Basset Griffon Vendeen Club

BGV CLUB BEST IN SHOW 21ST OCTOBER 2023 AND JUNIOR HANDLING. JUDGE VIVIEN PHILLIPS

Thank you to the BGV Club for the invitation to judge Best in Show at the 35th Championship show. I judged this in 1999 when we only had one judge for the two breeds. The running of the show here went well and the Committee members worked very hard to keep things moving ,as well as the lunchtime break during which we had an SGM regarding a proposal on nose colour in the PBGV.

Best in show was the PBGV Claire Cooper and Lizzie Cadmore’s Ch Soletrader Missy Elliott JW I had recently awarded this lovely young bitch BOB at a championship show. She is a lovely type and correct size.. Typical Petit head with a good dark eye. Great fold to leathers of correct length.. Excellent front assembly and tight feet. Compact body. Ribbing goes well back to strong loin and well angulated parallel hindquarters. Nice fat tail not reaching beyond the hock and carried correctly. She moves with the lively stride required of this breed, capable of a day’s hunting. Good “Griffon” coat of correct length. Not overly trimmed. A true hound..

Reserve BIS the GBGV O’Day Buchanan and Maclaren’s Ch Tarmachan Black Ice..I have judged this bitch before and awarded her the Reserve CC on the day. She is a good type of correct size. Good noble skull. Correct leathers with a good fold reaching beyond the tip of nose. Correct shoulders and feet Her ribs go well back to strong loin. Good moderate bend of stifle and uses her hindquarters well. Moved well round the ring,, . Coat in good condition and texture. She is nearly 7 now and a little slack in topline.

Best Opposite Sex in Show.. The GBGV Mcgregor’s Ch Claela Infinity and Beyond.. Lovely type of correct size and proportions. Good head and dark eye . Correctly placed leathers. Well filled in forechest and ribs go well back… Good neck and shoulders . Well padded feet. Correct tail carriage. Moved very well with strong stride front and back.

Best Puppy in Show.. I had awarded this lovely PBGV puppy Best puppy at her first show a few weeks ago and she did not disappoint today.. Blance’s Soletrader Tina Turner. Sweet head with dark eye and well placed leathers with a good fold.. Well made throughout with good feet,ribs and hind angulation. Fat tail not beyond the hock. Moved very well .Excellent coat texture. Reserve BPIS McGregor’s Claela Sweet Afton at Arona.. 10 month old bitch of good type and proportions. Correct shape to skull. Dark eye and good length of leathers. She has a good lay of shoulder and tight feet. Coat of “Griffon” texture… Ribs need to spring a bit more , but the GBGV is slower to mature than its smaller cousin.

Best Veteran in Show.. Brown’s Ch Soletrader Valentino Rossi. An 8 year old of super type and size. Lovely head and eye. Good neck and shoulders.. well ribbed. In very good muscled condition. Strong hindquarters . Moved very soundly. A worthy Champion.