Richmond Dog Show Society

Judge: Ian Sladden (CANEMAMANS) 

Date: 07th September 2024

A huge thank you to the committee of Richmond for inviting me to judge Bracco Italiano & Lagotto Romagnolo. As always a super welcome and fantastic hospitality from the society. A huge thank you to my fabulous stewards who kept things moving, swiftly and efficiently. When I arrived I expected the showground to be a mess as I had seen photos from the previous day and the heavy rain, but the effect was minimal and everyone got on with the day. A little wet and a little muddy but nothing of concern. The ground was a bit soft and uneven due to the heavy rain. Thank you to the exhibitors that entered under me and accepted my decisions sportingly, I did have some very difficult decisions to make.

Bracco Italiano

There is always going to be a variance in type in the breed because there always has been two types of Bracco from the two different terrains and regions of Italy where they originate. This is always very clear when judging the breed so a lot falls to preference and performance on the day. Moderation and balance are 2 key things I look for in a Bracco. In general today feet were not bad which is good to see. Tail sets can be a little high and with less being docked sometimes this has to be forgiven a little. There seems to be more and more chests going below the elbow, and shortness in upper arm creeping in creating a whole different profile look of the breed, and impacts the movement “extended fast trot” is not a sprint, it should be balanced with a powerful drive from the hindquarters.

Veteran (D/B) (2/1)

1. Beecham’s Grafskoe Gnezdo Arlo (IMP RUS) 7yrs (D)

On the top end of the size scale, Masculine all through. But presents well balanced and powerful. Head proportions correct with 50/50 muzzle to stop and stop to occiput. Cheeks lean, slight convergence in muzzle. Chiselling under the eyes. Well pronounced occiput. Ears of good length, set on correct level with the eyes. Eyes correct Ochre colour with eyelids close fitting. Neck strong and of moderate length that widens towards the shoulder, correct double dewlap. Presenting a picture in profile of slightly longer than square, Chest reaches Elbow and is broad. Well muscled shoulder - laid well back. Forelegs are straight, with a good amount of bone. Feet could be a little tighter, but correct shape. Correct topline that rises slightly over the coup. Tail carried a little high but acceptable. On the move he showed off a powerful driving action from the rear. The ground was very uneven which wasn’t helpful but he moved well in all profiles once settled. Best Dog & Best Opposite Sex & Best Veteran In Breed

Puppy Dog (1/0)

1. Doyle’s Bracciano Never Too Late 7mths (D)

This youngster has a super head, masculine, slight roman nose, good proportions. Well chiselled under the eyes. Planes diverge. Big spongy nose and well pronounced occiput. Neck strong well muscled and moderately short. Shoulders well placed. Correct topline with a rise over the croup. Chest still to develop some but broad enough for his age. Feet well arched. Pasterns need to tighten up a little but will with age and correct exercise. Presents an almost square outline. Rear angles moderate, but needs to develop more strength in the rear which will come with age. Has a good amount of bone, moves out well for a youngster, just a little messy fore/aft. Tail set is a little too high and carried over the back. One to watch in the future. Best Puppy, Res Best Dog, Best Special Beginner. Congratulations on Special Beginners Group 3.

Junior Dog (2/0)

1. Beecham’s Gunsyn Hotrod at Rydonmist JW 2yrs (D) 

Two very different types of dog in this class, absolutely showing the breed in its two-forms. Won this class on accuracy of movement. Presents slightly longer than tall. Head is very masculine, correct 50/50 ratio and well pronounced occiput. Ears set correctly in line with eyes. Eyes correct Ochre colour, could be slightly tighter. Neck moderate length and well muscled. Good amount of bone, and slightly sloping pasterns. Feet could be a little tighter. Chest broad and deep and reaching the elbow. Shoulder well laid back, muscular. Withers well defined. Topline correct with 3 points clearly visible, this held well on the move. Tail set a little high. Thighs long, and muscular. Moved out well in all profiles, seriously considered for top honours today. 

2. Pearson’s Braccorions You Can Conquer 2yrs (D) 

A dog I have done well in the past. He was possibly around 13 months old when I last judged him. He carries some lovely breed characteristics and has a lovely type and super head. But he has become very front loaded, really heavy over the shoulders which really impacted his movement today. The head has super chiselling and lovely roman nose. Nice eyes and well set ears. Visible median line, and correct proportions. Masculine all through. Super topline with rise over croup. Docked tail which is quite short. Chest is very broad and deep and reaches below the elbow, which gives a slight unbalance. Rear angles moderate, thighs long and well muscled. Feet could be tighter. Couldn’t match 1 for accuracy of movement today. 

Limit Dog (1/0) 

1. Beecham’s Titano Della Casa Di Lombardo At Rydonmist (IMP FRA) 2yrs (D) 

Masculine, strong, and does present a super profile, just over square. Super head on this dog, long, narrow at the zygomatic arches. Correct 50/50 ratio. Lean Cheeks, well chiselled below the eyes. Lovely soft expression, and eyes of the correct Ochre colour. Ears set correctly in line with corner of eyes. Strong muscular neck of moderate length with correct double dewlap. Shoulders strong and well placed with good width between the blades. Chest deep reaching the elbow. Decent amount of oval bone, Pasterns could be a little stronger. Feet oval and tight. Topline correct and carried well on the move. Moving in profile presented a nice fast trot, just a little weak in the rear, needs to muscle up to carry himself - was not helped by the uneven ground. 

Open Dog (2/0) 

1. Beecham’s Keks Canero Bass (IMP POL) 6yrs (D) 

Presents a nice almost square outline. A difficult class. I preferred the type of 2, but the movement of 1 was far more accurate. Presents a well balanced outline, Masculine. Correct head proportions with lean cheeks, slight convergence in muzzle. Slight stop. Eyes could be a little darker. Neck moderately short. Muscled shoulder and well laid back. Topline correct and nice rise over croup. Chest deep, elbows could be a little tighter. Pasterns slightly sloping and feet well arched and tight. Slight tuck up. Tail set well. Thighs long and well muscled up. Good bend of stifle. 

2. Beecham’s Allegro Nord Bohemia Sheram At Rydonmist (IMP CZE) 5yrs (D) 

Presents a very typy dog in profile. Almost square. Lovely expression and good head proportions. Head is long with lean cheeks. Slight convergence, occiput well pronounced. Neck moderately short, tapers with double dewlap. Shoulders muscled and well laid back. Good width between them. Elbows tight, chest moderately deep and broad. Moderate amount of oval bone, slightly sloping pasterns. Feet could be a little tighter. Topline correct with 3 points visible and well set on tail. Nice underline with slight tuck up. Well bent stifle. Didn’t move as well as I hoped with a little weakness in the rear. Needs to muscle up and get power from behind. 

Puppy Bitch (1/0) 

1. Critchley’s Bracciano Now Or Never 7mths (B) 

Certainly having lots of fun today this young lady. Presents a nice profile of just over square. Head is feminine. Long and angular. Correctly proportioned with lean cheeks, visible median line. Neck moderately short. Correct double dewlap. Shoulders strong and well laid back. Topline correct. Good amount of bone, pasterns and feet still to strengthen up. Slight tuck up. Good bend of stifle. A little messy on the move expected at this age, but once together presented a nice profile movement. More to come I hope. 

Junior Bitch (2/1) 

1. Beecham’s Inspirations Lorenza Primavera At Rydonmist (IMP SWE) 14mths (B) 

The first thing I noticed about this bitch is how feminine her head is, she is a super compact Bracco with so much to like. Moderation all through. Head has correct divergence, correct proportions. Eyes correct and tight fitting. Ears set on correct. Neck moderately short and widens toward shoulders. Well defined withers. Topline correct. Chest deep enough and elbows tight. Moderate bone. Pasterns slightly sloping. Feet could be a little tighter. Good turn of stifle. Thighs long and parallel. Tail carried a little high. Moved out well could be a little cleaner going away.

Limit Bitch (4/1)

This was the most difficult class of the day all three of these dogs had so much to like, the final decision was made on overall maturity.

1. Hamyln & Frost’s Elettra Dell’Oltresavio Of Amestorah (IMP ITA) 5yrs (B)

I awarded this bitch best of breed back in 2022 as a 3yr old and I still maintain she has all the qualities I saw in her then. She is a compact bitch, within the breed standard for size but not overdone in any way. She presents an almost square profile. Feminine head, correct divergence and chiselling under the eyes, she has the most beautiful soft expression. Her head proportions are correct. Slight stop and pronounced occiput. The neck is moderately short, well muscled, widens toward the shoulders. Correct unexaggerated double dewlap. Shoulders laid well back. Top line is correct, rise over the croup, tail set on well (docked) Thighs long, muscular. Good bend of stifle. Standing on good feet, with slightly sloping pasterns. Her profile movement was her win, extended fast trot, no exaggeration, balanced with her head carried high. Best Bitch & Best of Breed.

2. Town’s Braccorions Piccorino Pick Me 18mths (B)

She presents a super profile that is super typy, balanced. Head could be a little more feminine. Correct proportions, with slight convergence. Neck strong, widening at the shoulder. Good amount of bone. Chest deep. Tight feet, pasterns to strengthen. Topline correct with rise over croup and well set tail (docked) good bend of stifle. Long thighs to muscle up still. Moved out well, a little messy fore/aft at 18 months still more time and expect to see much more form this one. Serious contender for top honours today.

3. Valcor Don’t Stop Me Now

Open Bitch (1/0)

1. Coghlan’s Sh Ch Braccorion’s Va Va Room JW 3 yrs (B)

Super balanced profile and presents a lovely type. Balanced and unexaggerated. Head planes are correct, proportions 50/50. Nice chiselling. Roman nose. Visible median line and pronounced occiput. Neck is short and well muscled. Correct double dewlap. Shoulders well placed and well muscled. Good width between. Chest is broad and deep enough. Elbows tight and nice oval bone. Pasterns slightly sloping and standing on good oval tight feet. Topline is correct with a rise over the croup and well set tail (docked) Thighs long, well muscled. Good bend of stifle. Moved out well fore/aft although a slight unbalance in the rear movement today, not helped by the uneven ground but was just a little flat today. Res Best Bitch