Bracco Italiano Club Championship Show Critique 2025

Championship show critique 2025 – Espen Engh (Norway) 

Bracco Italiano Club Championship Show, March 2025.
Many thanks for the honour and pleasure of judging this very well run show with a numerically excellent entry. Type, quality and almost every trait varied a lot, but I was delighted and impressed with the main winners and especially the bitch lineup. The atmosphere was great thanks to a very enthusiastic audience.

Minor Puppy Dog (3)

1. Elfrindew Yankee Doodle
   At just seven months old, this is a very beautiful puppy from the top drawer. He is very well
   balanced and proportioned and combines substance with quality to an optimal degree. Head
   with excellent length and already with head planes divergent enough. Excellent ears and
   expression and a very good double dewlap. Strong neck, well set. Well angulated both ends.
   He has the typical topline with some arch of loin and a well set and carried tail. Excellent
   bone. A highly typical mover, at all times retaining his outstanding balance and outline,
   watching him move around the ring reminded me why I have chosen to spend most
   weekends for the last forty years judging dogs. Overall he is just beautiful and made the best
   possible start to my day. ResCC and Best Puppy in Show.
2. Callaiscroft Fait Accompli at Brevathos
   At eight months old, this dog is at a different stage of development and has grown up on
   legs and now needs to settle a bit into his balance, but he is still very attractive. He has a
   head of excellent length, but could be somewhat more divergent in his planes. Excellent
   chiselling under his yes. Long, well set ears. Very good neck. A bit straight in his front
   angulation at this time. A typical two piece topline with an arch over his loin, excellent croup
   and tailset. He moved with pride and carriage and very good extension both ends, but needs
   to stabilize with maturity, especially in front.
3. Kelevra Scherso Del Destino

Puppy Dog (8,1)

1. Elfindrew Yankee Doodle
2. Callaiscroft Fait Accompli at Brevathos
3. Canemamans Two Timer

Junior Dog (2,1)

1. Piccorino Pheasant Plucker
   A very attractive chestnut coloured dog, typey and square in his proportions, even if he has
   just enough length of leg. Strong, masculine and dry in his silhouette. Head of medium
   length and on the stronger side. Expressive eyes, very well set ears. Typical divergent head
   planes and an attractive roman nose. Medium short neck. Strong front with excellent width
   of chest. Typical topline with correct withers and a slight arch of loin. Well set and carried
   tail. Strong bone, good feet. I would not want any more angulation behind and he needs to
   stabilize as seen from behind, but is a typical big mover with excellent carriage and energy
   from the side.

Yearling Dog (1)

1. Bushwacker Donnie Darko
   An attractive, well balanced and proportioned dog, masculine without lumber. Good length
   of head and typical divergent head planes. He could have longer ears and a better double
   dewlap. Good neck into shoulder. Very good layback of upper arm. Oval bone. His topline is
   strong, but could be a little more distinct with some more arch of loin. Balanced angulation
   behind. Excellent coat. A sound and dynamic mover, parallel coming and going, if rather
   proud of his tail.

Post Graduate Dog (4)

1. Bushwacker Don Juan JW
   Strong, masculine dog, impressive in many ways. His head is too strong for my preference,
   for sure the skull. Long ears, well set. Head planes divergent enough. Strong neck. Well
   angulated both ends. Deep and capacious chest. Typical topline with strength and some rise
   of loin. Well set tail. Very good bone and feet. A dynamic mover. Excellent coat. Very well
   presented, much in sync with his handler.
2. Braccorion All Or Nothing
   A much finer dog who would profit from more weight to make a somewhat stronger
   appearance. Very pleasing, square body proportions. Typical head planes, if wanting more
   width of muzzle. Expressive eyes. Excellent ears. Long neck, I would not want it any longer
   for balance. Moderately angulated in front. Pleasing topline and tailset. Needs to stabilize in
   his movement both coming and going, but moved quite well from the side.
3. Owlspoint Askin For Trouble

Limit Dog (12,2)

1. Titano Della Casa Di Lombardo at Rydonmist
   A dog of generally very high class. He is very well proportioned and has a classical outline.
   Strong, masculine head with pleasing length, divergent planes, excellent expression, but I
   would prefer less width of skull. Excellent ears. Good front with excellent layback of upper
   arm. Typical distinct topline, well set tail. He moved with very long, highly typical strides
   from the side, making a big difference in the competition. Reasonable coming and going, but
   with definite potential for improvement.
2. Braccorions You Can Conquer
   Another strong, masculine dog, compact and shorter on legs and too deep in his brisket for
   optimal balance, but despite this attractive as he still fits within a square. Long head with
   excellent planes, lovely expression. Long, well set ears. Plenty of front angulation and
   forechest. Strong neck. Typical topline with arch of loin, well set and carried tail. Strong
   hindquarters. The soundest mover in the class coming and going and kept a pleasing outline
   and shape on the move.
3. Gunsyn Hotrod at Rydonmist JW

Open Dog (7)

1. Gunsyn Ginspiration
   At three years old, this dog has a lot of quality about him, if on the finer side. Slightly longer
   than square he still has an attractive outline. Beautiful head with plenty of sculpturing. Long,
   well set ears. Delightful expression. Well set neck. Pasterns could be stronger. Typical topline
   with some arch of loin. Generously angulated behind, I would definitely not want any more
   than this. He moved very effortlessly and was by far the soundest of these dogs coming and
   going.
2. Braccorion Xclusively For Piccorino
   Strong, powerful make, typically square. He looks younger than his age, but has plenty of
   substance and masculinity. Another with an expressive head, but could do with some less
   width of skull, divergent head planes. Strong front with excellent width. Strong neck. Firm
   and square in body, could do with some more shape of topline. Balanced angulation behind.
   He moved with power from the side, but could be cleaner coming and going. Lovely coat and
   colour.
3. Braccorion Quick Look of Callaiscroft

Veteran Dog (3)

1. Sh.Ch. Owlspoint Trouble at Mill
   A beautiful dog, masculine, if not big. Very much in his prime. He is very well made, typical
   and very sound, but has just enough length of leg and could do with slightly more. Head with
   good length, I would not want any more skull. Typical divergent planes. Long, well placed
   ears. Correct forechest and width of chest. Typical topline with an arch over loin. Well
   angulated behind, but without excels. Very well placed and carried tail. He is an excellent
   mover from the side, perfect in front and quite good going away as well. Did not perform
   quite as well with another handler in the challenge. Best Veteran.
2. Jack Di Montericco
   Another strong masculine dog, chestnut coloured. Quite well proportioned. Not quite the
   harmony between skull and muzzle as the winner. Very good ears and typical divergent head
   planes. I would not want any more skin to his throat. Typical topline. Well set tail. Moved
   reasonably well from all angles, if not up to the winner.
3. Grafskoe Gnezdo Arlo

Champion Dog (4)

1. Sh.Ch. Owlspoint Trouble Again
   A strong, masculine chestnut coloured dog with obvious quality. Typical head with equal
   distance from skull and muzzle and an attractive roman nose profile. Very well set and
   carried ears. Strong neck. Moderately angulated in front. Deep and capacious chest with
   pleasing forechest. Could be a little more distinct in his topline standing, but his outline is
   very attractive on the move. Well set and carried tail. Balanced angulation behind. He is a
   very sound and well synchronized mover from all angles, if not with exceptional extension
   from the side. At all times very much in synch with his handler. A dog without any major
   imperfections and many important qualities, he spoke to my brain more so than to my heart.
   CC and BOS.
2. Sh.Ch. Valcor the Confessor at Canemamams
   At four years old, this dog looks younger than his age. He is typically sinewy in his outline,
   but could still do with some less wrinkles both over his withers and in his head. Excellent
   length of head with attractive divergent planes and a roman nose. Very good neck into
   shoulder. Typical topline. Balanced angulation both ends. Moved well from the side, keeping
   his outline and quite good coming and going.
3. Sh.Ch. Braccorions Running Rings Around Piccorino

Special Beginner Dog (2,1)

1. Owlspoint Askin For Trouble
   A dog stilling looking youngish. He is square, on the leggy side. Head with good length and
   quality with a lovely expression. I would not want any more lips than this. Elegant neck.
   Moderate angulation in front. Could be a little more distinct in his topline and his tail is
   rather high set and proudly carried. Lovely temperament. Well angulated behind. Moved
   light on his feet and in sync with his handler, but could extend more both ends.

Minor Puppy Bitch (6)

1. Calliscroft Oh La La
   Lovely chestnut bitch that I liked a lot. Very well proportioned and combining excellent
   breed type with typical movement and soundness. Typical head planes, quality and length
   and divergent planes. Excellent expression. Well set ears with good length and shape. Very
   good neck into shoulder. Typical topline, especially on the move. Balanced angulation both
   ends. Enough bone for a bitch. Started out not moving too well, but when she calmed
   downed down and concentrated, she moved really well from all angles.
2. Elfrindew Bye Baby Buntin
   Stronger bitch, still feminine and well proportioned. Very expressive in her head which has
   ideal profile with typical slight stop and divergent head planes. Strong neck, well set,
   excellent fill in front and forechest. At this time as little too much dip in her topline. Excellent
   coat. Moved with strength and long strides, quite sound from all angles.
3. Teverlarni Lucky Star

Puppy Bitch (7)

1. Gunsyn Supercala In Brackenmist
   A typey bitch, very feminine and elegant. At ten months she is exquisite for type and
   elegance. Refined head which can grow a little stronger with age but with lots of sculpturing
   and quality to it. Long, well set ears. Typical double dewlap without excess. Very good neck
   into shoulder. Typical outline, square and shapely, well set tail. Effortless mover from the
   side, keeping her outline and balance, quite good coming and going as well. Best Puppy
   Bitch.
2. Elfrindew Bye Baby Buntin
3. Tevelarni Lucky Star

Junior Bitch (4)

1. Gunsyn Supercala In Brackenmist
2. Braccorions Corrr Blimey
   Very well developed chestnut and white bitch at such a young age, only eight months. She is
   square and very well constructed. Strong bitch head with excellent length and a very
   attractive profile with correct slight stop and divergent planes. Moderate length of ears.
   Strong neck, well filled in front. The best of legs and feet. Enough distinction in her topline.
   Deep and capacious chest. Well angulated behind. In ship shape muscular condition. She
   moved quite well from all angles, but not as effortless as the winner.
3. Bonbon Bonny A Dream of Agatha

Yearling Bitch (2,1)

1. Inspirations Lorenza Primavera at Rydonmist
   A two year old bitch of excellent type and quality. She is quare in her proportions and has a
   very typical outline fort the breed. Head with excellent length and chiselling, even if on the
   stronger side. Long, well set ears. Strong neck. Typical topline and tailset. Moderate,
   balanced angulation both ends. Correct depth of chest. She moved effortlessly and with
   pride, quite good coming and going as well. One to be considered for the near future.

Post Graduate Bitch (6,2).
Not a good class, the winner clearly stood out.

1. Bettina
   Typical, feminine bitch with excellent proportions and typical outline. Head with typical
   divergent planes, feminine and strong enough. Rather flat ears. Average neck. Well balanced
   angulation both ends. Typical topline with long withers and an arch to her loin. Very god legs
   and feet. She moved soundly coming and going and carried herself very well,
   sympathetically handled on a loose lead, her tail carriage is not her fortune.
2. Paris Mon Tresore D´amoure
   Square bitch, feminine. Not as distinct in her outline nor in the head as the winner, but
   generally well constructed and with balanced angulation both ends. Somewhat longer cast
   than what I prefer. Good depth and width of chest and body. Generally a sound mover, if not
   spectacular.
3. Gunsyn Hotpants

Limit Bitch (8,1)

1. You Can Crown The Queen
   This bitch spoke both to my heart as to my brain. She is very typey and so well proportioned,
   decidedly square, and in many ways quite different from her competition. Lovely head
   profile with diverging planes, well set ears. Very good neck. Balanced angulation both ends.
   Typical topline with a slight arch over loin. Lovely coat and colour with a metallic sheen. She
   is a sound mover coming and going and extends very well from the side with typical Bracco
   balance and movement.
2. Teverlarni Cama Da Rosas

Another very good moving white and orange bitch, fractionally longer in body, but still
shapely. Strong in skull but with excellent length of muzzle and correct stop and divergent
head planes. Excellent neck into shoulder. Strong in bone. Very good feet. Another sound
and effortless mover.

3. Teverlarni Secret Dreams

Open Bitch (10,1)

1. Braccorions Piccorino Pick Me
   A stunningly beautiful bitch at just two years of age, perfectly balanced and proportioned.
   She has lovely head as viewed from all angles, combining feminine quality and chiselling with
   strength, just lovely profile with ideal slight stop and divergent head planes. Well set and
   carried ears. Strong neck, well set. Excellent topline with some arch of loin. Well angulated
   both ends. She has the typical untiring extended Bracco trot from the side and is more than
   sound enough coming and going to make her unbeatable on the day. I just loved her and
   wish her well for her qualifying ticket which cannot be far away. CC and BOB.
2. Bushwacker Dolly Daydream
   A bitch which is very similar in many ways, certainly in her most impressive side movement
   and in her overall type and quality and indeed unlucky to meet the winner. Marginally
   shorter on legs and a bit stronger in head, but she has a lovely head profile with typical
   divergent planes and roman nose. Well set ears. Strong, well set neck. Balanced angulation
   both ends. Excellent legs and feet all the way. Correct tailset. A very dynamic and beautifully
   extended mover, all Bracco, sound going away, but somewhat careless with her elbows, but
   she could not be overlooked for that reason alone. The dam of the outstanding BIS puppy
   and resCC winning dog, she has certainly proved her value in the whelping box, I wish her
   well in obtaining her crown. ResCC and Res Best in Show.

Champion Bitch (3)

1. Ch. Owlspoint Faith In Trouble At Whitgun ShCM
   A square, not small, but decidedly feminine bitch with a typical outline. She has a well
   chiselled head with pleasing proportions, good length and typical diverging planes. Strong
   and crested neck. Very good forechest and width. Typical topline. Well angulated behind.
   Slight tuck up. She is a sound and effortless mover, at all times keeping her outline and
   balance.
2. Sh.Ch. Gunsyn Gineva
   A strong, broodbitch like white and red bitch, a little longer in her couplings, but strong and
   firm. Very typical head with excellent length and expression. Well set ears. Very good
   neckset. Deep and capacious body. Enough topline, well set tail. Excellent bone and
   substance. A sound mover from all angles keeping her outline, if not spectacular.
3. Swiss.Ch. Kelevra Coco Di Ladri JW

Special Beginners Bitch (3,1)

1. Elfrindrew Bye Bye Buntin
2. Teverlari Whos That Girl at Woodland Blue

A chestnut and white bitch, seven months old and looking it. Feminine head with good
chiselling, but too much dewlap. Good neck into shoulder. Quite well proportioned in her
body with a firm topline, but could do with more arch over the loin. Well angulated behind.
Used her legs soundly enough, but could carry herself better on the move.

Espen Engh (Norway), judge