West Of England Ladies Kennel Society

West of England Ladies Kennel Society CH Show 

St Bernard 

Thank you to the committee for the invitation to judge at this lovely well run show. 

I last judged this breed in 2023 & although the breed has improved & continues to do so in some aspects, I was very concerned to see several undershot or reverse scissor bites. Our breed standard states very clearly “a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws. Well-developed teeth of good size”. We are on the Breed Watch for several areas of concern, & dentition is one of them. It is worrying to see that in just less than 2 years, dentition has become worse.  

When we judge a breed with CC’s that are on the breed watch list, judges have to submit a report to the RKC detailing the points of concern found on the day (rest assured that no names of breeders, dogs or handlers are asked for or given). Sadly, I had to note that the dentition of several exhibits does not have what the breed standard calls for & with this in mind, it is a fact that we will undoubtedly remain on the breed watch list. 

My heartfelt thanks to all who supported not just me, but the society with the lovely entry of dogs. 

I was very happy with the overall entry of dogs on the day (aforementioned issue aside), with the majority very pleasing to go over & nice to see some new dogs & people entering the breed. 

Our ring was a bit bumpy, but movement overall was not impaired too much 

Veteran Dog (No entries) 

Minor Puppy Dog (No entries) 

Puppy Dog (2 entries, 0 Abs) 

1st Svanasjons Xtra Special (Imp Swe) (Mrs H Venable-Smith) 

11 ½ mths male, who is still learning what all this dog show stuff is about! He has a very happy disposition & was enjoying the attention. He has a masculine head with the darkest of eyes that are clean & clear, an abrupt stop, square muzzle & the best of teeth. Lips not too pendulous. Good reach of neck that is muscular, a good set of shoulders. Level top line, deep chest & good spring of rib. Plenty of bone & lovely tight feet. Presented well groomed & in good muscular condition throughout. Moved well with his handler. BPIB 

2nd Coldlea Shaken Not Stirred (Mr D & Ms S H Meyrick & Thorpe) 

9mth male who was unfortunate to meet 1st today. Overall he wasn’t as settled, & was a little erratic moving around. Good head developing, broad skull & good with to neck, some depth to chest & good shoulder placement. Dark well set eyes, although I would have liked them cleaner & better dentition. Well off for bone, moved ok once he & his handler settled into it & relaxed. Well-muscled rear. 

Junior Dog (3 entries, 2Abs) 

1st Chandlimore High Flyer (Mr B & Miss A Deegan & Grainger) 

An exciting 18mth old dog who is oozing substance & quality throughout. Although for the breed he is ‘young’ he has everything that he needs. He loved all the attention from his handler too.  

Masculine headpiece, width to skull & no loose skin. Dark, clean & clear eyes, well set ears & excellent dentition. Muscular neck with ample length, that sits on well-placed shoulders. Depth to chest, & lovely spring of rib with close fitting elbows. Table top top line, short loin & excellent muscle tone throughout his large frame. Moved effortlessly & probably could have gone on all day! This young dog has a very bright future ahead I’m sure. DCC & BOB 

Yearling Dog (3 Entries, 0 Abs) 

1st Bernmont Sergeant at Philandros (Ms P J & Mrs R Forrest & Lucas) 

18mth substantial boy. Masculine head, good eyes, depth to back skull & good muzzle, excellent dentition, best of the class. Strong muscular neck, decent shoulder. Would like more depth & width to his chest. Ample bone, good ribs. Moved ok. 

2nd Streillys Hugo The Boss by Bellfries (Miss N Mokryk) 

An upstanding substantial boy just under 2 years, in excellent body & handled excellently by his young handler. He has a masculine head, short muzzle, strong jaw, tight dark eye, flat cheeks & well set ears would have liked better dentition which is why he lost out on 1st place. Muscular broad neck, well placed shoulders, broad back & excellent ribbing. Croup set ok. Moved in tune with his handler, who presents him in a kind & professional manner. 

3rd Chandlimore Good Fortune for Olafsaints (Mr A & Mrs A Salter) 

Post Graduate Dog (1 entry, 0 abs) 

1st Towerviewsaints Red Mist (IKC) (L & A Kimberley & Doherty) 

23 ½ months male in excellent coat & condition. Masculine head with broad back skull, Dark well set eyes & ears, muscular neck into decent laid shoulders & solid top line. When standing he is a little ’10 to 2’ at the front. Well off for bone & lovely tight feet & moves well. 

Limit Dog (4 Entries Abs: 0) 

1st Kingdom On The Rock Wielkopolski Bernardyn for Bellfries (Imp Pol) (Mrs R D & Mrs M D Bell & Jeffries) 

Another lovely male that fills ones eye. Not the tallest, but balanced none the less. He has a lovely shape & plenty of substance under a beautiful coat. All male head, tight dark eye, square muzzle with excellent teeth. Depth to a wide chest, solid top line which he holds on the move. Well-muscled throughout. Moved well. RDCC 

2nd Noralu Bite The Bullet (Mrs D Outram) 

An upstanding tall male with plenty of substance who was very unfortunate to meet 1 today. Presented in the best condition & coat. Lovely headpiece, flat cheeks, good earset, tight dark eye & whitest of teeth with complete scissor bite. Preferred overall shape & movement of 1 however this young man is in hard muscular condition throughout. He moved well, although a little untidy behind today. 

Open Dog (1 Entries Abs: 1) 

Veteran Bitch (0 Entries) 

Minor Puppy Bitch (NO ENTRIES) 

Puppy Bitch (2 entries, 1 Abs) 

1st Coldlea Eva Gabor (Mr D & Ms S H Meyrick & Thorpe) 

10mth bitch of good shape. Pretty head, with dark eyes (a little wet today), short muzzle with good stop, teeth could be better. Good front assembly & muscle throughout. Broad back, long ribs & short loin. Moved ok.  

Junior Bitch (2 entries, 1 Abs) 

1st Chandlimore Reach Out Beausaints (Mrs T & Mr G Booth) 

12mth girl, just out of puppy & left her coat at home! Good shape to her frame. Feminine head, with enough back skull, tight dark eye & correct earset. Well-muscled throughout, but moved a bit erratically today. 

Yearling Bitch (2 Entries Abs: 0) 

1st Chandlimore Star Struck with Beausaints (Mrs T & Mr G Booth) 

17mth rich mahogany coated girl who dared you not to look at her. She has a typy feminine head, not overdone, tight dark eyes, short stop, and excellent dentition. Well placed ears. Enough length of neck, deep chest, good ribbing and level top line. She moved well with her handler and secured herself the BCC 

2nd Kingdom of Dream Wielkopolski Bernardyn (Mr J Barr). 

Another shapely girl, different type to 1st. Well boned, excellent muscle tone throughout, good teeth & eyes. Unfortunately she was rather unsettled looking for her owner so was not at her best.  

Post Graduate Bitch (3 Entries Abs: 1) 

1st Chandlimore Heart of Fire (Mrs R Windsor) 

Lovely to see another young handler having an enjoyable day. 

2yr old shapely girl with a lovely feminine head, Dark well set eyes, ample muzzle, abrupt stop, & good teeth. Moved & presented well with her young handler. 

2nd Freybears Mini Me (Miss Z P Lovell) 

Different type to 1. Shorter in leg, & carrying a little too much weight. Lovely head piece, feminine expression, tight dark eyes & good teeth. Moved well. 

Limit Bitch (0 Entries) 

Open Bitch (1 Entries Abs: 0) 

1st Chedham Another Level for Angelmoon (Miss S Drewe) 

5 ½ yr old smooth girl who has changed a lot since I last judged her. Tall, with ample bone, good head, short muzzle, abrupt stop & lovely teeth. Dark clean eyes of good shape, well set ears. Muscular neck of good length & well placed shoulders. Very well bodied, if not a little too much. Moved well with her handler. 

Thank you all for your support & bringing your dogs for me today. 

Kathy Lane (Lanebern)