Page 25 - ShowSight Presents The Bichon Frise
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(Fig. 4) Note the perfectly matched reach and drive and the follow through of the hindquarter. The rear atern (hc t t) eai ee end the ertica.
(Photo by Shawn D of Ch. Paray’s Propaganda)
Variety Group and all breed Best in Show winners.
Rick is particularly associated with the Bichon Frise for which he was a driving force in obtaining recognition in the Unit- ed States. He has bred nearly 100 AKC champion Bichons and the Beau Monde Bichons stand behind many of the winning lines around the world.
Rick has judged extensively through- out the world. His major assignments include many appointments throughout the United Kingdom including Crufts, Leeds, Southern Counties, Scottish Kennel Club and the St. Patrick’s Day Show in Dublin, Ireland. He has judged championship events many times in Canada, Australia, throughout Scandi- navia, Europe, New Zealand, China, Japan, Central America, South America and South Africa.
Highlights of his judging assignments at home include multiple appointments at Westminster Kennel Club, the AKC/ Eukanuba Invitational, International Kennel Club of Chicago and the legendary Morris & Essex.
Rick held an all breed judges license with the FCI for many years and now is licensed primarily by the American Ken- nel Club for which he judges the Sport- ing, Toy and Non Sporting groups as well as many additional breeds in the other Variety Groups. He also holds a national level license for all breeds with the Kennel Club of Mexico.
hindquarter whose angulation matches that of the shoulder. It’s all an elegant sweep of lines and curves that follow the natural outline of the correctly made body.
It is important to note that with a well made pair of scissors and handling savvy it is possible to set up almost any Bichon to appear as though it has those highly desired curves and the angulated quarters. The Bichon must be able to keep that silhouette as he moves around the ring (see Figure 4). The dog that sets up well on the table but moves looking long and low is either too short on leg or too long in body length. The properly made Bichon has reach in front and rear quarter drive and follow through.
The rear pastern, from hock to foot, must be able to flex beyond a vertical line behind in order follow through and match the extension of the reaching front quarter.
Naturally we want to look into the Bichon’s face and see that dark eye and inquisitive expression. The eyes are set to look directly forward and surrounded by black or very dark brown skin referred to as “halos.” Nicely shaped dark eyes and a big black nose are like three lumps of coal on the snowman’s face. Long or down faced muzzles entirely destroy
the pert and sassy expression that is so much a part of Bichon type.
The breed standard is a good one and gives you an accurate description of how much you want of pretty much every- thing the Bichon should have. Look for that unique silhouette and the ability to carry it easily around the ring. And then top it off with a head and expres- sion that says, 'I am a Bichon!'
BIO
Richard G. (Rick) Beauchamp has been
successfully involved in practically every facet of purebred dogs as a breeder, exhibi- tor, handler, author and judge. He has lectured extensively throughout the world on breeding and judging dogs.
Rick’s monthly columns have been published in many magazines around the globe and his books Solving the Myster- ies of Breed Type and Dog Breeding for Dummies are enjoying great critical suc- cess worldwide, as are his many single breed books.
Under his Beau Monde prefix Rick has bred champion American Cocker Spaniels, Boxers, Doberman Pinschers, Toy and Miniature Poodles, Cava- lier King Charles Spaniels, Papillons, Bull Terriers, and Wire Fox Terriers. Among them are National Specialty,
