Northern Dogue de Bordeaux Club

Alan Greer Memorial Stakes – Special Award Classes – Northern Dogue De Bordeaux Club – 28/07/24

I want to start by thanking the Northern Dogue De Bordeaux Club for inviting me to judge the Special Award Classes at their Open Show; the Club’s support towards my judging progression is greatly appreciated, and I am very grateful for this opportunity today. A special thank you to Robert, my steward, for guiding me and ensuring the ring continued to flow smoothly through the classes.

The calibre of dogs entered under me was remarkably high, making for an enjoyable appointment and tough decisions throughout. It was great to see that despite the heat, the dogs managed well and kept cool.

JUNIOR Dog/Bitch (3 ent / 1 abs)

1 – VEGAS V D MADROELHOEVE (IMP NLD) – What a delightful young dog this boy really is. Just 12 months of age and already well-matured, he will no doubt continue to do well. Has an imposing stature and ring presence to match. Large head of correct proportions, well-opened nostrils, clear eyes, and good bite. Strong front, well-muscled shoulders, and good spring of rib. Boasts a deep, powerful chest already which produces an impressive outline when viewed as a whole. He looked great in his natural stand after the up and down. Movement was exceptional today. A particularly good rear allowed him to drive around the ring whilst maintaining a solid topline, and despite the heat, looked like he could go all day!

2 – BEAROX JACKPOT – Unlucky to meet the winner here today in an age class for maturer dogs. Such a likeable young dog of 9 months. Still has development to come, but time is on his side, and I will look forward to watching his progress. Already has a lovely expressive head, characteristic of the breed. Good chin, correct bite and an upturn of nose leading into a pronounced stop and a well-sized head. Well-muscled shoulders and front. Pleasing outline and in proportion to stage of development. Good rear action allowed him to move around the ring well. Lots of promise.

POST GRADUATE Dog/Bitch (4 ent / 0 abs)

1 – DOGUESDEN UNUIQUE – A pleasant bitch of 22 months. She boasts a larger stature but maintains her femininity throughout. A good head, all in proportion, with correct bite and lovely clear eyes. An exceptionally clean head with the right amount of wrinkling which was mobile when alert. A broad, deep, and powerful chest matched her strong front and well-laid shoulders. Held a solid topline in the stand, and on the move. Well-sprung ribs, but personally would like a slightly better tuck; however, she has a good outline, nonetheless. Well-angulated stifles and low-set hocks meant she was top of her class for movement. Lovely free-moving bitch, absolutely sound on the move, could not have asked for more from her.

2 – AIBREAN KILLER QUEEN – A well-put-together bitch of 22 months. Excels when viewed from the front. Not the head of first, but still holding many characteristics of the breed. Exceptionally well-muscled shoulders, complimented by a straight front and good chest. Personally, would prefer a touch more padding around the ribs, but can tell she is an incredibly athletic bitch by her muscle tone and development. Has a strong ring presence thanks to her powerful stature and size. Good rear muscling, and angulation. Movement was OK.

3 – WESSI Z HABANSKEHO DVORA AT BISCAY

OPEN Dog/Bitch (5 ent / 0 abs)

This was a very tough class to judge, filled with top-quality and very impressive Bordeaux’s, all excelling in their own way.

1 – CH BELLAMIABAMS ROMEO – Where do you start with a dog like this? A 4-year-old dog who excels in so many aspects of the standard. The moment he entered the ring, he had my eye. An impressive head, good chin, correct bite, well-opened nostrils and pronounced stop. Clear eyes with a frank expression and lovely colouring. Prominent cheeks, and a powerful, short muzzle. Very expressive, mobile wrinkling, not overdone in any way. Large, thick neck leading to tremendously muscled and well-laid shoulders. He boasts a harmonious outline with correct proportions throughout. Such a powerful dog, with an imposing stature to match. He embodies all the right traits of a Bordeaux. Fantastic broad, powerful, and deep chest. Well-off for bone. A lovely temperament too. Held a solid topline whilst standing naturally, and on the move. I was concerned a dog his size may struggle in the heat today, but he took it all in his stride and absolutely powered around the ring effortlessly – very impressive! Pleased to award this dog overall winner of the Alan Greer Memorial Stakes.

2 – AIBREAN DROPS OF JUPITER – this 4-year-old bitch was very unlucky to meet my winner here, as I really did like her a lot. A fantastic head on her, and the trademark forbidding expression of the Bordeaux, yet she was, without question, still feminine in all appearances. Great chin, correct bite and good upturn of nose all flowed into a powerful, short muzzle and pronounced stop. Body built just right. Powerful, well-toned shoulders and straight front. Broad, deep, powerful chest, well-sprung ribs, and a particularly good tuck; she had such a pleasing outline when viewed as a whole. Good topline, held when standing naturally and on the move. She moved with purpose and drive. A pleasure to go over due to her great temperament.

3 – CH LOGGERHEADS THOR

Judge Mr Declan Kenyon (Desquire)