Three Counties Agricultural Society

VD – (1/0)

1st – Cook’s Sh Ch Highclare Only One avec Talliside (ai) JW - The dog stood alone and, although his head is not to my preference, being somewhat heavier than ideal with a wider muzzle and heavier jowls than I like to see, he was nevertheless worthy of being awarded best dog. He is of a good size, presenting a square outline, with a deep chest appropriately extending to his elbow and a nicely rounded rib without any fat. Shown in very good condition with great muscle tone, he stands naturally square with a good topline which he maintains on the move even though he was slightly distracted today by low flying birds. A good neck and well-set shoulders lead to a solid back and on to a slight slope of coup to a nicely muscled and rounded bum. Well-toned thighs hold him squarely both stacked and on the move, and he has a nicely textured coat of good colour and thickness. BD

JB – (1/0)

1st – Dixon’s Violette De Keranlouan – A correctly marked tri colour bitch of good height with a decent square outline when viewed from the side, although carrying rather too much weight at present. Appeared a little unsettled in the environment which impacted her movement somewhat but there were some points of settled and appropriately clipped gait with a decent topline. Her nervousness may also have contributed to the lack of usual alert expression one would look for in the breed and her ears were held down and back. Decent amount of bone and a rich colour coat of good thickness and texture.

1st – Southorn’s Umika De La Riviere Ouareau (Imp Fra) – A young bitch of a good size and shown in good, muscled condition which will no doubt only improve as she matures. But already a good amount of bone and nice rib reaching appropriately to elbow. Presented a nice shape both from the side and front with a good length of neck, muscular shoulders and a good topline which was held on the move. A strong looking front with good muscle, neatly tucked in elbows and solid looking forequarters showing good conformation and power available for a day’s work in the field. A nicely shaped head with moderate stop and a nice alert expression with soft intelligent eyes and ears well set and carried high. Muzzle proportions appropriate with skull and muzzle showing parallel planes. 

2nd – Holt’s Rochus Starburst – A somewhat smaller bitch than the 1st and at the bottom end of the breed standard in height terms. However, she did present a cobby outline with a good spring of rib, short back and strong hindquarters with broad muscular thighs. For me, the head proportions were not ideal with a shorter muzzle then I like leading to a less elegant look but still demonstrating a lively intelligent expression. On the move, the topline was well held and the dog moved really well with a nice, clipped gait of good pace.

1st – Gudgin & Finch’s Jassendue Usoa JW – This pretty 3-year-old bitch still has some maturing to do but is already presenting a lovely picture of a Brittany with nothing overdone. She has a pretty feminine head with appropriate proportions of skull to muzzle with parallel lines and a moderate stop. Rich brown eyes provide an intelligent, yet soft look and ears are nicely placed and used well to give an alertness and characterful look. She has lovely tight lips presenting an overall picture of an elegant and refined head with none of the heaviness that is sometimes seen. She has a good length of neck set into moderately sloping shoulders with a good amount of muscle for age. Side outline provides a cobby square dog with a good depth of chest which will no doubt improve further as she ages. A neat short back with good topline held well on the move with a sloping croup provides the solid conformation needed for good movement and she did not disappoint on this aspect. One minor point is a little more coat would be nice but what she has is of good texture and colour. BB, BOB

2nd – Southorn’s Rochus Otille (ai) – A black and white bitch presented in a solidly muscled condition but was somewhat a little too full of character on the day, making her movement rather erratic. Smaller in height and overall than the 1st, she nevertheless presents a cobby outline with a good depth of rib and short back with strong loin. Shorter in muzzle than 1st, with a stronger stop giving a less feminine and stronger looking head than the 1st. Good muscle tone in breadth of thigh, strong pasterns and neat feet, even if she wasn’t all that keen on keeping them on the floor on the day. 

1st – Southorn’s Sh Ch Rochus Juliet – This bitch is in great shape for any age, and even more so given she is now 11 years old. A square cobby outline with a lovely depth of rib, a nicely rounded ribcage without any excess covering and with brisket down to elbow. A nice short back with a short strong loin and a nice curve of buttock with well-muscled thighs. From the front another good picture of a nicely built dog with well-muscled shoulders, neat elbows and a good length of neck. Although slightly stronger in stop and look than the bitch winner, she still presents a pretty face with expressive eyes, nicely placed ears used to good effect to give an overall intelligent look. Despite her age she moves well with a typical clipped gait and pushed the winner hard leading to her achieving RBB.