condition and all had absolutely super temperaments. What a delight it was and thanks to all the exhibitors who came along to support the show and let me go over their dogs. A very memorable day indeed.

Veteran Dog (3,0)

1st : Downes’ Belshanmish Orange Crush. A super start here with a very typical Pyrenean in front of me. Of a lovely size. Particularly like his head which is not overdone in anyway. – one of the best males here for this. Proportions of width and length of skull are good. No lumps and bumps to his head, just nice smooth lines. Stop is ideal for me. Muzzle is in balance with skull and masculine enough for his size and bone. Nice dark pigment. Almond shaped eyes of dark colour. Ears are not too big and root set level with eyes. Neck looks strong and muscular. Pretty good lay of shoulders and upper arm returns enough. Could perhaps have a tad more width to his chest, but it is well let down and carried well back. Correct body length to height ratio. Loins are firm and muscular. I’d perhaps like just a tad more turn of stifle to balance his front and a little more definition at the hocks, which is where he gave ground to the main winners. Hocks are firm. Double dew claws present. His tail is well set and of correct length and carried in the typical fashion of the breed. Moves so soundly and free and with the degree of agility I feel is important in this breed. In wonderful, pristine condition. I’d perhaps just like a fraction more bone. Super boy overall. Close to the top awards here.

2nd: Greenfield’s Ch Gillandant Shakeelah. Another upstanding dog. Preferred the balance through the head of 1st, who is just that bit stronger in underjaw to give a little more strength. Proportions through the skull are excellent. Like 1st, lovely head with no fussiness, just lovely smooth, clean lines. Not overdone in stop. Eyes are dark in colour and almond in shape but maybe a little level set. Medium length to neck. Moderate angulation fore and aft. Chest reaches to elbows. Chest is broad enough. Firm topline. Slightly sloping rump. Tail set correctly and carried typically on the move. Double dew claws present. Ideal bone calibre for size. Pasterns are firm. Hocks could be slightly more defined. Moves soundly but not with the freeness and vigour of 1st today.

3rd: Carter’s Jumicar Ice Warrior. A very well presented boy. Head is of a nice size and well balanced with his frame. Not such clean lines for me and a fraction heavier with more stop than 1st and 2nd. Eyes are a little level set and a tad light in colour for me. Neck a fraction too short and angulation at forehand not as good as 1st and 2nd. Nice proportions of height to length. Good deep chest with correct width. Ribs carried well back. Slightly sloping rump. Tail is set correctly. Was moving rather erratically on the day. In very good condition.

Minor Puppy Dog – No entries

Puppy Dog (2,0)

1st: Spiers’ Belshanmish Midnight Magic. A lovely boy. Head is maturing very well and already shows good balanced width and length to skull. Muzzle is strong enough and lips are nice and tight. Excellent dark pigment. Lovely dark eyes without being black! Wonderful far away expression. Root of ears level with eyes. Neck medium in length. Excellent lay of shoulder. Upper arm ok for length and return. Chest obviously still to develop on, but shows pretty good depth. Just a fraction squarer in outline at present and shorter coupled. Topline is firm. Bone is of correct calibre for age. I would like slightly more turn of stifle and definition of the hock. Tail set ok. Double dew claws present. Moves soundly in all directions, just needs a bit more precision as he develops. Shows much promise to do very well. Best Puppy Dog

2nd: Kenyon’s Charibere Simply The Sequel at Kalanna. Rather more development required to the skull for this one, which I’m sure will come. Skull is a little too flat. Some more stop to develop. Lovely dark eyes which are almond in shape. Nice expression. Lovely dark pigment. Would prefer a more scissor bite. Ears are well set. Angles are balanced throughout. Slightly square in outline for me. Bone to develop on. Tail is well set and of good length. Double dew claws present. Moves very smoothly with a free action. Obviously – and rightly- very immature and time and maturity will allow his virtues to sing.

Junior Dog (3,0)

1st: Spiers’ Belshanmish Midnight Magic

2nd: Kenyon’s Charibere Simply The Sequel at Kalanna

3rd: Hall’s Lisjovia Insomnia. For me, rather heavy in skull with overly deep muzzle and rather noticeable lips. Stop is ok. Eyes are dark in colour and almond in shape but are rather more downfacing. Pigment is dark. Rather light bone at present for his size. Neck is medium in length and he has a good lay of shoulder. Upper arm angles back sufficiently. Chest reaches to elbow and has good width. Rather bum high at present. Stifles could be more turned. Tail set is ok and he carries it well on the move. Presented in lovely condition. Moves ok.

Yearling Dog (2,0)

1st: Kennedy’s Pyrcot Spirit of Ohana. I feel this dog has a nice overall shape. Certainly a most handsome dog, but for me rather too much stop and work to his skull. Muzzle shows strength. Lips are rather too pronounced for my personal preference. Eyes are a lovely almond shape and dark in colour. Dark pigment present. Root of ears is level with eyes. Neck is medium in length. Well laid shoulders. Upper arm returns well. Chest is deep and presents enough width. Ribs carried well back. Muscular loins. Good firm topline. Slightly sloping rump to well set tail. Would prefer more turn of stifle. Double dew claws present. Enough bone. Pasterns are firm and hocks are strong. Just not quite as elegant and well moulded through the head as some of the others in the challenge here. Moves soundly and very well presented in wonderful condition.

2nd: Hall’s Lisjovia Insomnia.

Novice Dog (2,0)

1st: Kennedy’s Pyrcot Spirit of Ohana.

2nd: Hall’s Lisjovia Insomnia.

Undergraduate Dog (2,0)

1st: Blair’s Penellcy Bennington Bear. I really liked the shape of this boy. He shows very nice proportions of height to length. He has a well-balanced head with good ratios of skull to muzzle and his muzzle shows good even width and length. For me, his skull is slightly too domed and he has rather more stop than I prefer which, overall, slightly changes the expression. A bit overdone than some of the others here. He has almond shaped eyes which are dark in colour. Root of ears are level with the eyes. Where he scores is his well balanced moderate angles. He has a nice deep chest of good width and lovely firm topline. Slight slope to rump to a very well set tail. Nice bone for size. Lovely markings . Tail is of correct length and he carries it well on the move. Moves soundly in profile. Could be slightly tidier out and back. Has many qualities and shown in beautiful condition.

2nd: Kenyon’s Charibere Simply The Sequel at Kalanna

Post Graduate Dog (6,2)

1st: Holmes Lisjovia Sign of The Times. A very well built Pyrenean who is maturing very nicely indeed. Masculine head with very nice strength to skull and muzzle. Hair on his stop makes it look stronger than it is. Overall, a clean head with no fussiness. Nice smooth lines. Eyes are dark and almond in shape. Lovely expression. Ears are unobtrusive and root is set level with eyes. Medium length of neck which is nice and muscular. Well laid shoulders. Lovely length and return of upper arm. Chest is deep enough and is ok for width. Firm topline and muscular loins. Slight slope to rump to well set tail. Double dew claws present. Tail is well carried and forms a really attractive plume. Bone good for size and can still develop on with maturity. Rather sparse of coat. A super light, free mover who displays the agility I believe he would need for his function. One to watch for the future as he matures.

2nd: Blair’s Penellcy Bennington Bear.

3rd: Carter’s Jumicar Just An Illusion. A large boy. Coarser through the skull than my winners here. Rather weak in underjaw and would prefer a more scissor bite. Eyes are ok for colour and shape. Ears are well set and not too large. Quite well put together. Very well balanced. Front needs to broaden further. Moves soundly in all directions. Well presented.

Limit Dog (3,0)

1st: Roberts’ Asgard Hero Odin of Mysticicelysium mit Flickoma (Imp Pol). A handsome upstanding dog who really rather took my heart here. Most attractive markings. Ideal in head with nothing overdone, lovely clean balanced lines and ideal degree of stop. Excellent width and length to skull. Strong muzzle, but again, not big and bulky. Tight lips. Excellent pigment. Beautiful almond shape to eyes which are dark in colour and he has that lovely far away expression. Root of ears level with eyes. Ears are not over large. Medium length to his muscular neck. Great lay to shoulders and upper arm brings his well-boned forelegs well under him. Good deep chest. Needs a tad more development in width for me. Ribs carried well back. Firm topline. Strong, muscular loins. Slight slope to rump. Tail is well set and presents a good plume. He carries it well on the move. Well turned stifles without being overdone and has enough definition at the hocks. Double dew claws present. Love his proportions of length to height. Nice bone for size with scope for maturity. Lovely free mover who covers the ground so well. Not quite so precise out and back as the main winners today. Maturity will most definitely take this lovely boy right to the top. A little more confidence here and he would have pushed his way through to top honours. Loved him.

2nd: Pollard & Maggs Gillandant Thief of Hearts at Dewyche. Another very nice dog built on super lines. Again, a cracking shape. Good masculine head with well-balanced skull. Like first, he is not overdone, but just slightly preferred the expression of 1st. Eyes are a little fuller than the winners. Ears a tad larger, but are set very well. Lovely dark pigment. Medium length to neck. Super lay of shoulders and return to upper arm. Deep chest and perhaps better width than 1st. Ribs carried well back. Firm topline and muscular loins. Slight slope to rump. Liked the correct shape to his underline. Tail is well set and he carries it typically on the move. Stifles are moderately turned and he has a decent definition at the hocks. Really good mover in profile. So much to like. Really out of coat on the day, but so very well presented in wonderful condition. I’m sure he will go on to top honours.

3rd: Shepherds Vi’skaly’s Hazuki del Avantgarde (Imp Swe). I found this one just a little heavier and plainer than the two ahead of him here. I found his head rather heavy and too much work in it for my preference. Stop is rather deep. Lovely dark eyes which are almond in shape. Root of ears level with eyes. I felt his expression was not as typical as 1st and 2nd. Nicely built with well-balanced angulation. Well set and carried tail and exhibits a very nice free gait. Has many qualities, just not quite the elegance of the winners for me.

Open Dog (4,0)

An Open Dog class worthy of a Championship show!

1st: Holmes’ Ch Lisjovia Estevez JW ShCM ShCEx. A dog I met before a few years ago. He has certainly matured on. Most beautiful shape and fills the eye. For his size, he has a really elegant head with lovely clean lines. Not overdone in stop. Lovely skull for width and length. Slight furrow evident. Good depth to skull and muzzle without being coarse. Lovely tight lips. Beautiful dark pigment. Eyes are almond in shape and dark in colour. Lovely far away expression. Ears ok for size. Neck is muscular and medium in length. Great shoulders and beautiful return to upper arm. Good bone. Deep chest and has lovely width. A proper masculine, mature male. Topline was firm enough. Slight slope to rump. Well set tail. Lovely plume. In great coat for the time of year. Moderate turn to stifles and decent definition at the hocks. He is a super sound dog with a great stride and preciseness out and back. He doesn’t perhaps show the level of agility that I prefer and as the day wore on, he definitely stepped off the gas. Good enough here to take Best Dog, but was pushed all the way by his brother and the lovely limit dog. Best Dog

2nd: Reilly’s Ch/Swiss/Ir/Multi/Int Ch Lisjovia Boris Ber at Darmaror JW ShCM ShCEx CW19. This dog has won many awards under me in the past, and he still looks good. He is a masculine boy. Prefer head of 1st. For me, just a shade more stop and development of skull than I prefer. Well balanced in skull and muzzle. Lovely dark pigment. A little more development in lip than winner. Medium length to neck which is lovely and muscular. Scores so highly in construction with super balanced angulation fore and aft. Chest reaches to elbows. Good width. Ribs are carried well back. Super firm topline and muscular loins. Lovely tail set which he carries well on the move. Ideal bone for size. Such a gorgeous outline and outstanding presentation. Great profile gait, where he covers the ground in a super free action. Not quite as precise out and back on the day as the winner. Shows much class, just preferred the overall make and expression of the winner. Res Best Dog

3rd: Holme’s Lisjovia Takahashi JW ShCM. Another dog of quality. Slightly narrower than 1st and 2nd. Attractive head with lovely even markings. Good skull for make and shape. Not overdone in stop. Depth through skull and muzzle is sufficient. He has a wonderful, somewhat aloof expression. Eyes are ok for shape and set. Root of ears is level with eyes. Medium length of neck which is strong and muscular. Well laid shoulders. Sufficient return to upper arm. Chest reaches to elbows. Perhaps just a little squarer in outline than the two winners. Firm topline. Muscular loins. Stifles show moderate angulation and he has good definition at the hocks., which are also firm. Tail is set well and he carries it nicely. Good bone for size. In nice coat and condition. Moves so well with a lovely free action.

Veteran Bitch (1,0)

1st: Thorne’s Ch Belshanmish Pretty In Pink at Pyrajay ShCM ShCEx. To my mind, a most exquisite bitch. She has a gorgeous head with the correct balance of width and length to skull. Clean, unabrupt lines through the head with the absolute ideal degree of stop for me. Has the required depth through the skull and muzzle giving strength but also has the essential femininity that I am looking for in a bitch. Dark pigmentation. Lovely dark eyes which are almond in shape and she so has that far away expression that I like. Neat ears, that are unobtrusive to the eye and are set perfectly. Neck of medium length and very muscular, leading to the best of shoulders. Upper arm matches in length and angles back to set her forelegs well under her. Beautiful degree of bone or her size. Chest reaches to elbows and she has good width. Ribs carried well back. Firm topline and muscular loins with enough width here too. Ideal proportions of length to height. Stifles are bent enough to balance her front and she has the correct definition at the hocks for me. Slightly sloping rump and well set tail. Correct length to tail and it is a lovely plume. Double dew claws present. Feet are a nice shape. In most beautiful condition with pristine coat. Excellent light and free mover who covers the ground with little effort. Looked quite stunning today. BB, BIS and BVIS.

Minor Puppy Bitch (1,0)

1st: Edwards’ Shanlimore Marsha. How could you not just adore this gorgeous puppy. Exhibited in tip top condition. What a pretty head she has. Obviously still developing, but she has the most lovely expression and no lumps and bumps to her head, just lovely smooth lines. Correct depth of muzzle. Tight lips and showing good pigmentation. The most lovely almond eyes of dark colour. Well set and carried ears which were nice for size. Her body is coming along very nicely. Moderate angulation all through. Chest is ok for her age. Standing a tad bum high at the moment. She has a slightly sloping rump. Tail set is ok and she carries it well on the move – and what a lovely plume! Double dew claws present. Real baby on the move, and once she got going, she presents a very nice smooth, free gait in profile. Has a look of class about her and I shall watch her progress with great interest.

Puppy Bitch (3,0)  

A really promising class of puppies. All at very different stages of development.

1st: Thorne’s Belshanmish New Sensation at Pyrajay. A taller girl, and full of quality. Super attractive. Head developing well with enough width for her age and skull is well balanced. Very feminine. Nice smooth lines all through with the correct degree of stop. Eyes are almond in shape and dark in colour and she has a lovely expression. Root of ears set level with eyes. Ears look a tad large at present. Neck is medium in length and muscular. Well laid shoulders and excellent return to upper arm. Well boned for age. Chest is developing well for depth and width and will mature on more. Firm topline. Muscular loins. Slight slope to rump. Nice turn to stifles and the correct definition at the hocks for me. Tail is set well and presents a lovely plume. Pasterns are firm. Double dew claws present. In first class condition. Really lovely free and easy gait in profile. Should have a fantastic future ahead. BPIS

2nd: Williams’ Belshanmish Total Eclipse. Preferred this bitch slightly for size and overall proportions. Like the others in this class, her head is still developing but is already very typical, with smooth lines and correct balance through the skull and enough depth through the skull and muzzle. Lovely and feminine. Gorgeous eyes, which are dark and almond in shape, just look a shade close set. Pigment is dark. Root of ears set level with eyes. Somewhat shorter neck than 1st at the moment with not quite as well laid shoulders. Upper arm returns nicely. Chest is developing well for age and shows enough width and depth. Standing a little bum high at present. Would like a tad more turn of stifle and definition at the hocks. Well set tails. Double dew claws present. Moves very soundly and free in profile. Not quite as precise on the out and back as the winner.

3rd: Edwards’ Shanlimore Marsha.

Junior Bitch (4,0)

1st: Thorne’s Belshanmish New Sensation at Pyrajay.

2nd: Williams’ Belshanmish Total Eclipse

3rd: Hopkins’ Lisjovia Sweet But Psycho. Quite strong in skull for a bitch, with a bitch too much stop. Has depth through the skull and muzzle. Lips are tight enough. Eyes are lovey and dark and almond in shape. Ears are set a bit lower than ideal. Her neck is good for length and she has very nice angulation fore and aft. She has good depth to chest, but appears quite wide in front and this was causing her to elbow out somewhat on the move. Firm topline an well set tail. Moves soundly in profile. Shown in very nice condition.

Yearling Bitch – No entries

Novice Bitch (3,0)

1st: Williams’ Belshanmish Total Eclipse

2nd: Hopkins’ Lisjovia Sweet But Psycho.

3rd: Moton’s Corazon Nita. A very immature bitch. I feel she has a nice head with smooth lines and lovely expression. Dark eyes which are almond in shape. Neck medium in length. Moderate angulation fore and aft. Topline firm and slightly sloping rump. Lacking a dew claw on one hindleg. Moves soundly.

Undergraduate Bitch – No entries

Post Graduate Bitch (3,1)

1st: Holmes’ Lisjovia Ottaviani. A lovely bitch made on super lines. Has strength through the head, but with femininity. Well balanced skull with good length and width. Muzzle is correct for shape and stop is smooth and slightly defined. Lovely dark pigmentation. Overall a very clean, unfussy head with a beautiful far away expression. Her eyes are almond in shape and dark in colour. Ears are ideal for size and unobtrusive to the overall picture. Her neck is medium in length and lead to shoulders that are well laid. Her upper arm angles back well to bring forelegs under her. Good for bone. Her chest reaches to elbows and she has a nice width through the chest. Her chest is carried well back to loins that are broad and muscular. Really firm topline. Slightly sloping rump. Well set tail. Proportions of length to height are good. Nice turn to stifles and good definition at the hocks. Feet are neat and well shaped. Pasterns are firm. Double dew claws present. An excellent mover – very free and ground covering and looks like she could really do her job of work! She got better the more she went and continued to impress me to take RBB, RBIS. Very well presented and I shall watch her career with interest.

2nd: Carter’s Jumicar Sweet Lady Luck. Not so good through the head as the winner, being for me slightly strong for a bitch. Skull is quite domed. Has depth through both skull and muzzle and her lips are nice and tight. Lovely dark pigmentation. Eyes are almond in shape and dark in colour but are perhaps a tad downfacing. Her ears are well set and ok for size. Neck is medium in length. Looking a little short in foreleg here. Chest is broader than I prefer with her ribs slightly too rounded. She has moderate angulation all through. Her tail is well set. She moves soundly in profile, but a little wide in front. Presented in super condition.

Limit Bitch (4,3)

1st: Wilcock’s Penellcy She’s Like The Wind. Alone here, but a bitch fully deserving of her 1st place. Has many good qualities about her. Super attractive with lovely dark, almond shaped eyes. She has smooth lines through the skull, slight stop and well balanced skull overall. She has quite a deep muzzle and a bit more lip than my main winners. I’d like a slightly straighter topline to her muzzle. Ears are well set and neat. Super body with excellent, balanced angles. Moderate bone for size. Deep chest and ideal for width. Muscular, broad loins. Slight slope to rump. Well set tail which she carries well on the move. Neat feet. Double dew claws present. Excellent mover in profile – very free and light. Exhibited in superfluous condition- she looked quite stunning in fact. I just personally preferred the overall size, heads and expressions of my winners on the day.

Open Bitch (4,2)

1st: Pollard’s Gillandant Ophelia. A nice bitch for overall size. Really lovely head with clean, smooth lines. She has slight stop and looks very feminine. Well balanced muzzle and skull which both have enough depth for a bitch. Lovely dark, almond shaped eyes. Ears are set very well and lie close to the head. Her neck is medium in length. Moderate lay to shoulders. Upper arm could perhaps angle back slightly more. Her chest is deep, but I’d prefer just little bit more width for her age. Her topline is firm. For me, she is a little squarer in outline than my main winners. Slight slope to rump. Tail is well set and she carries it typically on the move. Moderate turn to stifles and the definition at the hocks is ok. Her pasterns are firm but very straight. Moves very soundly with a free and light action which won her this class. Very well presented.

2nd: Edward’s Shanlimore Raffaella. A more mature and developed bitch than 1st. Has many qualities that I admire, but she doesn’t always show them off to the best advantage, which is a shame. She is a very nice type with a head that is not lumpy or bumpy. She has slight stop. There is good depth through the skull and muzzle and she retains femininity. Eyes are dark and almond in shape. Ears are set well, but quite large in size. Lovely dark pigmentation. Medium length to neck. Well laid shoulders and better upper arm than 1st. She has a deep chest and better width than 1st. Firm topline and nice proportions of length to height. Slight slope to rump and well set tail. She has enough turn to stifles and the definition at the hocks is ok. In lovey coat and condition. On the day, she was not very enthusiastic or precise on the move, else she would have pushed 1st harder. She did have a free action when she got going.