I would like my express my sincere thanks to the Officers of the Garden State Mastiff Fanciers for doing me the honour of inviting me to judge mastiffs at this years Bucks County Show, and the owners who supported me by entering their dogs.
Thanks also to the slick organisers of the Bucks County KC who kept everything running smoothly, and I must not forget to thank both my long suffering stewards, Ruth & Honey, who kept me on the straight and narrow if it looked as if I might go astray.
The GSMF people proved to be truly excellent hosts and looked after us for our entire stay from our arrival on the Thursday to our departure on the following Monday. Special thanks go to Bill & Linda Horton who entertained Margaret on my judging day. We also had the privilege of getting to know the kingpins of the GSFM Rescue, Chuck & Lucie Fainsbert, an amazing couple who are totally dedicated to rescuing mastiffs, re-homing them, and fund raising for the cause.
I found the quality of the dogs quite variable with undershot mouths a particular problem. A few exhibits had unacceptable skin problems, including infection due to “over wrinkling”. In general movement was acceptable with only a few dogs excused for lameness. I found the bitch classes to be of a more even quality than the dogs. I was pleased to find some good examples of quality substantial dogs with the correct proportions. Out of the 140 exhibits only one showed some reluctance to be examined.
I was surprised to see the use of very fine choke chains on many entries, more the sort of “show furniture” you would expect to see on toy breeds. Some dogs were being “strung up” so harshly that they were almost being garrotted (I did find a broken chain in the ring). This resulted in dogs being unable to breath properly with head and facial features being distorted and as a result this probably lost them places.
I am pleased to say that all my major winners were well deserved and excellent examples of the breed.
Puppy 6 months and under 9 months - Dogs
1: ROCKEE TOP GATEHOUSE SO I RIDE
Very well built fawn with huge bone. Excellent pigmentation and moved well holding his top line. Very mature for his age.
2: LAUREL MASTIFFS SPECTACULAR SPARTACUS
Fawn, younger than No.1, with a nice head and good wrinkle. Not quite as level a top line but can only get better in maturity.
12 – 18 month, Dogs
1: CREEKSIDE’S DOC BEAUREGARD UNSCRIPTED AT SHERWOOD
Apricot brindle with very broad chest, good bone and nice tight feet. Well pigmented and well proportioned head, moved with drive.
2: GUNSLINGER’S STAR IN THE DUST
Brindle. Not as mature as No.1 but with plenty of scope to develop. Movement a little bit close behind. Correct eyes.
Amateur Owner-Handler
1: EASTWINDS MOE FO YO MONEY
Apricot brindle. Stood alone. Moved well with deep chest and powerful rear action.
Head could be better, but still worthy of the award.
Bred-by-Exhibitor, Dogs
1: OWENSPRIDE BETTER WEIGHT THAN NEVER Winners Dog.
Massive fawn dog. Beautiful outline with level top line, nice tight feet. Good bite. Moved well. Slightly lacking in pigment on ears. Correct head.
2: BELLAWOODS SPECIAL AGENT DINOZO
Fawn, not quite as substantial as 1, again good feet, nice bend of stifle. Slight dip in top line when standing but tended to level on the move. Correct head.
American-bred, Dogs
1: HIS MAJESTY BEEN A LONG TIME COMING
A very nicely presented brindle. Excellent head and bite with good eyes. Broad and deep body and well proportioned. Moved well with powerful drive.
2: LORD EASTWINDS MADE MAN
Brindle, well pigmented head with good eyes but slightly on the small side. Broad chest. Movement rather stiff and showing straight stifles.
Open, Dogs
1: CELESTIAL HEAVEN SENT FANTASY
Substantial fawn dog, bordering on the overweight, but excellent bite, pigmentation and eye colour. Correct feet. Moved with level top line and drive.
2: EASTWINDS IVORY HOT CIDER
Nice fawn, deep chest, level top line. Good pigmentation. Feet could be tighter. Nice free movement.
Puppy 6 months and under 9 months, Bitches
1: BANYON’S JOSEPHINE ROSE
Very good bone, broad deep chest and level bite. Very good conformation for one so young. The head can only improve with maturity.
2: LAZY D’S MESSIAH’S LONG AWAITED LILY
Fawn puppy showing great promise and another one that will no doubt do well in the future.
Well proportioned. Movement will come together later in life.
Puppy 9 months and under 12 months, Bitches
1: GUNSLINGER SHOOT FOR THE STARS
Apricot brindle with very good head and excellent movement. The top line actually improved on the move. Good bite and feet. One to watch.
2: MOUNTAINVIEWS KISSA MY FACE CONTESSA
Fawn, strong top line, presented good outline including good bend of stifle. Good bite and pigmentation Lovely driving movement, carried tail high on the move.
12 to 18 month, Bitches
1: PEERLESS ROCKEE TOP TALK TO THE PAW – Winners Bitch & Best of Winners
Dark brindle. Correct head, broad deep chest. Level top line. Moved well with nice eye, tight feet. Lovely outline.
2: FLATBROOKS OCEAN BREEZE IRISH LADY
Substantial fawn with nice outline, level top line. Moved very well. Good head, bite and pigmentation.
Amateur Owner-Handler, Bitches
1: AUDLEY FARMS STOP’N’ TRAFFIC
Quality bitch. Very typey with good head. Broad and deep construction. Moved well. Stood alone but deserving of award.
Bred-by-Exhibitor, Bitches
1: HIS MAJESTY’S BORN FREE
Substantial fawn with big bone, good pigmentation, nice eyes and correct head. Broad deep chest and good bend of stifle. Moved well.
2: AUDLEY FARMS BEJULED
Well presented bitch. Moved well and with level top line. Plenty of depth. Nice head.
American Bred Bitches
1: AUDLEY & NOBIHVN BESS OF BOTH WORLDS
Substantial fawn bitch with very pleasing head and eye. Powerful hind quarters, moved with drive. Correct bite. Showed well.
2: OWENSPRIDE CRANBERRY OF SHERWOOD
Apricot fawn with good movement and level top line. Head of correct proportions, good muzzle pigmentation, ears rather light.
Open, Bitches
1: BELLAWOODS SHOT IN THE DARK
Dark fawn. Strong head, well pigmented, good eyes. Moved with drive, top line level. Tight feet. Good bend of stifle.
2: MOUNTAIN VIEWS DON’T TAKE YOUR LOVE TO TOWN
Fawn. Correct head with good bite. Tight feet. Reasonable movement showing level top line.
Veteran Class, Dogs
1: CH HIS MAJESTY MIGHTY JOE YOUNG BEARHILL
Dark brindle. Very good condition for his age. Confident ring presence. Correct head, tight feet. Well up on his pasterns. Top line straight, moved with power and drive.
2: CH. BRAVEHEART’S LETHAL WEAPON.
Fawn. Moved very well. Showing signs of age around his muzzle. Still good bend of stifle, tight feet with only a slight dip in top line.
Veteran Class, Bitches
1: AUDLEY FARMS ALL N A FLURRY
Lovely quality fawn bitch. Excellent construction. Well handled. Moved very well for her age. Good head.
2: CH CHARISMAS WALKS LIKE AN EGYPTIAN
Substantial fawn bitch, still in very good health and moving well.
Best of Breed
CH BEOWULF’S GET A LOAD OF ME – MT W’S WILLIE
A massive fawn dog. Well balanced frame with all the right proportions. Good dark eye, well pigmented mask, tight feet. Moved with drive and purpose.
Best Opposite Sex
CH BLACKMAGICS MAJOR TEMPTATION
Apricot fawn bitch. Slightly lacking in pigmentation but otherwise excellent conformation, tight feet, correct eye. Showing very well and moving with level top line and drive.
AWARDS OF MERIT
All well deserved and excellent examples of the breed.
Ch Hoosiers Dream Come True
Ch Riddermarks New Groove
Ch Lacelles Finnis Von Himmel
Ch Stoneleigh’s Bear Creek Legacy
Ch Audley Farms All N A Flurry