Three Counties Agricultural Society

THREE COUNTIES CHAMPIONSHIP SHOW

THURSDAY 6th JUNE 2024.

DOGUE DE BORDEAUX.

 I would like to extend my sincere thank you to the Officers and Committee of The Three Counties Championship Show for their kind hospitality and my invitation to judge my heart breed, in the beautiful surroundings of the Malvern Hills, on a lovely sunny day.

My appreciation goes to my two stewards, who ensured the ring ran smoothly and efficiently.

I would like to express my gratitude to all the exhibitors for my fabulous entry, especially in the current climate were dog show numbers are decreasing, I was truly humbled. Thank you for thinking me worthy of assessing your beautiful dogs and for accepting my decisions so graciously.

My observations from the day, dogs were all of sound temperament, and all shown in excellent condition. I was looking for a breed typical, balanced dog fit for purpose. Every dog today looked as if they were able to carry out the work they were bred to do.

I had some really good quality, making for some very difficult decisions.

PUPPY DOG (1,2)

1st. Miss M Billis – Vegas V D Madroelhoeve (IMP NDL)

At just eleven months of age this boy is a picture of strength and substance and is already well advanced in maturity. A large voluminous head, broad skull with symmetrical wrinkle displaying the breed characteristic forbidding expression. A powerful, stocky body with impressive bone in the forelegs for one so young, leading onto strong tight feet with neat short nails. Chest is already well developed in both depth and width reaching below the elbows. Visible muscle in the upper thigh. He moved out with a free, steady gait using his strong rear, whilst retaining his topline. His handler really got the best out of him today presenting him immaculately, it was clear to see the bond and respect this young male has for his handler. I will look forward to watching his progression in the future. I was pleased to award him my BEST PUPPY.

JUNIOR DOG (1,2)

1st Mrs T A & Mr M R Shopland – Piechottka Incredible Hulk.

A twelve-month-old male who I have admired from ringside over recent months, he certainly didn’t disappoint on closer examination. A rich deep red coat colour gleamed in the sunshine. He demanded my attention with his Frank expression characterised by well developed eyebrows and his small ears were set high and used to his advantage to create the desired imposing expression. Muzzle broad and short, Chin was well pronounced with thick upper flews falling moderately pendulous, correct undershot dentition. A very well-balanced male throughout with a well sustained topline and hindquarters already toned with visible muscle, moderate bend of stifle and strong parallel hocks. He is developing at just the right pace for his age. He worked his handler on the move but once settled he demonstrated good reach and drive. I am excited to see what the future holds for this impressive young male and if his progression continues, I am sure he will be challenging for top honours soon.

POST GRADUATE DOG (1,7)

1st. Miss S K Fowler – Sidhewhytch’s Rhion

A well presented two-and-a-half-year-old male who is still in the process of maturing. A good developing trapezoid head, free from any exaggeration, ears are pendant and relatively small and did not extend past the eye, which he used to give an alert expression. Just the right amount of wrinkle, clean eyes, undershot dentition and a pronounced stop. Good reach of neck, level topline just dipping at the withers. The rear angles are still in the stages of development, but with time on his side, it would be good to see him again in another twelve months. Moved out well and positive, he was at one with his handler who did everything asked of him. I will watch with interest as he continues to develop.

Open Dog (5,7)

A class full of quality males. My first and second place shared many of the same attributes, both with virtues which outweighed their size, my first place just edged it today excelling in breed typical movement and his strong rear drive.

1st. Miss L Prendergast – Wendisal you don’t own me.

At 3 years old this beautiful dark red male is now in his prime and really oozed breed type! Everything about this boy is so well balanced, standing and on the move. Presented in the most immaculate condition from his well-groomed soft coat to his well manicured toes. He isn’t the biggest of males, yet everything is exactly as it should be, built low to the ground, presenting the most beautiful harmonious concave outline, the cleanest of heads. Hind legs well muscled, with a well developed second thigh and low set hocks. On the move he really comes into his own showing what the correct construction produces. He was in strong company today, but he won this class on his movement which demonstrated the correct breed typical gait, driving from his strong rear quarters and dropping his head as he gained pace. His kennel name suggests ‘you don’t own me’ but I certainly wish I did! I was thrilled to award him my BEST DOG and he later challenged, and I was delighted to award him my BEST OF BREED. I was proud to watch him put in a great performance in the group ring, an excellent representation of the breed.

2nd. Mrs A & Mr S Ansell – Justlazare Darknight Rises

A super athletic male who I have previously judged, I was so pleased to see he has matured just like a fine wine, beautifully. The richest of red soft, short coat complimented with the darkest of black masks. The advantage of having a short, coated breed is there is nothing to hide, and the correct balance is evident in this four-year-old boy. A large trapezoid head furrowed with symmetrical wrinkle, prominent cheeks, clean dark eyes, deep stop at a near right angle to the muzzle. Muzzle, broad and short, square when viewed from above and a very well-defined chin. Black pigmented nose with open nostrils, correct undershot dentition. A clean straight front with a well-developed chest, excellent topline when stacked and on the move, well muscled, hard, body condition throughout, showing a dog fit for the job he was bred for, a credit to his owners. Dog and his very skilful handler worked in harmony and delivered a great performance. I was pleased to award him my RESERVE BEST DOG.

Puppy Bitch (1,2)

1st. Mrs S Van-Heerden – Bobiso Miss Virginia 

 The sweetest six-month-old baby, who is just about to embark on her show career. She certainly put on a beautiful, polished performance for one so young and already has lovely ring presence. She is a raw baby as I would expect at this age but presents a lovely shapely silhouette. A feminine clean head without any exaggerations, good clear eyes, well opened nostrils. Chest developing well with strong bone to the forelegs. Clean neck with good reach, leading into well defined withers. Good angles throughout, well angulated stifle and low set hocks, tail reaching the hock and carried well. She has plenty of room to grow into herself, everything is developing as it should be at this age. Today, she was unfortunate to meet a very mature male in the challenge for best puppy. I will look forward to watching her progression. BEST PUPPY BITCH. 

Post Graduate Bitch (5,9)

1st. Mrs S & Miss J Judd – Tissie’s Red Dawn

A two-and-a-half-year-old female who I judged as a youngster, and she just missed out on a first place due to different stages of maturity, today it was wonderful to see how she has developed into a fine specimen of the breed and has fulfilled all her early promise. A quality red female of excellent breed type who really demands your attention with her arrogant forbidding expression. Trapezoid head with a good ear set, high, accentuating the width of the skull. Clean oval hazel eyes set wide apart. Undershot dentition with strong teeth and the lower jaw forming an apparent straight line. When viewed from the front forearms are straight and muscular and elbows in axis of the body. Good width and depth of chest let down below the elbows. Ribs well sprung and well let down, topline solid and broad with a muscular back. Hindquarters well developed with a good bend of stifle which she used on the move. Tight feet with well maintained nails. Movement was free, supple and close to the ground and the tail was carried nice and low. I could not deny this elegantly understated female her first place and later she challenged hard for her BEST BITCH award with her true, sound breed typical movement and her overall clean well-balanced outline.

2nd. Mr S & Mrs A Powell – Bourgeoisie Here Comes Edna.

A striking two-year-old, rich red coated female who had bags of personality. As soon as I approached her for closer examination, I could sense her sheer excitement for my attention. A large, voluminous head with a short, broad muzzle. Clean hazel eyes set wide apart. Excellent undershot dentition, I must compliment the owners of this young lady, on her pearly white teeth it looked like she had just returned from the dentist after having a clean and polish. Strong, thick powerful neck with the circumference almost equaling that of the head. Stocky girl built low to the ground with a broad, short, solid, loin. Heavily muscled shoulders, chest has both good depth and width and is let down well below the elbow, a deep brisket with a slight tuck up in the underline. Powerful rear movement gave an impressive driving action in profile. I considered this beautiful female in the challenge but felt she was just slightly over stretched on the stack which led to her overall picture not looking quite as balanced as my winners.

Open Bitch (5,7)

An excellent class of females which made for tough decisions. My first and second place both sharing admirable qualities, the margins were small between them, but my first place edged it with strong ring presence and maturity.

1st. Ms L Mott – Bourgeoisie Avada Kedavra.

An Impressive three-year-old female, who I have found very appealing from ringside over the past couple of years and was thrilled to finally get my hands on her. This dark red girl has so many qualities to add to the breed, she has a large voluminous head, skull slightly domed and broad between the ears. Clean oval shaped hazel eye. Displaying the correct undershot dentition, she was another who looked like she had been to Turkey for her teeth whitened! Thick neck and almost cylindrical from the shoulder to the head, blending smoothly into powerful, heavily muscled shoulders. Forelegs heavily boned, elbows set on a plane parallel to the body. Chest broad and deep, ribs well sprung. Well developed withers, short broad loin. Powerful hindquarters balanced with the angulation of the forequarters. Rear Pasterns parallel when viewed from behind. Tail thick and set low at the base of the croup. A joy to observe on the move and clear to see the strong bond between dog and handler. In the bitch challenge I had to be ultra picky and even though I loved to watch this beautiful female and her handler displaying so much exuberance on the move, she just lost out due to her over animation which wasn’t quite as breed typical as my winner. I was pleased to award her my RESERVE BEST BITCH.

2nd. Mr S Rawlings – Little Red Corvette.

A three-year-old female of good type who presented a picture of a concave balanced outline. I am familiar to the sire and dam of this female, both great examples of the breed, so it was of no surprise to see the quality in this girl. Her feminine head portrays such a lovely expression, furrowed with symmetrical wrinkles, each side of the median groove. Clear hazel eyes with well pigmented rims matching the nose pigment. Good dentition with the lower incisors extending in front of the upper incisors forming an apparent straight line. Muzzle square when viewed from above, lips thick and moderately pendulous forming the breed typical wide inverted V shape when viewed from the front with a well-defined chin. Shoulders well muscled leading on to well boned forelimbs. Pasterns, short and powerful and slightly sloping. Good depth and width of chest, Top line slightly dipped at the withers leading to a muscular back, underline slightly tucked up. Well angulated stifles with low set hocks. Moved out freely with good drive from her hindquarters and a good extension of her forelegs. Beautifully presented and handled sympathetically to really get the best out of her. Another female who I will follow with great interest.

Kay Alexandra Strong (Strongzbeaux)