Crufts

Bernese Mountain Dogs Crufts 2024 – JUDGE MRS JOANNE SUTTON

My huge thanks to the Crufts Committee for their generous invitation to judge Crufts 2024. I was originally asked in 2017 to judge in 2021 but due to Covid, things didn’t work out that way. I had a long wait until this year; but by golly it was worth it! Thank you all for a day I shall never forget. My grateful thanks to my stewards, Kevin Burdett-Coutts and Richard Morris who were so efficient. My ring was very well organised. I think we all worked well together. Also, thanks to the exhibitors who entered their Bernese for my appraisal and comments. How proud I was when I was told the Bernese entry was the second largest in the Working Group.

 I felt there was a fantastic atmosphere both in and around the ring with lots of clapping and people congratulating each other on their placings. There was a real buzz about it. Overall, I had some super exhibits. I found only a couple of suspect mouths and a couple of exhibits finding the whole situation a little too much for them. Movement in general was excellent as was the presentation of the dogs and I could see that a lot of time and effort had gone into not only the preparation of the dogs and also into some humans. Well done, after all this is all part of dog showing. I was happy with my placed dogs many of whom could and might well change places another time.

My BOB was everything I was looking for in a Bernese, breed type, balanced proportions, harmony and correct movement. I was thrilled to sit ring side in the huge arena and watch a strong Working Group, taking in the atmosphere and cheering on my BOB. To see him short listed in the final 8, was a wonderful experience. To say that the adrenaline was pumping was an understatement. I was so very proud of him and his owners/connections.

Veteran Dog (6/3)

1st Braaksma’s Int/nl/deVdh/lux/dk Ch Kaile Vom Durrbachler Wald Nl Jch – 7.5 years upper med size male with correct proportions. masculine strong head. Dark facial markings with a kind eye of correct colour and shape, strong muzzle with a defined stop, correct ear set, used well, sufficient neck. Excellent depth and breadth of chest, strong boned legs, with correct feet, firm topline which he holds on the move, clean coming towards a little close going away, tail carried out correctly, super angulation, carries a lovely coat and is very well muscled for his age. A steady dog with a super temperament and handled very well.

2nd Giffney's Ir Ch Sennen Cruise Control (imp Aust) Just turned 7 years, completely different make and shape to my 1st, but still lots to like, above med size has a strong head with classic marking, flat skull well placed ears, eye good and correct colour, strong neck, little upright in shoulder and can stand a little narrow through the chest , strong boned legs and tight feet, topline could be stronger and he is slightly stretched through the loin, has sufficient rear angulation and carries a good coat, steady mover but just needs to be moved a little faster to get the best from him. Excellent temperament.

3rd Marshall's Matthew Puchate Perley of Bernannan (imp Pol) 7.5 years below med size, another with a good headpiece, correct front and standing on well boned legs and feet, sufficient neck, well angulated front and strong hind quarters. Felt he didn’t have the presentation of my 1st and 2nd; however, he is a very sound mover with a happy character.

Minor Puppy Dog (1/1)

Puppy Dog (6/2)

1st Dybdall & Lydon's Rodiveco King of Hearts 11 months and a real promising youngster and developing on the right lines, loved his proportions. Strong masculine head developing, good breadth of skull with correct muzzle, eyes dark, a little round in shape, good neck length, correct shoulders, ample width of chest leading to well boned legs, feet a little flat and should tighten up, he holds a good topline for a young puppy with lovely rounded rump and correct tail set and carries it well on the move, he carries the correct amount of weight and coat. His movement is purposeful but still a little loose. Hopefully he will tighten as he develops, he has an excellent happy temperament and is very well handled to get the best from him. Shall watch his career with interest. BEST PUPPY IN BREED

2nd Cooke & Stevens Tickbern Ridin the Moon 12 months another promising youngster, slightly up on his legs at present and narrower through, ample boned legs and tight catlike feet, head developing, super eye and colour, such a soft kind expression, correct ear set and uses them well. Good neck length, chest developing, but can stand a tad close in front, topline not as good as 1st at present, this young male comes into his own on the move, so light on his feet, carries tail slightly high, another handled well and presentation excellent

3rd Wort's Meadowpark What a Dream at Glorybern 10 months, larger puppy than my 1st and 2nd another promising puppy though, classic markings, lovely expressive head, already quite mature in body and statue, ample bone, longer through the loin but still holds a good topline, rounded rump and well-set tail, another that can stand narrow through the front and slightly down on pasterns, moved well both ways, 3 very nice puppies.

Junior Dog (6/1)

1st Cahill & Hughes Ivar Majowy Skarbiec 16 months medium size, very striking young male, very rich pigmentation, he really took my eye. Loved his head planes, correct shape masculine head, dark facial markings, excellent eye and shape, well set ears, super neck leading into correct front angulation, depth and strength of chest, well boned legs and tight feet, super body proportions, correct ribbing and length of loin, rounded rump and correct rear short pasterns which he used well going away on the move and tidy coming towards, very true mover, his coat is in good order and well-muscled. Handled and presented very well.

2nd De Wolde's Meistroo Vom Durrbachler Wald Int/nl/bel Jch 17 months and another nice junior, different in many ways to my winner but still lots to like. Another with good proportions and is a super mover when moved at the correct speed, I found his head not as appealing as my winner, correct flat skull, eye of good colour , ample neck and correct front angulation, firm topline and rounded rump. Enough rear angulation and good tail set, well presented

3rd New's Etterbern Forever First 14 months and very much the baby of the class and he definitely has a strong willfull character for his owner. He is good for type and size. Head is of a nice shape, eyes a little light, muzzle good, ample neck, front angulation could be better and stands narrow through, strong boned legs, he is longer through the body and loin than 1st and 2nd , holds a good topline, when his brain engaged, he could move. His coat was not at its best, but is coming back and what he has was well groomed. A very happy youngster with time on his side.

Yearling Dog (7/4)

1st Baldwin's Fortonpark Tonyone 22 months, medium size, well balanced dog with a super typey masculine head, kind eye dark and correct shape, lovely width of muzzle and stop, good ears, ample neck, front angulation ok but would prefer a little more upper arm, chest developing and has lovely body proportions good ribbing and correct loin. Ample bone for size, firm topline and rounded rump, tail set on correctly and carried out on the move, he is an excellent mover and has a super profile on the move, another I liked a lot, everything just right for his age and nothing overdone, presentation and handling were excellent

2nd Poulsen & Lauridsen's Lillemus Malthe's Mortitz malik 19 months under med size and a very smart looking male. Darker markings to head, correct width of skull and dark well-shaped eyes, giving a very appealing expression. Another with a good neck ample bone and with super proportions, firm topline and correct ribbing. Chest developing well. Super muscle tone and correct short rear pasterns. Moved a little close going away but correct on the profile and coming towards. Coat in gleaming condition and his handler was excellent in her presentation of this male.

3rd Wolley's Jayasberne Me Only Sunshine 19 months, upper med size, well up for size, but not as forward in develop as 1st and 2nd. Strong head developing and has ample white to head, eyes, muzzle ok, loose flews. Sufficient neck, longer cast body and has sufficient body weight, his coat is at the in-between stage as is his development. Movement could have been tidier and carried his tail high on the move, happy boy

Post Graduate Dog (10/4)

1st Bone's Meadowpark Finn's A Dream 3.5 years, Med size and very typey, with good bone and a lovely appealing strong head with narrow facial markings, has the correct muzzle and stop, he has lovely body proportions and is very workmanlike in statue, unfortunately he is carrying too much weight but this did not affect his free-flowing movement. Very true coming and going with a steady profile gait holding his topline. Loved his rounded rump and short rear pasterns, tail carried correctly. He has a beautiful well-groomed coat. His handler needs to practice with him to get the best out of this promising male, both standing and on the move.

2nd De Wolde's Trastar Taro Bohomijos Zibute Int Ch – under med size, appealing head, with flat skull and correct eye colour and shape, shorter coupled male. With super angulation front and rear, he stands rather wide in front and a little down on his pasterns. He was not in his best coat, but this did not detract from his overall shape and make. He moves with drive but wide going away and coming too, super muscle tone and I feel he could go round the ring all day. He has an excellent character and willing to please his handler.

3rd Meakin Bernsego Saburban (Imp Rus) rising 2 years, big boy of nice type with lots of substance, dark markings, richest of tans, his head is strong with correct eye colour and shape. Lovely front assembly and stands straight in front, moves with good reach and drive holding a level topline, longer through the loin than 1st and 2nd and carries a good coat. Handler gets the best from him

Limit Dog (12/4)

1st Nuzzo's Ian Del Sacro Flume Rising 2 years and what a super male, a real showman and his proportions are excellent with a classic head all masculine and not overdone, His front and rear angulation are correct, stands on well boned legs and catlike feet and this shows in his steady movement with great reach and drive, firm topline, super rear angulation and well bent stifles. Very well-muscled and short rear pasterns that he uses well on the move. Tail set correct and carried out well, He is well schooled and this makes a great team with his handler., very well groomed and presented. He pushed very hard for the Res CC, but my 2nd in the Open dog class just had the maturity, and finish on the day I was looking for.

2nd Bridge's Krimm Bernenska Sibra at Kernow (Imp Pol) – another 2 year old but of completely different make and shape to my winner, not the flashiest of dogs , he has a calmness about him, full of breed type with the most masculine head, kind eye of correct shape and colour , a few freckles on his muzzle, Lower medium size, with great bone , feet could be tighter, super breadth and depth of chest developing, correct shoulder, held a firm topline standing and on the move, would prefer slightly more rear angulation, he covered the ground well on the move in all directions with very little effort needed, his coat was in very good order

3rd Cooke & Stevens Tickbern Yardhand another 3-year-old, who again was different in type to my 1st and 2nd and not so forward in his development . This young man is on the upper size, with a nice head developing with a slightly lighter eye, correct width to skull, ears used well, lovely reach of neck and correct front, stands well with sufficient bone. Good ribbing and correct topline he excels on the move with reach and drive, very light mover and happy to please his handler, presentation excellent

Open Dog (24/3)

1st Basboll's Multi Ch Chaina's Ellington 4.5 years medium size and in his prime. He had everything I was looking for, breed type, correct proportions, so well balanced on the stand and his movement was foot perfect. His head is masculine, flat skull, correct width of skull and muzzle, eyes dark and of good shape, ample neck. Excellent shoulders, well boned legs, compact feet, stands true at both front and back, correct firm topline, ribbing and loin correct, rounded rump, tail set correct and carried out on the move. Rear short pasterns and super muscle tone. His coat and overall presentation were the icing. I absolutely loved him, he could have gone around the ring all day, pleased to award him the CC and BEST OF BREED and to watch hm shortlisted in the Working Group to the last 8 was fantastic.

2nd Ch/int/Ch Semus De Zandvijver at Bernervalley (imp Bel)4 ¾ years Upper medium size, another in his prime I feel, full of breed type, slightly longer cast than my winner, but many of the same attributes, good bone all through, Strong head, with good eye, classic markings, front is correct angulation and of good breadth and width, firm topline and correct rounded rump. He is well muscled and shown in hard condition, very good on the move in all directions. His coat was gleaming and so very well handled to get the best from him. Res CC

3rd Baldwin & Harley Mair's Ch Tjofselinas Chirac 4 years and all male, medium size very typey male, super strong bone, very attractive head with a narrow blaze, dark eyes, strong muzzle, correct angulation front and rear, topline firm, correct loin and proportions, lovely short rear pasterns, moved very soundly in all directions, with reach and drive, he was carrying a lovely jacket and sympathetically handled,

Good Citizen Dog Scheme Dog (5/0)

1st Hughes Waldershelf Cubby Ad Astra 4 years, upper med size and an easy winner of this class. Very attractive male, super head shape with dark eyes, uses ears well, very attentive to his handler. Coat and condition excellent, he has size and substance and well bones legs, ample neck, topline rises slightly over the loin and he is a little proud of his tail, good rear angulation and moves out very well coming and going.

2nd Austin's Kernow Blue Mist 4 years, but not as forward on development as 1st. Head of good shape and is enhanced when he uses his ears, front and rear angulation ok, balanced proportions, holds a good topline and moved out well. Sufficient bone for size, coat presented in good order.

3rd Stelmach & Davis Chippis Diamond Dude 3years, below med size and a little unsettled to start with, dark pigmentation, nice head and eye, kind expression and good width of chest, ok for angulation, moved ok once he settled into his stride.

Veteran Bitch (11/1)

Super class of so many lovely veterans, the 3 placed are a credit to their owner/breeders

1st Basbboll's Multi Ch Werne Wix Xtraspecial – 8 years and what a star she is, looking great at 8 years young! very feminine, beautiful head with a kind eye, lovely neck, leading into correct front angulation and stands on strong bone legs and feet, super body proportions, firm topline, and beautiful rear quarters, rounded rump, moved effortlessly around the ring, dam of my BOB winner and has passed on many of her attributes to her son. Expertly handled BEST VETERAN IN BREED

2nd Akerhurst & Bridges Ch Kernow All My Loving VW- 9 1/2 years and another beautiful female not showing her age. She has great breed type and I loved her head and expression, sufficient neck and another well balanced female, stands correct with bone and substance, her angulation is correct both front and back, super tail set and rounded rump. Her movement again as my first place was effortless, presented and handled very well

3rd Ir Ch Bernervalley Summer Dream- 8 years and a bigger female than 1st and 2nd. Much to like about her, good head and uses ears well, dark eye and of good shape, ample neck, strong topline, lovely depth and breadth to chest, longer through the loin, holds a good topline on the move and standing, coat in excellent order and willing to please her handler.

Minor Puppy Bitch (2/1)

1st Bridge's Oonelladream a Stolen Kiss at Kernow – 9 months, stood alone but a worthy winner, she is a good size for her age, loved her breed type and her head is developing on the right lines with darker facial markings and correct pigmentation, ample neck and shoulders, well boned legs and feet, she stands slightly bum high at the moment and needs to carry no more weight, her coat is thick and well-presented and has a lovely character. Moved well in all directions, carrying her tail a little high. Best Puppy Bitch

Puppy Bitch (6/0)

1st Cox's Matera's Feeling Grande – below med size, lovely shapely puppy of 12 months and developing well, easy winner of this class, lovely body proportions, head a little plain, and not the expression of my MP winner, ears set correctly and used well, eye colour correct, her fore chest is developing, sufficient bone, stands well in all directions very good topline and rounded rump, short rear pasterns, moves out very well to win the class, but seemed tired in the puppy bitch challenged. Well-presented and schooled.

2nd Gurney's Monalou Devil Women – 10 months, below med size, preferred the head type of this puppy to my winner, very typey with classic markings but not so developed in body or movement as 1st, well boned and has a super front, she is longer cast, holds a good topline tho, moved well once settled, made her handler work hard, super happy puppy.

3rd Price's Noblebern Grace – 10 months, pretty puppy, head developing, nice muzzle and stop, dark eyes, would prefer more neck at this stage and her topline is at the inbetween stage. Stands correctly in front and has ample bone for her size, coat is good and moved out soundly in all directions. Nicely presented.

Junior Bitch (6/1)

1st De Wolde's Omaraa Vom Durrbachler 14 months a really lovely junior with lots of promise, she is super typey , with excellent pigmentation and head piece, correct ear set and ears used to advantage, lovely body balance and proportions which showed in her effortless movement around the ring holding her topline perfectly. Super bone and tight catlike feet, with minimal white on them, another with correct rear angles and short rear pasterns, correct tail set, her handler got the best out of her, excellent presentation and conditioon.

2nd Marsden & Robertson's Kernow Bittersweet Tale for Trudaleaze – 15 months medium size, another who was lovely on the stand, lots of breed type, head developing eyes ok, muzzle good, lovely neck length, good breadth and depth of chest, ample bone and stands correct in front, firm topline and well-muscled rear, movement good coming towards, a little close going away, lovely temperament, another presented very well.

3rd Spalding's Kinlarty Naughty but Nice – 17 months, below med size, very feminine, slightly over marked and not as developed as my 1st and 2nd not as balanced in body. coat in excellent condition, sufficient bone, stands narrow through but has a happy temperament, moved very soundly but would like more reach and drive, happy girl and another willing to please her handler

Yearling Bitch (16/2)

1st Baldwin's Fortonpark Valentalina – 18 months medium size, easy winner and stood out in this class for breed type, balance and proportions. Such a show girl, loved her. Her head is very attractive and super feminine, good pigmentation, good width of muzzle and stop, super neck, excellent front angles, correct width and depth of chest which is developing. Well boned legs and feet. Correct length of loin and very good ribbing, rounded rump and tail well set, beautiful rear pasterns, coat was thick and gleaming, moves effortlessly around the ring but can get a little excited and throw herself about slightly. Her tail does not stop wagging and she is so willing to please her handler. She thoroughly deserved the Reserve CC. The firmness and maturity of my Open class winner could not be denied.

2nd Fasso's Elbrusbern Bold & Brave – 15 months below medium size. What a sweetie she is, different type to my winner but so much to like about her, not as forward in her development as 1st, her head is developing well tho, eye of good colour and ear set correct, lovely neck, good fore chest and well bone legs. Although slightly longer through the loin, it did not affect her very good topline. She has neat, strong rear pasterns enabling her to propel forward with a correct footfall and powerful drive and purpose. Presentation and coat were excellent, she was handled so well to get the very best out of her. A super combination.

3rd Lauridsen's Lillemus Mette's Meira Mikayla – another super youngster in this trio. 19 months, striking head with very dark markings so appealing, ears used well to enhance her expression great pigmentation, another with correct balance and proportions, good neck, stands well in front with sufficient bone, shoulder correct, topline firm and another with super rounded rump and neat rear pasterns. Moved out well in all directions and well handled.

Post Graduate Bitch (12/7)

1st King Green & Dedman's Hundi Vom Durrbachler Wald at Arvella (imp Nld) 2 years, below med size, another shapely female, appealing head with classic markings, could use her ears more for advantage, super front angles and chest, to be critical I would prefer more neck and a firmer topline, with this said she is shapely in the rear with good angulation and turn of stifle, well carried tail on the move, sound and light on her feet in all directions with a lovely calm temperament. presented in good coat and handled well.

2nd Akehurst's Velvet Van't Pachthof JW (imp Bel) above medium size 2 years, bigger all through than my winner, very feminine head, correct shape eye but lighter than I prefer and detracts slightly from her expression, good width of muzzle, super neck, slightly straight in shoulder and could benefit from more chest, her body proportions are good but her topline can dip on the stand, but firms up on the move with lovely reach and drive around the ring. She carries the correct amount of weight and coat, another well-presented and wanting to please her handler. Attractive duo.

3rd Andrews Waldershelf Leading Lady 4 years medium size and strength, she has an appealing head and with darker markings, kind eye and strong muzzle, good bone and stands well in front, feet tight, would prefer a slightly longer leg proportion but has good depth and breadth of chest, with adequate front angles, firm topline and correct ribbing and loin. Well-muscled quarters and moved out well in all directions and carries a lovely coat which was groomed and presented well.

Limit Bitch (18/6)

1st Cooke & Steven's Tickbern Yes, I can Yodel 3 years medium size, pretty girl and not overdone in any way, she is maturing on the right lines liked her excellent body and height to length proportions, well balanced, head feminine with a kind eye of correct colour and shape, nice width of muzzle and uses her ears well. Sufficient neck, shoulders and front assembly correct, bone compliments her size, firm topline and correct ribbing and loin. She is light on her feet with excellent reach and drive, good muscle tone and moves effortlessly in all directions, lots to like about this female, and I feel she could perhaps be just a lttle more animated to get the best from her.

2nd Sokel's Kernow Blue Lagoon – 4 years another lovely girl who has bone and substance to match, but not the proportions of my winner, appealing typey head with good breadth to skull and stop. Nice neck, front assembly could be better, stands well in front, firm topline but longer through the loin than my winner, rounded rump with correct tail set and held out on the move. Another that moves well in all directions with good reach and drive and at one with her handler coat and presentation is excellent.

3rd King, Green & Dedman's Olivia Vom Durrbachler Wald at Arvella 5 years above med size and fully mature. Liked her make and shape another with size and substance and very similar to my 2nd place, very feminine, head is correct with classic markings, neck sufficient, chest broad and deep, well boned legs, slightly down on her front pasterns, and can appear soft in topline on the stand, well bent stifles, nicely rounded rump and well-set tail. She would benefit from having her coat trimmed under her tummy as this makes her look heavy, but she is not. Moved out well and nicely handled, another with a lovely temperament.

Open Bitch (16/2)

Super class of open females

1st Green & English's Ch Waldershelf Can't Ignora JW - as her name implies, she could not be ignored! Medium size with lovely strength to this female and now fully mature at 4 years. Lovely breed type and balance has a classic head with the desired flat skull, lovely breadth to muzzle and stop, kind well-shaped dark eyes and uses her ears to advantage. Strong neck of correct length, front assembly good but would prefer slightly more angle to the upper arm, deep chest, well boned legs and stands correct in front, her topline is firm, correct ribbing and just slightly longer through the loin, beautiful rounded rump with correct tail set. Well, let down behind, well-muscled and has correct rear pasterns. She comes into her own on the move, with great reach and drive, coming towards and going away, super profile movement, in full coat and with faultless presentation at one with her handler and a real showgirl Pleased to award her the BCC and BOS.

2nd Baldwin's Ch Fortonpark Look Whos Talkin 4 years and another lovely female, many of the above comments apply, strong head, dark facial marking, correct dark well-shaped eye, strong muzzle her head has lots of breed type and loved her body proportions, super pigmentation, strong bone, deep chest and body, another with lovely rear angulation, moved well in all directions, needs to carry no more weight, very well presented, just lacked that bit of extra sparkle needed in tough competition.

3rd Oliver-Bridges Ch Liskern's Love of My Life below medium size this 2.5-year-old was not as mature and completely different make and shape to my 1st and 2nd . Her head is not as appealing for type for me, has adequate depth and breadth to her muzzle and skull, eyes dark and correct shape and ears used well. Lovely neck length and depth and breadth to chest, bone good, feet could be tighter, correct ribbing and loin, holds a very firm topline standing and on the move her movement is very true in all directions when moved at the correct speed, well presented coat and at one with her handler.

Good Citizen Dog Scheme Bitch (7/2)

1st Sokel's Kernow Blue Lagoon

2nd Akehurst's Velvet Van't Pachthf JW (imp Bel)

3rd Risborough's Malindibeach Serenade at Moonbach 5 years below med size and now fully mature. Nicely presented female with an appealing head, correct eye colour and shape, very alert to her handler, lovely pigmentation and colouring, sufficient bone and substance for her size, firm topline and rounded rump, she is in full coat and groomed to perfection. Sound on the move in all directions, calm steady temperament.

Joanne Sutton (Judge)