Tibetan Mastiff Club Of Great Britain

Tibetan Mastiff Club of Great Britain – Open Show 26.09.26

My sincere thanks to the TMCGB Committee for inviting me to judge at their club show, to the exhibitors who gave me a delightful entry to assess and to my efficient stewards. I found the event most enjoyable, with a relaxed atmosphere and good sportsmanship throughout. We were blessed with dry, sunny weather enabling us to use the outdoor ring, though I was mindful most dogs had likely already been exhibiting at the earlier Championship Show and so did try to utilise the space available rather than move excessively as the day got warmer. The vast majority of exhibits were well muscled and sound in temperament. I did find a couple of bites that did not meet the scissor or level requirement of the standard. There was some variation in type however no dogs present that I considered as deviating too far from the standard. Coats were in varying stages of moult, as to be expected with any double coated breed, however this wasn’t a deciding factor in any class with plenty of quality to be found beyond this cosmetic feature.

Veteran (1 Ent, 0 Abs)

1st & Best Veteran in Show. Lowes’ CH Callowdale Easy Street.

8.5 year old lady who was such a wonderful start to my day, exuding breed type from head to toe. Strong, broad skull with lovely dark, kind eye and good bulky muzzle. Nice arch of neck leading into a strong, level topline. Forelegs straight viewed front on, with plenty of heart room. Shoulders well laid back leading into well sprung ribs. Good broad thigh, with enough turn of stifle in the rear to maintain her static balance and strong hocks. Super substance and ample bone all through, with no weakness in pastern showing with age. Fantastic, dense coat with good feathering, visible mane and pleasing tail set. Still super sound on the move with an easy sidegait belying her years. Strongly considered for the challenge however lost some of her enthusiasm in the final line up and had to concede to her younger competition. An absolute credit to the longevity of the breed and well deserving of Best Veteran In Show.

Junior Dog (1 Ent, 0 Abs)

1st & Best Puppy In Show. Kennedy’s Bongo Spud Rozsutca (Imp Svk)

9 month old lad and still very much a raw baby but ticking a lot of boxes even with more to come. Already very breed typical in headpiece with a strong skull, good muzzle proportions and nice shape of eye. Good length of neck leading into a well placed shoulder. Chest still developing, so at this time a little narrow viewed front on and similarly at that slightly bum high stage in his development but plenty of time for these areas to come together. Has a tendency to stand under himself in the rear but when in correct stance shows pleasing, slightly longer than tall proportions with good turn of stifle. Coat of good texture and already showing a pronounced mane and a well feathered, proudly carried tail. Still a little bit loose on the out and back but good footfall in profile. Pushed hard in side action by the bitch in the BP challenge but I felt he edged her on overall type at this stage of maturity. Pleased to award Best Puppy in Show.

Novice Dog (0 Ent) 

Post Graduate Dog (0 Ent)

Limit Dog (4 Ent, 0 Abs)

1st, Best Dog & Best In Show. Springham’s Tamdrin’s Qinghai At Icebreaker

21 month old and while the baby of the class in age he immediately caught my eye in the line up for his overall presence, giving an impression of substance and masculinity without excess. Such a handsome headpiece, super dark, well shaped eye, giving a thoughtful expression. Lovely deep muzzle and good length of neck with slight arch leading into a firm topline held level both on the stand and in motion. Well laid back shoulder with corresponding length of upper arm and nice tight fitting elbows. Forelegs straight viewed from the front with good width to chest for his age. Nice spring of rib and good strength to loin leading into well muscled thighs. Rear angles in balance to the front, with defined turn of stifle and well let down hocks. In his Summer jacket today but what was there was harsh and stand off. Well set tail. Nitpicking, he could be a tad cleaner on the out and back at times but was still sound and certainly something I would expect to improve with maturity. He did, however, have such a free moving, fluid side action, covering the ground without any wasted energy which gave him the class win and Best Dog. Pushed very hard by the bitch on the run round for BIS but I just couldn’t deny his eye catching overall proportions and balance on the final stand. Delighted to award Best Dog & Best In Show.

2nd & Reserve Best Dog. Lowes & Jackson’s Callowdale Drummer Boy.

2 year old lad, more compact in frame than his classmates but in no way lacking breed type or substance. Another with an appealing headpiece, broad in skull with nice muzzle proportions and a lovely shape of eye lending a kindness to his expression. Sensible length of neck and good level topline. A little narrower in chest than 1st viewed front on but otherwise pleasing front construction with moderate layback of shoulder and balanced length of upper arm. Chest deep, with breed typical slight tuck up. Well muscled rear with moderate turn of stifle and strong hocks. Well boned all through and a fantastic, harsh, double coat with good feathering and a particularly impressive tail. He showed good balance and extension in sidegait, covering the ground well, just felt he was edged in front action by first today. Much like my class winner, I would be interested to see him in a couple more years but, even with further maturity to come, his many qualities earned him Reserve Best Dog in the challenge.

3rd. Harrison’s Callowdale Christian Grey. 

3 year old, undeniably male with strength, substance and an air of arrogance to him. Cracking headpiece with pleasing set of ear, good shape of skull and nice bulk to his muzzle. Enough length of neck leading into a moderately laidback shoulder which was balanced in his rear angles. Excellent depth of chest and possessing a dense, double coat with a visible mane. Super bone and substance all through. Moved with a sense of purpose but would prefer a bit more strength in pasterns coming toward, which against strong competition in his class today was my deciding factor on final placings.

Res. Nicoll’s Bobby Digital.

Open Dog (2 Ent, 1 Abs)

1st. Roberts’ CH Callowdale Tenzin Nyima

2 year old, upstanding male, littermate to my Reserve Best Dog winner I now note and although different in size they certainly shared some super qualities. Handsome headpiece with well developed skull, good blocky muzzle and nice dark eye. Pleasing length of neck leading into a moderately laid back shoulder. Chest developing well, though I suspect still more to come given his larger frame, occasionally standing a touch close in front though this isn’t apparent on the move. Good spring of rib with nice tight elbows, firm in topline static & in motion. Broad, well muscled thighs leading to a balanced turn of stifle and well let down hocks. Good quality, harsh coat all through with well set tail. He was sound enough on the move however on this day just didn’t show the drive or extension I suspect he is capable of, which cost him in the final challenge. 

Junior Bitch (2 Ent, 1 Abs)

1st. Nicoll’s Princess Kate Fortunately Tibet At Celtifyre (Imp Pol)

9 month old youngster with a shapely outline. Skull is still developing, as to be expected in a pup, but showing good muzzle proportions and a nice shape of eye. Good length of neck leading into a firm topline. Chest coming on well, with a moderate layback of shoulder and tight fitting elbows. Good thigh with firm, compact hocks. High set tail and currently undergoing a change of coat but this didn’t detract from her good overall bone and substance. At a tall stage in her development, which at first glance makes her appear a touch square in outline however this was not a detracting factor in her movement, where she showed an enthusiastic sidegait with plenty of extension pushing the Junior Dog winner hard on the run round; at this stage of development I preferred the male for type but would have been happy to award her RBPIS had I a further rosette to give.

Novice Bitch (1 Ent, 0 Abs)

1st. Wendt’s Tamdrins Shaowfire Of Benkerin (IKC)

19 month, littermate to my Reserve Best In Show winner and sharing her femininity. Good strength of skull, with pleasing depth of muzzle and a fantastic, profuse mane. Well off for bone and substance all through and in side profile gives a balanced impression, emphasised by short, strong hocks in the rear but could be firmer in front pastern. In good coat with plenty of furnishings and a well set tail. On the move, once settled, she had an easy, no nonsense side gait and was sound on the out and back. She was a tad unsure of her hands on assessment today, so will no doubt benefit from a bit more exposure and practice to get the best out of her for future outings but has plenty to like and will be worth persevering with.

Post Graduate Bitch (3 Ent, 1 Abs)

1st, Best Bitch, Best Opposite Sex & Reserve Best In Show. Lowes’ Tamdrin Wizadora of Callowdale (IKC) 

19 month, feminine young lady with the cheekiest of expressions. Not the biggest of girls in height but plenty of substance for her size. Good width to skull with a nice bulky muzzle. Pleasing length of neck leading to a well laid back shoulder. Chest developed well for age with tight elbows. Topline level and ribs well sprung giving plenty of heart room. Broad thigh with really pleasing turn of stifle and strong, compact hocks that she used to advantage. Not wearing the biggest of coats today but dense, stand off and harsh enough to do the job. Tail well set. For my preference, I would like a tad more length of leg however this certainly did not affect her footfall on the move where she really shone, clean on her out and back and with the most fantastic, eye-catching sidegait, showing that breed typical elastic motion and covering the ground with ease. Really pushed the dog all the way in the final challenge and while conceded to top honours today had no hesitation in awarding her both Best Opposite Sex & Reserve Best In Show

2nd. Bradley’s Ursa Mahatma-La With Woollnoze (Imp Pol) NAF TAF

3 years lady, with an air of maturity to her and a clear decision that today she would reserve her enthusiasm for her handler’s cooked chicken (a lady after my own heart)! Breed typical head with good skull, dark eye and pleasing muzzle proportions. Enough length of neck leading to a well developed chest with nice tight elbows. Moderately angulated but demonstrating good balance between front & rear in outline, although for my preference would like her a touch shorter in loin. Larger in frame than her classmate, with sufficient bone for her size. Longer, slightly softer coat, well feathered on legs and tail. Steady on the move, giving enough for me to assess her soundness but not the drive of 1st place today.

Limit Bitch (2 Ent, 1 Abs)

1st & Reserve Best Bitch. Bailey’s Callowdale Dixie Rockin It At Sagrael

3 year female who gave an immediate impression of strength and femininity on the stack. Strong, slightly rounded skull with good bulky muzzle and nice dark eye. Nice length of neck with breed typical slight arch and a firm topline held well on the move. Loved her front, every time I looked at her head on she was stood sound and straight with plenty of width to her chest. Well sprung ribs, with slight tuck up giving her a shapely side profile. Broad, well muscled thigh and pleasing turn of stifle with strong, short hocks. Fantastic bone all through and a fabulous dense, harsh coat. Has a tendency to trail her tail in motion and in her class was not carrying herself as proudly as she could but her footfall was sound and fluid all the same. In the bitch challenge she stepped up a gear, showing that bit more drive and purpose, and while I felt my Post Grad winner edged her in front action for Best Bitch her overall balance and breed type kept drawing my eye back to her in the line throughout and more than satisfied in awarding her Reserve Best Bitch.

Open Bitch (2 Ent, 1 Abs)

1st. Bailey’s CH Power of You From Gom-Khyi At Sagrael (Imp Pol)

3 years who stood alone but had me smiling from start to finish with her unashamed, stubborn attitude to proceedings. Good broad skull with lovely shaped, dark eyes although muzzle a touch longer than my preference. Good length of neck under the profuse mane she possesses, leading into a well laid shoulder and level topline. Chest is deep with well sprung ribs and tight fitting elbows. Broad thigh and moderate turn of stifle. Enough bone for her size and sporting the most wonderful, dense coat and well feathered tail, certainly giving an impression of substance although would prefer a touch more length of leg. It is fair to say that, while there was no heaviness or restriction to her footfall, she simply was not feeling the most co-operative on the move today, opting for economy over enthusiasm, which cost her in the challenge but made her all the more breed typical.  

Brace (2 Ent, 1 Abs)

1st & Best Brace in Show. Lowes’ pairing of two females who although different in height both shared clear breed type with plenty of substance and well proportioned outlines. A pleasure to watch them in motion where they impressed with their matching footfall and fluidity even after a long day of showing. Standing alone but absolutely worthy of their Best Brace in Show rosette.

Alanna J Blaney (Fenrirkin)