Southern Dogue De Bordeaux Society

Southern Dogue de Bordeaux Society Championship Show

Staffordshire Showground 17 January 2026

Thank you to the Southern Dogue de Bordeaux Society for inviting me to judge at such a prestigious show, thank you to all sponsors for their generosity and my stewards Pat & Barry Blunden who made the day such an enjoyable experience. Most of all thank you to the exhibitors for their entries and the sporting manner in which they accepted my decisions.

Although I was happy with my winners, the quality of dogs and bitches in general was mixed. Temperaments were excellent throughout, overall condition was OK, but I was concerned with the mouths of several exhibits. Bites were acceptable, but there were dogs with misplaced or missing teeth. There were a number of experienced handlers at the show and my advice to the newcomers is to watch how these people work. It is imperative that you present your dog to full advantage, so attend ring craft classes and work hard with your dog, it will pay off I promise:

Minor Puppy Dog (1/abs 0) 1, De Silva’s ADAM TYSON KINGBORDVICTORY (Imp SVK). Happy baby with a smashing temperament to start the proceedings off. Loved his well-balanced head, correct wrinkle and ratios. Eyes are a little light now but that should change as he matures. Impressive body proportions with everything in the right place. Although at little loose at present he moved confidently and dealt with the atmosphere of a big show well. Lovely deep colour and in very good condition. Work hard at his presentation, he is worth it and I will watch his development with interest. BPIS

Puppy Dog (2/abs1)1, De Silva’s ADAM TYSON KINGBORDVICTORY (Imp SVK). See above.

Junior Dog (4/0abs) 1, Barton & Moran’s AIBREAN LIAM, JW. Super young male with a bright future in front of him. Impressive head with slightly rounded skull, deep muzzle and oval eyes set wide apart if not a little light. Strong neck flowing into level topline well placed tail set. Super bone and feet which really catch the eye. His chest has good width and is well let down with a rib cage of correct proportions. His angles are good which he uses to good effect on the move. His gait is purposeful and confident as he moved as one with his handler. I wouldn’t like to see him any heavier at this stage of his development and I’m sure there are many top awards in front of him. I gave him serious consideration for Reserve CC but went with a more mature exhibit in the end. 2. Jones’ WILLANBURG ZERO FOX GIVEN, Another nice young male with impressive bone and angles throughout. His head has good proportions, but I would have preferred him to be a little fuller under his eyes. His neck was a tad short for me, but he presented well laid shoulders which ran into a good topline carried well on the move. His croup rounds off nicely into correct tail set. Nicely turned stifle which aids good movement and drive from the rear. Presented to full advantage.

Yearling Dog (1/0abs) 1, Harrisons CERISIER YOUNG GUNS, Impressive young male with expression to match. Toward the top end of the standard for height, but his proportions are spot on which makes him attractive to the eye. His angles are on the money especially when viewed in profile. He has a lovely head with broad skull, oval eyes and just the right amount of wrinkle. Nice curve to his strong jaw presents a well-defined chin. Super lay of shoulder compliments his well-positioned front and arched neck. He is still in the mid-stages of development and a few more months will see his rib cage widen and rear quarters firm up with muscle. He moved well, if not a little close at the rear but again I am confident this will come and I am really looking forward to seeing him in six months’ time.

Post Graduate Dog (2/1abs) 1, Sheppard’s PARKER BERNAUX DE PICARDI AT KHADEAUX (Imp Pol) Well balanced and striking young black mask male with a strong masculine head and expression to match. His skull to muzzle ratios are top drawer, his eyes well set apart and cheeks filled nicely. However, I would prefer a little less length of flew. Impressive front with good angulation, deep and broad chest and a well-developed brisket. His movement is easy on the eye with good reach and drive from his well-muscled rear quarters. Together with his handler he maintains a confident, controlled pace which will stand him in good stead for the future. He was presented in good condition, efficiently handled and I really liked this boy. Pushed hard for Reserve CC.

Limit Dog (2/0abs) 1, Iseton’s BOBISO AMOS Compact young male with a lovely deep red coat. Nice head with broad skull, good expression and correct bite. His muzzle is a tad short, but it has little impact on his overall appearance. He is impressive when viewed from the front as he stands straight on super feet, well boned forearms angulated to good lay of shoulder. Correct top line, firm across the loin, well developed croup and tail set. Nicely muscled hindquarters with good turn of stifle. He is well let down in chest, but I would like him to be a little taller to complete the picture. He moved out well with an efficient gate and was handled well. 2, Fowler’s SIDHEWYTCH RHION Lovely temperament on this inexperienced male who coped with the noise and atmosphere well. Nicely proportioned in both head and body with a well let down chest and muscled rear. Topline fell off a little at the croup which affected the overall picture. Nicely boned front but loose feet and pasterns let him down particularly on the move.

Open Dog (5/0abs) 1, Bamforth’s Ch BELLAMIABAM RAGNAR Handsome young male who has already taken top awards. Nothing overdone with this boy from his impressive head to his well-muscled rear quarters. Stocky and powerful, he presents a broad skull with dark oval eyes and a deep proportioned muzzle. Well filled under the eyes, good dentition and correct bite. Super bone throughout and the tightest of feet. He stands straight in front, but I would prefer more layback of shoulder. His arched neck runs into a broad back and lovely topline. Underneath he presents a deep chest and correct tuck. Ideally, I would like a little more length through the body, but his movement was effective and controlled and he was presented in excellent condition. Expertly handled to get every ounce from him, this boy knows his craft and executed it to great effect. I was more than happy to award him Dog CC, Best of Breed and Best in Show. Congratulations. 2, Mott’s BOURGEOISIE ABOVE ‘N BEYOND Another imposing male in great condition at the top end of size for the breed standard. Large but proportioned head with good wrinkle, impressive underjaw and dark eye. Maybe a little wide in front proportionately but has good angles, correct upper arm and lay of shoulder. Broad back and loin. Lovely rear angulation with strong hocks, muscled thighs and turn of stifle helped him move effortlessly around the ring with his experienced handler. I was pleased to award him Reserve CC and Reserve BIS.

Junior Bitch (3/0abs) 1, Jones’ WILLANBURG IT IS WHAT IT IS Promising young lady of powerful stocky build just nicked this class in a very close contest. Strong head with correct stop and proportions, good bite but ears set maybe a tad high. Wide across the front with lovely bone and feet. Muscular neck and firm topline. Impressive angulation, nice in outline and moved out powerfully from all angles. Good ring presence and handled well 2, Cunnah’s COPPERTAILS JUST PEACHY Another promising girl with a bright future. A little loose on the move which cost her first place today. However, she has substance, femininity and most importantly time to develop. She has a pleasing front standing on straight legs and lovely feet. Nice feminine head with good proportions and alert expression. Her body is developing nicely, and everything seems to be in the right place.

Yearling Bitch (1/0abs) 1, Bailey’s PASYA BERNAUX DE PICARDI AVEC NESALUMA (Imp Pol) Striking young black mask female, impressive construction and one to watch in the future. Strong, but feminine head with clean black mask which enhances her expression. Nicely set ears, but she doesn’t need any more wrinkle. Good front assembly with plenty of bone and tight feet. Good layback of shoulder emphasises a well arched neck and firm topline which rounds at the croup. Adequately angulated at the back complimented by good muscle tone. She moved confidently if not a little loose in the rear, but I’m sure maturity will sort that out. Nicely presented in glowing coat and firm condition. I gave her serious consideration for Reserve CC, which I’m sure will come soon.

Post Graduate Bitch (5/1abs) 1, Gaughan’s BOBISO MISS BIANCA OF DHOOMADOGUES Tall, strong but feminine bitch of good quality. Pleasing head with a lovely expression. Good eye and ear placement compliment correct skull, muzzle ratios. Powerful front with strong straight legs and good angulation. Correct length of upper arm facilitates nice layback of shoulder. Muscular broad back with well sprung ribs and straight top line. Well let down underneath but I would prefer a little more turn of stifle. However, she did move confidently and was handled well. 2, De Silva’s RAWLEGENDS DIAMOND QUEEN Nice feminine exhibit of good construction. Pleasing head with alert expression, good ear set and wrinkle. Broad chest and a decent front. Impressive neck flows into a cracking topline. Deep chest and correct tuck emphasise good angulation at the rear. A little inconsistent on the move and needs more connection with her handler. As I stated at the top of these critiques, it’s important that both dogs and handlers are trained in ring craft if top honours are to be achieved. Then practice makes perfect.

Limit Bitch (5/1abs) 1, Judd’s TISSIE’S RED DAWN Lovely deep red female who is right up my street. Substantial in build but retains the right amount of femininity and demands attention. Balanced from head to toe, she presents a beautiful and well-defined head with alert expression and the right amount of wrinkle. Her front assembly is from the top drawer with tight feet, strong forearms and well laid shoulders. Her arched neck runs into an impressive topline rounding slightly at the croup into correct tail placement. Good angulation to the rear provides the machinery for her smooth and effortless movement. If anything, she might be a fraction long in body, but nothing can detract from the image of her in full flow. Well handled, she demanded the top award, and I was happy to oblige with Bitch CC and Best Opposite Sex in Show. 2, BOBISO CLEMENTINE Another quality female presenting substance balance and a deep red colour. Impressive head with broad skull, proportionate muzzle and well-set ears. Correct bite and good dentition. Wide across the chest and well let down underneath. Nicely angulated throughout and very impressive in profile. Maybe not quite as positive on the move as 1, but I really liked her.

Open Bitch (2/1abs) 1, Biggs & Harrison’s CERISIER GOT TO HAVE FAITH Stylish young female full of quality and a sharp impressive outline. Beautifully proportioned feminine head with dark expressive eyes and alert expression. Just the right amount of wrinkle emphasises her skull to muzzle ratio, correct lip placement and lovely chin. Correct dentition and bite. She is broad across her chest and deep to her elbows with a nicely angulated front. Super topline which is firm and held well on the move. Lovely rear angulation with muscled turn of stifle. On the move she covered the ground with ease from her full extension and rear driving action. In the final analysis, I just felt she lacked the maturity of my CC winner, but time is on her side, and I feel there is plenty more to come. Reserve CC.

Veteran Bitch (3/1abs)1, Holland’s WILLANBURGH SIMPLY THE BEST AT ROUGEROCCO For me the star of the show today. This nine-and-a-half-year-old girl was the ultimate show girl and demanded my attention from the minute she entered the ring. Her movement is still fluid and sound putting many other exhibits to shame. On the stand she presents a balanced head with good skull/ muzzle ratios. Her eyes are clear and bright as she connects with her handler waiting for the next command. She retains strong bone throughout with an impressive broad chest and good angulation. Maybe not as well muscled as a few years ago but more than adequate, nonetheless. She never stopped showing from start to finish and I felt privileged to ‘go over her’. Best Veteran in Show and long may she continue to grace the show ring. Huge congratulations. 2, DARK RED GIRL AT SIDHEWHYTCH Nice seven-and-a-half-year-old lady with a lovely temperament who was a pleasure to judge. Attractive head with good ear set and dark eye. A tad long in muzzle but we’ll forgive her that. Well-proportioned body demonstrating good balance and nice angulation. Again, a positive and controlled mover who is a credit to her owners.

Tony Grice

Judge