Our English Mastiffs in Strasbourg created two very special moments in the main ring on 22 August 2026.
National Dog Show in Erstein
The event, officially listed as the National Dog Show Strasbourg, took place on the grounds of the Training Club Canin d’Erstein. It was organised by the Association Canine Territoriale du Bas-Rhin. This was a French national dog show at which the CACS was awarded. The abbreviation stands for Certificat d’Aptitude de Conformité au Standard and refers to a French challenge certificate towards the national conformation champion title.
A Summer Show Atmosphere in Erstein
The breed judging took place outdoors on the club’s spacious grounds. Exhibitors’ and visitors’ gazebos surrounded the rings. The dry grass and changing mix of sunshine and cloud created a typical summer show atmosphere.
Temperatures were around 16 to 18°C in the morning. It grew gradually warmer during the day, reaching approximately 24°C in the afternoon. The weather remained dry, with a light breeze moving across the grounds from time to time. For the successful dogs, the day eventually continued in the covered and festively decorated main ring of the Association Canine Territoriale du Bas-Rhin. There, a winners’ podium, trophies and flowers awaited the best dogs of the day.
Greta Wins Best of Breed
The English Mastiffs were judged by Lithuanian judge Ramune Kazlauskaite. Greta from Gawy competed in the Champion Class and presented herself with focus and confidence.
She impressed in the breed ring and was awarded Best of Breed (BOB) as the best English Mastiff at the show. This qualified Greta to represent our breed in the FCI Group 2 competition in the main ring.
In the main ring, the respective Best of Breed winners competed against one another. We were therefore delighted when Greta achieved an excellent 3rd place in FCI Group 2. This placing is also commonly recorded as BOG 3 in show terminology. It is particularly valuable because Greta was no longer being judged solely within her own breed, but was competing against the Best of Breed winners from a diverse and strongly contested group. Following her champion titles in Luxembourg, Germany and Spain, this success marks another special milestone in Greta’s show career so far.
Ornella Becomes the Third-Best Puppy of the Entire Show
Greta was not the only female with a close connection to Celtic Mountain who impressed in the main ring that day.
Ornella from the Celtic Mountain, a brindle daughter of our Miss Marple from the O litter born on 9 January 2026, was also shown in Erstein. At just over seven months old, she competed in the Puppy Class.
After winning the Mastiff Puppy Class, Ornella advanced as Best Puppy in Breed to represent the English Mastiff in the all-breed puppy final. There, the best puppies from all represented breeds were presented and judged together.
In the joint comparison of the best puppies from each breed, Ornella achieved an excellent 3rd place in the all-breed puppy final. This made her the third-best puppy of the entire show – not third in the Mastiff Puppy Class.
For such a young female, simply entering the ring in this special atmosphere is a valuable experience. The fact that Ornella made such a strong impression and placed among the best puppies of different breeds makes us extremely proud.
A Connection Dating Back to the 1990s
Ornella’s success also holds special personal meaning for us. She now lives with Corinna Reich and Wilhelm Graf of the Mastiff kennels von der Villa Graf & de la Villa Bel Air.
Sybilla and Corinna have known each other since the 1990s. For more than three decades, they have been united by their shared passion for the English Mastiff. Ti amo William von der Villa Graf, the sire of our O litter, also comes from this kennel.
The fact that Ornella, a daughter of our Miss Marple, now lives with Corinna and Wilhelm continues this long-standing connection in a particularly beautiful way. Her success in Erstein shows how closely people, dogs and kennels can remain connected over many years.
Two Third Places in the Main Ring
On one side, an accomplished champion; on the other, a young female bred by us who is only at the beginning of her development. Both impressed in their own way that day.
Strasbourg-Erstein will therefore remain in our memories for far more than the two trophies. It was a day when show success, a young dog from our own breeding and a friendship spanning decades came together in a particularly meaningful way.
We are incredibly proud of Greta and Ornella and look forward to following their journeys.