30/07/2024
Una grande qualità è avere l'umiltà (questa sconosciuta) di saper ascoltare ed imparare da chi ha una profonda conoscenza, grazie all' esperienza di decenni e uno studio approfondito per passione verso la razza!...grazie Mr Habig per questa "Scuola" di razza in soli 3 punti!
The Northern Bullmastiff Club Centenary Championship Show, Blackpool, Sunday, 23rd June 2024
Entry of 82 Bullmastiffs.
My compliments to The Northern club for having encouraged the British Bullmastiff fraternity to make this strong statement in times, when only half of that number is already considered to be a success.
My gratitude towards all the breeders and exhibitors for making the effort to contribute to this very event in the Centenary Year of the Bullmastiff breed. So many first class dogs were present and so many world-renowned kennels had their dogs entered. Several even in great numbers, from youngsters to seniors to veterans. Thank you!
The Blackpool Championship Show under the capable hands of it’s long-standing managing team provided for a splendid showground, the wheather was kind enough to offer both, delightful sunshine and a fresh breeze, and my distinguished steward, the one and only Gary Shirt, acted as master of ceremonies in great style (and with a jolly good portion of British humour!).
When in the ring today, after my 40 odd years of judging Bullmastiffs around the world (1980 at the Welsh & West had been my very first British encounter), I find myself focussing more and more on what your forebears have taught me in Bullmastiffs - like the old circus horse who can’t be bothered anymore with all the razzamatazz of the day, but only cares about the correct sound of the music in the right moment in time:
1. No matter from what angle you come from, go for the strong symmetrical working dog with the impressive, clean and clear-cut head, the level mouth, the look-through expression, the muscular body and the decisive move as it is defined by the Breed Standard.
2. Don’t wait for uniformity in Bullmastiffs as, let’s say, you get in Dobermanns, as more than one manifestation of type has always existed in the Bullmastiff and has always been right. Concentrate on consistency, and do fight against the wrong types outside the Breed Standard.
3. Develop your own concept (in judging as much as in breeding) and stick to it as long as it is within the corridor which the Breed standard has defined.
This is to say: In the Bullmastiff ring, it is neither about what currently is en vogue, nor about a smooth kind of navigation so that everyone gets something, but it is about applying the Breed Standard in a way that is loyal to its essentials as well as responsive to the needs of the breed‘s healthy future.
It was very exciting for me to see that the next generation in Bullmastiffs is waiting to take over. Already now, some of the best "kids“ and some of the surprisingly non-discovered “talent“ are in my view outperforming the UK’s most popular winners. They couldn’t make it to the top on the day, though, as I had three dogs in the ring who I would call “Ivy League“, as they are not just better than the best, but belonging to the historical elite of the Bullmastiff breed.
A heartfelt thank-you to all of you for accepting my (old school) decisions in superb style, inside and outside the ring. I thoroughly enjoyed my day.
BIS Ch Angel’s Phoenix Ron Weasley Astonpride JW, BOSIS Angel’s Phoenix Hermione Granger Astonpride, BPIS Ardhub Rite Back At You Braeaaron, BOSPIS Stoneglad Gigolo, BVIS Ch Hyerdunscar The Big Tease JW IR JCH CJW16 BW18, BBPIS Copperfield Jonas Mudge.
OD (9,0) Big competitive class, included most of today‘s popular winners, great honour to go over them, thanks to all of you!
1. Aston’s, Aston’s & Pavesi’s Ch Angel’s Phoenix Ron Weasley Astonpride JW (IMP ITA). Classic Bullmastiff. Ivy League. Dominated the ring. Belongs to the best I have had in the last 47 years of my Bullmastiff judging across the globe. Worthy to win any Group & BIS. Similar quality as the magic Ch Phoenix Never Dies Du Monde d‘ Elias whom I had the pleasure to give the Working Group at Crufts in 2020. Epitomizes the essentials of the Breed Standard. A working dog with physiological efficiency. Definite response to the Boxer & Bulldog camp in Bullmastiffs. Ready to do what he was bred for. Clearly defined as the old British Bullmastiff, not wobbly nor cumbersome, not straight in front nor short in upper arm, but powerful and sound, symmetrically framed and in hard condition. Fit, muscular and masculine with a clean broad head with the right length of muzzle. Red of the authentic old working type. Confident and decisive on the move, easily covering the ground. Excellent coat & colour. DCC & BIS.
OB (15, 6) Big competitive class, again included most of today’s popular winners, great honour to go over. Thanks to all of you! 1. Aston’s Angel’s Phoenix Hermione Granger Astonpride (IMP ITA). Charismatic red Bullmastiff girl of the old type, easily ruled the turf in bitches, full of class and style, everything there, nothing overdone, clean-cut all over, square head, almond-shaped eyes, perfectly set, confident expression, substantial muzzle of the right length and depth, arched neck, body fit all over, true working type, superbly muscled, amazing on the move BCC BOSIS.
Christofer Habig (Germany)
Sono commossa per quanto scritto su Ron ed Hermione, onorata come sempre. Grazie a Richard e Kennedy ❣️...due dei miei diamanti...💎💎
Congrats to all other winners ✨
