Crufts

CRUFTS 2020 

AMERICAN COCKER SPANIELS 

Having first exhibited American Cockers at Crufts in 1974 under Pat Nielsen, I was delighted to be invited here 46 years later to judge the breed that I love and live with. I must thank all concerned for making this superb experience possible, the pinnacle of my judging career.  

A special thanks to my ‘more than efficient’ stewards, Val Cumpstey and Maureen Reynolds. I must also express a massive thank you to those UK exhibitors who value and have faith in my honest opinion and who supported me.  

I would also like to thank the many overseas competitors who travelled at this difficult time and brought some truly sensational dogs for my consideration.  

Mixing these superb Continental dogs together with the absolute cream of the British stock made my job of judging the American Cockers that much easier and quite frankly it was definitely a refreshing change to judge such quality.  

VETERAN DOG (8,3) 

1. SABISABI PAWNEE POW WOW. A great start to the day and this ultra-fit dog powered his way to win a very good quality class. He has the grandest of heads, masculine and with lots of chiselling and a melting expression. He never stopped showing, held a strong outline and was accurate both ways and simply ate up the ground in profile….Best Veteran In Breed….well done! 

2. AFTERGLOW DANCING BRAVE SHCM. A real favourite of mine who won a Res CC in his earlier days from me and today looked an absolute picture in full coat some 7 years later. He has a wonderful head and the softest of expressions with a fabulous outline that he holds at all times. He just wasn’t putting much effort in whilst he was moving and looked a bit disinterested and subsequently had to settle for the runner up slot. 

3. FIELGAR MAJESTIC LEGEND SHCM VW. Here was another absolute favourite who I have judged many times and done very well. At an incredible 12 years, his owners must be hugely congratulated. In excellent coat and tip-top condition, he’s sturdily built and completed a trio of outstanding veterans. 

MINOR PUPPY DOG (2)  

1. LETJASHAJA PTITSA SAINT PIERRE AT ALMONDSBURY He’s a very smart and totally balanced young puppy. He has a masculine head with well-padded flews. His ribs are well-back and well-sprung and his loin is firm and ultra- short, which won him this class over another promising puppy. On the move he is accurate both ways, shows some reach but needs to just relax a bit on the lead to enable his outline to flow in profile action. Best Puppy Dog. 

2. TRULY MINE POETRY IN MOTION. A beautifully headed buff youngster who has lots of kerb appeal. His outline flows from head to tail and he has an excellent side-gait being that much rangier at this stage in his development. I predict a good future for him when he firms up and fills out, but today he just appeared that little bit unbalanced in comparison to the winner. 

PUPPY DOG (3) 

1. LETJASHAJA PTITSA SAINT PIERRE AT ALMONDSBURY  

2. SABISABI LAKOTA TEETONKA. Another good future prospect with lots of breed type. I knew instantaneously that I had judged his sire last time as he carries the same head and expression. He’s a well-marked black and tan with good flow of neck to well-placed shoulders. He has a well-ribbed body, with good depth and a firm top-line. I would just prefer him a touch shorter in loin. He moved with some style and was very close to the winner. 

3. JACLEE DREAM THE IMPOSSIBLE. This baby really scored for me in head and expression and I see is also by the same sire as the second but this one's head appeals to me more. He’s another promising youngster who makes a good picture on the stack and is true both ways, but today he just didn’t match the first two for forward extension in profile action. 

JUNIOR DOG (4) 

1. TRULY YOURS MUST BE LOVE. A fantastic chocolate and tan youngster who won this class with some to spare. I really liked his head and expression and for this colour has a good dark eye. He has great flow of long neck into well-laid, clean shoulders, good ribbing and a short, firm loin. In excellent jacket with a lovely texture, he presents a super outline. I loved his scope and accuracy on the move and considered him strongly for top honours. 

2. ZEFIR OT CHICARNOJ KOMPANII. I liked the breed type and total balance of this youngster. He was presented in excellent coat and condition and well-handled to maximise his many virtues. His head is good enough and he holds a firm top-line stood and in profile action. I would just prefer a touch more forward extension. 

3. SEAN TO PARTY WITH ARROWBIEN. He has a lovely head which is masculine with refinement and total balance. To be critical I would just like a bit more of him all round and he needs to mature on in body. Today he wasn’t fully settled and hence wasn’t quite as fluid or as accurate on the move as the two above him. 

YEARLING DOG (7) 

1. JACLEE WALK THE LINE. Reserve CC. This dog surprised me as I have seen him once or twice before at local open shows from the ringside and he hasn’t immediately appealed to me. Once I got my hands on him I found that this dog is extremely hard to fault and his make and shape are virtually text-book. He has the best spring of rib, (ribs that go well-back), and matched with a firm and short loin he presents an outline of total balance. He has the correct length of neck flowing into fairly well-laid shoulders, a strong top-line (with his tail straight off his back) and excellent angles fore and aft. He is well muscled and is a dog that could certainly fulfil his role in life and do a day’s work in the field. His coat was put down to perfection and he moved with precision and style showing good reach and drive. Although one could argue that his head is not perhaps to everybody’s taste, I found it masculine and balanced without any coarseness to cheek bones. On overall consideration I was delighted to award him the Reserve Challenge Certificate in very good company. I would hope that he makes up and gains his title. He is a very good all-round dog and definitely a true sporting spaniel. 

2. ZEFIR OT CHICARNOJ KOMPANII. 

3. TSVETNAJA MECHTA ONY STAR. A beautifully presented dog with a superb coat texture and with a fantastic flowing outline. I found that I would like a touch more substance to him all through and a slightly shorter fore-face too. On the move although accurate coming and going, today I felt that he could perhaps extend a touch more in forward reach. 

POST GRADUATE DOG (7) 

1. TSVETNAJA MECHTA MAGIC BOY. A clear winner in this mixed class of dogs. He’s all male, is well-marked and has a good spring of ribs that extend well-back. I would prefer just a touch more lay of shoulder but he holds a good top-line, has a tail coming right off his back and he carries it well. He was moving a touch too fast and initially looked a touch worried but once he settled he showed some real propulsion from well-muscled quarters matched with easy ground covering action in front. I liked him a lot. 

2. TARAMOUNT G'MORNING VIETNAM. A very clear second in this class, in cut down trim and with nothing to hide he looked an absolute picture. He’s slightly longer cast and a totally different type but was handled to perfection and he’s a truly great little mover. He has a typical buff type head which pleases and a strong top-line and he certainly used his well-muscled quarters to real advantage. 

3. NASILLEEN ROOSEVELT AT MICKALS JW. He’s a typey buff but just looked a touch ‘cloddy’ and with not quite the refinement of the two above him. He has a pleasing head, a good length of neck and well-laid shoulders with a firm top-line. He just wasn’t in the mood in this class and lacked the ‘oomph’ to take him a place higher today. 

LIMIT DOG (8.3) 

1. AESKU ARMANI CODE FOR TRICAJON. Here was a really stylish and flashy dog with superb carriage. He has a pleasing and masculine head, a swan neck fitting into well-laid and smooth shoulders, a firm top-line and good tail-set and carriage. I really liked him for head and eye but I would prefer him to have just a touch more body to complete the picture. His outline is first-class and he is very controlled on the move covering just the right amount of ground in profile action.  

2. BUBALLOO'S MR BEAN AT SHADOWVIEW. A larger and more substantial type here who has lots to like. His head is all-male but is totally balanced and his expression is kind. Perhaps almost over- bodied in comparison to the winner, he just lacked that touch of refinement to the one above. He is balanced in outline and he held an excellent top-line and simply ate up the ground, moving with precision and real dash. He pushed the winner all the way and only lost the top spot in this good class by a fraction. 

3. BUBALLOO’S QUESTO IMMENSOTESORO. Another good one here with an excellent outline, top-line and coat. He isn’t quite as masculine as the two above and today I felt just lacked the muscle-tone of those above him. With maturity, I think that this youngster will have a very promising career. 

OPEN DOG (13,2) 

1. AFTERGLOW STRIKING MIDNITE.  DOC CC

 Without a shadow of a doubt this dog was an instant winner in this very good and quality-filled class. My notes say quite clearly that ‘I wish that he was mine!’ Totally new to me, he is a well-marked black and tan dog that is all male without being overdone in any department. I liked his size and he is a picture of total balance. His head is an absolute joy and his expression can melt your soul in an instant. He flows from nose to tail. His neck is slightly arched and his shoulders are smooth and well-laid. His ribs are well-sprung and extend well-back and his brisket is deep with plenty of heart and lung room and he has a short and firm loin. His top-line is rock solid and his tail-set and carriage exemplary. He has a long and well-angulated upper arm and his quarters are well muscled with good definition to second thigh. His coat is of a great texture and he was shown in top condition. On the move he was totally in unison with his expert handler, was precise coming and going and was electric in side-gait, covering the ground with minimum exertion and real showmanship. I don’t think that I have ever awarded a dog Challenge Certificate with such ease. He was incredibly unlucky to meet an equally sensational bitch on such great form in the challenge and up to the very last second my decision for BOB could have gone either way. He must be heading for a superb future not only in the breed but in Group and BIS competition too. 

2. HARRISBURG KISS THE GIRL JW SHCM. A favourite of mine who was my BPIB at the GB Club show and the Res CC winner last time I judged. Today, quite frankly I have never seen him look or go better. He is a good sized male with a masculine and well-balanced head. In excellent coat and condition he held a good outline at all times and moved with real propulsion, accuracy and style. I considered him seriously for top honours again today but he just lost out on balance of rib cage to loin which is so often the case with buffs. I sincerely hope that he gains his title very soon as in my opinion he will make a deserving and overdue Show Champion. 

3. IR SH CH ABSOULTE BEST IZ MAZHORNOGO LADA DINASTI. This very smart tri-colour completed a trio of totally differing types, all full of real quality. He is the very embodiment of the word ‘cobby’ and is a smaller type, but he’s totally balanced and well-made all through. I liked his masculine and well-proportioned head. He has a good length of neck and well-laid shoulders, huge ribs and a short and firm loin. Well- muscled and in excellent condition, he powers around the ring and makes a super outline stood and in side-gait too. I liked him a lot. 

GOOD CITIZEN DOG (6,1) 

1. TARAMOUNT G'MORNING VIETNAM 

2. GEENAWELL BLACK KNIGHT. A strongly made dog unlucky to meet such good Veterans earlier on. He really did move out with style in this class holding his outline well in profile action. 

3. ALKIMADUS GWN BEN Y GARDIGAN JW ShCM. Such a well-proportioned dog who has well-sprung ribs and is compactly put together with a lovely head and expressive eye. In the earlier Veteran class he paced and paid the price but I was glad to see him get his act together here and was very pleased to be able to reward him here. 

VETERAN BITCH (3) 

1. HARRISBURG LITTLE PRINCESS. She is a very pretty and feminine buff in lovely hard and well-muscled condition. She holds a good top-line whilst motoring around the ring, striding out in front and driving from the rear.  

2. SABISABI PAWNEE PRINCESS. Here was another very good mover, just slightly stronger in head and carrying a touch too much weight. I liked her breed type and accuracy. 

3. SHADOWVIEW POETRY IN MOTION. A very well-marked black and tan with a fabulous feminine head and a soft and expressive eye. Today she was carrying far too much weight and was very erratic on the move and subsequently had to pay the price! 

MINOR PUPPY BITCH (1) 

1. TRULY MINE PRIM AND PROPER. I loved this raw baby for her superb flowing outline and her wonderfully feminine and quite exquisite head and dark, expressive eye. She has a good reach of neck which flows into well-laid and very smooth shoulders. Her forehand is excellent and she is well angulated behind too. On the move she is purposeful, accurate and holds a lovely outline using her well-set tail to advantage. Once she matures on she should have a very rosy future. Best Puppy In Breed. 

PUPPY BITCH (7,2) 

1. NAIADA NYMPH LAKE IZ MAZHORNOGO LADA DINASTII NAF TAF. This wiggly and charming little red and white baby headed a very hard class to judge. All had lots to like and some were handled better than others to show their attributes. I really loved the femininity and size of this winner. She is totally balanced and once settled showed some real style on the move along with accuracy and purpose. She’s well-bodied for age and is another who I predict will have an exciting career. 

2. MOONMIST BLUEBELL. A quite fabulously headed and correctly marked black and tan baby with lots to like. Well ribbed and compactly built she was in excellent coat and condition. Today, I just felt that she didn’t quite match the winner for fluidity or top-line on the move. 

3. JACLEE I AM WHAT I AM PARTISKY. Another well-marked black and tan but not quite the expression of the one above. She was well-ribbed, compact and held a fair top-line but like the second in this class, I would like to see more animation and enthusiasm on the move. 

JUNIOR BITCH (9,2) 

1. ATOMIC TOYS REST ONE I. Reserve CC. A simply fabulous black bitch with the most exquisite head and expression, in-fact, in my eyes, her head is text-book for the breed standard and her expression was mouth-watering and was definitely the ‘head of the day’. Her outline is sensational and she simply flows from head to tail with the perfect lay of smooth shoulders, a firm top-line and a lovely tail-set and carriage. She is so good for size, is perfectly balanced and was in excellent, well-muscled condition. I simply loved her and was delighted to award her the Reserve Bitch Challenge Certificate, beating some very exciting bitches in such a quality line-up. 

2. ZARCREST CHOC ICE. Here was another very good, well-bodied youngster of a totally different type but with lots to like. She was immaculately presented and shown in wonderful coat and condition. Her head is different to the winner and although not quite as appealing to me, it is balanced and feminine and is in proportion to her size. She holds a good outline both stood and on the move and is well-ribbed back with a firm balanced loin and a hard top-line. Unlucky to meet the winner in such good form, I felt today that she just didn’t quite match the fluidity and extension in side-gait of the one above her. 

3.  NIKOMIDYA JOINING OF THE STARS. Here was another good bitch, a very good chocolate who pleased in many departments. Her head, like the second just didn’t quite match the exquisite head of the winner, but she is well-made with excellent shoulders and a long and well-angulated upper arm which she used to advantage covering the ground well. She just needs time to fill her frame and is another who has a lot to offer the breed. 

YEARLING BITCH (13,1) 

1. SH CH ARROWBIEN PANIARO. An excellent bitch that was a clear winner of a very strong class. She has superb ring presence and is brimming full of breed type. She has a lovely feminine head which is excellently balanced with lovely markings and a kind expressive eye. She flows from head to tail and was shown in superb coat and condition. She is correct for size, her ribs are well-sprung, she has a rock-solid top-line, a firm short loin and she is accurate coming and going. She covers some ground in side-gait and was very close up for top honours today. I liked her an awful lot. 

2. PELHAMCOURT GOOD TIMES WITH JACLEE. Another really excellent bitch who I think needs to be handled to be appreciated. I am now told that she is a daughter of my Res CC winner from the GB Club Show and I now see that she has inherited her Mother’s fabulous head. She is sturdily built with lovely angles, shoulders and ribbing and she has a short and firm loin. She holds a wonderful outline with excellent flow and was handled to perfection. She just needs to settle and get her act together on the move and then she can trouble the best. 

3. PELHAMCOURT TRULY MINE. Another excellent bitch who I now see is a litter sister to the second and many of the same remarks apply. She too has super balance and flow but was just a bit hesitant on the move in the big ring. Time is on her side and she is another who I think will finish very well indeed. A trio of outstanding bitches. 

POST GRADUATE BITCH (6) 

1. SABISABI BLACKFOOT KIMI. This bitch won this class with some to spare. I loved her outline, condition and muscle-tone. She has a really classically good, balanced feminine head and moved with real style and accuracy. I predict a good future for this one. 

2. CHESVIK TOP IF YOU WISH YOU CAN AT CHALLEYMEAD. A more workmanlike bitch here, sturdily built with big ribs and good depth to brisket. She is a larger type but is balanced all through. She is slightly stronger in head than ideal but is a good, sound and steady mover. 

3. MICKCALS BLACK VELVET. Another good type here, but carrying far too much weight. Her head is very typically an old fashioned style head, which I quite liked. She holds a good outline and moved with enthusiasm. 

LIMIT BITCH (7.1) 

1. GALAKSI DUST TO DUST AT JENNOBAR. Exuding breed type, I really liked her for size and excellent balance. She is feminine but has a ‘strongish’ head with a good clean and intelligent expression. She is compactly built with big ribs, a lovely outline, strong back and short loin. She moved with complete accuracy and showed easy ground covering action in side-gait.  

2. JOYFUL EVENT'S NEW STORY. Another good one here who excels in many departments. I liked her for size, type and balance. She has big ribs, a firm and short loin and good angles fore and aft. She just needs more evident tan markings, especially on her muzzle and she could trouble the best. 

3. BOGESTVENNAYA SKAZKA ESTRELLA AT ALMONDSBURY. Completing a trio of very good bitches, she like the winner has a ‘strongish’ if feminine head. I liked her for overall balance and body. Accurate both ways she showed reach and drive but needs to just relax a bit on the lead to enable her outline to flow in profile action 

OPEN BITCH (5,2) 

1. INT/MULTI CH GALASKI FREAKING FAMOUS. CC & BOB. 

Without a shadow of a doubt this is the finest American Cocker female that I have ever seen and had the privilege to judge. This bitch has a magnificent head that is so ultra-feminine and so very balanced with a wonderful well-rounded skull, superb chiselling, absolutely no exaggeration and a super expression. She has the most superb neck leading into clean, smooth and well-laid shoulders. Perfect for size, her outline takes your breath way and she flows beautifully from head to tail. She is very well-ribbed and is ultra-short with great depth and substance but with the ‘wow factor’ elegance that sets her apart from the rest. She has the hardest of top-lines and the perfect tail-set and she uses her tail to advantage on the move. Her coat is of excellent texture and she is well-muscled and has great angles fore and aft. Not only does she make an incredible impression on the stack, but on the move she simply comes alive and is electrifying when she ‘owns’ the ring, covering the ground with accuracy, panache, precision and style. She cannot stand wrong for she is built so correctly. Add to that the ‘star quality’ so rare to find and she really is the complete package. I was thrilled to be able to judge her. She was totally new to me and I absolutely loved her. I had not one single hesitation in awarding her the Challenge Certificate. In the challenge for Best of Breed, it wasn’t a foregone conclusion, but when she stepped up a gear on the final run round, she could not be denied the top spot over a truly excellent male. She later took Group 3 in the Gundog Group competition.  

2. CH BOGESTVENNAYA SKAZKA VANILLA ICECREAM. Here was a bigger type of bitch, a red and white that appealed very much in so many departments. She is stronger headed than the winner, but saying that she is also totally balanced and had incredible flow too. I liked her outline, top-line, ribs and tail-set. She moved accurately both ways and showed good unexaggerated extension in side gait.  

3. ELVIRA VD BELLISIMO PERROS. This chocolate scored for me with her balanced head and dark expressive eye. She had big ribs, a hard top-line but not quite the coat condition or presentation of the winners. She moved well both ways. 

I must make one last mention and thank you to the never-ending and most fabulous comments that I received from so many people. Never before have I been sought out as I was all day long on Friday and then also for the duration of Crufts. Well-respected judges of every level, American Cocker exhibitors, other gundog exhibitors plus judges and exhibitors from other breeds and other groups and even non-dog showing folk…so many people were keen to express how much they loved the winners. That’s what makes a truly memorable day, and I thank all concerned, especially the incredible quality dogs for such a wonderful experience of a lifetime. 

JONATHAN B DALTREY (JUDGE)