OPEN SHOW 5th May 2024
I was pleased to be invited to judge at the GBBA open show and I was delighted to have such a good entry of high-quality dogs. I was especially encouraged by the temperaments of my winners today, with lots of terrier-like attitude on display. Thank you to all the exhibitors for entering under me, I know many are quite careful in the choice of shows that they travel to, given the current climate, so thanks again and for being sporting with my decisions. Thank you to the committee for this appointment, for welcoming me and my family and for organising a very enjoyable day.
GRIFFON BRUXELLOIS
Special Open Red Dog or Bitch 2 (1) 1 Carpenter’s Sabai Love In A Mist. 11-year-old smooth bitch. Small yet cobby and well-angulated bitch. Large enough head, large round eyes, black nose pad and enough turn-up creating a cheeky expression topped off by good ears. Short-loined, enough angulation and good muscle for age. Stubborn on the move but enjoyed her day.
Special Open Black Dog or Bitch 2 (0) 1 Omre’s Admiravel Crazy Man in Beard. 7-year-old rough dog. Cobby, strong dog with a sharp silhouette. Large head with round, watchful eyes set above a large black nose pad. Wide-enough jaw, good turn-up and a monkey-like expression. Small ears and good furnishings, the only hint of his age is the salt and pepper running through his beard. Good bone and layback of shoulders, level topline, enough angulation in back legs. Moves confidently and precisely, with good reach and enough drive. BV 2 Omre’s Admiravel Ela Bonita. 2-year-old smooth bitch. Attractive, strong bitch. Large head with correct eyes, nose and turn-up, ears a touch large but uses them well, creating a cheeky expression. Good bone and rib and enough angulation in legs. I loved her personality, but she was naughty for her handler today. Moved with balanced reach and drive but preferred the movement of 1 on the day.
Special Open Black & Tan Dog or Bitch 2 (0) 1 Fernyhough’s Beauborne Obama at Fernstaff. 2 ½ year old smooth dog. Cobby, well-boned dog with attractive black and tan markings. Nice, broad face, round watchful eyes, black nose pad, lovely turn-up and sufficiently small ears. A strong and well-muscled dog, he has a strong neck, broad chest and well filled out ribs and enough angulation. His topline is level, but he tended to drop this when stationary and gazing at his handler. Moved with enough reach and drive, covering the ring well. 2 Oliver-Barrett’s Chinaskys Queen Grande. 4-year-old smooth bitch. Small, square bitch with enough bone. Pretty, well-proportioned face, round liquid eye and a cheeky expression enhanced by her attractive markings and a lovely ear carriage. Again, she has a level topline but tended to drop it when not on the move. Precise mover but preferred the easier movement and more cobby type of 1.
Special Open Smooth Dog or Bitch 1 (0) 1 Carpenter’s Sabai London Pride. 9-year-old red bitch. Well-tempered veteran with a round, dark eye, well-placed black nosepad, small, high set ears and an intelligent expression. Some frosting on the muzzle and eyebrows, as accepted by the breed standard, good depth of colour to coat. Enough angulation to enable some reach and drive, she was very positive on the move, enjoying her day.
Veteran Dog or Bitch 4 (1) 1 Omre’s AdmiraveL Crazy Man in Beard. 2 Oliver-Barrett’s Risethor Laidbackjack. 9-year-old smooth red dog. Short-loined, not large Griffon with excellent temperament. Moderately large head with enough width of skull. Dark, round and watchful eyes, black nose pad, muzzle falls away somewhat under the eye, neat lips and turn-up of chin. Ears carried high enabling his monkey-like expression. Straighter in the front than 1 but has enough bone and rib, straight legs, small cat-like feet, and sufficient angulation. Moved with purpose and enough reach and drive. I liked his squareness and temperament.
Minor Puppy Dog 1 (0) 1 Hughes’ Space Oddity from Beauborne. 8 ½ month old red smooth. Well-boned, square Griffon with lots of potential. Large enough head for age, correct eyes, nose and turn-up, uses his ears well when on the move showing a cheeky expression. Enough muscle for age, chest and rib cage still developing. Short-loined, good layback of shoulders, level topline, fine turn of stifle. Demonstrated enough reach and drive but this was disguised when he somewhat lost confidence. This confidence returned in the challenge, however, where he moved well. BP
Junior Dog 3 (1) 1 Selby, Whitehead & Allen’s Zilcan Action Man. 12-month-old smooth red. Square, typey smooth with good bone. Moderately large head showing some of his best qualities. Wide forehead and a black mask enhancing his attractive face. Correct eyes above a well-placed large black nose pad with wide, open nostrils. Good width of jaw and turn-up of chin. Ears small and set high enough. Good bone and muscle for age, straight legs, chest and rib still developing, level topline, short-loined and good turn of stifle. He wasn’t keen to walk on the uncovered parts of the ring, but when on the mats he stepped out well and showed balanced reach and drive. 2 Carpenter’s Beauborne Ray Ban at Xyliabud. 13-month-old smooth red dog. Square and confident, this Griffon was eager to please his handler. Adequate head of a correct size for age, correct eyes, nosepad and turn-up, would prefer a touch more depth to muzzle. Shoulders well-laid back, he holds his topline level on the move, a confident mover but less muscle and bone than 1.
Post Graduate Dog 2 (0) 1 Hughes & Meaden’s Rydellan’s Rogue Prince. 22-month-old black and tan dog. Square, lively Griffon in good condition. Well-sized head with good width of skull, correct eyes and well-placed nose pad, fine turn-up, neat lips and enough width of muzzle. Small, high-set ears that he uses effectively. Nice layback of shoulder, straight legs with good bone, some width of chest. Well-filled out ribs and short loin enable his square, cobby profile. Enough rear angulation allows for balanced reach and drive but would prefer a touch more muscle in hind legs. Confident on the move and attentive to his handler. 2 Fernyhough’s Beauborne Obama at Fernstaff.
Open Dog 4 (1) Meaden’s Beauborne Nadal at Topmead. 2 ½ year old red rough dog. Cobby, square Griffon of excellent type and condition. In a strong class, this typey Griffon caught my eye. I first judged this dog as a puppy and as an adult he does not disappoint. Large, but not exaggerated, masculine head with good width of skull. Round, watchful eyes and a large, well-placed black nose pad. Good depth and width of muzzle, neat lips and a fine turn-up. Good furnishings and small, high-set ears enhance his profile and create a lovely, intelligent expression. Strong neck, shoulders well laid back, straight, muscular legs with good bone. Ribs filled out to elbows, short loin and enough turn of stifle to allow for good drive. Moves alertly and effortlessly around the ring with his back foot stepping in the shadow of the front. BD BIS. 2 Spurr’s Ch Zilcan Gin Ricky JW. 2 ½ year old red rough dog. Another eye-catching example of the breed of excellent type and temperament. Loved his classic head with correct eyes and nose pad of which the placement creates a beautiful expression. Also excels in muzzle which is wide and well filled out with neat lips and a masculine turn-up. Good ears and carriage complete the picture. Strong neck, deep, well-filled out chest and enough layback of shoulder. Level topline, short loin, good turn of stifle and muscled hind legs. Precise on the move with good reach but didn’t have the drive of 1 on the day. RBD RBIS. 3 Martyn’s Donzeata Royal Agent.
Puppy Bitch 2 (1) 1 Meaden’s Beauborne Stefani at Topmead. 10 ½ month old black and tan. Confident, nicely marked bitch. Head still developing, as expected at this age, round dark eye, black nose pad. Small ears with good carriage. Harsh, well-groomed coat with rich tan markings. Still growing into her frame, nevertheless she has straight legs, enough angulation and well sprung ribs. Small, cat-like feet. Stepped out confidently with good balance, I appreciated her typey temperament.
Junior Bitch 2 (1) 1 Barney & Spittle’s Cilleine Quintessential. 15-month-old red rough. Well-boned, strong bitch with a lovely, typically stubborn temperament. Moderately large head, with good width of forehead. Large, expressive eyes, excellent nose pad and placement. Well-furnished muzzle with good width and correct turn-up. Small, neat ears with good carriage when she chooses to! Strong neck, shoulders laid back, good width of chest and enough rib, level topline, well-muscled hind legs, good turn of stifle. Moves well and with confidence, she has balanced reach and drive. RBB
Yearling Bitch 1 (0) 1 Fernyhough’s Cilleine Quintella at Fernstaff. 14-month-old red smooth. Cheeky youngster with potential. High-set ears, large, dark eyes, black nose pad with wide open nostrils, good depth of muzzle but would prefer cheeks to be a touch more filled out. Neat lips, sufficient turn-up. Loved her black mask and quizzical expression. Chest still developing, but enough width. Adequate bone and shoulders well-laid back allowing for enough reach.
Limit Bitch 3 (1) 1 Selby, Whitehead & Allen’s Zilcan Sparks Might Fly. 19-month-old red smooth. Lively, stubborn bitch with decent bone and muscle. Sufficiently large head, wide forehead, adequate ears and carriage, dark, round eyes, good nose placement and turn-up, neat lips. Attractive black mask, would prefer more depth of muzzle. Strong neck and shoulders well laid-back, straight legs, nice width of chest. Shows herself best when moving, lifting her deep, well sprung ribs and levelling her topline. Well-angulated back legs allow for free movement and good drive. 2 Hughes’ Beauborne Pussycat Doll. 23-month-old slighter but pretty red smooth bitch, a real show girl. Very square, attractive face. Well-proportioned facial features, high-set ears. Short, but strong neck, good chest, enough layback of shoulder, straight legs, level topline and some rear angulation. Less muscle and bone than 1, but great temperament. Confident mover and eager to please her handler but preferred the substance and freer reach and drive of 1.
Open Bitch 2 (1) 1 Omre’s Admiravel Power Dress. 5-year-old black rough. Eye-catching, strong bitch with a striking silhouette. This Griffon has many of the characteristics expected of the breed, but I especially appreciated her good-natured but lively temperament and excellent movement. Moderately large, well-furnished head. Good width across forehead, small high set ears carried well. Correct eyes and nose pad well placed to enable a quizzical yet feminine expression, fine turn-up. Would prefer a little more width of jaw, yet muzzle well-filled. Good shoulders, chest wide and deep, ribs well-sprung. Nicely muscled loin, fine turn of stifle. Good angulation reflected in her movement, strides out with reach and drive, she covers the ring well. BB BOS.
Judge: Dr Kelsey Suggitt