Northumberland & Durham Bulldog Club

Northumberland & Durham Bulldog Club Open Show 

19th September 2026

My sincere thanks go to the Northumberland & Durham Bulldog Club for inviting me to judge their open show. When I accepted the appointment, I was mindful of the saying, “Just because you can judge, it doesn’t mean you should!) With this in mind, I did not wish to disappoint those who have mentored me along the way. I believe that judging any breed, particularly the Bulldog is a job which carries a huge responsibility as ultimately it will shape the direction and future of the breed. 

I was lucky enough to find some quality dogs with plenty of virtues and movement overall was excellent with no lame exhibits. Noteworthy points include width of jaw, which during the last 10 years I personally have seen a huge reduction in when thinking back to my first Bulldog. Also, tack of shoulder needs to be worked on as it is one of the most recognisable features of the breed and one which we are rapidly losing. Of course, you need overall balance to assess the dog, however, with a staggering 22 lines of detail in the standard on head alone, a poor head can result in endless faults and cost you heavily in placings. A strong head and tacked on fronts are virtues we can ill afford to lose. 

This was a friendly show which is what it is about after all and was a pleasure to judge. I would like to thank the committee for my beautiful gift which I will treasure. Thank you to each and every exhibitor for both letting me go over your lovely dogs and accepting the decisions with sportsmanship.

Class 1 - Veteran Dog/Bitch (2/1)

1st – PAUL’S BLONDELLO CHARLES XAVIAR 

9-year-old white and red male. What a lovely gentleman he is. Large wide flat skull, with neat rose ears which were well held back. Nose placed correctly between his well set apart eyes. He has good width of foreface and a nice turn of jaw, giving him the desired sour expression. At not far off 10 years old, this boy moved around the ring with absolute ease and was a pleasure to watch.

Class 2 - Minor Puppy Dog (2/2)

1st – HARDING’S WILSONPRIDE AY UP DASH 

6 month old white puppy dog. A raw baby with everything exactly as it should be for his age. Good bone, width of front and particularly good depth to his chest for one so young. Fantastic length of skull and well-set ears being on the corners of his flat skull. Darkest of eyes and his nose placement is exactly where it should be for a puppy. Beautiful U-shaped jaw which gave a lovely sour expression that we are so lacking. Behind his well tacked on shoulder is a nice topline which correctly rises over the loin and leads to a straight free tail. Well angulated in front and behind and used himself very well around the ring which it looked like he thoroughly enjoyed being in! Pleased to award him Best Puppy Dog.

2nd – BELLERBY’S JAYBELABEE OTIS  

6 months old white puppy dog. Another young baby with a lot to like. Good length from eye to ear and good width of skull. Large black nose with excellent nostrils. Would prefer a slightly smaller ear. Clear black eyes that were well set apart. Very good width of underjaw. Lovely free and loose tail. Preferred the head and overall balance of the first. Moved well and presented in very good condition. 

Class 3 - Puppy Dog (3/2) 

1st – HANSLOW’S D’OR WOOD ARMORED GLORY AT BURENPERRO (IMP FRA) 

11-month-old white male. A very well-developed skull for a dog of his age. Broad flat skull correctly divided by a deep furrow. Large and perfectly round eyes which are well set apart. His ears were well carried and set on the corner of his flat skull. Huge black nose which were of the darkest pigmentation. Good width of underjaw with an excellent turn which gave him an real stand-off expression. Could benefit from more shoulder and shorter coupling. Excellent free and straight tail.

Class 4 – Junior Dog (4/2)

1st – MACDONALD’S GORDON OF THE HOLLYBULLZ AT WINENBRU (IMP HUN)  

16-month-old brindle and white male. A dog which caught my eye straight away for his quality. His flat broad skull gives real width between his thin rose ears which were beautifully held back. He has the darkest of eyes which show no white and are set perfectly in line with his broad black nose. Shows his teeth slightly, although this is just one fault and it would be sacrilege to deny him with his many virtues. This dog has the correct tack of shoulder leading to straight bone and tight feet, he just needs to drop into his brisket to complete the picture. Moved beautifully round the ring with an active gait. Pleased to award him Reserve Best Dog. 

2nd – ROSS’ MGLEGABULLZ HIERACHY

15-month-old red and white male. Large, broad flat skull with divided by deep furrow and pronounced stop. Round dark eyes and good solid black pigmentation. His ears are correctly rosed, however a little heavy and this somewhat spoils his expression. Good bend of stifle and excellent rear angulation. He has a nicely set straight tail which is of the desired length. 

Class 5 – Novice Dog (0/0)

Class 6 – Post Graduate Dog (7/3)

1st – BELLERBY’S JAYBELABEE APOLLO

22month old white male. This dog needs to be seen in the flesh to be appreciated. He has a huge broad flat skull which is neatly divided by a correct furrow and accompanied by small thin rose ears, placed perfectly on the corners. He has the darkest of eyes which are round and well set apart. This dog had the best jaw of the day, being wide, true and a tight fit, if only we had more like this! His pigmentation is jet black and he has an imposing and powerful look. Well off for bone which leads to tight well knuckled feet. Although he is longer in slightly loin than is ideal this doesn’t detract from his virtues which simply cannot be overlooked. He is well muscled and has excellent turn of stifle, coupled by good rear angulation and this completes the picture. Moved well around the ring walking his width. A lovely dog to go over and I was very pleased to award him Best Dog & Reserve Best In Show. 

2nd – GOODFELLOW’S RONVERSHA’S GOOD GUY

2-year-old red and white male. Another dog with a lot to like. A large powerful and striking looking red dog with many features so lacking. He has a large broad skull which is flat and his ears are set bang on the corners. He has a large but clean nose roll and although not unhealthy or impeding his nostrils, ultimately this had to be considered. He has superb width of foreface and a lovely turn of jaw which gives him a sour expression. Would prefer more reach of neck. We hear the phrase “black eyes” so often, but this dogs really are jet black and he shows no white whatsoever. Short and compact with good barrel of rib. Correct square front. 

3rd – KUPAKOS IOWAN AT WINENBRU (IMP HUN)

Class 7 – Limit Dog (2/1)

1st – PAUL’S BLONDELLO’S DOCTOR STRANGE

4-year-old red and white male. An all-male dog with a huge head and deep furrow to pronounced stop. Correct rose ear, would just prefer them to be slightly higher set. Excellent lip placement which allows his u-shaped jaw to be showcased. Lovely depth to his foreface and correct tilt of nose. This dog excels in tack of front; you’ll be hard pushed to find a slope of shoulder like it. He has beautiful tight feet and is well up on his pasterns. Good barrel of rib. Moved and handled well.

Class 8 - Open Dog (9/8)

1st – NASH’S SMOOCHABULL THE SIEGE JW

3-year-old brindle and white male. A dog that excels in tack of shoulder which allows for plenty of width and depth of fore chest that drops into a good brisket. The straightest of bone leading to lovely tight feet. Black round eyes set well apart on a broad flat skull and a broad black nose which you could drive a train through! Would prefer more length and turn of jaw to give the desired expression as he somewhat “falls away” in foreface. Very good rear and turn of stifle. 

Class 9 – Minor Puppy Bitch (3/0)

1st – RICATORI HOLD MA EGO

8-month-old red and white bitch. A very promising young lady with a lot to like and still a puppy, as she very much should be at this age. Broad flat skull with her ears placed bang on the corners. Beautiful round black eyes which are set well apart and she has a broad flat nose with the correct set for her age. Full nose roll below a well-padded foreface and good turn of jaw which give her the beginnings of a correct sour expression. She has the correct tack of shoulder; she just needs to drop into her front but is exactly as she should be for her age. A compact puppy with good barrel of rib who I’m sure will be a force to be reckoned with. 

2nd – BLONDELLO’S SCARLET WITCH

8-month-old red and white bitch. Broad flat skull with round black eyes that are set wide apart. A small nose roll, good depth of foreface with a black nose beneath and good nostrils. Although she is longer in loin than the first, she has a beautifully rounded croup with a low set straight tail. Her rear is well angulated and has a good turn to her stifle. 

3rd – PACOLITO FLAMIN HOT

Class 10 – Puppy Bitch (1/0)

1st – BRADSHAW’S JACKARHYS ICE QUEEN FOR CRAGHYDE

9-month-old white bitch. A very pretty little girl with a beautiful and classic head piece which immediately catches the eye. Broad flat skull with correctly placed small rose ears. Black eyes which are set wide apart. Correct tilt of nose, leading down to a foreface of good length helps to give the correct layback. Nice turn of jaw and good width of foreface give her a beautiful sour expression. She has a nice sloping shoulder with elbows set well away from her rib. Free straight tail which was well set and carried. Considered for top honours, just preferred the balance of the main winners. Well-handled and immaculately presented. Moved with ease around the ring. 

Class 11 – Junior Bitch (5/3)

1st – EATON’S RICATORI VITA VEE

10-month-old red and white bitch. A well bodied up bitch for her age with curves in all the right places in side profile. She has a strong and large wide flat skull which is correctly divided by a furrow from stop to occiput. Her eyes are black round and clear set perfectly in line with her broad black nose. Good width and turn of jaw with great dentition. For me she excels in topline with the correct fall behind the shoulder and rise over the loin and has a matching underline which completes the picture. Fantastic width of first and second thigh which supports a well rounded and “meaty” croup. Expertly handled and put down in pristine condition. Pleased to award her Reserve Best Bitch, Best Puppy Bitch, Best Puppy In Show. 

2nd – KENT’S UNVERDADERO STAND N DELIVER

12-month-old white and red bitch. Flat skull with well set ears on the corner of her skull which were thin and rosed. She is a bitch who is slower to develop than first place but nevertheless has qualities which will mature with time. Could do with more fill under her eyes but this will improve with time. Good tack of shoulder and a square front which leads to tight “cat-like” feet. Longer in loin than first place. Good straight and free tail.

Class 12 – Novice Bitch (4/2)

1st – MCCONAGHY’S MELAFELLA’S MISS BEHAVE AT BAHOOKE

2-year-old white and red bitch. This little lady celebrated her second birthday on the day of the show and is certainly one that has improved with time. She has a very strong skull which is flat and broad. An excellent turn of jaw which is shown off by the blackest of pigment and gives her a striking sour expression. I liked her set of nose which is perfectly between her round black eyes. She has the correct tack of shoulder and nice straight bone leading to lovely tight feet. She is well up on her pasterns and has a pleasing body shape. Her eat set can be slightly higher than preferred at times which can spoil the overall expression, but this little girl has a lot to like. Presented in immaculate condition, which is no mean feat with a white!

2nd – SHAW’S ROSEANGEL WHITE BEAUTY

19-month-old white and red bitch. This bitch has a lovely sour expression which comes from her classic u-shaped jaw. Her eyes are set wide and low in her skull and has the correct placement of nose. She just falls away slightly under the eyes and needs a touch more fill. Her width of foreface is good, and her lip placement allows her excellent turn of jaw to be showcased. She has a good tack of shoulder, and her elbows are set well away from her rib but needs to drop down into her brisket. Good reach of neck, lost out to first on substance and length. 

Class 13 – Post Graduate Bitch (3/2)

1st – KENT’S MYSTYLE THE DUTCHESS AT UNVERDADERO

21-month-old red and white bitch. A very pretty and well put together little girl who is balanced and honest. Her head is classic and she excels in her sour expression, broad flat skull and well-rounded cheeks. She has excellent width of foreface and well-padded flews. Her sloping shoulders are set nicely away from her well-rounded rib, and she has a beautifully square front. She is not huge in bone, but she is perfectly balanced throughout. She is well put together in her front assembly and has a good square front. Her feet are tight and she looks good from all angels. Could benefit from a slightly better tilt of nose which is emphasised by her small nose roll, but nevertheless this is just one fault of many virtues. She was put down in excellent hard condition and handled well. An underrated little lady who was considered for top honours.

Class 14 – Limit Bitch (5/2)

1st – MAYES’ BLENHIEMSTAR PROUD MARY PECTUS

3-year-old red and white bitch. A standard size bitch who is feminine and pretty in head. She has a flat skull which encases dark round eyes and has a stand off expression. Thin rose ears which are well held back. Good width and depth of force face and tidy flews. A bitch with a very clean head. She is short and compact. Would like a better slope of shoulder as her legs are underneath her rather than “tacked on” but she is deep in fore chest. Presented in immaculate condition and well her handler showed her well. 

2nd – MCKENNA’S MIJORO DAYDOT

2-year-old white and red bitch. A powerful looking bitch who has a huge flat skull which is framed by her perfectly set neat rose ears. Completely different type to first. This bitch is very well off for bone, substance and tack of shoulder which are broad and sloping. She has the desired square front and drops down nicely between her thick boned straight legs. Good topline and compact in profile. Shown and handled well.

3rd – MS EIRE JUNIOR AT KAYLDEMB (IKC)

Class 15 – Open Bitch (6/4)

1st – HARDING’S WILSONPRIDE IT IS WHAT IT IS

19 month old red and white bitch. The first thing that hits you about this bitch is the real sour mug expression that is instantly conveyed by her turn of wide u-shaped jaw and rarely seen to this degree. She has a broad flat skull, and her thin rose ears are high set on the corners. Her round black eyes are set low and have great width between. Her nose placement is excellent, and this really emphasises her standoff look. She has fantastic width and depth of foreface which gives her the desired brick shaped head which is of a time gone by. Her deep sloping shoulder of excellent tack means her straight forelegs and set well away from her well-rounded rib. She has beautifully tight feet and was up on her pasterns as she moved actively round the ring. Put down in sparkling condition and handled to perfection. She won the day with her overall quality, and I could not deny her Best Bitch & Best In Show. 

2nd – MAYES’ RAGMARTE DAIQUIRI AT PECTUS 

3-year-old red and white bitch. A very clean bitch with no exaggeration whatsoever who was unlucky to meet the first. This bitch is striking, pretty and compact with a lot to like. She is balanced in profile and moves soundly and actively. She was presented in beautiful condition and was just the right weight. She posses a good tack of shoulder, straight bone and the tightest of feet. She really excels in profile as she is short, well ribbed up and is angulated correctly front and rear. This bitch looks you dead straight in the eye and demands your attention. Preferred the depth of chest and brisket of the winner. Overall, a lovely bitch that just lost out to one on the finer detail but nevertheless a cracker. 

Miss Selene Bland (Leximus)