English St Bernard Club

The English St Bernard Club – 

1st August 2026

Many thanks to the Officers and Committee of the English St Bernard Club for the invitation to judge their excellent Open show. The atmosphere was wonderful with the weather contributing to a ‘Garden Party’ atmosphere albeit a bit too hot at times for this noble giant Breed. Most coped very well and it was heartening to see the love and care all the handlers and owners gave to ensure their dogs were as comfortable as possible in these conditions.

The overall quality was very good. So many had excellent type, strength, bone and imposing stature but no exaggerations anywhere. I was impressed with heads and most had enough length of leg for function and balance.

Movement varied. Some could be better out and back but all were sound. Temperaments were excellent right across the board.

I really enjoyed the show. Not only the pleasure of judging but having an excellent ring steward, excellent hospitality and a very valuable Mentoring session for the afternoon Ch show with an experienced Breed Specialist, all in all, a great day!.

Baby P/D 

1st Bernmont Dominique. Precious baby on the cusp of 6 months. Great for type and potential. Lovely bone with good body. Head of correct shape, showing signs of developing along the right lines. Wouldn’t change her anywhere at this stage. Obviously, still ‘puppyish’ on the move but she is sound and gave a good account of herself. If she carries on like this, should have a great future. 

2nd Bernmont Utringue Paratos. Litter brother to 1st and shares many of the same attributes. Loved his head and typical stoic expression. Excellent head, already showing strength with an excellent squareness to muzzle to match. Excellent angles and great body for his age. Not quite feeling it today on the move but he too is sound as a bell and will equal his sibling’s potential, I’m sure.

VD/B

1st Bernmont Vojak. 7 year old. Great for type, substance and bone. Excellent head piece. Good strength to shapely skull with muzzle to compliment. Clean, dark eye. Well set on ears. Strong neck. Well let down chest. Excellent body. Short, firm loins. Balanced angles. Thick coat. Sound in all directions. BVIS.

2nd Tombears Ready For Anything At Philandros. Preferred the overall proportions of this boy and again very typical for size, some length of leg, body and bone. Super head, balanced and plenty of strength all through. Eyes ok. Good ear set of correct size. Excellent overall conformation. Just feeling the heat a bit but moved ok. 

MPD.

1st Hugo’s Naughty Neo At Bossbernards. 9 month old baby. Pleasing in head properties. Strong, slightly rounded skull. Defined stop. Topline of muzzle could be slightly straighter but shows enough strength for age. Excellent reach of neck. Chest developing well. Good bone. Lovely shape with body condition to match. Slightly sloping croup. Good angles front and rear. Moved out well, carrying his tail correctly. Good coat, colour and markings. Shows excellent potential. BPD & BPIS. 

2nd. Cyronelle Superwomble At Branbar. 8 month old and looking a smidge raw compared to 1st. Great for type. Head developing well. Clean, dark eye. Needs to grow into his ears as they are looking a bit large and low set at the moment. Super body and condition. Sound conformation and moved very well.

PGD

1st Saintdiamond Desire For Adventure At Millvosi. Promising youngster. Good head, defined stop and strength to skull and muzzle. Clean dark eye. Well set ear of medium size. Moderate neck. Chest coming along well. Quality bone. Correct height to length ratios but tends to fall away a bit over croup. Good angles. Quality, double coat. Moved out very well and sound.

2nd Coldlea Special Edition. Close-up in many aspects. Lovely dog for size and substance, Excellent head piece with lovely dark, clean eyes. Strong square muzzle. Well set ears. Moderate neck. Good chest. Excellent topline. Short loins. Well angled front but could have a smidge more at the rear. Moved well from profile. Needs to settle a bit out and back. Excellent coat for colour, markings and presentation.

3rd Bernmont Carlos. I do love a Smooth and this boy is an excellent representative. Impressive in head, outline and stature. Excellent body and coat. Good to go over with a well made front and plenty of depth all though. Not as true on the rear today as those above him. Should easily make-up though.

LD. 1st Coldlea Midnight Sapphire. A really super young male approaching full maturity. Excellent head shape. Slightly rounded skull, plenty of strength and masculine in outlook. Well defined stop. Large nose with open nostrils. Dark eye. Moderate neck leading to a well angled front. Quality bone. Good deep chest. Holds a firm topline. Excellent ribs with body to match. Good rear angulation and soundness in hocks. Slightly sloping croup. Good tail length, set and carriage. Moved with a good depth of stride, true out and back. Presented in excellent double coat. Feeling the heat at times and consequently, this why he bowed the knee to the female for BIS. Deserves to carry his title.

2nd Towerviewsaints Red Mist. Another excellent representative and could easily change places on another day. Similar to 1st for size, substance and overall outline. Liked his typical head and outlook. Good to go over with sound conformation. Just preferred 1st on the move and lower tail carriage. Well presented and handled. 

3rd Bernmont Carlos. Completed a trio of good, typey males. Slightly smaller and more compact in outline compared to those above him. Excellent head. Eyes ok. Plenty of bone and strength all through. Moved ok.

OD. 1st Bernmont Sargeant At Philandros. RBD.

2nd Ch. Bernmont Allo Allo At Philandros. Two litter brother that are similar in many aspects. Both impress in outlines and proportions. Excellent bodies and plenty of bone. For me, Allo Allo has a slightly better head shape but preferred the overall conformation of Sargeant. Both boys have strength to skull, well filled muzzles and large, typical noses. Both had clean, dark eyes and well set ears. On the day, Sargeant just out moved his sibling, but I liked them both very much. Thick, double coats, well presented.

JB. 1st Alchazandis Pierrette. Strong young female with great strength and excellent body for her age. Liked her head shape and complimentary muzzle. Dark eye but showing a bit of haw, nothing excessive though. Well set on ears. Thick, strong neck. Firm topline. Moderate angles. A bit reluctant on the move but ok once she got going. Lovely coat.

PGB. Good class to sort. 1st Saranback Dare To Dream. Excellent female. Approaching 3 years and full maturity. Excellent head and body ratios. Strength to shapely skull and well filled muzzle. Dark eye with stoic expression. Strong neck. Excellent lay of shoulder and return of upperarm. Deep chest. Firm topline. Strong, muscular loins. Well angled rear and sound hocks. Excellent mover in all directions.

2nd Coldlea Midnight Express. Another excellent female. Litter Sister to BD and shares many of his attributes, just a more feminine version. Loved her head, eye and expression. Excellent conformation and strong body. Not quite the strength in rear and could be better going away. Overall, she is great for type and shows equal promise as her sibling. Lovely coat.

3rd Cyronelle Dixie Princess At Branbar. Good for strength with pleasing head, eye and ear set. A smidge short on leg for ideal overall balance. Balanced angles. Sound mover.

LB. 1st Parleshan Ebony Rose. For me, this lovely female ticked all the boxes. Great for type. Good body ratios showing enough length of leg for function. Shapely head, slightly rounded skull shape, well defined stop and square, well filled muzzle. Excellent eye. Moderate neck. Deep chest. Well ribbed and short, muscular loins. Good angles. Moderate slope to croup. Correct tail set. Excellent mover, sound in all directions. Excellent coat, thick and well presented. Delighted to award her BB and BIS. Thrilled she took the top spot at the afternoon Ch show under a renowned Breed Specialist.

2nd Saintdiamond U And Me In Paradise At Millvosi. Lovely Smooth. Liked everything about her. Great type and looked good on the stack with a pleasing outline and enough bone and strength all through. Good coat and condition. Just preferred 1st on the move. Quite close-up though. Best Smooth Coat In Show.

OB. 1st Dawstenbears Rule The World. Strong female that appealed for her strength and good Breed type. Super head piece. Dark, clean eye. Well set ears. A bit short in neck but muscular and good strength. Deep chest. Quality bone. Good overall outline. Moderate angulation front and rear. Well presented double coat.

2nd Ch. Surleval Draig Sisu. Worthy Ch. Excellent size and outline with good length of leg. Super head and expression. Lacking a bit in body and coat on the day. Excellent conformation. Moved out freely and sound as a bell. 

Special Open Smooth.

1st S. Yarrow Field Blossom At L.

Darren Clarke (Judge)