Breed Judge's Comments
To all of our National Specialty Exhibitors:
I first want to say I am sorry that at the awards dinner, I did not give any type of thank you speech. Most of you do not know this about me, but I am painfully shy. I know this comes as a great surprise but it is true.
I do want to thank all of the exhibitors, and guests who made this year’s National so special to me.
A big Thank You to our show committee, and in particular our show chair, Virginia Rowland who with many others gave a year plus of their time. And also to Andrea Jiles who was not able to be at the National with us. Also a big Thank You to the NSOC committee. I applaud you all for a job well done.
I want to also thank the Board for all the productive work you keep accomplishing. Our breed appreciates your tireless work.
A huge Thank You to all of our exhibitors and friends who supported this year’s National at a time when our economy is so trying, for so many of you it was quite a journey.
We all come to the National for one reason, for we are breeders, owners, exhibitors, but most of all we are lovers of French Bulldogs. That is why I make this journey each year, and for no other reason.
A dog’s show career is relatively short, and soon forgotten by many. But it is the friendships we develop along the way that will last a lifetime. That is why I looked forward to this National and to the National every year. We come not only to win, but to show our accomplishments, our puppies, and to look at other dogs and dogs we may use in future breedings.
I have been blessed to have won 5 National Specialties, 3 of them breeder-owner-handled. I was the show chair for the 1991 National. And now for the privilege of judging so many great dogs over 2 days, I am forever humbled. I have come full circle and I am very thankful. I am so looking forward to next year’s National, and once again seeing all of my Frenchie friends.
Sincerely,
Patty Sosa
The first day started with two very good junior handlers. The Best Junior went to Charlotte Hunt handling her Frenchie, Amazing Eiffel Powers. Keep up the good work and always remember to enjoy what you do and it will pay off.
As a breeder judge, the first thing I did was to walk into the ring with a clear mind. Since I have been in the breed over 25 years, I know many pedigrees, dogs and fellow breeders. This can be both good and bad. Judging this National was the highest honor that I could ever have bestowed on me and I wanted it to be about the dogs and the standard only. I had a joked with Luis that my motto was going to be: “feet not faces” since I love shoes and would be looking down at the dogs. In all honesty it makes life easier when only the dogs are looked at, and with a clear mind, everything else falls easily in place.
Right on to 6-9 month puppy class of 15 very well trained and exhibited puppies, which also held the winners dog, best of winners and best puppy. This handsome 6½ month old brindle male at first glance in profile had a balanced silhouette. Moderate in rear angulation, pleasing head piece with a soft expression. He displayed a confidence on his down and back and go round, He finished that day and was owner handled. He is A’Vigdors Caudataire Du Roi Tuunrat’s El Che owned by M Cicuta & M Leguzamon and bred by R Khomasuridze from Russia. It will be interesting to take a look at this dog in a year to see how he matures, but on the day it was his.
The winners bitch also came from the 6-9 puppy class. A lovely cream, Pudgybull Bonbon Bouffant of Hollywood, shown by her breeder A Weinberg for her owners T & C Bjork and M Burdick. She was a diva in her own right, and clearly to me a standout for the winner in both the large 6-9 puppy class as well as the winners bitch class. I will be looking forward to seeing this young bitch as she matures.
My best bred by exhibitor was a 6½ month old puppy bitch. It was a large class of 15 bitches, and she stood out from the minute she walked in the ring. Full of confidence, and for such a young puppy she was exciting, especially to see her move around the ring not missing a step. She shows so much promise, and I was honored to be able to award Juanita Imperiale’s puppy, the Best Bred By Exhibitor.
Overall I felt there was good strength in the classes. I would have liked to see more consistency in correct toplines, better ear placement, and broader underjaws. Rears and movement have improved greatly over the years. We all know as being breeders, that the qualities I mentioned could use improvement, are also some of the hardest to fix.
The breed seems to have some up an coming dogs to look at in the future, since going to a National is all about looking at and evaluating breeding stock and finding that perfect mate to introduce to one’s breeding program.
I do wish that the stud dog class and the brood bitch class were held after the Veteran Dog and Veteran Bitch classes respectively. These classes should represent the backbone of the breed, and I feel they are almost ignored. Once Best of Breed is selected, so many people leave for pictures and hugs and kisses, that these classes are never attended or their value appreciated for their importance. What I also see is that after the breed, so many times there are absentees in Stud Dog/Brood Bitch classes since some entries were winners and they are caught up in other things. As a club, maybe we can restructure the order to go back to the importance of the National.
While we are on the subject of the stud dog class, the first place winner was Ch. Freddie Fantabulus Celestial who was shown by his owner Casey Fletcher. He was also an AOM winner, and was in strong contention for the Breed. A lovely brindle dog, and in my opinion producing as well as himself or better: lovely get, soft expression, sound, lovely temperament. He has a lot to offer to the breed.
My winner of the brood bitch class was Ch Shores Tres Bon Chien BettyBoop. One of her get was in the final cut for the BOB. Her get were consistent and possessed similar breed traits.
The 7-9 year old veteran dog class was such a surprise, as any of these dogs would still be competitive in today’s ring. My winner who was a past National Specialty winner: Ch Shann’s Pudgybull Houdini, beautifully presented by his owner J Schulze, co-owned by J Armstrong. A lovely cream dog who enjoyed his time in the ring and never missed a beat. A delight to judge and go over.
Now to my veteran bitch, who was Ch Shanns Goodtime Celeste, an almost 9 year old bitch. She was also the Best Veteran and an AOM winner. She still has a sparkle and a bit of mischief in her eyes. She was obviously happy to be back in the show ring doing what absolutely seems to come natural to her. What a delight to look at and go over.
Her qualities were obviously passed down through her get. As I looked at the catalogue in the plane on my way home, I was pleased to see that my BOB winner, winners bitch, the stud dog winner (sure I missed some others who placed) and AOM placer, were either her grandchildren or great grandchildren. Looking at Celeste’s pedigree, going back 3 generations, she has 2 National Specialty and multi best in show winners, as well as some important Frenchies from the past.
My Best of Opposite was a lovely brindle bitch, Ch Petit Motif Ms Chief, owned by Rick Ly, and handled by D Stoffer. This bitch is very balanced with soft expression, enough topline, clean coming and going, easy on the go round. I noticed she is a young bitch just turning a year this past May. Again, I will be looking to see how she matures as well as how she will contribute in the whelping box. Hopefully we might get to see her in a few years in the brood bitch class.
I only had 5 AOM, but I could have awarded several more. My first AOM went to the lovely and expertly presented Ch Robobull Fabelhaft I’m On Fire, owned by M Hulick,S St John & J Dalton and presented by P Payson. Very nice head piece, nice body proportions, not too short or too long, good balance to leg, clean coming and going. Next went to the lovely cream dog Ch Bayhill Celebrate, owned by L Wolfinger & L Maugeri and shown by P Laperruque. A dog of great substance and a truly wonderful topline. He floats when he moves and is a breeder’s dream. Next was Ch Freddie Fantabulus Celestial whom I mentioned earlier as he was also the stud dog winner this year. Next was a young dog flawlessly presented by K Caton–Eiler, Ch Fabelhaft Robobull Hot Commodity, a very nice cream dog. Lovely head, moved with confidence, and with some maturing will prove to be a contender in the coming years. The next AOM winner was also my best veteran, Ch Shann’s Goodtime Celeste, as was previously discussed.
As a breeder who has bred dogs who are not “three piece” dogs, I felt that not only my class placements, but my final choices were as close to the standard as possible. I tried not to place just a head, a body, a good front, a good rear or a good mover. A great Frenchie must be complete and possess all these qualities. I hope this was reflected in my choices and that I judge as I try to breed.
I enjoyed every class, every exhibit, and the wonderful camaraderie at this year’s National. I did miss getting to visit with everyone as I always do. I tried, but everyone was afraid to talk to me. My feelings were that it made no difference to me whom I spoke with and whom I joked with for when I walked in the ring all I saw were the dogs.
When it came down to my last cut in both dogs and bitches, it was still unclear who would take home that all important ribbon and title of National Specialty winner. After I made my last cut after going over all my bitches, I gave all the exhibitors, handlers, and spectators a 15 minute break. I felt this would give everyone time to put dogs in their crates, get a seat and take a quick break before the final selections were made. I also felt this was a good time to give myself a mental break and take a deep breath so I could run everything through my mind once again. I did not want to rush or miss anything in all fairness to the exhibitors, and myself. When I walked back in the ring, I still did not know who would win. Then my real work began.
After moving several dogs together, down and back again for my final analysis, I moved onto my bitches and continued the same process. Not until much consideration as to which dog was closest to the standard did I decide that it was to be Ch Devine’s L.A. Confidential.
Known as Zed to many, this 3 year old dog was in my opinion the closest to the standard on that day. Both he and his handler were confident, poised and effortless in their movement every time I glanced their way. They are clearly a team, with only the dog being noticed. Moderate in every aspect starting with a lovely head which had great expression, and just flowed from the withers on to the tail in one effortless piece. He is a complete package, who possesses the correct pear shape body, lovely from any angle.
I think it came as a great surprise to his handler, Laura King, who was very gracious for the honor. Congratulations to the owners and breeders of this fine young dog. I hope we will get to see this dog in a future stud dog class at the National. It will be interesting to see if he will be as prepotent in the whelping box as well.
Thank you again to everyone who supported this National, particularly during these economic trying times!
I first want to say I am sorry that at the awards dinner, I did not give any type of thank you speech. Most of you do not know this about me, but I am painfully shy. I know this comes as a great surprise but it is true.
I do want to thank all of the exhibitors, and guests who made this year’s National so special to me.
A big Thank You to our show committee, and in particular our show chair, Virginia Rowland who with many others gave a year plus of their time. And also to Andrea Jiles who was not able to be at the National with us. Also a big Thank You to the NSOC committee. I applaud you all for a job well done.
I want to also thank the Board for all the productive work you keep accomplishing. Our breed appreciates your tireless work.
A huge Thank You to all of our exhibitors and friends who supported this year’s National at a time when our economy is so trying, for so many of you it was quite a journey.
We all come to the National for one reason, for we are breeders, owners, exhibitors, but most of all we are lovers of French Bulldogs. That is why I make this journey each year, and for no other reason.
A dog’s show career is relatively short, and soon forgotten by many. But it is the friendships we develop along the way that will last a lifetime. That is why I looked forward to this National and to the National every year. We come not only to win, but to show our accomplishments, our puppies, and to look at other dogs and dogs we may use in future breedings.
I have been blessed to have won 5 National Specialties, 3 of them breeder-owner-handled. I was the show chair for the 1991 National. And now for the privilege of judging so many great dogs over 2 days, I am forever humbled. I have come full circle and I am very thankful. I am so looking forward to next year’s National, and once again seeing all of my Frenchie friends.
Sincerely,
Patty Sosa
JUDGE'S CRITIQUE
The first day started with two very good junior handlers. The Best Junior went to Charlotte Hunt handling her Frenchie, Amazing Eiffel Powers. Keep up the good work and always remember to enjoy what you do and it will pay off.
As a breeder judge, the first thing I did was to walk into the ring with a clear mind. Since I have been in the breed over 25 years, I know many pedigrees, dogs and fellow breeders. This can be both good and bad. Judging this National was the highest honor that I could ever have bestowed on me and I wanted it to be about the dogs and the standard only. I had a joked with Luis that my motto was going to be: “feet not faces” since I love shoes and would be looking down at the dogs. In all honesty it makes life easier when only the dogs are looked at, and with a clear mind, everything else falls easily in place.
Right on to 6-9 month puppy class of 15 very well trained and exhibited puppies, which also held the winners dog, best of winners and best puppy. This handsome 6½ month old brindle male at first glance in profile had a balanced silhouette. Moderate in rear angulation, pleasing head piece with a soft expression. He displayed a confidence on his down and back and go round, He finished that day and was owner handled. He is A’Vigdors Caudataire Du Roi Tuunrat’s El Che owned by M Cicuta & M Leguzamon and bred by R Khomasuridze from Russia. It will be interesting to take a look at this dog in a year to see how he matures, but on the day it was his.
The winners bitch also came from the 6-9 puppy class. A lovely cream, Pudgybull Bonbon Bouffant of Hollywood, shown by her breeder A Weinberg for her owners T & C Bjork and M Burdick. She was a diva in her own right, and clearly to me a standout for the winner in both the large 6-9 puppy class as well as the winners bitch class. I will be looking forward to seeing this young bitch as she matures.
My best bred by exhibitor was a 6½ month old puppy bitch. It was a large class of 15 bitches, and she stood out from the minute she walked in the ring. Full of confidence, and for such a young puppy she was exciting, especially to see her move around the ring not missing a step. She shows so much promise, and I was honored to be able to award Juanita Imperiale’s puppy, the Best Bred By Exhibitor.
Overall I felt there was good strength in the classes. I would have liked to see more consistency in correct toplines, better ear placement, and broader underjaws. Rears and movement have improved greatly over the years. We all know as being breeders, that the qualities I mentioned could use improvement, are also some of the hardest to fix.
The breed seems to have some up an coming dogs to look at in the future, since going to a National is all about looking at and evaluating breeding stock and finding that perfect mate to introduce to one’s breeding program.
I do wish that the stud dog class and the brood bitch class were held after the Veteran Dog and Veteran Bitch classes respectively. These classes should represent the backbone of the breed, and I feel they are almost ignored. Once Best of Breed is selected, so many people leave for pictures and hugs and kisses, that these classes are never attended or their value appreciated for their importance. What I also see is that after the breed, so many times there are absentees in Stud Dog/Brood Bitch classes since some entries were winners and they are caught up in other things. As a club, maybe we can restructure the order to go back to the importance of the National.
While we are on the subject of the stud dog class, the first place winner was Ch. Freddie Fantabulus Celestial who was shown by his owner Casey Fletcher. He was also an AOM winner, and was in strong contention for the Breed. A lovely brindle dog, and in my opinion producing as well as himself or better: lovely get, soft expression, sound, lovely temperament. He has a lot to offer to the breed.
My winner of the brood bitch class was Ch Shores Tres Bon Chien BettyBoop. One of her get was in the final cut for the BOB. Her get were consistent and possessed similar breed traits.
The 7-9 year old veteran dog class was such a surprise, as any of these dogs would still be competitive in today’s ring. My winner who was a past National Specialty winner: Ch Shann’s Pudgybull Houdini, beautifully presented by his owner J Schulze, co-owned by J Armstrong. A lovely cream dog who enjoyed his time in the ring and never missed a beat. A delight to judge and go over.
Now to my veteran bitch, who was Ch Shanns Goodtime Celeste, an almost 9 year old bitch. She was also the Best Veteran and an AOM winner. She still has a sparkle and a bit of mischief in her eyes. She was obviously happy to be back in the show ring doing what absolutely seems to come natural to her. What a delight to look at and go over.
Her qualities were obviously passed down through her get. As I looked at the catalogue in the plane on my way home, I was pleased to see that my BOB winner, winners bitch, the stud dog winner (sure I missed some others who placed) and AOM placer, were either her grandchildren or great grandchildren. Looking at Celeste’s pedigree, going back 3 generations, she has 2 National Specialty and multi best in show winners, as well as some important Frenchies from the past.
My Best of Opposite was a lovely brindle bitch, Ch Petit Motif Ms Chief, owned by Rick Ly, and handled by D Stoffer. This bitch is very balanced with soft expression, enough topline, clean coming and going, easy on the go round. I noticed she is a young bitch just turning a year this past May. Again, I will be looking to see how she matures as well as how she will contribute in the whelping box. Hopefully we might get to see her in a few years in the brood bitch class.
I only had 5 AOM, but I could have awarded several more. My first AOM went to the lovely and expertly presented Ch Robobull Fabelhaft I’m On Fire, owned by M Hulick,S St John & J Dalton and presented by P Payson. Very nice head piece, nice body proportions, not too short or too long, good balance to leg, clean coming and going. Next went to the lovely cream dog Ch Bayhill Celebrate, owned by L Wolfinger & L Maugeri and shown by P Laperruque. A dog of great substance and a truly wonderful topline. He floats when he moves and is a breeder’s dream. Next was Ch Freddie Fantabulus Celestial whom I mentioned earlier as he was also the stud dog winner this year. Next was a young dog flawlessly presented by K Caton–Eiler, Ch Fabelhaft Robobull Hot Commodity, a very nice cream dog. Lovely head, moved with confidence, and with some maturing will prove to be a contender in the coming years. The next AOM winner was also my best veteran, Ch Shann’s Goodtime Celeste, as was previously discussed.
As a breeder who has bred dogs who are not “three piece” dogs, I felt that not only my class placements, but my final choices were as close to the standard as possible. I tried not to place just a head, a body, a good front, a good rear or a good mover. A great Frenchie must be complete and possess all these qualities. I hope this was reflected in my choices and that I judge as I try to breed.
I enjoyed every class, every exhibit, and the wonderful camaraderie at this year’s National. I did miss getting to visit with everyone as I always do. I tried, but everyone was afraid to talk to me. My feelings were that it made no difference to me whom I spoke with and whom I joked with for when I walked in the ring all I saw were the dogs.
When it came down to my last cut in both dogs and bitches, it was still unclear who would take home that all important ribbon and title of National Specialty winner. After I made my last cut after going over all my bitches, I gave all the exhibitors, handlers, and spectators a 15 minute break. I felt this would give everyone time to put dogs in their crates, get a seat and take a quick break before the final selections were made. I also felt this was a good time to give myself a mental break and take a deep breath so I could run everything through my mind once again. I did not want to rush or miss anything in all fairness to the exhibitors, and myself. When I walked back in the ring, I still did not know who would win. Then my real work began.
After moving several dogs together, down and back again for my final analysis, I moved onto my bitches and continued the same process. Not until much consideration as to which dog was closest to the standard did I decide that it was to be Ch Devine’s L.A. Confidential.
Known as Zed to many, this 3 year old dog was in my opinion the closest to the standard on that day. Both he and his handler were confident, poised and effortless in their movement every time I glanced their way. They are clearly a team, with only the dog being noticed. Moderate in every aspect starting with a lovely head which had great expression, and just flowed from the withers on to the tail in one effortless piece. He is a complete package, who possesses the correct pear shape body, lovely from any angle.
I think it came as a great surprise to his handler, Laura King, who was very gracious for the honor. Congratulations to the owners and breeders of this fine young dog. I hope we will get to see this dog in a future stud dog class at the National. It will be interesting to see if he will be as prepotent in the whelping box as well.
Thank you again to everyone who supported this National, particularly during these economic trying times!
