Gundog Society Of Wales

Bracco Italiano

I would like to thank the committee of GSOW for inviting me to judge, its certainly an honour and a privilege to be asked to judge your own breed at a championship show. My 2 stewards kept things moving and handled the mixed sex classes and challenges professionally. Thank You. To the exhibitors thank you for your entries and accepting my decisions sportingly, I thoroughly enjoyed my day.

There does seem to be a lot of variance in the breed at the moment, there will always be 2 types of Bracco - this defined by the terrain / region in which they were bred to work, so it is expected to see this, but there is only one breed standard. A few things I observed, feet seem to not be as tight and arched, tails should be carried horizontally, slight curve allowed, they seem to be getting higher. Movement, powerful drive from the hindquarters was lacking a little.

Puppy (D/B) 2/1 

1st SMITH & FAZENFIELD’S - OWLSPOINT ASKIN FOR TOUBLE (8m - D)

Striking all male - up to size for his age. Good head planes, and nice eye and expression. Ears set well and nice big spongy nose. Forelegs straight, pasterns need to just tighten up slightly. A bit at that gangly male puppy stage and he should grow into his legs as he ages. Topline correct with a slight rise over croup. Chest deep just needs to fill his frame. Thighs long, and a good bend of stifle. On the move just a little messy as expected for his age, but handled to advantage. Best Puppy in Breed & Best Special Beginner in Breed - Delighted to see him Gain SPB Group 4 Congratulations

Junior (D/B) 3/3

1st PEARSON’S - BRACCORIONS YOU CAN CONQUER (12m - D)

Won this class on overall balance and type. The best of heads, lovely divergence and good eye and ear set. Pronounced occiput and well chiselled below the eyes. Neck muscular, fairly short into well laid shoulders. Square in profile. Topline correct. Really well muscled hindquarters, good bend of stifle. Chest deep and broad - correct reaching the elbows. A little more tuck up than I would like. Feet big and could be a little tighter, nails a little too long. Docked but tail carriage correct. Moved out well with a powerful drive. Pushed hard for best of breed and certainly one to watch in the future. Best Dog.BOS

2nd SMITH & FAZENFIELD’S - OWLSPOINT ASKIN FOR TOUBLE (REPEAT)

3rd TAYLOR & THOMAS’ - GUNSYN HOTPANTS

Limit Dog (1/0)

1st BELL & MADDOX’S - WHITGUN RENEGADE MASTER AT OWLSPOINT JW (20m D)

At that in-between stage of maturity at the moment, although he was certainly enjoying his day. Just over square in profile. Forelegs straight and slightly sloping pasterns. Feet tight. Would like a little more depth of chest, this may come with maturity. Head proportions correct. Neck short and muscular, well placed shoulder. Topline good. Moderate bend of stifle, could be a little stronger in the rear to really muscle up and drive. Was a little erratic on the move today, seemed to want to play up.

Limit Bitch (3/1)

1st KELSEY’S ELFRINDEW KINKY REGGAE (3yr B)

My notes say this dog can really move! Demonstrating a true extended fast trot that was completely effortless. Driving well from behind and reaching without exaggeration it was a pleasure to watch. Beautiful head that is feminine, correct planes, good ear and eye set. Pronounced occiput, neck muscular and well placed shoulders. Chest deep enough reaching the elbow. Topline correct - that gentle slope from the withers and slight rise over the croup. Well muscled hindquarters which is what gave her that drive. Good bend of stifle. She missed out on top honours today because her feet need to be much tighter, I think she did not like the hard surface. Her profile movement was such a pleasure to watch.

2nd TAYLOR & THOMAS’ - GUNSYN HOTPANTS (15m B)

This one I have watched ringside in the past and was surprised today that she was a little flat and didn’t have the usual sparkle. Certainly feminine all through, nice eye and ear. Head proportions correct, neck short and well muscled. A little out of condition in body today. Topline correct and good bend of stifle. She is only young so should build up a bit more muscle tone to really drive her.

Open Bitch (2/1)

1st CRITCHLEY’S - SH CH BRACCORIONS NEVER SAY NEVER JW (5yr B)

Powerful looking bitch, head proportions correct, slight stop and pronounced occiput. Could be a little more feminine. Forelegs straight. Chest very broad - would like a little less forechest. Neck short and very muscular. Well laid shoulders and correct topline. Slight tuck up and good rear angles. Profile movement was good. Res Best Bitch

Veteran (D/B) (2/0)

1st COTTERELL’S - FANCYGUN SHOOT TO KILL AT VALCOR (8yr B)

I was so impressed with her movement - at 8 years old there were no signs of age in that wonderful extended fast trot. Driving from behind and effortless. A true feminine Bracco head with correct planes, good eye and ear set. Neck short and muscular. Good shoulder, topline sloping gently with a slight rise over the croup. Could carry just a little more weight. Chest deep and reasonably broad reaching the elbow. Slight tuck up. Well muscled rear, with a good bend of stifle. Feet tight and well arched. Best mover of the day! Best Bitch, Best Veteran in Breed and Best of Breed.

2nd BELL & MADDOX’S - SH CH OWLSPOINT MASTER OF TROUBLE ShCM ShCEx VW. (8yr D)

Most certainly doesn’t look his age, in super condition and muscle tone. Head of good proportions, correct ears and eye, pronounced occiput. Neck relatively short and very well muscled. Good shoulder, forelegs straight with slightly sloping pastern. Chest deep and very broad. Slight tuck up, Good topline. Moderate bend of stifle but very well muscled hindquarters. Tail carried a little high. Moved out well, good in profile, could have been a little cleaner coming to. Pushed hard for Best dog, - Reserve Best Dog

Special Beginners (D/B) (1/0)

1st SMITH & FAZENFIELD’S - OWLSPOINT ASKIN FOR TOUBLE (8m - D) REPEAT