Cheltenham & District Canine Society

Cheltenham & District Canine Society Open show 25 Feb 24

Griffon Bruxellois

Thank you to the Society for their kind invitation to me to judge this lovely breed (which I have owned for some 25 years) and for your great hospitality at a very well organised show.

I would also like to thank my very efficient Steward, Hannah Patrick who kept us all organised and finally, a huge thank you to my exhibitors for their support in giving me a super entry with some lovely dogs, for my first judging appointment, and for taking my decisions graciously!

The good quality of the dogs made my task very hard - thank you for that challenge!! All exhibits were presented in very nice condition, (getting ready for Cruft’s no doubt), impeccably behaved and handled expertly.

Junior (3,1) 1. Barney, Mrs D’s Cilleine Quintessential, 12 month old Red Rough Bitch with pretty feminine head, correct nose placement and wide nostrils flanked by big dark eyes with dark rims. Nice width of jaw and good turn-up and correct lips. Good width of chest, medium length neck and short back. Correct high set tail, although a little tight for me. Nice vertical rear pasterns and lovely bone. Quite well muscled considering age. Compact and presented very well. Great attitude and just 9 days out of puppy, lovely to see such a confident, alert youngster.

2. Conway, Mrs J’s Stormjac Rowland Rat In Black, 12 month old Black Rough Dog who is a promising youngster . A  square cobby boy and a lovely expression but a little unsettled today. Dark well placed round eyes, good layback of nose with kissable lips and nice turn-up. Rib well sprung and strong short loin. Lovely top line and tail carried well when he wants to. Good rear angulation and nice feet. Just needs to show his character a little more but confident this will come as he matures.

Post Graduate (2, 1) Suggitt, Mrs A S’s Aptrick Buttersky JW, 22 month old Red Rough Bitch with such a nice expression and feminine head. Well placed nose between dark round eyes. Balanced outline, good bone and adequate rear angulation. Beautiful jacket having good clear colour. Moved well.

Limit (3, 1) 1 Suggitt, Dr K F’s Aptrick Dolly Mixtures JW, 19 month old Red Rough Bitch who is lively and alert and has plenty of character. Nice head and expression, dark eye and wide nostrils topped by neat ears used well, all set off by a nice dark mask. Very cobby with deep chest but would benefit from a slightly longer leg. Nice top line, moved well, clothed with a good clear coat.

2. Conway, Mrs J’s Stormjac Black Pearl For Es, 9 year old Black Rough Bitch of a larger type than 1 and in beautiful condition. Another happy little dog. Lovely big dark round eyes correctly placed. Correct forechest with muscled thighs with good angulation and bone. Very good tail set beautifully carried on a good square body with substance. Lovely top line and moved well, pushing 1 hard but just not quite the drive.

3. Suggitt, Mrs A S’s Aptrick Arcturus

Open (6,1) 1. Conway, Mrs J’s CH Stormjac Spocktacular Nite, 7 year old Black Rough Dog certainly not showing his age. This smart boy was so very happy and alert with a lovely large head, round dark eyes, wide nostrils and good turn-up. Super small ears correctly placed. Good forechest and rib with correct length of neck, correct angulation, good muscle and bone. Short back, great tail set and a coat in tip top condition. Square body moving beautifully with perfect topline. Great job by handler. Delighted to award him BOB and thrilled to see him achieve Toy Group 3 under Karen Farell!

2. Spurr, Mrs A’s Zilcan Gin Ricky JW, 28 month old Red Rough dog who I understand is now a Champion. Congratulations! Another lovely boy, well balanced with a beautiful soft expression, correctly placed nose and wide nostrils. Good depth of chest and nice tight elbows. Lovely top line and high set tail although a little tight, nice angulation and lovely vertical rear pastern. Good coat in texture and colour. Sound mover both coming and going with great focus. Less substance than 1 but perhaps still not quite finished. Very pleased to award him RBOB.

3. Conway, Mrs J’s CH, Flirt Alert Unlimited At Stormjac (Imp Nor)

Mary Oliver-Barratt