Bath Canine Society

WORKING GROUP I was very much looking forward to judging my first working group and for sure it did not disappoint. As the group entered I knew I was going to have fun sorting them out with the depth in quality that faced me. My shortlist consisted of the Boxer, Ch Boxania Romanoff To Jeddhi, Great Dane, Ch Garsak Summer Days At Mintrex, Rottweiler, Ch Fantasa Lucky Seven and St Bernard, Chandlimore Minerva. My final 4 stole the show and could have made a case for any of them to have won in my opinion. My group 4 was a super male Bernese Mountain dog, Esp/Prt Ch Devael Itz Killefitz. He is strong, well proportioned dog, a lovely head with strength in muzzle, defined stop and expressive almond shaped eyes, really well chested and ribbed with a muscular neck, holds his topline at all times with precise footfall, shown in great condition, both in coat and muscle. Lots to like. Group 3 is a junior Bouvier, Quiche’s Xplorer Treks To Bouvpilot, that I had had the pleasure to judge recently in the breed, his shape with that compact body clean cut head, super straight forelegs and typical moderate rear quarters the breed asks for shows he is full of breed type, for sure he will body up more with maturity and i feel will be better still in 12mths. He has an easy action on the move and will watch his career with interest. Group 2 and no stranger to the big ring was the Newfoundland, Ch Sandbears Masterpiece. He is a very impressive dog in absolute tip top condition, i really like his clean outline from his head through his muscular neck and excellent topline with the correct croup and tail that is of good length, balanced head, well placed small eyes and has depth to his muzzle. Good bone and feet, really well sprung ribs, broad back and a muscled loin, his body really is great to go over. A very easy watch on the move with that slight roll and a super drive in the rear. My winner today was the Russian Black Terrier, Evrussky Black Widow (ai). When you judge dogs you need that feeling of what catches your eye and makes you give a dog a second look, today this bitch really did that to me. She is as square in shape as you can ask for, under her coat she has a broad skull, level head plains with a slight stop, lovely dark eyes, high set thick ears. Straight forelegs, a deep chest and well developed ribs, a high set tail and on the move she is highly impressive with long strides at both ends. On the final go around she was the one who filled my eye the most, shown in super condition. Gavin Robertson