OLD ENGLISH MASTIFF CLUB OPEN SHOW 2023

Date: Sunday, 23 April 2023

Location: BEARLEY VILLAGE HALL, Bearley, nr Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, CV37 0SR

Judges Commentary

I would like to thank the committee for this long-awaited prestigious appointment. It was in 2005 that I attended The Mastiff Breed Specific seminar,

To then receive the letter of invitation in September 2019, I have so looked forward to this day! It finally arrived and I express my gratitude to the exhibitors for a fabulous entry of 36, unfortunately with absentees, I had hands-on 19.

I had a most enjoyable day with lovely dogs and people. I was most impressed with the three junior handlers, who took control of their dogs well.

Veteran Dog. NO ENTRIES

Minor Puppy Dog, 1 entry

1st, Hazelwood’s, Craiglestone Sir Wilfred, 8 months old brindle, raw baby with plenty of substance of body and frame, strong head with dark eyes and a scissor bite as underjaw to develop, a little confused as to what’s expected of him, slightly arched neck into strongly built frame, front legs straight with ample bone, slow growth, gentle exercise and patience is needed with this one who should deliver future promise, moved even, then paced.

Puppy Dog. No Entries

Junior Dog, 4 entries (2 absent)

1st, Facey’s, Wiggenhall’s George, 17 months old lovely brindle of quality showing dense pigment and bloom to coat, nice classic head with structure and soft wrinkle, nice width of muzzle, scissor bite and clean dark brown eyes, good overall balance and conformation showing correct upper arm and layback of shoulder, front legs viewed straight, ample width of chest, good body length to height ratio, he should mature into a lovely boy, I liked this one a lot, level topline and hind angulation, fluent and even mover, Reserve Best Dog.

2nd, Hazelwood’s, Craiglestone Sir Eli Sabeth, 12 months old brindle boy of substance and type, masculine head of great proportions very well furnished with wrinkle, correct bite, body of substance and bone of some size, soft topline should improve with maturity and harder condition, on the move his body rolls and pastern to strengthen.

Novice Dog, 2 entries (1 absent)

1st, Hazelwood’s, Craiglestone Sir Ruckass, 18 months old brindle, maturing nicely with well proportioned masculine head, dark eyes and correct bite, good overall size and shape balanced throughout with moderate angles fore and aft, strong bone with straight front legs and large feet, he is showing good body and head ratios which will only improve with age. Movement was very good although I would like better hocks to complete.

Post Graduate Dog, 3 entries (1 absent)

1st Hazelwood’s, Craiglestone Sir Rumpletum, 18 months old brindle, strong headpiece showing structure of width and profile, clean skull and tight dark eyes, level bite, slightly arched neck into level topline with length, good moderate angles and bone, a touch slender over his loin today which should come with maturity, moderately angled front and rear quarters leading to sound easy movement, well shown

2nd, Miller’s, Hallberd Dennis The Menace of Brindaree, 3½ years old, bigger all over than winner although still makes a nice shape, masculine head although eyes are loose so showing some haw, good teeth with level bite, showing good body and head ratios balanced throughout with moderate angles fore and aft, well boned with firm pasterns, Movement was very good showing reach and powerful drive I would have liked better hocks.

Limit Dog, 4 entries (1 absent)

1st, Burgoine’s, Hallberd Finbar, 18 months old brindle, he stood out in class and the challenge emphasising balance and his lovely body profile and conformation, lovely masculine head good underjaw, having structure and correct planes and clean attractive dark eye, level bite, good forequarters showing equal upper arm, level back and nice over his croup, adequate rear quarters having strength and drive on the move, Best Dog and Best in Show

2nd, Pennie’s, Linfert’s Flight of Fancy (IMP USA), tall 2 ½ years old fawn, lovely structured masculine head with nice planes, his ear are set on high, correct bite, good overall substance for age with wide chest of some depth, good ribbing and depth of underline, moderate front and rear angulation with medium bone, moved out with great enthusiasm.

3rd, Crump’s, Askuwheteau Ciqala

Open Dog, 2 entries (1 absent)

1st, Baxter’s, Nobleheart Roaring Roy, 3 years old fawn, boy of some maturity and stature, masculine head with broad dark muzzle and good underjaw, correct bite, a touch shy being gone over, moderately long neck with clean neat outline showing excellent topline, front legs nearly straight with strong solid bone in harmony with hindquarters, he moves with animation and drive, lovely character with ring presence.

Veteran Bitch. NO ENTRIES

Minor Puppy Bitch, 2 entries (1 absent)

1st, Hazelwood’s, Craiglestone Miss Jelly Tot, 8 months old dark brindle with substance, she had separation issues and was looking for the others, feminine head and short muzzle, good eye, scissor bite and dark mouth pigment, nice body length to depth ratio at this stage of development, front legs straight viewed with medium bone, she moved well round ring.

Puppy Bitch, 1 entry

1st, Hazelwood’s, Craiglestone Miz Damson Jam, 8 months old brindle, another looking for pals, so separation issues again, everything here in moderation very nice puppy, excellent shape for age and good moderate angulation fore and aft, developing feminine head, showing clean eye and wrinkle, slightly arched neck into nice level back to tail set high, she moved around the ring with verve and attitude. Handled well, Best Puppy Bitch and Best Puppy in Show.

Junior Bitch, 4 entries (2 absent)

1st, Rowley’s, Wiggenhalls Isabella, 14 months old brindle, feminine head with kind dark eyes which are nice and tight, good bite and ear set high, long bodied creating a lovely silhouette stood and on the move, good moderate angulation fore and aft, moves well showing off her beautiful length and classy outline, good steady temperament with that slightly aloof, haughty look only a mastiff can achieve, Reserve Best Bitch, I now see that she is litter sister to my reserve best dog. Nobody said ?.

2nd, Reyhan’s, Wiggenhalls Eleanor, 14 months old fawn, another sister to winner, feminine head but with narrow muzzle, tight brown eyes and scissor bite, moderate length of neck into developing body with topline dipping behind wither and rising up over her croup, front legs viewed straight, up on her pasterns and good moderate angles front and rear, on the move she is lazy which lead to her pacing.

Novice Bitch, 4 entries ( 4 Absent)

Post Graduate Bitch, 2 entries (1 absent)

1st, Reyhan’s, Cadermist Storm Teresa, 5 years old fawn of size and substance. who stood alone, pleasing head shape and size, feminine head of medium shape and size, correct bite, fairly balanced for her age with good moderate angles and deep chest and good length of back, good limbs front and rear, well boned with round feet, on the moved she drops low and I would prefer better pasterns.

Limit Bitch, 4 entries (2 absent)

1st, Facey’s, Karolinka Debra-Damo of Wiggenhall (IMP CZE) 4 ½ years old brindle of smart construction and nice feminine head piece, dark brown eyes showing a bit of haw, correct bite and good underjaw, good substance, depth of chest with good ribbing and strong quarters, front legs viewed straight with large bone, compact structure that shows strength on the move with power and strength with even footfall.

2nd. Benzie’s, Faynad Princess of Saxony, 4 ½ years old fawn with dark muzzle and ears, feminine head piece with enough furnishing of wrinkle to compliment I would prefer more strength of muzzle, in all an honest bitch of good size overall and balance with moderate angulation, she has complete ease of movement mixed with that look at me attitude.

Open Bitch, 3 entries (1 absent)

1st, Bowdery’s, Morganlefay’s Iron Maiden, 4 ½ years old brindle girl of type and substance, my find of the day with the ladies, strong feminine head of size and beautiful proportions well-structured and furnished to effect with the width and depth required, clean dark eyes, good dentition and correct bite with dark pigment, well balanced girl shows all the breed type required in a sound package creating that silhouette of correct shape I wanted, nice depth, and length of body with strong moderate angulation, possessing an excellent topline all held up with well boned quarters, she moved with verve and vigour, having that much reach and drive her handler could not keep up, and took a tumble! One I will watch in the future, Best Bitch and Reserve Best in Show.

2nd, Facey’s, Lionguard Fat Bottomed Girl of Wiggenhall, 3 years old fawn, long feminine head a touch pinched on her muzzle which is dark but extends smutty on the scull, moderate neck with excess dewlap, good front quarters and level topline, moderate stifle and well bent hocks an honest bitch still developing, moves with some drive.

Best Dog: Hallberd Finbar,

Reserve Best Dog: Wiggenhall’s George

Best Bitch Morganlefay’s Iron Maiden

Reserve Best Bitch: Wiggenhalls Isabella

Best in Show: Hallberd Finbar

Reserve Best in Show & Best Opposite Sex: Morganlefay’s Iron Maiden

Best Puppy in Show: Craiglestone Miz Damson Jam

Special Open Fawn

1st, Wiggenhalls Eleanor. Repeat Junior Bitch

KC Good Citizen Dog Scheme

1st, Wiggenhall’s George. Repeat Junior Dog

Junior Handling Association