Midland & Northern Counties French Bulldog Club

 MIDLAND & NORTHERN COUNTIES FRENCH BULLDOG CLUB, May 7

Always a joy to meet up with the friendly Frenchies & I appreciated the invitation from the Midland & Northern to judge its championship show, with happy memories of attending the club’s shows in the days of Ann Cottrell & Maureen Bootle, & later of judging the open show. Also appreciated was the support from the exhibitors with an entry of 100 dogs. Thanks too to my stewards who patiently kept things organised, giving exhibitors the chance to exhibit at both this show & the National without missing any classes.

Pleased to say there were no significant obvious health issues & it’s good to know the schemes are being well supported. Nostril size varied as always but I think overall this is improving. Tails vary too, of course, & I suspect that will always be the case. Movement isn’t the breed’s strong point but, even if not all were that great coming & going, most strode out happily with some style. 

Type-wise, there is plenty of variation - pleased not to see not too many that were ultra-short - a reasonable length of arched neck into clean laid-back shoulders is not only aesthetically pleasing but surely an indication of general soundness. Some flat backs which does detract from that Frenchie look. Think hindquarters have improved, not quite so many ‘straight as sticks’. Head types generally good with evident muzzles & not too many with overdone wrinkle. A few crusty noses. Temperaments as ever a delight.

Even in a smooth-coated, sometimes stubborn breed, that little extra in presentation & training can make a big difference in the ring & my two CC winners excelled here, immaculate & responding so cheerfully to their talented handlers. BIS was the male Ch Olijah Going In Deep JW & RBIS the female Ch Bincombefarm Serpensortia JW - but it could have gone either way. They made my day! BP was Abear de Marval Anybull at Chelmbull & BV Ch KingFriend Mr Godwin JW. Although the males took the top spots, the depth of quality in the girls was stronger & I hope quite a few of my class winners go on to title.

Baby PB (3) Can anything be cuter? 1 Hutchinson’s Oschalben Obsession, delightful little brindle of excellent breed type, already has a well proportioned outline, sufficient length of leg, good front, enough neck, promising feminine head with correct eyes & ears, already a keen sound mover covering the ground with great style for such a baby; 2 Hutchinson’s Oschalben Oh My, lovely fawn pied sister to 1, at the moment a slightly chunkier, lower set type with plenty of bone, super expression, good front & feet, like 1 has an excellent topline, another very collected mover with plenty of confidence. Two very appealing babies, will be fascinated to see how they develop; 3 Walton’s Ravendane Goldielocks. VD (2) 1 Bryant’s Ch KingFriend Mr Godwin JW, nearly 8 years brindle, every inch a stallion which he’s proved through his progeny including today’s RDCC, all male with tremendous bone & substance, strong masculine head with good eyes & well carried ears, wide muzzle, flat skull, sufficient neck, shapely body with the right topline, moved out with style retaining his shape, in firm hard condition. BV; 2 Ollier’s Deollies Nannies Boy, 8 years pied in good form, strongly made all through, well held ears of correct size, strong skull, plenty of bone, a shade heavy over the shoulder, preferred front of winner. BD (2) 1 Saunby’s Kianspuchi Dark Storm, masculine brindle, impressive head, dark forward facing eyes, reasonable ears, plenty of substance, good underline, pear-shaped body but could have a shade more definition to topline, looked well going round the ring, could be a shade truer in front standing & moving; 2 Cox’s Halloxwishes Spirit Dante, typy nice size brindle, good head pattern, OK front, not quite bone of 1, more compact proportions but could carry a shade more weight, rather unsettled on the move today. MPD (2) 1 Ross & Marrs’ Muggshotts Bop Till You Drop by Franstelgo’s, very smart compactly built pied, sound front with enough bone, promising head with good skull to muzzle proportion, liked his expression, correct topline, the right hind angles, moved smartly holding himself together well; 2 Handley-Sawer’s Nortilly Stand To Attention, typy 6 months brindle, attractive head with particularly good well carried ears, balanced body proportions, not quite so true in front as 1, good bone, perhaps a shade too much roach at this stage but so much can change with maturity. Winner scored on the move today. PD (3) 1 Cund, Yates & Tune’s Abear de Marval Anybull at Chelmbull, nearly 12 months dark brindle, has a distinct look of his sire Rocket Man, Excellent head, muzzle, eyes & ears without exaggeration, arched neck, clean shoulders, straight front with enough bone, plenty of substance, good underline, powerful hindquarters, strode out with enthusiasm, OK coming & going, comfortably BP today; 2 Jordan & Davis’ Rowanpaws Royal Mint, nearly 12 months brindle, impressive male head, good eyes, wide muzzle, winner scored on ears, reasonable front which could be a shade firmer in pastern, shapely topline, good hind angles, excellent tail, not quite so enthusiastic on the move as 1 nor as true coming towards me; 3 Kelly’s Mabeaute Auguste at Squireborn. JD (2) 1 Cund’s Chelmbull Olijah Top Gun, masculine pied in immaculate condition, excellent head type, wide muzzle, well carried rounded ears, enough neck, sound front, compact body with correct topline, well made & muscled hindquarters, stood four square, looked the part going round retaining his shape. Plenty to come from this one, considered him for the RCC; 2 Foley’s Eclair Cerera de Elka Gyvybes Zyme for Leyenda, another very classy junior, brindle of correct size, lovely ears & expression, super shapely body, well proportioned throughout. Winner has a shade more bone & was a bit freer in movement today but this one has lots to offer & should do well. YD (4) 1 Jennings’ Cossy’s Mr Sirieix, such a typy brindle, lovely compact proportions, loved his ears, eyes & expression, flat skull, broad muzzle, sound front with sufficient bone, balanced throughout, could just put in a shade more effort on the move but liked him a lot; 2 Hutchinson’s Oschalben Olympus JW, small very ‘together’ brindle, another good front, masculine head, very compact, super proportions, free active mover. Sire of the two delightful babies. A very close decision here, marginally preferred winner’s neck & ears; 3 Fawcett & Smith’s Chelmbull Star Of The North at Zilnor. ND (4) 1 Banks’ Leyenda Mr Tumble, a shade bigger than some but this fawn is an impressive chap with a very handsome head type, excellent ears, straight front with plenty of bone, shapely body, strong hindquarters, slightly heavy over the shoulder, more compactly built than 2 K Dark Storm; 3 Membury’s Membully Stray Bullet. GD (3) 1 Walton’s Ravendane Paddington Bear, typy brindle, all male head, good width of muzzle, well carried ears, good width through the front when standing though moved a shade close, correct neck & topline, well made hindquarters, free side gait; 2 Suhareva & Cruttenden’s Castrum Osinium No Limit for Avermayz, classy dark brindle of a nice size, quality head with super ears, straight front, compact body, moved a shade close in front, OK behind, winner had a more defined topline; 3 H Spirit Dante. PGD (3) 1 Bonsall’s Bestfrenchie Pirat at Muggshotts JW, strongly made pied, super bone & front, very impressive male head, well carried ears, correct topline, moved true & looked good going round, a touch heavy over the shoulder; 2 Membury’s Membully Razzle Dazzle JW, attractive b/m fawn, classy head with appealing expression, enough width of chest, good front & feet, OK topline, a shade upright in shoulder. Close up to winner who was a little more compact; 3 Jordan’s Rowanpaws Comet Star. MLD (3) 1 Suhareva & Cruttenden’s Castrum Osinium Roller Coaster at Avermayz JW, small square brindle full of type, attractive unexaggerated head type, carries his ears well, well boned, short back, good underline, feet turn out a little, OK hindquarters, moved smartly, perhaps could have a slightly more defined topline; 2 Roach’s Roalice Master Mouse, handsome brindle, slightly stronger in head, plenty of substance, scored on topline, very good tail, well made hindquarters, a shade upright in shoulder. Just preferred overall balance of 1; 3 Hughes’ Maznlilroo Man Of Power. LD (7) 1 French’s Bincombefarm Morsmordre JW, this handsome brindle makes a very striking picture with his keen showmanship & clear tiger stripes, not the smallest but has a very appealing outline through his arched neck, clean shoulders, excellent topline & strong hindquarters, quality head, with typical eyes & ears, looked well going round, could well join his sister with a title; 2 Ross & Marrs’ Franstelgo’s Low Rider, another very classy brindle of a slightly different type, smaller & more compact, full of quality, good width through the front, super topline & overall balance, quality head. Preferred hindquarters of winner who scored on the move today, but this one should also do very well; 3 Smith’s Membully Razzmataz at Ellouab JW. OD: 1 Timms’ Ch Olijah Going In Deep JW, outstanding brindle, just what I was hoping to find, everything fits together without exaggerations, ideal size, has an air of quality, masculine head without being too heavy or over-wrinkled giving a delightfully cheeky expression, super body shape with just the right balance, natural showman who never lets his handler down. On top of that he’s a remarkably good mover for a Frenchie, sound & with the correct width through the front, narrower behind but still true & no hint of legs crossing. CC & BIS; 2 Bryant’s Ch Archness The Audacity JW, stronger made brindle but still so handsome with a touch of class, beautiful head with good balance of skull & muzzle, super eyes & ears, tremendous bone, shapely body, just slightly less compact than 1. I see I wrote ‘looks like a future champion’ last time I judged, & so he proved! RCC; 3 Persson’s Fin/Norw/Sw Ch Al Capone of the Royal Way.

VB (2) 1 Timms’ Eastonite Moana JW OSW AWS, such a happy, showy, well made brindle in great form at 8 years, lovely feminine head, ears carried perfectly, classy outline with gentle roach, shapely body, moved well behind & with great enthusiasm going round; 2 Brearley’s Kaybull Iamzone, typy 9 years pied, compact body, slightly heavier head type with strong skull, good ears, OK front, in good condition, winner scored on hind movement. BB (2) 1 Symonds’ Morrioghain Margomole, pretty brindle of good overall type, such a feminine head, correct eyes & ears contribute to an attractive expression, clean shoulders, good topline & overall balance, strode out well, could be a shade firmer in pastern; 2 Jordan’s Rowanpaws Love Me Like You Do, fawn with an impressive square head, super ears well carried, scored here on bone & feet, plenty of substance, preferred angles & freedom of movement of 1. MPB (6) Delightful class to judge. 1 Holt & Banks’ Leyenda’s Lil Miss Sparkle at Bankholt, charming 6 months brindle with a beautiful outline, promising head with good width of muzzle, super ears, excellent topline, the right angles both ends, moved smartly for such a baby. BPB; 2 Foley’s Leyenda’s Lil Miss Magic, brindle litter sister & equally promising, so feminine, not quite so forward yet in head & body but the basics are there & it will be fun to see how they develop. Again has excellent shape & balance, well made & a neat, collected mover; 3 Hucker’s Muggshotts Billet Doux. PB (3) 1 McInnes’ Mabeaute Makybe Diva, 11 months brindle, excellent head & ears, scored on her true front, well boned, archer neck, clean shoulder, shapely body which could be a touch shorter, decent mover in all directions; 2 Goddard’s Nicangebulls Zsa Zsa Gabor, more compact strongly made pied, lots of bone, strong head type which could be a shade more feminine, tight feet, OK topline, just preferred hindquarters of 1; 3 Walton’s Ravendane Cinderella. JB (7) 1 Plominska & Kil’s Bestfrenchie Berta, lovely brindle, caught my eye here & put up a strong challenge for the RCC, beautiful head type, so feminine & unexaggerated, immaculate front, enough neck, good shoulders, gentle roach, strong hindquarters, moved with style & enthusiasm; 2 Smith’s Membully Aim To Teeze at Ellouab, another top quality brindle of a different balance, particularly lovely head with superb ears, good neck, decent front, short back, very showy, looked good going round, not quite so mature in body & hindquarters, looks a slower developing type; 3 Westmorland’s Aldhammill’s Lucie Locket at Gailbulls. YB (3) 1 Carnbrand Carlen’s Le Suprime Mireille Mathieu, pretty brindle of lovely overall balance, such a feminine expression, scored on ear carriage, excellent front, enough bone, short back, well made hindquarters, looked the part going round. Perhaps could have a shade more roach but a lovely type; 2 Cund & Wilkinson’s Ch Chelmbull Forget Me Not, showy brindle with a good if slightly stronger head type, excellent bone & substance, good topline, strides out well, not quite as compact as 1 & didn’t carry her ears so well today; 3 Morison’s Xandene Caramel Fudge JW. NB (1) 1 M Margomole. GB (4) 1 Tuck’s Bevanray Emma to Nortilly, excellent headed fawn with lovely pigment, eyes & ears, sound front with good width, clean neck & shoulder, enough roach, moved well in front, would prefer a little more strength in hindquarters; 2 Ward’s Oschalben Odessa, different more compact type, feminine brindle, pretty head, could have a bit more finish of muzzle, scored on hindquarters & body shape, excellent bone & substance, preferred winner’s front & topline; 3 Watkins-McGowan’s Mactawbay Xclusive Edition. PGB (4) 1 Plominska & Kil’s Bestfrenchie Aniela, another good one from this affix, substantial shapely pied, impressive head, super ears, arched neck, clean shoulder line, looks good in outline standing & moving, OK hindquarters, perhaps could be a shade more feminine & have tighter feet, but has lots to offer, her son also winning a class today; 2 Ross & Marrs’ Franstelgo’s No Action, pretty more feminine brindle, quality head, OK bone, scored on feet, shapely body with correct topline, prefer stronger hindquarters, moved well going round, not quite the joie de vivre of 1 today; 3 Goddard’s Kianspuchi Hedy Lamarr. MLB (1) 1 Bryant’s Archness The Vivacious, alone but a good winner, fawn with plenty of substance but still feminine, excellent head with good ears & pigment, strong bone, good width in front, arched neck into smooth shoulders, moved better than most in front, a shade close behind, excellent topline. LB (7) 1 Goddard’s Kianspuchi Audrey Hepburn, classy brindle, sweet feminine head, good width through the front, straight well boned legs, liked the neck & shoulder line, well balanced, OK hindquarters, plenty of substance, moved with style retaining her topline, liked her a lot; 2 Brooks’ Chelmbull Supersonic for Serenant, lovely brindle full of quality, attractive head & eyes, could have carried her ears a shade higher today, shapely body, good topline, perhaps not quite so compact as 1, excellent on the move both coming & going & from the side; 3 Bagnall’s Mejeric Senorita. OB (6) Lovely class, would happily give all six a CC. 1 French’s Ch Bincombefarm Serpensortia JW, gorgeous half hooded pied who makes the absolute most of her chances both standing & on the move, every part flows into the next resulting in a beautiful outline, impressive head without exaggeration, well carried ears, lovely neck & shoulder into a gently arched topline, plenty of bone, powerful hindquarters, moves truer than most & makes a classic picture going round. CC, her second of a long day but still full of beans. One of several winners today by Orpheus who is certainly making a mark; 2 Brooks’ Ch Serenant Iron Butterfly, lovely brindle, has matured into a real beauty, classic head type, looks at one with true Frenchie expression, solidly made all through, substantial shapely body, plenty of bone yet still feminine. Her sire, Rocket Man, is also proving his worth, I see. RCC, holding off strong challenges from the junior & from her half-sister in third place, Smith’s Ch Rischale Henrietta at Ellouab JW. 

SIMON PARSONS