Championship Show 2006 Saturday 23rd September - Preliminary Report
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The club held its annual Championship Show, sponsored by Royal Canin, at (another) new venue, namely Sacrewell Farm and Country Centre just off the A1 near Peterboro. The sun smiled on us for much of the day and after a fantastic carting parade to open the show the judges got to work. The new venue seemed to be well received by most people and the committee received many favourable comments which we will obviously bear in mind when considering next year's venue.
Club President Mr Frank Whitbread welcomes around 2 dozen carters into the ring.
Heather Head was a late stand in for Dr Malcolm Willis judging the dogs and the membership's choice for bitches was the well known Andrew Brace.
The judges agreed that Best in Show was the Veteran Bitch winner Steve and Jeanette Green's Belgian bred import Champion Yndi Du Bois Bernois at Waldershelf referee Frank Whitbread had to be called in to declare Reserve BIS as the Dog CC winner (his 3rd) June Thew's Bernsteph Versace.
Judges with Best In Show and Reserve Best In Show
June Thew with Bernsteph Versace, Dog judge Heather Head, Bitch judge Andrew Brace and Jeanette Green and Champion Yndiana Du Bois Bernois at Waldershelf
Obedience Judge with the Overall Winner
Aileen Barnard and Thorsker Mythical Quest with Judge Mrs Denise Thurlby
Best Puppy in Show
Louise Harrington's Ardenbridge Fordson with Dog Judge Heather Head
Bitch Report from Mr Andrew Brace
BERNESE MOUNTAIN DOG CLUB OF GREAT BRITAIN
CH SHOW 23.9.06.
It was indeed flattering to receive an invitation to judge bitches at the parent club’s Ch show as a result of the members’ ballot, and an entry of 114 plus excellent hospitality and organisation made for a very pleasant visit to Sacrewell, the perfect venue for this kind of show.
We had a huge outside ring, glorious weather, and so the conditions could not have been better for judging one of my very favourite breeds.
Once upon a time Bernese generally had appalling fronts and dodgy mouths. I was delighted to find just two suspect bites all day, and movement is very much improved. Having said that, I wonder if improved accuracy up and down has not been at the expense of the width and girth that is required of this draught dog, as lots of the cleaner moving dogs were a shade narrow through, lacking width in front and spring of rib. That said, the overall quality was high.
Bernese people are generally amateur, in the nicest possible way, and the breed is not awash with slick handlers who stack, sculpt and stare … but consequently some of the dogs take a bit of finding when they are merely being “held” rather than “handled”. This is why I believe it is so necessary to move the dogs extensively – the better made and balanced dogs soon surface when they are sent around the ring on a loose lead.
Presentation of several good dogs could have been improved, though I did not peg any dogs back for indifferent grooming.
All in all I had a lovely day.
Veteran B (8,3 abs) 1. Green’s Ch Yndiana du Bois Bernois at Waldershelf, she was the first dog I had my hands on and little did I think at that point that she would end up winning BIS, but from the start she made a huge impact. When she came into the ring she stood on her legs free and eager, with no poking and prodding from her handlers (she had two, one in the class and another in the challenge), and the immediate picture is of a substantial bitch who simply oozes breed type, substance and balance, and who moves accurately and without effort. She is so true up and down, and goes around freely with reach and drive. Her head is balanced, and the gentle frosting that a few grey hairs have created simply softens her expression. To go over she is beautifully put together, with strong bone, big ribs, fantastic topline, gently rounded rump and exemplary hindquarters. She is well coupled and her tail is correctly set and carried and she was in excellent coat and hard condition. On the down side, she is a little cosmetically challenged as she could have more white on her toes and tail tip, but on overall assessment I felt that her many virtues far outweighed this shortcoming and when she came into the challenge her sheer type carried her through to the CC. My co-judge Heather Head agreed that she should be BIS which rounded off a marvellous day for this golden oldie who is a real credit to her owners. 2. Wakeland’s Idlebern Morgana le Fey at Bramikdel, well marked but somewhat lower stationed bitch, basically well constructed and moved accordingly. Shallower in foreface than 1 and just not her overall balance. 3. Radburn’s Fernpark Morisette at Briarsridge, lovely head type, well boned, good basic body shape but rather stuffy in neck and a little short in upper arm. Rather sluggish and lacks some scope on the move. Quite well marked.
Minor Puppy B (12,4) 1. Sutton’s Bernsteph J’Adore Dior, this exhibitor’s dogs always have a huge advantage as they are always so perfectly schooled and beautifully presented, so from the outset they catch the eye and this baby is no exception. Promising head which still needs to break, very appealing eye, enough bone, very well angulated front and back with good rib and she is well marked. Moved truly and with aplomb and looked the obvious winner from the start. 2. Place’s Hildrek Boomerang, one of those bitches who looks better moving than standing. Her head needs to broaden in skull and I would like less facial white and a richer tan. She is very well angled front and back but is shorter ribbed than 1. Nonetheless, she moved very cleanly and easily and held her outline well when gaiting. 3. Hughes’ Carraigbern Rambling Rose, very gawky baby much less forward than 1 and 2, narrower through and at the bum-high stage when she looks as if she needs to drop into herself and just fill out. Showed with enthusiasm – will need a lot of time.
Puppy B (9,1) 1. Wheatley & Lewis’ Posh Posy, not a sudden impact kind of bitch mainly due to the fact that her handler is rather self-effacing and tends not to project this lovely puppy as she could, so she took some finding but on the go-around she kept on grabbing my attention. Lovely head and eye, good straight front with promising width and rib, very well constructed all through and moved accordingly. Very well balanced, excellent markings. Won BPB and whilst my co-judge and I really liked her, we felt the male had the edge on the day, but she has all the potential to go to the top. 2. Wells’ Bernfold Sassie Lassie, free showing bitch of excellent type if a little lower legged and softer in topline than 1 at the moment. Lovely head and expression, good angles front and back, strong bone, goes a tad close behind and not with the scope in profile of 1. Should improve with maturity. 3. Stelmach & Davis’ Chippis Star Crystal, strapping bitch of good basic type and although substantial a little narrow in front. Plainer head than 1 & 2, but moderately angulated and sound on the move. Could have cooperated with her handler more.
Special Junior B (6,1) 1. Miles’ Jaybiem Invu, another with the advantage of a slick handler so instantly caught the eye. Promising head, excellent markings, good bone and rib, sound up and down but a little short in upper arm so could reach out more in front. Tail rather dead. 2. Murphy’s Kinelarty Star of Countydown, puppy who is rather narrow through and better angulated behind than in front, yet she still makes the absolute best of herself on the move. Skull needs to broaden and ribs to spring. Could take a lot of time but has a certain promise. 3. Pembrey’s Rosrig Shardanaia, good basic type but her handler could have done more for her. Adequate head, rather light in eye, enough bone. Moved quite soundly.
Junior B (7,4) 1. Granger’s Bernfold Back to Ziggy at Shadybower, well conditioned bitch of good basic type if a little short on leg. Face rather undermarked but excellent head type, strong bone, good spring of rib and moderate angles. Won the class on the move where she was free, accurate and effortless. 2. Riseborough’s Ardenbridge Maple at Moonbach, standing looked the clear winner, beautiful head, excellent markings, well balanced outline, good spring of rib and moderately angulated. Persisted in pacing and just would not coordinate fully on the move so paid the price. 3. Small’s Dreambern Ingenious Izzy, well marked but rather narrow and lacking rib. Balanced head, kind eye, good angulation front and back, needs more depth of body.
Yearling B (7,4) 1. Price’s Wildingwood Silver Nutmeg, won the class on her overall breed type and substance. Well balanced head but expression spoilt by one prominent haw, excellent bone and rib, very well proportioned outline, moved freely and with some power. Handler could project her more. 2. Boreham’s Broels The Dream Goes On, rangier stamp and softer backed, lacking in spring of rib and being between coats emphasised the point. Well marked with good head type, sluggish on the move and not the reach and drive of 1. 3. Clough’s Bernsteph Elle, longer coupled, rather narrow through and lacks a little intensity of type. Well marked, well angulated rear, just lacks depth and width.
Novice B (13,4) 1. B. J’Adore Dior. 2. W. Silver Nutmeg. 3. C. Star Crystal.
Graduate B (6,3) 1. Bullock & Lloyd’s Duntiblae Daring Affair, substantial bitch of excellent breed type all through, lovely head and expression, good bone and rib, well balanced outline and a free and powerful mover. Tail carriage not her fortune but a wonderfully typy bitch. 2. Creasey & Pickering’s Alphanova The Aristocrat, smaller stamp but balanced, excellent head type, well marked, tends to tense her topline and on the move she is rather sloppy in pastern, yet she goes away with remarkable drive and accuracy. 3. Minnikan’s Newkasbern’s Marionette, reasonably well marked but lacks head type and expression. Longer and lower than 1 & 2, needs more angulation behind and rather all over the place on the move.
Post Graduate B (24,10) 1. Bullock’s Engetal Chalais Princess, wonderfully typy bitch of great substance but no hint of coarseness. Nicely marked and in good coat but her presentation could have been a little more sophisticated. Beautifully moulded head though a slightly darker eye would be the icing on the cake. Clean flowing outline, great bone and rib, firm backline, so well let down behind and when she moves she powers around with freedom, reaching and driving and holding her tail perfectly. Dead true up and down and carrying optimum condition. In the challenge she matched the CC winning veteran so well that she won the RCC. Lost Reserve BIS on the referee’s decision. Would be a very worthy Champion but more effort put into her presentation might be necessary for some judges to appreciate her! 2. Wells’ Bernfold Miss Molly, free showing bitch of excellent overall type. Great bone and substance and yet an inherent look of quality. Basically well constructed all through, but tends to soften in topline on the stack. Could have more rear drive but quite accurate up and down. 3. Flanagan’s Snoanda Makin Whoopee, very well proportioned with excellent angles front and back, not the rib of 1 & 2 and facial markings could be better. A little weak in pastern but made the best of herself on the move.
Mid Limit B (11,3) 1. Nurse’s Wardleyill The Isle Queen, lovely quality and in great bloom, beautifully marked, feminine and yet with substance. Wonderful outline and so well balanced, excellent head type and expression, strong bone, good rib but can still fill out a little in front. Held her shape beautifully on the move when her handler needs to concentrate on showing her excellent gait to full advantage. 2. Creasey & Pickering’s Alphanova Mistress Fauna, balanced bitch of excellent type, fit and hard and such a free and effortless mover with particularly good rear drive. Not as kind in expression as 1 and markings could be a little more classical, but a really sound and honest bitch with no major shortcomings. 3. Jones’ Bernsteph Givenchy with Agapemone, biggish bitch rather short in neck and long coupled, good bone and rib, lovely head and expression, very well marked. Moved sensibly.
Limit B (16,6) 1. Murray’s Athollbern Glenrosa, not a glamorous bitch but very solid and fundamentally typical in every respect. Could have more white on her muzzle but the head is very well moulded and balanced, good bone and rib, excellent shape all through if her tail could be a little better set. Really impressive on the move, being accurate, free and powerful. 2. Page’s Halesbern Smartie Pants, brilliantly marked and a very fluid mover who held her outline so well when gaiting. Lovely head and expression, just rather slab sided – a shame as the static outline is very impressive. 3. Harrington’s Ardenbridge Goodtime Girl, very feminine bitch full of quality but between coats and so looked to have much more daylight underneath her than 1 & 2. Typical head, appealing expression, good bone, not quite the development of second thigh of 1 & 2 and looks like she can still mature and drop into herself a little. Free and powerful mover nicely marked.
Open B (12,2) 1. Sutton’s Ch Bernsteph Miss Dior, came into the ring like a show dog, on her toes, poised and trying and put down to the minute. Feminine but not wispy in any way as she has ample bone and a decent headpiece. She won a RCC under me a while back but frankly I would have expected her to fill out more with maturity and motherhood. On the move she is hard to beat, being powerful on the go-around and dead true up and down. Not as well let down in the rear as the CC and RCC winners and not their width throughout, but she shouts quality and will always be there or thereabouts on that and her great soundness. 2. Baldwin’s Ch Fortonpark Sheilablige, quite the opposite side of the coin as she has substance and bulk almost to the point of being overdone, and yet she sets up to throw out a really impressive picture. Glorious head type, if a shade masculine, great bone and ribs, very well balanced in outline, but rather loses it moving up and down. 3. Grayling’s Luzento Zeta Zuccini, very well put together bitch whose basic construction is very pleasing. Lovely head and eye, makes a pleasing picture on the stack, but she was rather sluggish on the move and her lower carriage tended to make her lose balance. Am sure she could do better when on song and trying. Have seen many worse Champions.
ANDREW H. BRACE (Judge)
DOG REPORT FROM HEATHER HEAD
Thank you to the exhibitors who accepted me so sportingly, as a replacement judge at very short notice.
On the plus side, I found that the dogs were on the whole very masculine, lots with beautiful heads and excellent pigment. This gives the Bernese such a striking appearance. Markings were neither over nor underdone. All bites were correct and all had sensible temperaments and allowed me to examine them.
On the negative side, some fronts were lacking in width, making movement out at elbow. Some had shorter legs than is desirable and some had very long, thin hocks.
A few high tails, some curled over the back or carried upright like shark’s fins.
These negatives must be considered a fault, nevertheless “the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree”
Veteran: (5/3)
Ist Murray’s Korinti Lord Lucan. Nine years old, above medium size masculine dog in very good condition for his age. Lovely type and good correct coat. Strong head with tight eye and kind expression. Ears well set. Broad muzzle. Good substance and well angulated fore and aft. Well boned straight legs, but down on pasterns. Good tail carriage. Moved steadily and soundly. Sensible temperament. Graded Very Good.2nd Jones’ Bernolyn Beau Jester. Seven years old, above medium size dog who was strong and masculine. Like the winner, very good type and in lovely coat and condition. Dark eye, broad muzzle, flat skull and good stop. Excellent substance, good lay of shoulder and enough angulation. Correct tail set. A precise and steady mover but top line sagging a little. Good temperament. Graded Very Good. 3rd Curzon’s Dornaruam Captain Butler. Nine years old, a very large and heavy dog finding it difficult to move with any ease. Moving away he was very loose and on the return, wide in front. Massive bone, perhaps overdone all round. Nevertheless, a lovely character with a pleasant strong head, flat skull, enough stop and dark eye.
Good tail carriage. Castrated long, fluffy coat. Sensible temperament. Not Graded.
Minor Puppy Dog: (10/ 9)1st Cotton’s Collansues Special Dreamer. Almost nine months old, a little above medium size at present, of very attractive appearance. Shows and cooperates with his handler beautifully to catch the eye. Good head shape developing if a little plain, dark tight eye with well set ears, enough stop, flat skull and good development of foreface. Excellent pigment and markings. Slightly long caste at present, with moderate angulation of shoulder and turn of stifle. Good length of upper arm. Rather too much up on his toes, which makes him turn his front feet out, but has the makings of being a very nice dog. Happy, confident puppy. Graded Very Promising 2nd Chattwood & Horton’s Monalou It’s Fletcher. Very close between 1st and 2nd. Like them both very much. Eight months old, well boned medium sized puppy. Very masculine, plenty of substance with strong straight legs. Carried tail rather high on the move. Nice head, deep stop, dark eye. Lovely angulation, particularly the hind-quarters. In good coat and moved soundly. Confident and happy. Graded Very Promising. 3rd Dickson’s Monalou First Impression. Another well developed puppy of eight months and brother to the second place winner. In the same mould, well boned and with substance. Strong legs and lovely short hocks. Well angulated. Rather flashy in markings, but attractive to me and not overdone. Coat too curly at this stage, but hopefully will improve with adulthood. Moved ok but very loose in front. Sensible puppy. Graded Very Promising
Puppy Dog: (12/9) 1st Harrington’s Ardenbridge Fordson A lovely prospect, this puppy of ten months. Medium size, super shape with a strong masculine head. Excellent bone and pigment. Well balanced for a puppy. Good head developing with flat skull, kind dark eye and breadth of foreface. Fluffy, well placed ears which give the impression of an over-large head, but on going over him it is all in proportion. Good breadth and depth of body, with well rounded rib cage. Short coupled, firm top line and good tail carriage. Fluffy knickers at the back give him a comical look, but his quality cannot be denied. He should grow into a fine male. Very confident and happy puppy. Graded Very Promising. Best Puppy Dog and Best Puppy in Show. 2nd Berger’s Begaville Optimist. A few days off twelve months, this puppy is taller and longer in body than the winner and looking rather rangy at present. Being out of coat emphasised this too. Purposeful head developing with strength in skull, good stop and well set ears. Well marked. Good straight front, enough breadth and depth at this stage and held his top line on the move. Confident puppy. Graded Very Promising. 3rd Wells’ Glanzberg Vicount. Strong puppy of ten months. Progressing admirably but less mature than the other two. Super bone and breadth. Excellent pigment and well marked. Still retains the curly puppy coat which makes him look smaller than he is. Graded Very Promising.
Special Junior: (3/2) 1st Miles’ Digitalis the Truth about Jaybiem. Moderately strong, masculine dog of thirteen months, in good coat. Excellent chest width and stands straight and fore-square. Excellent balance. Has a very appealing outline, holding his top line and leading to a well rounded rump and good tail carriage. Very well ribbed with plenty of heart room. Good angulation with a deep chest and strong frame. Tail could be longer. Head developing with a broad flat skull, strong jaw, nose still a little long and eyes a little “piggy”. I am sure this will change. Very well handled and moved out with purpose. Can be a lazy with his feet. Graded Very Good 2nd Radburn’s Fernpark Iceni from Briarsridge. Fourteen month old dog of under medium size and of medium strength. Good straight legs. Smaller than the winner, but a very attractive male of a nice type. Liked his head, more defined with a flat skull, good stop and excellent development of foreface. Well marked and presented in lovely order. Sadly, a little apprehensive, his tail is short and tightly curled under the body. Sound on the move. Graded Good.
Junior: (3/2) 1st Titchmarsh’s Wardleyhill Beanoble. Noble he is! What a lovely young dog! I thought he was super, but still quite juvenile. Almost eighteen months, a fine upstanding dog with excellent length of leg, big strong body and everything in proportion. Well angulated fore and aft. Very well balanced for a youngster. Lovely for type, when fully grown will have the strength and substance of a typical draught dog and such a sensible and friendly temperament. Plenty of depth and breadth, just the right weight and in excellent condition- made a lovely picture. Good tail set and carriage. When standing just a slight rise over the rump, due to age and a little out at elbow returning. Nevertheless, a very exciting prospect. Graded Very Good. 2nd Sargent’s Ardenbridge Waldo at Sargbilko. Sixteen month old dog of above medium size. Strong, masculine dog with good bone and substance. Rather long in body at present, which makes him look unbalanced. Also he is a little apprehensive, which also tends to make him stand awkwardly- something which I am sure he will overcome with maturity. He is a nicely shaped dog, if a little stuffy in neck with good bone, attractive head and moderately angled. Movement was hard to assess as his legs are very untidy on the move and really needs a stronger handler. Graded Good
Yearling: (6/5) 1st Chattwood’s Carraigbern Just Joey. Very well balanced twenty month old dog of medium size. Plenty of bone, good leg length, excellent pigment and presented in good order. Pleasing shape, enough breadth and depth for size, firm top line and correct tail set and carriage. Reasonable head developing, well shaped with some breadth, but light eye spoilt expression. Rather “bouncy” on the move, but sound and free. Graded Good. 2nd Smith’s Cotesbach Superhero from Bernshire. Nineteen month old dog of medium size. Close up to the winner. Strong and masculine. Excellent head developing, good eye and stop. Broad muzzle. Very well off for bone. Enough breadth and depth. Nice lay of shoulder with firm top line. Lovely pigment and markings. Not moving as precisely as the winner, but sound. Friendly temperament. Graded Good. 3rd Harvey’s Aubussagues Road Runner. Another strong young dog of nineteen months and of medium size and strength. Excellent bone. Reasonable angulation and shape with firm strong, straight legs and nice proportion of body length. Still rather bum-high, which will improve, but has a tendency to turn feet out at the rear. Sensible temperament. Presented in excellent condition and fine order. Graded Good.
Novice: (4/4) 1st Marsden & Robertson’s Trudaleaze Fantaztyk Storm Only 6 months old and placed in Minor Puppy. Very well balanced for one so young. A little below medium size but has plenty of time to grow on. Nice angulation all round, solid straight legs and firm back leading to a rounded croup. Made a lovely picture, in shining condition and beautifully presented. Excellent pigmentation and very evenly marked. Moved soundly. Sweet temperament. Graded Promising. 2nd Honeysett’s Margand Archie’s Pride. This four year old castrated dog was a pleasing shape, with medium bone and strength. Reasonable angulation, a little long in body and square over the rear. Correct tail carriage. Nice conventional markings, very well presented with a lovely temperament. He was a free and easy mover but lacked animation. Not Graded. 3rd Buckley’s Alyngarn Jack Sparrow. Twenty month old very big boy, placed in Yearling, who will need a lot of time to mature and settle. Has all the attributes to make a fine adult male, if nurtured carefully. Strong, very masculine head, overshadowed by the size of his body, with good breadth. Haw of eye showing, spoilt expression. Excellent bone and substance. Reasonable angulation. Even markings but tan rather light. Movement erratic, very loose all round. Needs lots of time to mature. Good temperament. Not Graded.
Graduate: (5/5) 1st Instone’s Dale Gudbrands C-Geilo Zala at Staubach. Two year old over medium sized imported male, who caught my eye as soon as he entered the ring. Saw him as a puppy and thought he looked a good prospect. Very strong, upright masculine dog with good bone and strength. Plenty of breath and depth developing, with good spring of rib, well rounded. Long sloping shoulder and good length of upper arm. Firm top line, rounded croup and nice tail carriage. Strong hocks, not too long. Showed a very balanced picture of a young male with much more to come. In good coat and sympathetically handled. He could very well be an excellent prospect to add to our gene pool. Sensible, quiet temperament. Graded Very good. 2nd Goodyear’s Harvestbank Achernar JW Two year old tall male of medium strength and substance, who again is a very showy, upstanding dog with a confident temperament. Still very immature, a dog who again needs time to reach his best and the lack of coat makes him look rangy. Pleasant head, strong jaw. Slight markings, which do not detract. Good straight legs, broad enough chest and pleasing angulations fore and aft. Firm top line, well carried tail. Excellent strong mover, who catches the eye. Good reach in front and follow through. Friendly nature. Graded Very Good 3RD Sargent’s Osemans Percyverance at Sargbilko. Two year old dog of medium size and strength, longer caste with a good deep chest and pleasing angulation all round. Very nice quality head developing, kind eye, good stop and breadth of muzzle. Moved soundly, but would move with greater ease if he lost a few pounds. Tends to make him look too wide in front which I don’t think is because of a constructional fault. Needs greater firmness in top line. Carries his tail a little high. Steady character. Graded Good.
Post Graduate: (12/10) 1st Bridges’ Kernow Ohso Special Just over two years old, above medium size and a very strong working type of dog. Excellent for type and epitomises the old fashioned strong draught dog. Like most large young males, he still needs time to mature but again, he is a very exciting prospect. His day will surely come! Excellent strength and substance. Lovely strong male head, not coarse in any way. Super bone with lovely straight strong legs all round. Stands fore square and so balanced. He is the right weight, well muscled, deep and roundly ribbed and good length of upper arm. Shoulders could be a little more laid back. Strong top line, super rear end. Moved with drive and purpose. Good thick coat, but rather scruffy. Excellent temperament. Graded Excellent. 2nd Atherton’s Feorena Loud n’Proud JW. Two & a half year old dog, presented in sparkling order, who is a little smaller in stature than the winner and shorter in the leg. Having said that, although of somewhat different types, here is a fine young male who excelled in angulation and presented himself as fit, confident and ready to work. Good solid bone and strength, he has great depth of body, top line a little rising, but leading to a nice croup shape and strong hocks. Tail carried nicely. Good head developing, eye a little light, but pleasing expression. Excellent markings and deep pigment. Moved very well with strength and purpose, with good reach and follow through. A little wide at the front on returning. Altogether a very nice prospect. Friendly and confident. Graded Very good. 3rd Heslam’s Feorena Justin Credible. Brother to Loud n’Proud and so very much like him. Most of the above comments apply, especially the strength, shape and temperament. This boy had a better top line. Again a very good mover, but not quite the same strength and purpose of the winner. I am sure they will change places often. Graded Very Good.
Mid Limit: (4/4) 1st Sadler-Smith’s Cornwellian Galadriel at Pollingfold. What a lovely dog- all quality and so pleasing to the eye. Three year old medium sized dog, who cannot be overlooked. Beautiful strong quality head, all male, excellent depth and width, dark almond eye making for a kind expression, good strong jaw. If anything I would like a flatter skull. Excellent bone throughout and strength of body. Good shoulders, rounded rib, and graceful curve over the rump. Not the biggest Bernese, but so well balanced and in proportion. Presented in beautiful order- shining coat, clear white markings and rich, deep pigment. Moved soundly, just a shade narrow at front. Lovely temperament. Graded Excellent. 2nd Riseborough’s Dolpena Celtic Memory of Moonbach. Two year old male just a little smaller than the winner and also a very typy young dog. Along similar lines, strongly bodied, with a strong neck of the correct length. Long sloping shoulders, enough depth and breadth of chest with well sprung rib cage. Similar in profile to winner but not quite the same balance and stance. Moved with ease. Lovely temperament. Graded Very good. 3rd Royle’s Monalou Secret Pledge. Two and a half year old male of medium size. A nice dog, up to size and quite masculine. Longer caste than the other two and not as well balanced. Good strength in body and enough length of leg to portray certain stature. Firm neck, level top line and strong legs and hocks. Lacking coat today which put him at a disadvantage, Very loose on the move and spoils his profile by turning his feet out in the stance. Sensible temperament. Graded Good.
Limit: (3/2) 1st Marsden & Robertson’s Arrambec Ambijian for Trudaleaze JW. Five year old dog of under medium size. A really lovely dog, who has everything going for him, but sadly there just isn’t enough of him! He is so well proportioned and balanced, but needs more size and substance. He is what I call a good honest dog who has so many virtues but lacks that “certain something” Good head, desired stop, dark eye with a firm, straight muzzle. Pleasingly marked to enhance the head properties. Compact body, well ribbed and good angulation fore and aft. Nice tight feet. Firm top line on the move and in the stance. Excellent markings and deep pigment. Moved soundly. Lovely nature. Graded Very Good. 2nd Baldwin’s Fortonpark G’day Bruce. Three year old dog of medium strength and substance. Very close up to the winner, but the lack of coat made him look immature. Strong head, enough stop, good breath of muzzle. Expression spoilt by light eye. Contrary to rumour, has a correct bite. Good angulation, straight front, but a little short in leg. Movement was rather erratic. Graded Good.
Open: (11/10) This was the best class of the day, as it should be and I was spoilt for choice. Five champions in the line up, who well deserved their place, as well as some lovely dogs that I was unable to place on the day as the standard was exceptionally high. Everyone in this class should be very proud of their dogs!
1st Thew’s Bernsteph Versace at Bernmast. This was surely his day! Three year old dog of excellent size, substance and stature. He looked the picture from the moment he entered the ring. Upstanding dog, very masculine. Lovely, quality head, dark eye and benevolent expression. Straight muzzle, good stop and strong jaw. Excellent bone on straight legs, parallel in the stance. Good length of neck, long sloping shoulders and firm top line. Good breadth and depth of body-plenty of heart and lung room. Rear end a little square, with slightly less angulation than at the front, made more so by the fall of hair. Tail curled and carried horizontally on the move which is his less endearing feature, but at no time was it carried curled over the back as quoted as a fault in the Standard. This dog has matured substantially over the past year, but I still think it will take another year for him to be at his very best. Moved with purpose, reaching out well and driving from behind. Very sound in bone, body and temperament. Confident and sensible, much better for not being fussed over by his owner/handler. CC. Graded Excellent.
In the challenge for Best in Show, although I love the dog, the bitch in spite of being a veteran now, still retains her lovely shape, substance, front and back angulation, top line and the smoothly rounded rump. A beautiful profile which reminded me of why I awarded her a CC some years ago. Yndiana became Best in Show. In the challenge for Reserve Best in Show, I felt that the dog was easily the winner and my co-judge, Andrew Brace agreed to leave the decision to the Referee. Versace was awarded RBIS.
2nd Baldwin’s Ch. Fortonpark It’s Otto JW. Another very beautiful, substantial and quality dog. Very well balanced, sound in bone and body. Well coupled and ribbed Compact body, broad chest, straight legs and tight “cat like” feet. Well muscled shoulders lying flat and sloping. Broad, strong hind quarters. Strong head of excellent type. Perfectly marked, in pristine condition with a lovely shiny deep black coat and so striking in appearance. It is hard to criticise his conformation, other than to say that he moves a little wide in front, but in the challenge the winner had the edge in size and stature. Res. CC Graded Excellent. 3rd Wells’ Ch. Monalou Jess for Me at Bernfold. Yet another very worthy, strong and masculine champion. Slightly longer caste than Otto, but very much in the same mould. A lot of the favourable remarks apply. Excellent breadth and angulation. Beautifully presented and shown in super condition. Graded Excellent.
Heather M. Head. Judge.
Some Winners Photos in no particular order at the moment (actually roughly the order they were taken in)
First class of the day, Veteran Bitch, was won by eventual Best Veteran. Best Bitch and BIS winner Ch Yndiana Du bois Bernois at Waldershelf handled here by Emily Green who suffered a last minute confidence crisis and refused to take Yndi in for the challenges!
First Dog class of the day was Veteran Dog where Wendy Murray handled Korinti Lord Lucan to the red rosette
Post Graduate Bitch winner and Res Best Bitch was Martyn and Wendy Bullock's Engetal Chalais Princess
Minor Puppy Bitch Winner was Joanne Sutton's Bernsteph J'Adore Dior
Junior Bitch winner was Tony Granger's Bernfold Back to Ziggy at Shadybower
Winner of Yearling Bitch was Wildingwood Silver Nutmeg owned by Mr, Mrs and Miss Price
Special Breeders Team Winner was Shandy Bridges
Special Breeders runner up was Junes Miles'
Novice Dog winner was Lianne Marsden and David Robertson's Trudaleaze Fantaztyk Storm
Junior Handling 12-16 years was won by Kerry Bull and runner up was Ashley Berger
Junior Handling 6-11 years was won by Samantha Reeve 2nd was Emily Green and third was Declan Rogers
Winner of Yearling Dog was Mrs L. Chattwood's Carraigbern Just Joey
Puppy bitch winner was Posh Posy owned by Marjorie Wheatley and Barry Lewis
Puppy Dog winner and eventual BPIS Louise Harrington's Ardenbridge Fordson
Pat Nurse's Warleyhill The Isles Queen was winner of Mid Limit Bitch
Nikki Cotton's Collansues Special Dreamer was winner of Minor Puppy Dog
Post Grad Dog winner was Shandy Bridges' Kernow Ohso Special
Winner of Limit bitch was Tom & Wendy Murray's Athollbern Glenrosa
Winner of Limit Dog was Lianne Marsden and David Robertson's Arrambec Ambijian for Trudaleaze JW
Winner of Junior Dog was Tracy Titchmarsh's Wardley Hill Beanoble
First in Open Bitch was Joanne Suttons Ch Bernsteph Miss Dior
Winner in Mid Limit Dog was Roy and Sue Sadler-Smith’s Cornwellian Galadriel at Pollingfold
Results from Limited Obedience Show Competition
Judge: Mrs Denise Thurlby
Class 31 Special Pre-Beginners Dog or Bitch (4 entries, 1 present)
1st Webb’s Bernerhof Purple Starlight
Class 32 Pre-beginners Dog or Bitch (7, 2)
1st Hellingsworth’ s Kernow Hilo Hattie at Carabaz
2nd Stelmach and Davis’ Shirdees Starlight
Class 33 Beginners Dog or Bitch (2,2)
1st Hellingsworth’ s Kernow Hilo Hattie at Carabaz
2nd Barnard’s Thorsker Wild Cherry
Class 34 Novice Dog or Bitch (3, 3)
1st Barnard’s Mythical Quest
2nd Hughes’ Beaucroft Tiger Bay
3rd Barnard’s Thorsker Wild Cherry
Class 35 Special Novice Dog or Bitch (3,3)
1st Barnard’s Mythical Quest
2nd Clough’s Bernsteph Belle
3rd Hughes’ Beaucroft Tiger Bay
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