Bournemouth Canine Association

Bournemouth Championship Show

9th August 2026

Judge: Ian Sladden (CanemAmans)

Have to say it was a privilege to be asked to judge at Bournemouth Championship show, the atmosphere was lovely and I had a thoroughly enjoyable day. Thank you to the committee for inviting me to judge. 

Bracco Italiano

It is always a pleasure to be asked to judge your own breed, although a small entry the quality was there with some absolutely smashing youngsters that I will follow with great interest as they mature. The last time I judged the breed was at Richmond in 2024. I have noticed over the last 2 years that breed type has been slipping. First and foremost balance and moderation, nothing should be overdone in this breed. Heads - such a key feature in this breed, they should be long, angular and narrow at the zygomatic arches, at present more heavy and broad skulls seem to be appearing. There should be substance and bone without being overdone. Angulation in the rear should be moderate with that almost straight edge to the rear, and again we are seeing dogs without turn of stifle which impacts on the breed specific movement that should be a powerful drive from the hindquarters. 

Today I was very pleased with my principle winners, the young puppy bitch who at just shy of 10 months old commanded the ring with an effortless extended fast trot, balanced with super proportions and importantly feminine, it was a joy to watch her in the big ring and see her shortlisted in the puppy group. Best dog was a 6 month old Chestnut imported from Italy who had super type, classic head, super bone and the best feet. Raw at his age but a very exciting prospect.

Puppy (D/B) (3/0)

Such a shame to have mixed classes as all worthy of a first place but inevitably it came down to overall performance and the bitch clinched it on maturity and movement.

1. Savage’s Silvestre Bubble Licious - Just shy of 10 months old and I absolutely love her. Correct head with lovely chiselling under the eyes, long, narrow with essential femininity. Ears set correctly and of good length and shape. Eyes still to darken but oval and tight fitting lids. Big spongy nose. Neck muscular widening slightly toward the shoulders, with correct double dewlap. Perfect and complete scissor bite. Shoulders long and laid well back and well muscled for her age. Perfectly straight forelegs and good pasterns. Oval well arched feet. She is just slightly over square in body, with correct topline with a slight rise over the croup and a well set tail that was carried as it should be. In the rear it was fabulous to see that almost straight edge with a good bend of stifle. Her movement was delightful, accurate in all profiles with the correct untiring extended fast trot with her head held high. She ticked all my boxes today and I couldn’t deny her BB, BP and ultimately BOB. I will follow her future with great interest she is really one to watch. Congratulations.

2. Towns & Coghlan’s Quirinale Dell’Oltresavio. - At just 6 months he is just a bit on the raw side but a very exciting prospect. It’s no secret that I am a huge fan of Chestnut’s and having owned a dog from this kennel in Italy myself I do very much like the type and he certainly did not disappoint. He excels in head, long, lean with a slight romanisation of the nose. Narrow at the zygomatic arches, good chiselling, slight stop and pronounced occiput. Eyes good oval and tight fitting, ear set in line with eye and of good length, perfect and complete scissor bite. Neck muscular enough for age and moderately short, shoulders laid well back and long. He has super bone and lovely straight forelegs and oval feet (that look absolutely massive at the moment, he will grow into them). Textbook topline with a nice rise over croup and well set tail. Good bend of stifle and long well muscled thighs. His profile movement was superb, fore and aft just a little messy but at 6 months old this is forgiven, it did not detract from the overall quality and type. This is another I expect to achieve high honours in the future and will watch him with interest. BD & BOS.

3. Russell’s Bracchini Bit Of Crumpet For Fraulynzway.

Junior (D/B) (1/0)

1. Russell’s Bracchini Bit Of Crumpet For Fraulynzway. 11mths Bitch - who at her age is just going into the junior gangly phase that this breed has. Head pleasing with good planes and slight stop. Eyes oval and tight, Ear set correctly. Neck short and widens to the base into well placed shoulders. A little leggy at the moment whilst the body develops but this should even out as she matures. Nice straight forelegs and tight oval feet. Movement was pleasing in profile effortless, just to tidy up fore / aft. 

Post Grad (D/B) (1/0)

1. Cotton’s Braccorion’s zigga zig arh. 3yrs Chestnut bitch shown in good hard condition. Lovely over all type, almost square. Head is pleasing with nice dark eye and good ear set. Correct slight stop. Nice straight forelegs, pasterns slightly sloping and nice oval feet. Her topline was correct slight slope from the withers and rise over the croup. Moderate rear angles with long muscular thighs which powered her around the ring, giving her the edge on the Open bitch today RBB

Veteran (D/B) (1/0)

1. Cotton’s Braccorions Quick To Judge 7yr Dog, a very pleasing outline that is almost square all male and with great substance. His head is pleasing, Long, lean with correct planes, slight stop, pronounced occiput. Good ear set in line with tight eyes. Powerful neck fairly short and well muscled, Shoulders laid well back and long. Very well off for bone, standing on nice straight forelegs and big oval feet. He is a substantial dog, just a bit heavier than I would like which did make him a little less pleasing on the move but carried his head high and is quite eye catching. RBD 

Open Bitch (1/0)

1. Savage’s Silvestre Blow Me A Kiss 3yrs Bitch, this girl has a melting expression and such a super and typical bracco head. Long, lean, correct stop, ears set well and good eyes. Neck short and widening to base into well laid back long shoulder. Her overall stack was really pleasing square with correct topline. Good upper arm and decent amount of bone. Nice oval feet. She is a bit saggy in the boobs after a litter but not detracting from her overall type. Moderate rear angles and good long muscular thigh. Her movement was a little disappointing today, just wasn’t reaching or driving as I hoped. It was very hot and I have seen her perform much better. Her daughter had the edge today who was BOB. Overall a super bitch with lots of qualities I really like.