BMD Club of Great Britain 50th Anniversary Championship Show

Judge: Stephen Green — Waldershelf (UK)

Firstly, a big thank you to the committee for the invitation to this prestigious appointment, (which was agreed in my absence). Thank you to all the exhibitors I hope you had a great time at the Golden Jubilee event however many days you were with us. Thank you to my stewards, Babs Munson and Lynn Jones who kept me moving along as I played catch up, being the last to start. Thank you to the competitors in my ring for taking my decisions and placings with grace and for the good sportsmanship amongst competitors.

The whole Jubilee event was an extremely busy experience for me but something I am proud to have been a part of delivering.

Temperaments were broadly speaking excellent, possibly a bit flat if anything but this could be due to the fact most of my exhibits had already been in one show today and another the day before by the time they presented in my ring. Mouths were good with just a couple of level bites.

I was honoured to be able to assess some of the country’s best examples of the breed, and we have lots of qualities in the breed but the most regular faults I found were dogs and bitches being a bit overlong in body, lack of front and rear angulation but perhaps most commonly a general lack of bone and substance with dogs not really giving a strong impression of being a “Strong, sturdy working dog, ……. well boned, …” as stated by the standard. Too many were narrow in body and finer boned. However, whilst impressive to look at, size and bone cannot be at the expense of soundness and a balanced dog is essential in our working breed.

Minor Puppy Dog (4 entries, 1 absent)
1st – Bridges’ Krimm Bernenska Sfora at Kernow (Imp Pol) NAF. Chunky, well boned 8 month old, who has excellent type and substance for his age. Well balanced appearance with head and body in good proportion. Masculine head, with well defined stop, correct for age, with correct expression enhanced by dark almond shaped eye. Excellent breadth and depth to chest and forechest developing well. Good level top line, deep body and lovely rounded rump, would prefer a little more turn of stifle. Moved OK with good balance and co-ordination for age maintaining his topline at all times. Confident and steady temperament. A very promising puppy winning Best Puppy in Show today in the challenge with his litter sister.
2nd – Bramble’s Nelstephbern Me and My Boy with Shirdees. Seven & a half month old and another quality puppy who pushed hard for top spot in this class, however today I just prefer the type and breadth of first. Pleasing strong head of good breadth that is well-developed for age, flat skull with strong muzzle and correct dentition. Well-made front and rear with good angulation, good balance standing and moving. Confident and calm temperament.
3rd – Giffney’s Prince Riomadea Grande Confident, big framed 7 month old dog, with lots of promise but going through a growing phase appearing a little raw and long in body today. Broad and strong head with good expression and correct eye shape and colour. Enough angulation front and rear, correct tail set and carriage. He has lots of potential and I’m sure he will just get better as he matures.

Puppy Dog (3,2)
1st – Fasso’s Miles Del Sacro Fiume (ATC AZ55462ITA)   Eight and a half months old male standing alone, smaller frame and very much a baby. Would generally like more size throughout in order to give the impression of strength required for good breed type. Head has lots of qualities, he has good expression with kind dark eye but lacking in strength of head at this stage which is to be expected. Correct dentition. Standing straight and correct from the front but would prefer more length of upper arm, in contrast overdone at the rear and this reflected in his movement causing a lack of balance on the move. Excellent presentation and well handled.

Junior Dog (5,0)
1st – Byrne’s Up To Date von Romanshof (ATC AY3758POL). Lower medium sized almost 18 months old. Decent proportions perhaps a touch fine but otherwise a well balanced youngster overall. Good head in proportion with size with correct friendly expression with good dark almond shaped eye. Showing well made at front with decent angulation and correct fore chest and level top line. Very good rear construction and moved soundly maintaining his top line with good balance and co-ordination. Very happy and confident temperament.
2nd – Meakin’s Bernsego Saburban (Imp Rus). Larger type 18 month old with a good masculine head of correct proportions with well defined stop, dark marked and with good dark correct shaped eye. Good bone but needs to fill out his frame as he matures. Correct forequarter angulation with good slope of shoulder, fore chest correct, but standing a little high and straight at the rear which affected his top line standing and moving. Moved well at the front showing good reach but a bit close from the rear. Confident happy temperament.
3rd – Copeland’s Kernow Dollar Promises at Maxjabar. 15 month old with pleasing shape for his age and lots of breed type. Good masculine head maturing nicely with kind alert, expression helped by dark eye. Standing with good top line but standing straight in shoulder. Moved generally OK with well co- ordinated movement and strong at the rear but a little close and lacking in reach at the front. Dog with lots of good points but his front needs to strengthen as he matures. Confident and happy in temperament.
Res – Marshall’s Bernolli Dragonheart at Bernannan (Imp Rus)
VHC – Hallam’s Arvella Adorable Arthur

Yearling Dog (3,1)
1st – Peacocke & Plant’s Bobb Von Durrbachler Wald. 23 months, medium sized dog with good bone for size, with a striking calm demeanour, broad masculine head with lovely expression but flews a touch overdone, especially for a youngster. Good fore chest, well angulated shoulders, standing naturally four square with good correct shoulders and straight front. Good deep chest and broad back but bordering on the long side. Equally well made at rear with good angulation and not surprised to see lovely movement front and rear with a good, easy, balanced movement and good drive. Just needs to mature correctly as he has all the components to mature into a top quality adult. Calm and friendly temperament.

2nd – Harry’s Gorsebern The Great 17 month old larger frame with good overall proportions. Broad masculine head with correct friendly expression enhanced by lovely dark eye. Strong neck leading to well angulated shoulders but standing wide at elbow and lacking in fore chest. Level topline and correct tail set but lacking in rear angulation. Very unsettled on the move and difficult to assess some of the time but settled enough to show he was wide from the front and close from the rear. He would definitely benefit from more ringcraft type training to make the best of himself both standing and moving. Confident but needs training.

Novice Dog (4,2)
1st – Brunning’s Jaybiem The Circus Master. 2 year old, medium sized dog with adequate bone and strength for size and with darker markings. Balanced appearance with male head, with correct expression and good almond shaped eye. Standing with correctly angled shoulders and deep chest. Good top line and correct rear construction. Moved OK with good balanced gait from all angles although had a tendency to fly his tail. Calm and confident temperament.

2nd – Harry’s Gorsebern The Great
(See Yearling)

Post Graduate Dog (6,1)
1st – Davis & Goonan’s Daithi Magic Bernese of Ballyford (ATC 78321HUN)  3 year old medium sized well balanced dog in all aspects with good bone for size. Correctly sized masculine head in proportion to body with correct benevolent expression and kind eye. Strong neck, correct front with well angled shoulders and good straight front legs, but would prefer more forechest. Good breadth of back for size with correct level topline. Well angulated correct rear and emphasising this by standing naturally four square on every occasion. Moved correctly from all sides maintaining his correct top line and overall a good steady dog, close call but winning here on maturity and balance. Calm and confident temperament.
2nd – Peacocke & Plant’s Bobb Von Durrbachler Wald
(See Yearling)
3rd – Fasso’s T R Washo Del Sacro Fiume (ATC AZ55463ITA). 22 months old good looking dog standing with good breed type and balance with a well-proportioned overall outline. Good bone and a masculine head with broad skull and correct proportions with lovely expression and dark eye. Well made at the front and broad and strong looking with good level top line, but somewhat over angulated at the rear. I would prefer him to be more positive on the move but maintained his topline and had good tail carriage. Calm and relaxed. Excellent presentation and handling.
Res – Cooke & Stevens Tickbern Yardhand
VHC – Brunning’s Jaybiem The Circus Master

Mid Limit Dog (7,2)
1st – Atherton’s Valentinn Vom Durrbachler Wald. Two and a quarter years old medium sized dog who is very correct from all angles and with decent bone for size and giving an impression of a strong working dog. Correct shape and proportions with a good balanced masculine head in proportion to body. Broad correct skull with pleasing expression and dark eye almond shaped eye. Strong neck, well angled shoulders, good forechest, broad and deep chest, good level top line, leading to well constructed rear quarters with good angulation and overall free standing correctly four square. Moved as well as expected with good balanced co- ordinated drive reaching out at the front and driving from the rear maintaining his topline at all times. Just a very correct, honest and typey dog in all aspects standing and moving who should finish off very nicely with a bit more maturity. Calm and relaxed temperament.

2nd – Fasso’s Peter Pan Del Sacro Fiume (ATC AW00235ITA). 5 years old, another good looking dog with his appearance giving off breadth and strength from front to rear. Good bone, broad masculine head, with flat skull and lovely kind expression enhanced by correct shaped dark eye, with front outline just spoilt a little by ear set being a bit low. Good deep chest and level topline with good spring of rib. Strong neck, and well made at the front with good shoulder construction and deep chest. Moved well enough at the front but could be more positive in the rear. Calm and friendly temperament.
3rd – Miles’ Jaybiem Only Making Plans. Just over 2 years old medium sized, broadly correct dog with good bone for size and with balanced proportions front to back and a good overall outline. Correct masculine head and correct expression. Standing with correct front, good top line and good rear. Balanced and steady on the move showing a good balanced gait maintaining his top line. Calm and confident demeanour, overall a good steady, honest dog.
Res – Wakeland’s Kernow Yesteryears at Bramikdel
VHC – O’Toole’s Talk of the Town

Limit Dog (3,0)
1st – Cahill’s Leader of the Pack from Christofland. Nearly 5 years old medium sized dog of pleasing strong and balanced appearance with good bone for size. Good masculine looking head with well defined stop and correct expression with dark eye and in good proportion to body and helping to give a balanced impression of the whole dog. Well made front with good angulation on shoulder and correct straight front. Broad, strong pleasing body shape with level topline and pleasing profile body shape with broad, lovely rounded rump. Standing a bit straight in stifle and hock but maintaining breadth. Moved with balanced gait, particularly well at the front with good reach but a little less so in the rear with slight lack of drive.
2nd – Wakeland’s Collansues Secret Potion at Bramikdel. Coming up 6 years old larger sized dog of pleasing overall side profile but slightly narrow for size. Good masculine head with flat skull and correct expression. Good neck and with enough front angulation but standing a little out at elbow. Deep chest and good level top line but a little overdone at the rear with excessive angulation. Movement could be tidier from the front but got around the ring well enough. Happy confident boy.
3rd – Butcher’s Arvella Mr Penny Pincher at Jenzobern. 6 years old good, sized boy with some strong features. Good masculine head with well defined stop, broad skull and correct kind expression with correct dark eye. Strong neck but a bit underdeveloped at the front standing narrow and I would prefer more fore chest. Good topline and decent side profile although tail slightly short and carried high. Moving OK at the rear but needs to tighten at the front. Happy and calm temperament.

Open Dog (11,4)
1st – Benson’s Ir Ch Semus De Zandvijver at Bernervalley (RCC). Well balanced medium sized 3 year old with good bone, good looking dog with good proportions from front to back with pleasing overall shape. Correct broad and masculine head with lovely friendly expression enhanced by dark eye. Broad strong front with correct forechest, broad deep chest, strong broad body with good level top line and lovely rounded rump and broad strong rear. Slightly unsettled and distracted at first but soon settling into a good balanced gait showing reach and drive and covering the ground well, maintaining his topline and moving correctly from all directions. I was pleased to award him the RCC and I look forward to watching him as he matures.
2nd – King, Green & Dedman’s Joseph vom Durrbachler Wald at Arvella JW (Imp Nld). Just over 6 years old medium sized, very well made dog with many good qualities who I think is only improving with age. Broad masculine head with well defined stop, correct kind expression and good dark eye. Strong neck and excellent shoulder angulation with well laid back shoulders, Standing with good shoulder construction and good deep and broad chest. Good forechest and standing with correct front leg placement but would prefer more strength in pasterns. Good level topline, well made at the rear with good angulation and well muscled strong hindquarters. Carried himself well with good balanced movement with an easy gait. It was a shame he met the winner in the this class, handled well and shown in excellent condition.
3rd – Giffney’s Ir Ch Sennen Cruise Control (Aust) CJW 18 Jun Ch. Five & a half years old big typey dog presenting as exuding strength from all directions. Tall, well boned, with strong masculine head completely in proportion to his size and substance. Broad, flat skull with well defined stop and correct expression with dark brown eye. Strong neck and broad deep chest. Broad strong back with good level top line and strong broad well angulated rear. Moved OK but after making such a strong impression standing he was a slightly disappointing on the move lacking enthusiasm which meant I don’t think I saw him at his best today.
Res – Cooke & Stevens’ Tickbern Vagabond
VHC – Niccoli’s Int Ch Micheal Schumacker Del Sacro Fiume (ATC 55460ITA) HC – Marrow’s Carraigbern Marquis De Camelot

Champion Dog (4,1)
1st – Hartley Mair & Baldwin’s Ch Tjofselinas Chirac (Imp Swe). Almost three & a half years old, lovely typey medium sized dog and another who seems to be improving with maturity (as they should). Just caught my eye from the start and stood out for me today with his overall quality and just so well balanced. A broad and strong looking dog in all aspects with good bone for size. Good masculine head with broad skull and correct shape and showing lovely dark eye and expression. Strong neck, standing correctly at the front, good shoulders, slightly lacking in fore chest but showing good broad, deep chest and well ribbed with broad back and level top line. Broad strong rear with excellent rear angulation and correct construction from all directions with correctly rounded rump and correct tailset. Moved well from all viewpoints and maintained top line and correct tail giving overall impression of a balanced, strong and heavy, but still free moving working dog. Calm and relaxed character. Comfortable winner of the CC for me today and maintained his form in the run off against the bitch to take BiS.

2nd – Bridges’ Ch Kernow Troublue 43/4 years old, good sized dog with good bone and strong looking, compact overall appearance with breadth from front to back. Masculine head with well defined stop and broad strong looking skull, lovely  dark eye and correct expression. Good strong neck, broad and deep chest with strong straight legs and good shoulder angulation. Broad strong back but sometimes presenting a little high over the rump, well made at the rear. Moved well at the front, slightly close viewed from the rear but overall moved well and covered the ground with an easy balanced movement. Calm and friendly temperament.

3rd – Fasso’s B&E Ch Johnathan a Don Aspen (ATC AZ55461BRZ). Nearly 4 year old dog of good medium size but would prefer more bone and substance. Head could be stronger but still has a correct flat skull, correct ears and well defined stop, friendly expression and correct shaped dark eye. Moderate angulation in the front and rear,. Moved with a balanced gait but I would prefer more reach and drive, especially at the rear.

Veteran Dog (1,0)
1st – Vaychkus & Vaickus’ Flintas Kalnu Suo at Berneroso ShCM (Imp LT). 9 year old, good size male out of coat today with enough bone for size and good honest balanced dog presenting a pleasing standing profile, especially for his age. Good proportions with balanced head and body. Good masculine head with dark eye and good expression spoilt by being a little round in eye. Standing a little straight in shoulder, but otherwise with good depth of chest, straight front legs and good top line and generally good construction. Showing his age a little bit on the move but maintained a balanced gait and got around the ring well. Relaxed and friendly temperament. Unlucky to come up against the very strong bitch for BViS.

Good Citizen Dog Scheme Dog (2,0)
1st – Flanagan’s Collansues Magical Spell. Almost 5 years old, big strong looking dog standing with balanced proportions although ideally I would like a bit more bone for his size. Pleasing broad and masculine head and correct expression with good dak eye. Good straight front legs and shoulders OK and level top line leading to lovely rounded rump and good well angulated rear construction with correct tailset. Moved well at the rear but a bit loose from the front and losing his topline. Confident temperament.
2nd – Austen’s Kernow Blue Mist. Medium size male coming up 3 years old with finer bone and a bit lacking in the appearance of strength as a result. However, his overall appearance is well balanced and in proportion. Head still masculine being broad and with good expression. Standing a bit straight in shoulder but good and straight from the front, with level top line and with good rear construction showing well angled stifle and hock. Moved with a good balanced gait covering the ground well. Good temperament.

Minor Puppy Bitch (7entries, 5 absent)
1st – Bridges’ Karmen Bernenska Sfora at Kernow (Imp Pol). 8 months old, good size bitch. Strong and typey with balanced proportions. Pleasing strong, but still feminine, head with correct expression. Good bone for her size and standing very true at front demonstrating correct conformation from front and side. Broad chest with good spring of rib, broad strong appearance to the rear although a little lacking in rear angulation when stood. Moved well maintaining a balanced and co-ordinated gait for her age. Calm and happy. Pushed her litter mate hard for Best Puppy in Show but had to settle for Reserve BP just losing out in performance at the end of a long day.

2nd – Murphy’s Kinelarty Marvellous Eunice. Another 8 month old of slightly finer type but of good size for age. Feminine pretty head and lovely expression, well constructed front quarters and straight front legs but standing a little wide at the front. Deep chest with good top line and correct smoothly rounded rump. Not quite so well angulated at the rear and standing a little close. Unsettled at times on the move but did show a balanced gait she could slip easily into (and out of!). Confident girl.

Puppy Bitch (3,1)
1st – Davis & Goonan’s Kaimon Gerheil Primadona Ballyford (Est) (ATC AY88324EST). 11 month old smaller type girl standing a bit short in leg but very typey and strong in body with many good qualities. Good bone for size and mostly free standing foursquare and true. Strong, broad but still feminine head with nice eye and correct kindly expression. Standing a little wide at the front but with good shoulder angulation. Broad chest and body and broad strong back with correctly rounded rump and tailset. Top line varied, sometimes correct and sometimes high at the rear and also similarly standing rather straight at the rear at times, other times much better. (Easy for me to say, but needs watching and/or training) When moving everything fell back into place and showed a good topline whilst moving with balance and co-ordinated gait. Calm and confident.
2nd – Murphy’s Kinelarty Look Up and Aim High. 10 month old taller type than 1 but a bit finer and not giving such an impression of strong and sturdy. Head lacking in stop but that could still improve, lovely kind expression. Decent shoulder construction and standing with good straight parallel front legs. Good top line and correctly rounded rump with good tailset. Better construction at the rear with good angulation and standing true from behind. Movement was generally OK showing good drive from the rear but being a bit untidy from the front. Calm and Happy girl.

Junior Bitch (4,1)
1st – Marshall’s Mountain Crystal Scarlett at Bernannan (Imp Hun) 13 month old bitch of medium size but head to improve with more maturity as lacking in skull width and stop but very feminine showing a kind expression with lovely dark eye. Otherwise good bone for size and a pleasing shape for a youngster. Good neck and decent construction at the front when stood. Good level top line but looking a touch long in body at the moment but could improve with maturity. Well made in rear quarters with decent rear angulation without being overdone. Moved with a good balanced side gait overall maintaining her top line at all times but a bit wide coming towards. Lovely calm temperament.
2nd – Price’s Akela z Labskeho Zatisi (Imp Cze) 17 month old bitch of medium size but a taller frame who just needs time to fill out into her frame, good balanced shape in side profile but generally just a bit lacking in bone and width. Otherwise a correct feminine head with nice dark eye and kind expression, good front angulation. As presented today her topline was very variable whilst standing, this is something to work on as she matures as she can show it correctly. Generally showed good co-ordinated movement maintaining her balanced appearance and her topline was better on the move than when standing. Friendly and relaxed.

3rd – Hume’s Collansues New Pastures. 13 month old medium sized girl presenting as overweight and needing a bit more bone for size. A bit lacking in shoulder angulation and standing wide from the front. Good feminine head and kind expression, level topline and reasonable rear construction. Largely unsettled on the move but just managing to demonstrate her movement enough to assess her as having a balanced movement but being wide at the front, not helped by her weight. Happy and confident but would definitely benefit, in many ways, from some weight loss.

Yearling Bitch (7,1)
1st – Wood’s Bern Haus On Oka Floriana for Bernora 23 month old medium sized bitch of generally pleasing overall presentation and strong outline. Head a bit lacking in stop but broad enough with lovely feminine and kind expression enhanced by dark eye. Good broad chest but a bit lacking in fore chest, good shoulder angulation, level top line, broad back and strong body nicely rounded rump. Well constructed at the rear with good angulation. Moved well and maintained her top line and moved with an easy balance, driving well from the rear and winning here mainly on movement. Confident temperament.
2nd – Milune’s Elegant Daeneris at Oberlandbern  19 month old with similar shape to first but with slightly longer muzzle affecting appearance of her head somewhat. Shoulders OK with good straight front legs but lacking in fore chest.. Another who needs to work on her ‘show stand’ as sometimes presenting very ‘bum high’ but other times showing a much better top line. Sound rear construction with good angulation. Good strong rear movement. Calm and happy girl.
3rd – Shields & Byrne’s Auseire Candy Magic (ATC AY99161)  22 months old good size bitch with pleasing substance and general appearance. Strong neck with feminine head with correct proportions and kind expression. Broad chest with good straight legs. Topline tending to dip at times but leading to nice rounded rump and good correct tailset but lacking in rear angulation. Moved OK enough but a bit lacking in drive and reach. Calm and confident temperament.
Res -Flanagan’s Collansues Gold Blend
VHC – Kluge’s Chanel Kielo Cud At Morgenmegs
HC – Price’s Akela z Labskeho Zatisi (Imp Cze)

Novice Bitch (4,2)
1st – Hume’s Collansues New Pastures
(See Junior)
2nd – Williams’ Tinland Zeta Rose 3 year old tall, perhaps a tad underweight girl and needing more bone and width for her size. Nice feminine head with lovely kind expression enhanced by correct dark eye. Standing narrow at elbows but correct straight legs from front and with good layback of shoulders. Presenting a good top line and good side profile standing. Good construction at the rear standing correctly. Somewhat unsettled on the move and difficult to assess properly. Confident and happy character.

Post Graduate Bitch (12,3)

1st – Cooke & Stevens’ Tickbern Yes I Can Yodel Nearly two &  a half year old medium size girl maturing nicely with really pleasing proportions and balance and with good bone for her size. Lovely strong and feminine, well proportioned head with well defined stop and correct almond shaped and dark eyes body giving lovely kind expression. Good neck and correct front with good angulation of shoulders and straight front legs. Good deep, broad chest, level top line, leading to lovely rounded rump with good tail set. As expected moved well from all directions with an easy stride with good drive and reach. Calm and confident.

2nd – Milune’s Khaleesi z Deikowej Doliny (Imp Pol) Nearly 3 year old and in many ways similar bitch to first . Medium sized, well balanced proportions and enough bone for size. Good strong but feminine head with kind expression, standing correctly straight in leg from the front but a little upright in shoulder. Good top line and lovely correctly rounded rump but again also a little lacking in angulation at the rear. Moved OK from front, rear and side but not quite as well as first.

3rd – Fasso’s Tokyo Del Sacro Fiume (ATC AZ37108ITA). 22 months medium sized bitch with many good points to catch the eye. Good overall shape and with strong but still feminine head although ear set being low compromises the outline. Good layback of shoulder but toeing in and a bit wide at elbow when stood, good deep chest. Standing a bit high at the rear causing uneven top line, but good shape to rump with correct tail set. Moved with co-ordinated drive front and rear but whilst OK at the rear still wide at elbow and toeing in from the front. Res – Benson’s Truly A Girl Van De Klaverhoeve at Bernervalley
VHC – Worrall’s Fortonpark Sweet Dreams at Oakbern
HC – Kingstonka Northern Soul

Mid Limit Bitch (6,0)
1st – Baldwin’s Fortonpark Chase That Dream. Just over 2 year old female, medium sized, well balanced, high quality bitch with good profile and correct bone for her size. Strong but still feminine head, good straight front standing correctly with good shoulders and upper arm, broad chest. Level top line and lovely rounded rump with good tail set. Good rear construction. Moved well from all directions maintaining top line and her balanced appearance and co-ordination at all times. Calm and happy girl.
2nd – Bramble’s Shirdees Me and My Girl. Nearly 3 year old bitch with many qualities and in some ways a similar bitch to first with good breed type. Medium sized but a touch long in loin which affects her top line and overall balance. Strong but feminine head with lovely kind expression enhanced by correct shaped dark eye. Well made with good angulation to the front but a little straight at the rear and with nicely rounded rump. Moved correctly from all angles with a smooth balanced drive. Calm and confident.
3rd – Fasso’s Uga Del Scaro Fiume (ATC AZ89035ITA). Nearly 2 year old who was a different type to first and second, being more refined throughout. Feminine head and lovely kind expression helped by nice dark eye. Well made fore quarters with good layback of shoulder and good upper arm and with correct straight, parallel legs from the front but standing wide at elbow from the front. Deep chest from side profile and good level top line. Moved OK. Calm and confident character.
Res – Williams’ Tinland Pink Sapphire
VHC – Richards’ Durrbachler von Zambara Jasmin at Dacfolke (Imp Rom)

HC – Hyde’s Jesterbrook Apus At Calizley

Limit Bitch (5,1)
1st – Paterson’s Tamarabern Tia Mkira Abjess. 4 year old, good typey medium sized bitch with a good combination of type, construction and movement. Well boned, heavy and strong looking bitch for her size. Broad and strong but still feminine head with good kind expression helped by correct shaped and dark brown eye. Strong neck and strong front with good angulation and good straight front standing correct from all angles. Broad chest and back with good top line and good tailset. Well constructed at the rear. Well muscled and moved freely front and rear carrying herself well.
2nd – Griffiths Orme & Miles’ Jaybiem Iris I Was With Utwo  3 year old large, broad, heavier type and in thick coat but carrying just a bit of excess weight today. Strong looking bitch with some real quality features, good compact shape. Strong but definitely feminine head with good dark eye and correct expression. Good strong neck, good deep, broad chest, good well angulated shoulders, level top line and correctly rounded rump and strong well made rear quarters with good angulation and strength.
Moved soundly with good drive from her strong rear showing a good balanced gait from the side and rear but not quite so polished from the front. Calm and friendly.

3rd – Wright & Kirk’s Objet D Art Du Hameau De Baika avec Roesilbern JW JW’19 Just 4 year old bitch who is very correct and well constructed. Everything in the right place and lots of quality but not shown in full bloom and without her coat looking a tad long at times. Well balanced overall proportions and good feminine head with correct expression and eye, well made in front assembly with good shoulder angulation and correct straight front legs. Good forechest and good level topline and correct tailset. Good rear angulation and tight feet. Whilst she moved positively, she didn’t make best use of her angulation to really excel in reach and drive, just lacking enthusiasm on the move. I am sure with a bit more go she would really shine in big ring.
Res – Harris’ Meadowpark Dancin On My Own

Open Bitch (7,4)
1st – Giffney’s Ir Ch Sennen Understandably Wicked at Seanri CW 22 (RCC)  Just over two & a half years old impressive bitch standing with good size, shape and bone. Good strong but still feminine head, lovely dark eye adding to kind, friendly expression. Strong neck, good broad chest with correct straight legs from the front. Deep chest in profile, broad, strong back with good level top line to a broad, smoothly rounded rump supported by rear quarters with good angulation. Moved very correctly front and back carrying her size easily around the ring. Calm and relaxed temperament. Quality bitch and an easy winner here who pushed hard for the CC but had to settle for the reserve today.
2nd – Watson’s Stepdashar Winters Wish Five & a half years old, medium sized, medium boned bitch who is the epitome of a good steady bitch. Definitely female looking with well balanced head/body proportions and pleasing overall shape. Correct female head with kind expression and good neck set on correctly constructed front with straight front legs and good lay back of shoulder. Good top line and similarly correct rear quarters. Moved true front and rear with good balance and co-ordination. Placed here largely on all round soundness. Calm and confident.

3rd – Goodyear’s Harvestbank Just One Kiss  Coming up to 3 year old good impressive standing bitch to look at with many strong points and a pleasing well proportioned side profile. Good feminine head with correct expression and dark eye, correct strong neck. Would have liked to have seen more strength in her forequarters but level top line and lovely rounded rump and standing with good rear construction. Moved well at the rear with good drive but let down by her front movement. Nice and calm, friendly temperament.

Champion Bitch (6,2)

Only four present but still easily my strongest class of the day which could easily go differently on another day with all being worthy Champions all with lots of quality.
1st – Spencer’s Ch Padiky Starr Studded Skye JW Nearly 6 year old bitch who has matured nicely into a quality, well made bitch and she really caught my eye from the start. Presenting as good sized, with good bone giving her appearance of strength and good breed type in all areas. Strong, broad but feminine head with good kind expression and correct dark eye. Good construction with well angled shoulders, good upper arm and standing very true and square from the front. Good depth of chest, strong ribs, broad, strong back with good top line, correct rounded rump with good tail set and good rear construction with good turn of stifle and well let down hocks. Moved well from all directions with a good balanced gait carrying herself easily and confirming her overall quality. Calm and relaxed in character. Pleased to award her the BCC, Res BiS, BOS.

2nd – Hughes’ CR/Mon/Int Ch Carraigbern Lovely Lady Coming up 5 year old and fairly similar type and quality in many ways to first and running her close but just not quite displaying the same form today. Good sized bitch with lots of bone and strength and general correctness giving her strong breed type Perhaps a touch longer in body but very correct in all round construction, with good front, good top line and especially strong looking at the rear. Moved with good drive and balanced co-ordination and maintaining her top line. Calm and relaxed temperament. A top quality bitch who could easily be higher on a slightly different day.
3rd – Weston’s Ch Bernfawr Jonquill Another quality, coming up 6 year old, good honest bitch who has matured nicely, good size with lots of breed type with good bone and substance from front to rear. Good broad and strong feminine head with lovely kind expression and well made front and rear. Good correct movement front and rear carrying herself around the ring effortlessly with a relaxed and balanced gait. Good relaxed temperament and quietly confident demeanour but not so much of a show girl as 1 and 2, appearing a little flat in comparison, and in this company at this level, these things can make a difference.
Res – Baldwin’s Ch Fortonpark Look Whos Talkin

Veteran Bitch (9,2)
1st – Abbott-Brown & Abbott’s Meadowpark Dream Come True With Kingstonska Sh CM JW Lovely 9 year old larger sized, outstanding quality, eye catching lady presented immaculately. Terrific bone and substance, especially for an older bitch, giving an impression of real strength throughout and yet clearly feminine. Good strong head, correct kindly expression. Broad and deep chest, level top line with correct proportions and smoothly rounded rump supported by very correct well made rear construction. Relaxed and happy temperament. Moving well, covering the ground with ease especially for her age, to be critical of her she can move a little wide in front sometimes but everything else is so good that she had to win here, comfortably taking Best Veteran in Show and be in the final consideration for the top spot in the bitch line up.

2nd – Akehurst & Bridges’ Ch Kernow All My Loving JW. Medium sized 8 year old bitch looking good from front and rear, a touch long in body from profile but still a nicely balanced bitch. Broad head, good angulation to shoulders and correct front with good straight forelegs, broad chest, level top line, good rear construction. Moved well all round maintaining an easy balanced gait and keeping her topline. Good quality bitch unlucky to come up against first today.
3rd – Hughes’ Ir Ch Werlwind Celtic Dream for Carraigbern Medium sized 7 year old bitch of good proportions with good balanced head to body. Correct head with lovely expression and dark eyes. Standing with decent angulation to shoulders and correct good straight forelegs. Good top line and rump with good tailset and carriage but standing a little straight in stifle and hock. Covered the ground well enough moving with a balanced gait. Relaxed and happy character.
Res – Watson’s Stepdashar Sommer Girl
VHC – Sayer’s Tickbern Takin Liberties at Takodabern
HC – Price’s Kyleburn Night Umbrette At Silvretta

Good Citizen Dog Scheme Bitch (2,0)
1st – Paterson’s Tamarabern Tia Mkira Abjess (See Limit Bitch)

2nd – Williams’ Tinland Pink Sapphire  Smaller type a little lacking in appearance of strength and breadth but not without her good points. Good body shape in side profile and with level topline which she maintained on the move. A bit lacking in angulation at the rear and this corresponded in movement which was much better at the front than the hindquarters which lacked drive. Calm and Confident.

Judge: Steve Green. (Waldershelf)

Since owning his first Bernese in 1983 Stephen has dedicated his life to the breed and along with his wife, Jeanette and daughter, Emily, shows and breeds under the Waldershelf kennel. A main priority has always been breeding for health but they have enjoyed making up several Champions and importing dogs to improve the health of their lines.

Whilst involved in showing and breeding he has contributed to the breed in many other ways since he joined the BMDC of GB committee in 1988 being an ever present since that time, holding many posts including Handbook Editor, Magazine Editor, Membership Secretary, Show Secretary and Manager, Chairman, Website Manager, Treasurer and was recently elected to Club President.

Stephen is well known for the work he has done in his role as Breed Health Coordinator, a position he has held since the early nineties and still very active in now working with the Bernese Health Initiative (B.H.I.). He has been heavily involved in the Berner International Working Group (BIWG) with the honour of being President for 6 years. For over 15 years he was Chairman of the Bernese Breed Council up to its disbanding in 2021 and has also supported the working side of the breed, co-creating, with Jeanette, the UK Working Cart course in the early nineties and appearing in the breed’s carting at Crufts.

Judging since 1988 and having awarded CC’s 10 times in the UK, in the last 17 years he has also had the honour of judging over 21 times in 13 different countries, mostly at BMD breed club shows. This judging experience has meant he has had the privilege to judge over 2,500 dogs to date.

Stephen was both surprised and honoured to be chosen (in his absence) to judge at our Golden Jubilee event. He hopes everyone has a great time at the event and remembers that you always take the best dog home with you.