Leeds City & District Canine Association

Leeds Championship Dog Show Sunday 26 July 2026

Bichon Frise

There is an often quoted saying. ‘If it is made right it will move right’. There is a part of that saying missing, which is ‘all other things being equal’. In other words compensating faults can disguise construction issues.

All of the dogs entered moved their legs straight along the line of travel. However when I examined the front assembly of some of the dogs, I found too many upright in shoulder. The shoulders were not equal in length to the upper arm, and necks were not of the correct length.

Although the standard no longer calls for a pronounced sternum, with the correct shoulder assembly you should be able to definitely feel the point of shoulder. 

I do appreciate that a well presented Bichon moving apparently correctly from ring side may appear to be better than it actually is. I firmly believe, however, that to appreciate a Bichon, you must get your hands on. And I recommend that all trainee judges ask their mentors to arrange for them to have that opportunity rather than just having a ring side conversation.

I acknowledge the entry was small, and may not be truly representative, but there were several harsh coats. Whether that is as a result of product in the coat I would not like to speculate, but since the coat is part of the name of the breed, its importance should not be underestimated.

I was very happy with my principal winners.

SBD/B (1)

1.ASPINALL, Mrs Chalotte. Lanipsa Starburst.

16 mth bitch. Pretty head and expression. Good bite, nice tail set. Unhappy on the table and a little skittish on the move. The grass was rather long, and the wind was rattling the ribbon around the ring, which unsettled several of the dogs. I am sure that the handler and exhibit had been attending ring class, but these tend to be indoors on mats. I recommend practising more on grass.

PD (1)

1.MARQUISS. Mrs A. Quissmar Lightening Rider. (BPB)

True coming and going, when settled. Well proportioned head, and very expressive. Good depth of pigment. Correct tail set. All in all well put together. I will watch his progress with interest.

JD (2) Abs 1

1. BEATER Mr M. Yngles Jago Van De Dyksteinhoeve of Starforth (imp)

Good for size. Better on the move when slowed down. Eyes and nose in proportion. Overall good depth of pigment. Good front, moved true going and coming. Beautifully presented. I had my eye on him for consideration for the CC or RCC, but threw his chance away in the challenge. I am sure his day will come.

PGD No entries

LD No entries

OD (3)

There was a lot to like about both 1 and 2

BROMILOW, Miss Jodie Ch Wolimorb Top Gun JW ShCEx OSW (RDCC)

Head carriage was better. Legs moved straight along the line of travel, but tended to rock slightly from side to side at the rear. Coat showing some colour, but a worthy champion.

MAULT Mrs L A & COAD Mr M. Limartine Stand and Stare.

Good tail set. Moved true coming and going. Tended to drop the head on the move. The expression was not as appealing as 1.

VD (1)

MAULT Mrs LA Ch Limartine Mr Blue. (DCC)

Pretty head and expression. Good pigment. Dense coat. Whilst not without fault, he is a worthy Ch and could not be denied on the day. Powered around the ring both in his class and in the challenge. Just gave up a little for BOB.

PB (1)

CARR Mrs Deb Bowiechons Rebelrebel

1. Nice for size. Very skittish in the wind. Eyes could be a little larger. Good pigment hidden behind dense hair which was a slightly harsh.

JB (2) ab 1

MARQUISS Mrs A Quissmar. Rising Lightning

1. A pretty little bitch. Good bite. Moved well, coat needs to improve. A little harsh at the moment. True coming and going.

2. ASPINALL Mrs Charlotte. Lanipsa Starburst

PGB No Entries

LB (1)

1. JOHNSTONE Mrs M. Quissmar Power Lightning Avec Melpink.

Pretty little bitch. Good bite, but a little lacking in underjaw. I would prefer the stop to be not quite so pronounced. Coped with the conditions on the move.

OB (3)

1.COAD Mr M. Ch Limartine Wait and See At Pamplona (BCC) (BOB)

Very happy little bitch. I don’t think her tail stopped wagging the whole of her time in the ring. Good head carriage. Best front of the class. Covered the ground well.

2. ANDERSON Mrs H M Ch Brokengate’s Mam’selle

Larger bitch. Moved true coming and going. Not as good in front as 1, but nothing not to like. A worthy Ch. (RCC)

3.CARR Mrs Deb Ch Petit Ami’s Countin’ On A Miracle Bowiechons.