Welsh And West Of England Bullmastiff Society

WALES & WEST OF ENGLAND BULLMASTIFF SOCIETY

Championship Show 26.10.25

This was one of the most enjoyable breed shows I’ve judged in a long time. Amanda Warren and her team had obviously put in so much work beforehand which definitely paid off. Superb stewarding by Hilary and Barry made everything flow seamlessly, the lavish rosettes and trophies must have delighted many happy exhibitors and the sportsmanship of exhibitors coupled with generous applause from the full ringside for every class made for a wonderful atmosphere.

This must have been an exhausting weekend for both dogs and exhibitors with three Championship shows on consecutive days and a few dogs were reluctant to be handled, maybe down to being tired at the end of the circuit. Sensibly, their handlers withdrew them.

I was pleased with the overall quality of the entry and some classes were very hotly contested. I think the breed is in a fairly healthy state and studying the catalogue afterwards suggests that there is a degree of international cooperation between dedicated breeders which can only be beneficial for the breed’s future.

Having ShowdogMedia livestream the whole judging gave enthusiasts worldwide the chance to watch the proceedings and this company really does provide a great service for the sport.

BABY PUPPY DOG (3) – what a delightful class to start the day with! 1. Collins’ Crimlisk Romanee Contil, 4 months rich red of thrilling potential and already so very much together and all of a piece. Beautifully balanced head with the requisite squareness and strength of muzzle, typical expression with a well-defined mask. Wonderfully boned straight forelegs, excellent feet, with already good spring of rib and short couplings with good depth of flank. Stood perfectly for the hands-on with ever-wagging tail and when he moved he did so with a calm composure and confidence that is rarely seen at this age, showing perfect footfall on the out-and-back whilst covering the ground effortlessly in profile. Impeccably conditioned, I thought he was something special – and going by the applause it seems the audience did too! Best Baby Puppy In Show. 2. Warren’s Crimlisk Cobos Malbec of Copperfield, litter brother to 1 but a fawn and again of excellent basic stamp. Essentially well balanced head with pleasing eye and expression but not quite as well filled under the eyes as his brother at the moment. Basically well-constructed with excellent bone and well ribbed if not quite as well let down behind as 1. He comes on true but is a little close behind and on the go-around wasn’t quite as poised as his brother but he should have an interesting future. 3. Bown & Reader’s Son Goku Sundabish.

VETERAN DOG (4,1 absent) 1. Myers’ Ch Optimus Danzy Jones JW (AI),7 years fawn holding his form so very well and in excellent body condition with no excess weight. Well-proportioned head, strong skull with just enough mask, powerful neck, well filled in front with good spring of rib, firm topline, and excellent angles front and back. Still true on the out-and-back and moved around with great agility and power. Best Veteran In Show 2. Warren’s Angel’s Phoenix Dulan Dog of Copperfield, substantial rich red 7 year old of essentially pleasing basic type with excellent bone and good width in front. His head is a little more wrinkled than the 1 and his skin doesn’t fit him quite so tautly. Not quite the second thigh of 1 but he still powered around the ring with some purpose. 3. Cox’s Colom Orlaf.

MINOR PUPPY DOG (4,1) 1. Thomas & Bull’s Reesley Let’s Have It Then Phoria, 6 months fawn and such a promising prospect who radiates class and quality and is of excellent overall type. Beautifully balanced head with tight clear dark eyes and good strength of underjaw. Already good width in front, high-quality bone but the feet need to tighten. Sufficient length of neck flowing into well laid shoulders and firm topline. Excellent spring of rib for his age and very well angulated front and back, everything contributing to a clean, sharp, well-proportioned outline. Moved steadily showing some character.2. Rodriguez’ Braveheart de Canaky, 8 months clear fawn whose major strength is his free profile gait as he has wonderful carriage and scope, covering the ground with no effort. The head is well balanced all through with tight clear eyes but the mask is a little high. He is a little leggier than 1 and needs to develop in loin, fill out in front and the feet at the moment are a little open but the angulation of front and back are excellent and this is reflected in his wonderful profile movement though at the moment he goes rather close behind. He is the sort that hopefully will improve very much with full maturity. 3. Cox’s Danding In The Moonlight of Black Hunar at Rinwilds (Imp Nld).

PUPPY DOG (3,1) 1. Myers’ Hyerdunscar Getting Messi with Optimus, 9 months clear fawn of excellent overall breed type who has ample substance but still has a look of real class. Wonderful head type with well-developed skull, tight eyes, well finished muzzle and excellent mouth. Pigment on the ears could be a little denser but that’s a minor cosmetic detail. Strong powerful, nicely arched neck, excellent width in front with strong bone and the feet are reasonably tight but would benefit from a manicure! Good spring of rib for his age, moderately angulated throughout and really on his toes, moving he went with great style and determination if a little close behind. Best Puppy Dog. 2. Aston & Bowen’s Astonpride The Joker, also 9 months but this time a dark red who at the moment is at the gangly stage so he looks rather more rangy than 1 but he has a very well balanced head with typical expression, excellent eye, good finish of muzzle and firm strong underjaw. Plenty of neck but not quite the length of upper arm of the winner and he has not dropped into his frame as much but the rear angulation is promising. Whilst on the stock he holds a firm topline he wasn’t quite as together as the winner on the move or as extrovert.

JUNIOR DOG (1) 1. Kiel Outzen’s Ace of Beton’s Keep Me In Front DkJCh, 15 months fawn full of spirit and personality and of excellent overall type, his overall balance creating a very pleasing picture. Quality head with well developed skull, neat eye, strong muzzle and good finish of underjaw. Front is developing well with quality bone but feet could be a little tighter. Strongly arched powerful neck, moderate angles front and back, ideal spring of rib, good depth of flank with firm topline and quality coat. Sometimes the tail carriage is a little proud but when he settled, he moves soundly enough.

YEARLING DOG (4) 1. Latter’s Ch Stoneglad Gigolo, 23 months old clear fawn full of quality but still essentially masculine and brim-full of breed type. Beautifully balanced head with strength yet class, tight dark eyes full of character, dense mask, optimum width of muzzle with good strength of underjaw and well pigmented ears. Excellent with in front with strongly developed forechest, strong, smooth quality bone and reasonable feet. Powerful neck of correct length flowing into well laid shoulders and smooth, firm backline with excellent spring of rib, well angulated hammy hindquarters, firm hocks and well set tail. Moved with power and style and has a natural ring presence. For me he was the dog of the day who ended up winning the CC & BIS in strong competition. 2. Jones’ King Of The Manor by Sundabish, 19 months old and again a fawn of excellent basic type with a well-balanced head full of strength and expression, well developed skull, neat eyes and good width of muzzle. Excellent width in front, strong but quality bone and decent feet. Correct proportions of outline, not quite the angulation in front or behind as the winner or as calm but he is well ribbed, well coupled and handled himself very well on the move. 3. Warren’s Copperfield Jonas Mudge JW.

POST GRADUATE DOG (7,5) 1. Fascoine’s Reesley’s Take It To The Top at Fasden, rich red of excellent overall type with satisfying head properties having the essential squareness with not too much wrinkle, excellent stop perfectly positioned mask, good width of muzzle and keen intelligent eye. Enough width in front with strong bone and neat feet, powerful neck flowing into firm topline with good spring of rib but just needing to fill out a little through the loin. Could have a little longer upper arm and be a little better let-down behind but the overall balance is there and this enables him to coordinate well on the move. 2. Allinson’s Sacrados Big Boy Brucie, he is better angulated in front and behind than 1 but also a little longer coupled and looser skinned. Weaker in pastern than the winner but he has excellent bone and good width in front. Head is a little more overdone than 1, but remains basically typical. Made the best of himself on the move having lots of power from his well angulated hindquarters but wasn’t as calm as 1.

LIMIT DOG (8,3) 1. Rodriguez’ Impossible Is Nothing de Penamellera, red in excellent condition, beautifully balanced, fit and hard. Quality head with essential squareness, good width of muzzle and excellent strength of underjaw but the lower lip curls over the bottom teeth a little too much. Superior quality bone, wonderful tight feet, optimum angulation front and back with firm level back, great spring of rib and he is well coupled. Lovely quality coat of correct texture, wonderful angulation front and back and he moved with great power and accuracy, holding himself well with excellent tail carriage and lots of animation. 2. Aston & Bowen’s Angel’s Phoenix Mr Nielsson The Monkey Astonpride JW (Imp Ita), another red rich in breed type with all the essentials. Well-proportioned head with good strength all through if a little lighter in eye than the winner. Well boned with good width in front but not quite the feet of the winner. Good length of neck, moderately angulated all through but a little longer coupled than 1 and not quite as taut in jacket. Still he makes a pleasing picture standing and moving where he goes with considerable strength. 3. Brearley’s Fowlerheights Artax at Tatroyds.

OPEN DOG (8,2) 1. Sammut, Formosa & McGroarty’s Ch/MKCh/ItChMoonlight Bullshadow Big Ali Samforyosa MT Jch, fully mature clear fawn who was very much the overall package dog in the class. Excellent head type with good depth of skull, tight dark expressive eyes, great strength of muzzle but at times panting made it harder to appreciate. Well-developed forechest, strong bone, tight feet, strong powerful cleanly arched neck with excellent spring of rib. He is slightly long coupled with optimum angulation front and back and moved with great power and carriage. Won the Reserve CC behind the BIS winner. 2. Aston, Aston & Pavesi’s Ch Angel’s Phoenix Ron Weasley Astonpride JW (ImpIta), dark red who has the most fabulous head (where he possibly beats the winner) which has squareness, depth, fullness and perfect proportions with wonderfully detailed features. However he’s a little bit wrinkled over the withers and doesn’t have the same quality coat as 1 but the bone and feet are excellent, he has good width in front and optimum angulation front and back. Moves true out and back and is very collected in profile. 3. Freshney’s Ch Hyerdynscar Renaissance for Bullenca.

SPECIAL OPEN BRINDLE DOG (2) 1. Roberts’ Ch & Ir Ch Joybull Mister Bossman, handsome dog in wonderful condition, beautifully bodied with excellent muscle tone. Unexaggerated head type with good width and depth of skull, plenty of strength of muzzle and tight well placed eye. Reasonable width in front, just enough bone, excellent spring of rib and angulation front and back is ideal. Could be a shade shorter coupled and sometimes on the stack he softens a little in topline but when he moves he pulls himself together very well. Playful and enthusiastic mover who soon settled. 2. Porter & Bowser’s AraucariaCornus Sanguinea (AI), good basic type with unexaggerated head and pleasing expression. Well boned and bodied, good overall balance but a little tense in topline and not as well angulated as 1. Front movement was a little loose and he was rather close behind. Very outgoing temperament.

BABY PUPPY BITCH (2,1) 1. Warren’s Crimlisk Spicy Shiraz of Copperfield, 4 months and a real chunky treasure screaming quality from nose to tail. Beautiful head and expression with plenty of depth of skull, good width of muzzle, excellent mouth and typical eye with well-placed mask. Already good with in front, strong bone down to firm pasterns but feet can tighten with age. Clean arched neck, optimum angulation front and back with already good spring of rib and well coupled. She has a very clear coat and moved with incredible composure for her tender age. Should have a great future. This must have been some litter!

MINOR PUPPY BITCH (5,1) 1. Huizer’s Dirty Dancing of Black Hunar, strapping 8 months fawn remarkably finished for her age and a wonderful combination of breed type with quality. Beautiful headpiece, truly square with very expressive tight dark eyes, excellent muzzle width with firm underjaw and good bite. Already good width in front, well boned right down to tight feet, clean elegant but powerful neck leading into well laid shoulders and the angulation at both ends is spot on. Already excellent spring of rib but she can still firm up in topline a little on the stack, however when she moves she holds herself perfectly and moves with great freedom and power. 2. Hinchley & Connaughton’s Reesley Volcanic Eruption, at 6 months giving a lot away in age but she has so much going for her. Beautifully balanced head with expressive dark eye, good width and depth of muzzle. The mask could be a little more densely pigmented but she still throws out a very typical expression. Good length of neck, developing well in front, she has enough bone but feet need to tighten and pasterns strengthen. Already good spring of rib, well coupled with excellent angles, she stands firmly on sound hocks and moves steadily with drive and scope. 3. Fascoine’s Reesley Careless Whisper at Fasden.

PUPPY BITCH (3.1) 1. Lindley’s Hyerdunscar Hot Gossip with Optimus, 9 months clear fawn of intense quality who completely fills the eye with her beautifully proportioned and detailed head, classic expression and flowing lines. Cleanly arched neck, already impressive forechest with straight, well-boned forelegs and decent feet. Already good spring of rib, the angulation is moderate front and back and she holds a firm topline at all times. Moved with great scope and purpose and has a natural ring presence. Made a huge impression on me and won the Reserve CC and Best Puppy In Show. Definite superstar potential! 2. Aston & Bowen’s Astonpride Poison Ivy, 9 months red, slightly smaller framed but nonetheless beautifully balanced with excellent head proportions, dense mask, expressive eye and firm strong underjaw. Enough neck, forechest is filling out well, strong bone but feet can tighten with maturity. A little shorter in ribcage than the winner but the angulation is balanced if she could have a little greater length of upper arm. Like the winner, she moved with great enthusiasm.

JUNIOR BITCH (2) 1. Warren’s Anmenta Arabella Allen of Copperfield (ImpAus), just 12 months old clear fawn with huge appeal in outline, general construction and overall balance. The head is well-proportioned with good width and depth of skull, wide muzzle and strong underjaw. She needs to fill in under the eyes a little and the ears need to settle. Filling out in front, good bone but feet could be tighter. Excellent length of neck, angulation front and back is spot on and she has an excellent quality Clear coat. She moves with great enthusiasm and accuracy with plenty of power and scope. Best Junior In Show. 2, Myers’ Optimus Juliette JW, 15 months and again has many individual breed qualities, particularly in general substance and type. Head is slightly differently proportioned to the winner but has great strength of skull and development of cheek but again needs a little more under the eye and she’s not as strong in underjaw as the winner. Just enough neck, excellent strength of bone, decent feet, and good spring of rib. Not moving with quite the enthusiasm of the winner, but she is still quite sound.

YEARLING BITCH (2) 1. Latter’s Ch Stoneglad She’s All That, 23 months top quality clear fawn with substance but still oozing breed type and feminine charm. Excellent squareness in skull scoring heavily in expression with dark intelligent eyes, good width of muzzle and strength of underjaw. Well filled front, good strength of bone, reasonable feet and enough neck. Well-proportioned outline with good angles front and back and lovely quality coat. Moved true with great enthusiasm and power and was in beautiful condition. Very much in the frame when it came to the top awards. 2. Rodriguez’ Romina Power de Penamellera, 20 months old deeper fawn with lots to like. Constructionally she is very well-made and well balanced. The head is of excellent basic type if a little overdone in wrinkle, but the proportions are there if she could have a little bit more depth of underjaw. Excellent width in front, good bone and tight feet, she moved quite soundly but not with the confidence or animation of the winner or her exceptional carriage.

POST GRADUATE BITCH (5,2) 1. Mira’s Ashoka Canaky, fawn with excellent overall breed type, free of exaggeration and very moderate all through but still with ample substance. Pleasing head proportions with strong skull, well set eyes that could be a shade darker, good width of muzzle and firm deep underjaw. Enough forechest, strong bone, tight feet with correct length of neck leading into well angulated front with corresponding rear angulation which she used well on the move. Well sprung ribs, quality coat but has a little loose skin over the withers.2. Rodriguez’ Mi Nina de Penamellera, dark red, a little heavier built all through than 1, rather loaded in shoulder and more stuffy in neck but she has strong bone and excellent rib. Head type is pleasing with good strength of muzzle but she had one rather wet eye. Moved with some power using well-muscled quarters. High-quality coat. 3. Harris’ Lynchspride Doja Cat.

LIMIT BITCH (11,6) 1. Thomas & Bull’s Phoria’s Eden, substantial but very well balanced fawn full of quality. Plenty of squareness about the head with strong muzzle, sufficient strength of underjaw and just enough mask. Good width in front, strong bone, tight feet, well sprung ribs, firm level topline with absolutely spot on angulation front and back. She has a very clear coat and moved steadily with purpose and drive. 2. Ellis-Payne’s Joybull Vanilla Fudge at Chayo, brindle of quality with excellent overall head type of good proportions, dark expressive eye and excellent lip placement with firm deep underjaw. Good width in front, well ribbed with strong bone right down to the feet. Could have a little more length of upper arm and not as well let down in the rear as the winner and not showing with the same enthusiasm, but she is basically sound and was in excellent condition. 3. A. Canaky.

OPEN BITCH (8,2) this was a very strong class 1. Myers’ Int/Nl/Bel Ch Paris de L’Arche Des Loups Angels avec Optimus (Imp Fra), mature fawn in the peak of condition and such an obliging showgirl, standing free with an ever-wagging tail. Well-proportioned head with the requisite squareness, great depth of skull, expressive eye which is dark enough, good width and finish of muzzle. Clean powerfully crested neck, well developed forechest, quality bone, tight enough feet and she is well ribbed back with moderate angles front and back. She moved with enthusiasm and power which is where she scored so heavily in the class. Although pushed so hard by the sensational Puppy I felt her overall finish and performance warranted the CC and later Reserve Best In Show behind the slightly shorter-coupled male. 2. Rodriguez’ Sp Ch Is A Kind Of Magid de Penamellera, smaller framed red bitch in the hardest condition. Absolutely beautiful head with wonderful proportions, perfect mask and classic expression. Well filled in front with strong bone, well ribbed back with excellent angles all through and a high-quality coat. She is a sound mover but didn’t have the enthusiasm of the winner. 3. Hinchley & Connaughton’s Reesley In It To Win It.

SPECIAL OPEN BRINDLE BITCH (4,3) 1. Warren’s Ch Yakee Blue Topaz of Copperfield, fully mature bitch with lots of type about her. Good basic head proportions, ears could be a little neater but she has good width of muzzle, depth of skull and a decent mouth. Well filled front, quite good feet (which a manicure would help), good spring of rib, well coupled with powerful hindquarters which she knows how to use on the move.

ANDREW H. BRACE