Griffon Bruxellois Breeders Association

Griffon Bruxellois Breeders Association, championship show 2024

I was delighted to judge the club show and to have such a good entry. Thanks to the committee for the opportunity.

The overall quality was significantly better than when I judged at Crufts just two years ago, but much more so in the males than in the bitches. In the male line-up I was spoiled for choices and considered more than half-a-dozen of them to be excellent representatives of the breed, whereas in the bitches the best few stood our rather obviously.

Baby Dog (4)

1. Cilleine Icon

At just four months old, this red smooth dog was much more mature both in his body and his head than his competitors. Pleasing skull, good width of underjaw, well placed and upturned nose. Good ears. Strong neck, well set. Firm topline, well set tail. Very good coat. Deep and Capacious body for his young age. He needs to practice his routine when moving from all angles.

2. Zilcan Toy Story

Another red smooth, also four months old, and not as developed. Very good skull, if not the underjaw of the winner. Pleasing neck. Deep chest. At times he showed a very pleasing outline, at other times he lost it. Very good front. Would definitely not want any more angulation behind, but he used his legs quite well on the move. Lovely coat. Well presented.

3. Cilleine It’s For You Zilcan

Baby Bitch (5,1)

1. Osthaen I’m Your Fantasy

Very much a character, just what makes our breed so fascinating. At four months old, she has a star appeal and is already very much aware of her beauty. Well rounded head with excellent width of skull, her ears are not her fortune at this time. Very expressive eyes. Well placed nose. Good neck into shoulder. She has good substance for her age, giving her a very pleasing body with depth and width. Firm topline, well set tail. She was easily the most consistent mover in the class. Excellent feet. Very good structure to her coat. I shall be interested in following her progress. Best Baby

2. Nialco Back to Black to Adreeam

Black bitch, mature for her age and with an excellent body. Very pleasing head with good width of skull and muzzle, expressive round and dark eyes. Acceptable neck. She tends to turn her front feet somewhat out. Very pleasing topline and tailset. In a jet black coat of excellent structure. She moved quite well from all angles.

3. Osthaen Fire Will Reign

Veteran Dog (2)

1. Ch. Harpersband Case in Point at Balthazar JW

An impressive, very eye-catching, strong and masculine dog. I wound prefer somewhat less of all of him, but he has a lot going for him. Excellent skull and eyes placement, large and open nose. Round and expressive eyes, giving him an attractive and somewhat devilish expression. Quite small ears. Strong, well-set neck, firm, short topline. Well set and carried tail. Plenty of attitude both standing and moving. Totally defining his age, he moved very well indeed from all angles. In a good rough jacket. Best Veteran.

2. Sabai Flax

Charming seven year old dog of very pleasing size. Another with a balanced head, not quite the expression of the winner and not as full in his muzzle. Strong neck. He has a lot more angulation behind than in his front. Rather sloping in his topline. Excellent personality, he moved with enthusiasm if not extending well in his front. Very pleasing coat.

Minor Puppy Dog (3,1)

1. Bruneaver Space Oddity from Beauborne

Red smooth. A very smart, short-coupled and thus well proportioned dog. He has a very good skull, still needs to develop more strength to his muzzle with age. Dark eyes, medium sized. Very good neck into shoulder. Strong, straight topline. Well bodied for age. Well angulated behind. He made a particularly pleasing picture going around, being very smart and attractive.

2. Fennymore Armani at Grajenco

At six months, this red rough has quite a lot going for him, but he is less mature than the winner. Pleasing, well rounded head, I would not want a longer muzzle. Medium neck. Firm, straight topline and well-set tail. In a good jacket. He looked more rangy than the winner, particularly on the move and is not as well bodied up at this time.

Puppy Dog (3,1)

1. Zilcan Action Man

A very beautiful young dog, very full of himself, he has personality plus. Very pleasing skull, expressive from his dark and round yes. Well placed nose of correct length, a sour lower lip adds to his expression. He looks like he has a wrinkled skull from a distance, but it is due to frown-lines more than anything. Moderate neck, well set into shoulders. Excellent topline, tailset and tail carriage. He is short, compact and cobby and even at such a young age has close to the ideal outline for the breed both standing and moving. In movement he is a rather occupied with being stylish, but when he composed himself he moved very well indeed. Excellent coat. For sure a future champion. Best Puppy.

2. Beauborne Ray Ban at Xyliabud

Another attractive red smooth puppy with something in common with the winner, but in a less intense version of it all. Excellent in skull, longer in muzzle. Very good bite. Very pleasing neck into shoulder. Not quite the tailset of the winner and has some tuck-up which detracts a bit from his outline. He is very nice and easy on the move and carried himself very well indeed, but needs to stabilize in this front movement with maturity.

Junior Dog (3,1)

1. Zilcan Parker

A typically short and cobby dog, at eleven months he is very well developed for his age. Attractive skull and length of muzzle. Showing a little white in his eyes. Strong neck of medium length. Could put some more weight on his front legs standing and then tends to slope a little in his topline, but it all evens out very well in movement, he probably just did not have his very best day on the table. Well bodied as for both width and depth. Correct angulation behind. In a very good jacket. A very pleasing mover from all angles. Another very promising young dog indeed.

2. Adreeam Look at Me

Another attractive smooth-coated dog. At this time somewhat longer cast and stringier than the winner. Excellent skull, beautiful large and dark yes, expressive. Would not want a longer muzzle. Very good neck into shoulder. Firm topline, especially on the move and he scores in being such a nice and easy mover. Very good coat and colour.

Yearling Dog (2)

1. Zilcan Monkey Business

A top notch dog from any angle, strong and powerful without any lumber. He is already fully mature, very well balanced and proportioned, square and cobby. Excellent skull and a very well placed, big nose. Very good ears. Good upturn of underjaw. Strong neck, well set. Firm and absolutely straight topline and with a matching underline, perfectly set and carried tail. Well balanced angulation both ends. Already in a full body with depth and width and shortness of body. He is full of character and personality, terrier-like and tough. In tip top coat condition and a lesson in trimming. Excellent red colour. When not being overly busy admiring himself, he moved very well from all angles. Griffons do not come much better than this, he has it all. CC & BIS.

2. Beauborne Ray Ban at Xyliabud

Post Graduate Dog (2)

1. Rydellan’s Rogue Prince

Almost two year old black and tan rough dog, interesting for his qualities. He has an excellent skull and very good ears. Large expressive yes, well placed, upturned nose and an impressively wide underjaw. Medium neck and front angulation. Short and cobby body, quite well set tail. He tends to slope a bit in his topline both standing and moving. Adequate angulation behind. I would prefer a richer tan colour and some more finesse to his trimming would not go amiss. Moved very well from all angles.

2. Beauborne Obama at Fernstaff

A black and tan smooth dog, lower on legs. He has great temperament. Typically wide in his the front, but his elbows could be closer to his body. Strong neck, well set. Some tuck-up. Pleasing tail. Very good coat in excellent condition. He does not have the underjaw of the winner, but very attractive eyes. Tended to lift his front movement too much in movement.

Limit Dog (4,2)

1. Balthazar Supersonic ShCEx

An attractive dog, short coupled. At three years old, he has still to reach his prime. Expressive head from lovely, dark and round yes, rather heavy ears. Big nose, well placed. Strong neck, well set. Moderately angulated in the front and moderately well bodied. In a rich jacket, excellent colour. He moved well from all angles.

2. Adreeam Secret Affair

A dog looking a lot younger than his three years old. Well balanced head, but rather pale in colour and lacking in expression. He needs more weight and was not at all in coat condition on the day, totally having left the rough top coat at home. Could probably have made a much better overall impression if presented properly. He moved quite well, but could carry his tail with more pride.

Special Open Red Dog (3,1)

1. Beauborne Nadal at Topmead

A very well balanced dog, typey, short and cobby and overall very attractive. Excellent skull, and typical small ears. Expressive. Strong neck, well set. pleasing forechest. Deep and capacious body. Tail could be slightly higher set. In a good jacket. He moved well from all angles.

2. Movalian Musketeer

Strong, masculine red smooth dog, eye-cathing and attractive in many ways. He has big, well rounded head, expressive. Strong forechest. Rather heavy over the shoulders. Somewhat sloping in his topline. Amply angulated behind. Very smart on the move. Excellent coat quality. Moved well from the side, but not as impressive going away.

Open Dog (4)

1. Donzeata Royal Agent

An outstanding griffon male of optimal breed type, so very well balanced and well constructed, perfect size and shape, everything in moderation, and all quality. Excellent head and expression. Moderate neck, well set. Well angulated and balanced both ends. Deep and capacious body without exaggeration, short and cobby. Excellent topline and tailset. In an excellent coat, well trimmed. Not making the very best of himself on the stack, but moving very well, balanced, co-ordinated, soundly and effortlessly and with the tail straight up at all times when it counted. Just a little more animation would make the crowning glory to an otherwise truly outstanding representative of his breed and sex. ResCC and ResBIS

2. Ch. Zilcan Gin Ricky JW

Another very attractive dog, not unlike the winner, but a little longer cast. Another with a typically attractive head and expression, masculine without lumber. Strong neck. Pleasing front angulation. Well set tail, curled. In a very good coat and well handled. A strong, purposeful and attractive mover from all angles.

3. Admiravel Crazy Man in Beard

Veteran Bitch (3,2)

1. Sabai London Pride

Almost nine year old attractive red smooth bitch, feminine and with excellent size, a little longer than tall. Well shaped and proportioned head with a lovey expression from her dark, round eyes. Small ears. Moderate neck. Good width in the front. Strong topline, well set tail. Moved well for her age.

Minor Puppy Bitch (1)

1. Beabourne Stefani at Topmead

An attractive black and tan puppy, standing very well over her legs. Attractive, well rounded head. Large, expressive eyes, exceptional width to her underjaw. Moderate neck. Already has a pleasing forechest. Topline under development. Well bodied for her age. She moved soundly from all angles.

Junior Bitch (5,1)

1. Movalian Red Diamond

Well developed young bitch with a very attractive body and a firm topline. Well developed also in head which is well rounded. Expressive eyes. Well placed nose. Good neck into shoulder, strong topline, well set tail. Excellent coat. Correct, parallel planes in her body. She moved well from the side, soundly enough coming and going if sometimes tending to sidetrack

2. Cilleine Quintessential

An attractive bitch, short coupled and with an excellent neck and topline. She is more immature in her body, but if or when she bodies up, I think she may become something really special. Attractive, well rounded head with excellent skull, lovely eyes with a bit of a devil in her expression. She stood very well over her legs and feet and moved soundly and efficiently, but in movement it became even more evident that she needs more body.

3. Cilleine Quadrille avec Carradine

Yearling Bitch (3)

1. Aptrick Dolly Mixtures JW

A smart, feminine, small bitch, a comfortable winner of this class. She has an expressive head with good nose placement. Expressive, even if she has only moderately large eyes and nose. Quite good ears. Moderate neck, very good forechest. Deep and capacious body, well set tail. Moderately angulated behind. She was well trimmed. Moved quite well from the side, but could be sounder as viewed from behind.

2. Cilleine Quintella at Fernstaff

A longer cast bitch in between stages. Head not her fortune. Elegant neck. Moderate, but balanced angulation both ends. Would prefer less tuck -up. Lovely smooth coat. Excellent temperament. Her best feature at this stage is her movement, well co-ordinated and quite sound.

3. Shevilan Ice Cherry at Bjulaseta

Post Graduate Bitch (3,2)

1. Beauborne Pussycat Doll

A very good bitch indeed, typey and well balanced. Short and cobby, feminine and small, and yet has enough substance. Excellent, well rounded and large skull for her size, quite well set ears. Excellent nose placement. Lovely neck into shoulder, and with her firm topline and well set tail she makes a very smart outline, even if her tail carriage is not quite her fortune. Excellent short and smooth coat, rich red colour. Moved very well from the side, retaining her smart look at all times, quite good coming and going too. The more I looked at her, the more I liked her. ResCC.

Limit Bitch (4)

1. Zilcan Blazinickers

A top class Griffon bitch with ideal proportions, powerful and strong, yet feminine. Well rounded head. Expressive eyes, even if they could be larger. Well placed, up-turned nose, good width of underjaw. Pleasing ears. Well set neck into shoulder. Very good forechest and the width in the front which is typical of the breed. Firm and level topline. Coat of excellent structure and reasonable red colour. She moved very well from all angles and especially from the side, at all times powerful, strong, animated and full of purpose. A comfortable winner of the CC.

2. Grajenco Lady Featherington at Gilderoak

Another bitch with excellent proportions, short and cobby. Feminine head with a good turn-up if not as expressive as the winner. Moderate neck and angulation in front, could do with some more angulation in the stifle. Short, firm body, well set and carried tail. Another pleasing mover from all angles, if not the animation of the winner. Excellent coat quality.

3. Chinaskys Queen Grande

Special Open Black Bitch (1)

1. Admiravel Ela Bonita

Smooth black bitch, very well developed for her age. Feminine. She has a well rounded head with large, dark eyes and a well placed nose. Strong neck. Wide front. She could take off some weight for optimal condition. Deep and strong body, firm topline. She moved very well from the side, but could improve both coming and going. Lovely, short and shiny jet-black coat.

Special Open Black/Tan Bitch (2)

1. Chinaskys Queen Grande

Smooth black and tan bitch, very feminine, and not at all big. I would prefer a bit more length of leg for optimal balance. Expressive, feminine head, typical small ears. Strong neck. Firm topline, but her tail could be higher set. Moved soundly coming and going and kept her balance on the move.

2. Beauborne Pocket Rocket at Bruneaver

Very feminine rough bitch, needs more substance over all, but has a pleasing balance. Expressive head with large open yes and a well-placed nose. Short body. I would prefer some more width to her all the way and more bone. Tail could be higher set. Moved ok from the side, but could be sounder as viewed from behind.

Special Open Red Bitch (3)

1. Zilkan Sparks Will Fly

A strong, instantly attractive bitch, not small, still feminine enough. She is very well balanced and proportioned. Well rounded head with strength, ears could be smaller. Big nose, and a good turn up of both nose and underjaw. Strong neck, well sets. Very pleasing forechest with typical width. Deep and capacious body. Quite good topline and tailset. Moved very well from the side when she focused on it, good coming towards me, acceptable going away.

2. Ch. Datiro Chickadee JW OSW

A bitch of correct size, but slightly low on legs and not the bone of the winner. Another with a well rounded head, well rounded and with quite good ears. Well set neck, good return of upper arm, firm topline, very good tailset. Very pleasing short coat and rich colour. She moved reasonably well from all angles.

3. Ch. Balthazar Pillow Talk

Open Bitch (4)

1. Admiravel Power Dress

Solid black bitch, very well made and well proportioned. She has an attractive head with large round expressive eyes and very good turn-up of nose. Very pleasing neck, well set. Excellent forechest, Deep and capacious body, reasonable topline, well set tail. Well angulated both ends. She moved with soundness and purpose, in sync with her handler.

2. Ch.Am.Ch. Marquant Worth The Wait

A bitch with a lot to like about her. Very short and cobby, feminine and of excellent size and overall type. Well balanced head, but her expression is somewhat lost in her extensively dark face and overall her colour could be clearer and richer. Excellent neck into shoulder. Short firm topline, excellent tail. Very much a griffon when she moved around with a lovely balance and outline. Well presented.

3. Zilcan Blazing Away

Espen Engh, Norway (judge)