Manchester Dog Show Society

Basset Griffon Vendeen (Grand)

I was very pleased with the quality of my main winners although entry was very mixed for type, size and quality. Fronts are a bit all over the place at the moment and a couple of softer coats. Overall, most exhibits were presented in good condition although what concerned me most was the number of dodgy bites. Some verging on level, a couple of level and one slightly undershot. I won’t point it out in the individual critiques as all dogs had enough other qualities to warrant prizes, however these are hunting hounds and whilst I know this won’t impede on their hunting instincts it is certainly something that wouldn’t be tolerated in the country of origin. I do love judging this breed however as they really make you have to think about what you’re doing.

PD (1 Entries) Abs: 0

1st: O’DAY, Miss Amanda Rocky Succession Of Baron At Madifrey (imp Pol)

What a super start to my day. Quality 7-month-old puppy of excellent type with super head proportions with nicely domed skull, good stop and nice square muzzle with wide nostrils. Lovely eye shape giving super expression and well-set ears of good length and shape. Very good front to go over with well laid shoulders, excellent forechest and good pasterns and feet with sufficient bone throughout. Still a bit loose at the elbows but to be expected in a puppy. Good length of rib with enough spring and depth, again taking age into consideration. Super strong hindquarters with moderate bend of stifle and well-set tail. Super mover for his age, still a bit loose in front but plenty of drive at the rear and sound. Looked lovely in profile. Nice rough coat starting to develop and in super condition for his age. Considering his excellent breed specific qualities, I was forgiving of his lack of maturity when it came to the final awards and seriously considered him for the CC. I felt the open winner today was more of a finished article but was more than happy to award him the RCC as he is of excellent quality. I look forward to watching his show career as I’m certain has a bright future. Best Puppy in Breed.

JD (1 Entries) Abs: 0

1st: BUCHANAN, Mrs Fiona & MACLAREN, Mr Michael Tarmachan Tre Valli. 17-month-old with a super head, nice square muzzle and good stop and skull proportions. Good eye and expression and well-set ears of good length. Good length of neck going into well laid shoulders and overall, a good front with sufficient forechest. OK feet which could be a bit tighter. Good depth of chest and brisket with sufficient spring of rib. A touch more length of body than I prefer and a little bit more hind angulation which impacted on his hind movement being slightly closer, however movement was overall good. Well set tail and overall, a dog with plenty of positive qualities.

LD (1 Entries) Abs: 0

1st: MCGREGOR, Mrs Pamela & MCGREGOR, MISS CLAIRE Claela Lets Drink A Toast. 2-year-old of good breed type with good head proportions, nice expression and well set ears of good length. Lovely lay of shoulder and super forechest and feet. Good depth of chest and nice strong loin. Lovely coat texture and condition and well-set tail of good length. OK hindquarters. Moved well overall being sound, however would like a bit more freedom and elasticity in his action. Plenty to like.

OD (4 Entries) Abs: 0

1st: BUCHANAN, Mrs Fiona & MACLAREN, Mr Michael Tarmachan Tipsy Laird. I really love this dog for overall breed type, size and proportions. Lovely balanced head with square muzzle, good stop and skull proportions and lovely eye shape giving a noble expression. Lovely low set ears of good length. Super front and feet with good forechest and enough bone for his size. Good length of rib with enough depth and spring and nice tight elbows. Strong loin and hindquarters and lovely coat texture and overall condition. The best mover in this class being sound and balanced with free and easy action. Not the biggest male, but well within standard for size, unexaggerated and balanced with excellent type, I gave him the RCC as a youngster and was delighted to award him the CC today, his third I was told, making him a well-deserved Champion.

2nd: MCGREGOR, Mrs Pamela & MCGREGOR, MISS CLAIRE Ch Claela Infinity And Beyond. Another quality male with good head and expression. Nice, domed skull with square muzzle and super ears of good length. Lovely length of neck going into a very good front with acceptable feet. Excellent coat texture and good length of rib with balanced strong hindquarters. Slightly longer in body than I’d like, which was where if felt the winner and the puppy offered more balance, however a sound moving dog of quality who is more than worthy of his title.

3rd: COOPER, Miss C & O'BRIEN, Miss E & O'BRIEN, Miss K Ch Jayanel Royal Affair At Katillien

VD (1 Entries) Abs: 0

1st: BAILEY, Mr Robert & YATES, Mr Andrew Ch Ir Ch Tarmachan Ice Cool. 8-year-old with a nice enough head although would like a stronger muzzle. Nice eye shape with good ear set and length. Good front and feet with sufficient bone and enough forechest. Good depth of chest with moderately rounded ribcage and strong loin. Balanced strong hindquarters and excellent harsh coat. Moved nicely, sound and particularly good in profile giving free action with good drive.

JB (2 Entries) Abs: 0

1st: ROBERTS, Mrs A Tarmachan D'ora Ligure. Promising young bitch with a super head and eye shape, lovely domed skull, good stop and nice square muzzle, excellent eye shape and ear set and length. Lovely length of neck going into an excellent front with very good bone and feet. Good length of rib with a strong loin and strong balanced hindquarters. Lovely mover, sound up and back and typical in profile. Considered for higher awards but lacked the maturity of the open and veteran winners. Her day will come.

2nd: VAN VIERSEN, Mrs Karin & VAN VIERSEN, Mr Steven Dji-dji's Cupcake Van De Viersenhoeve. Bitch of different type who did not scare as well in head or front construction as the winner. I’d have liked a stronger muzzle, although she had a nice eye shape and good ear set of good length. Nice length of neck going into an acceptable front however her feet could be tighter, and nails could do with cutting!! Good rough coat texture. A touch bum high today perhaps still needs time to mature. Sound mover up and back, slightly overreaching in profile.

LB (2 Entries) Abs: 0

1st: BAILEY, Mr Robert & YATES, Mr Andrew Wilmit Mirabelle For Bonevon. I felt this bitch was the most together on the move of the two. She has a feminine head with good eye shape and well-set ears of good length. Good length of neck going into a good front with strong sternum and nice bone. She has a lovely harsh coat texture and balanced rib to loin proportions. Strong hindquarters which she used well on the move. A bitch of good type with plenty to like.

2nd: VAN VIERSEN, Mrs Karin & VAN VIERSEN, Mr Steven Oxane's Bubbles Van De Viersenhoeve. Good head overall except she is slightly rounder in eye than I’d prefer. Balanced skull to muzzle proportions with a good stop and prominent occiput. An OK front with good forechest and excellent feet. Excellent coat texture and overall, in good condition. A touch weaker at the rear which affected her movement but another with plenty of positive qualities.

OB (2 Entries) Abs: 0

1st: COOPER, Miss C L Ch Jayanel Peppermint Patty. Quality bitch with super head, lovely domed skull, good stop and strong square muzzle. Lovely expression and ear set of good length. Although I wouldn’t want her much bigger, she retains femininity and, on the stand, gives a beautiful balanced outline. Super front, she was lovely to go over, with good lay of shoulder, strong bone and excellent forechest. Lovely length of well-rounded ribs with strong loin and balanced strong hindquarters. Excellent coat texture and presented in hard muscled condition. Very sound on the move, just tended to flatten out a bit and I’d have like to see her carry her tail a bit higher. For construction, soundness and quality I felt this bitch was more than worthy of higher awards and was delighted to award her the RCC.

2nd: MCGREGOR, Mrs Pamela & MCGREGOR, MISS CLAIRE Claela Sweet Afton At Arona. Another bitch of good breed type with a feminine head of good proportions, good stop and nice eye shape and ears of good length. Good front and feet and nice length of rib. A touch more hind angulation that I’d like although generally moved well, being sound up and back. Excellent coat texture and overall condition. Still a young bitch who lacked the maturity of the winner but another with plenty to like.

VB (1 Entries) Abs: 0

1st: O’DAY, Miss Amanda & BUCHANAN, Mrs Fiona & MACLA Ch Tarmachan Black Ice WW18. Super quality Bitch with excellent head, good domed skull, good stop and strong square muzzle of excellent proportions. Lovely eye shape giving intelligent expression and super ears of good length and correct set. Super length of neck going into the best front of the day. Lovely lay of shoulder with balanced upper arm, tight elbows and excellent bone and feet. Lovely forechest and moderately rounded ribs, good depth of brisket with balanced strong loin and super tail set, set on correctly and carried well when stood or on the move. Excellent coat texture and in excellent hard muscled condition, this bitch could work all day. Balanced strong rear giving good drive on the move, which was sound and free in all directions. One of the best examples of the breed I’ve judged and at 8 years old really in her prime. She didn’t put a foot wrong today and I was happy to award her BCC, Best of Breed and Best Veteran. I was told by her owners this is her 20th CC, such an achievement in any breed. Congratulations.