Briard Association

BRIARD ASSOCIATION CHAMPIONSHIP SHOW 16.6.24

I first awarded CCs to the breed at The Association’s show in 1990, 34 years ago. At that show there was a large entry and my CCs were won by Ch Gilcoru Henry D’Brie at Zannsue who was BIS and Ch Peluche Celica who went on to become a Group winner. When I heard today’s entry of just 30 dogs I was rather disappointed, but when I looked at what the general Championship shows are drawing I could understand why the committee were delighted with this entry … so sad that, across the board, entries have plummeted. That said, what was missing in quantity was more than made up with quality and, had I been judging under the FCI system and grading the exhibits, very few would not have been graded Excellent.

Overall type, conformation, coat and movement were all very pleasing and it was reassuring to see a consistency in my main winners which was hardly surprising when I looked at their breeding. It was interesting to discover that the Minor Puppy, Puppy and Junior winners in both sexes were three pairs of littermates!

Whilst the hook at the end of the Briard tail may not be essential to function it is nonetheless a breed characteristic and one that has virtually disappeared.

MINOR PUPPY DOG (1) 1. Kass’ Fostebrie I Am Mika at Kimarlaz, 7 months fawn full of quality and excellent type all through with a well-balanced head, kind eye, correct bite with excellent big teeth. Strongly boned, promising forechest and despite his age is already well bodied with a correctly proportioned outline and excellent angulation in front and behind. Promising coat, moved true out and back and when he settled opened up well in profile.

PUPPY DOG (1) 1. Thorp’s Gilcoru Malbec D’Brie, 9 months fawn of great promise, well balanced in outline with a nicely proportioned head, perfect bite and gentle expression. Strongly boned and already well bodied with moderate angulation throughout, ideal length of upper arm and he holds a firm topline at all times. Correct coat texture and good colour and he moved so soundly out and back. Best Puppy Dog and Best Puppy In Show. I am sure he has a very rosy future.

JUNIOR DOG (2) 1. Biddlecombe’s Chavell European Secret, 14 months fawn full of quality and very much all of a piece. Excellent overall outline, well-proportioned with optimum angulation and a masculine head with good strength of muzzle, excellent bite and well developed forechest. Strongly boned with good spring of rib, firm topline, correct coat texture and he moves true out and back with plenty of scope in profile holding his topline well. Should finish up well. 2. Fosh’s Tesawn Eclipse, 12 months black full of enthusiasm and happiness. A little narrower in skull and muzzle than 1, but has a pleasing coat and quality bone with a well-proportioned outline. Needs to develop in forechest and drop into his rear. Moves away well but can tighten a little in front and when he settled showed some freedom in profile.

SPECIAL YEARLING (2) 1. C. European Secret. 2. T. Eclipse.

LIMIT DOG (1) 1. Challis’ Kastobri Midnight Dreamer, black of good basic type with a quality coat of good texture. Basically pleasing head with excellent mouth but could be a little better ribbed back as he is slightly long coupled. Moderately angulated front and back, he goes away a little close but comes on quite true and opens up nicely in profile.

OPEN DOG (4) 1. Heading a strong class 1. Rual-Keogh’s Ch Gilcoru Wolfblass D’Brie, 5½ years fawn at his mature best demonstrating outstanding quality and excellent breed type all through, rugged and masculine yet with an air of great class and sensibly handled and presented. Masculine head, beautifully proportioned with kind expressive eyes, good strength of muzzle and an excellent bite with strong white teeth. Muscular, nicely arched neck of correct length leading into perfectly laid shoulders and a firm level topline with correct gentle croup and set-on. Handling him is a joy with his well-developed forechest, strong bone, good spring of rib and optimum angulation front and back which reflects in his true and scopy movement. He was superbly bodied and conditioned with great muscle tone and has a quality coat of excellent texture and clear colour. He looked the part and made a huge impression … and he even has a hook! CC & BIS. 2. Foster’s Ch/Sui Ch Fostebrie Just Unique JW OSW Lux JCh, another high-quality fawn somewhat younger than the winner and without his overall finish but he has lots of quality and is a very stylish mover (though his tail carriage can be a little high at times). Standing he throws out a classic and well-proportioned outline with a clear coat of excellent texture. Well balanced head which is masculine yet classy, correct length of neck, optimum angulation throughout, well ribbed back, excellent bone and substance and he moves soundly. His many virtues warranted the Reserve CC and I suspect he will have many better days. 3. Mease’s In Idol Dalido.

VETERAN DOG (1) 1. Thorp’s Ch Charson Worth The Wait, 7 years black of excellent overall type, essentially masculine throughout with plenty of substance, strong head which could have a little more beard furnishing. Well boned, good coat texture and in excellent overall condition. Handles himself steadily on the move.

MINOR PUPPY BITCH (1) 1. Foster’s Fostebrie Hope’s Sensation, 7½ months fawn with a look of intense quality. Just needs to come up on her leg to balance the outline which she could well do at this age. Beautifully balanced head with kind expression, perfect bite with big white teeth, sufficient neck and the forechest is developing well. Ample bone, bodying up nicely with correct angulation front and back and a nicely textured coat which just needs to clear in colour. Sound and steady mover opening up well in profile. Litter sister to Minor Puppy Dog winner.

PUPPY BITCH (2) 1. Honeywood’s Gilcoru Miu Miu D’Brie at Dellaswood, 9 months black who won the class on her overall proportions and balance of outline. Excellent head, well-proportioned with perfect bite and large white teeth, correct length of neck, strongly boned, well ribbed back with excellent angulation front and back and a very promising coat. Can be a bit of a fidget at times but she moves out well and has a lot of promise. Litter sister to Puppy Dog winner. 2. F. Hope’s Sensation

JUNIOR BITCH (4) 1. Skeggs’ Chavell Secret Vision, 14 months fawn whose nervous handler obviously needs more experience but she has a beautiful bitch of excellent type and quality and I hope she will persevere with her and get some help with her handling. I really liked this bitch in a strong class as she is so perfectly balanced, beautifully constructed with optimum angles, well bodied with a promising coat. She moves soundly and has a very typical head which is feminine without being underdone. When relaxed she stood naturally with a leg in each corner and threw out a very impressive outline. With more competent handling this bitch could do extremely well. Litter sister to Junior Dog winner. 2. Wilson’s Jandade Precious Secret, 15 months black who looks at her best on the move as she has great carriage and makes a very impressive picture going around. Well-balanced head with excellent bite, well boned but now needs to develop in forechest and collect her front but she’s well bodied and ribbed with optimum angulation and a quality coat. 3. Fletcher & Rual Keogh’s Gilcoru Lavin D’Brie With Arrowflec.

SPECIAL YEARLING BITCH (1) 1. J. Precious Secret.

POST GRADUATE BITCH (2) 1. Fosh’s Touslefell In A Flash, substantial fawn of excellent overall type, very well balanced with good basic construction, excellent head type but a little more beard furnishing would give her a little more finish. Well ribbed with strong bone, she really comes into her own on the move where she covers ground powerfully, albeit with rather assertive tail carriage. 2. Trimnell’s Kastobri Magical Dreamer, high quality black, arguably a little more feminine than the winner but not as collected on the move. Pleasing head and expression, excellent mouth again and she has moderate angulation and a correctly textured coat. Just needs to get her head together on the move, but she did have moments of being settled when she went very satisfactorily.

LIMIT BITCH (5) 1. Ledsham’s Touslefell I Have A Dream, athletic and workmanlike black but with excellent overall breed type and beautifully balanced. Well-proportioned head which is essentially feminine with perfect dentition and bite, excellent length of neck, well laid shoulders, strong bone and well developed forechest. Sensible amount of coat of excellent texture with optimum angulation front and back, she moves soundly out and back and holds herself well in profile. 2. Hartwell’s Chavell Bonjour Maisie, fawn of excellent overall type with a well-balanced head and typical expression. Strongly boned, not quite the length of neck of 1 but overall conformation is very pleasing and she has a high-quality coat. Moved soundly enough and handled well. 3. J. Precious Secret.

OPEN BITCH (1) 1. Parry’s Ch Stormymoon Summer, fully mature at 5 years this is a top quality fawn in beautiful condition and very well presented. Excellent head type with good proportions, big nose, gentle expression, excellent bite with large white teeth. Her outline is so impressive being perfectly balanced with everything fitting and flowing and her coat is clear and correctly textured. Lovely to go over with ample forechest, strong bone, correct length of gently arched neck, good spring of rib and well coupled with ideal angulation front and back. So very sound on the move, on overall picture she was a comfortable winner of the CC.

VETERAN BITCH (2) 1. Ledsham’s Ch Touslefell Hopes And Dreams, 11½ years fawn in the most amazing condition for her age and still moving with great enthusiasm. Excellent overall proportions, well balanced head with good strength of skull and muzzle, excellent dentition, strong bone and ample substance but still has a basic femininity even at this age. Her topline is solid and her admirable construction is reflected in sound and free movement. Quality coat in excellent condition. The only dog in the entry I’ve judged previously as ten years ago she won her first CC under me from Post Graduate. Today, as a “golden girl”, she still had more than enough to warrant the Reserve CC. A great credit to her owner/breeder. 2. NL/LUX/SUI Ch Fostebrie Precious Hope, 7 years black again in beautiful condition and certainly not looking a veteran. A little shorter in leg than the winner but she has lots of quality and handles very well with optimum angulation front and back, excellent overall head type with good bite and a quality coat. The winner went a little more freely in front but standing she makes a very impressive picture.

ANDREW H. BRACE (Judge)