Crufts

Crufts Pomeranian – Judge Caroline Soulsby, Trenarwyn 12.03.2022

Thank you to Crufts committee for the huge honour of judging my beloved Pomeranians. Thank you to my two lovely stewards Joyce and Jean for keeping the ring running like clockwork and for the laughs. Finally, a big thank you to the exhibitors for the lovely entry and for the great sportsmanship of my placings.

I had a fabulous day and the atmosphere around the ring was brilliant. A special day that I will always remember and topped off by my BOB giving a faultless performance going on to win Group 2 in a stunning group, well done.

Some general remarks, I found most exhibits had correct scissor bites and clean teeth. Our breed watch is open fontanel's and I only found one in a younger exhibit of concern. Movement was varied and some lovely dogs paid the penalty for not moving as well on the day.

There were many dogs that made an excellent profile stood and going round the ring but on closer inspection lacked the desired head properties and accuracy in movement up and back and this affected my final decisions and ultimately my placings.

I was delighted with all my main winners and had some difficult decisions, but found elegant Pomeranians' worthy of being called the King of the Toys. At the end of the day, you all took the best dog home because they are yours. Thank you for being part of such a special occasion.

Veteran Dog 1 entry 1 absent

Minor Puppy Dog 2 entries 0 absent

1st BPD Mrs T Killick – Love of My Life At Travillon

8 ½ months old, small neat dog, pleasing head and expression with good stop, correct muzzle, good eye, neat ears well placed, short neck into good front, nicely ribbed body, short loin, good rear, neat feet, well set tail, moved tidily. Excellent deep orange coat coming through nicely.

2nd Ms S Smith - Sueacres Kiss Of Love

8 months old, orange sable, a balanced head, good eye, good stop, ears set ok but fractional bigger than first, good front, into to good body slightly longer in loin, moved well in front but tracking a fraction close behind today. Well set tail and coat of correct texture coming through.

Puppy Dog 7 entries 2 absent

A very difficult class due to different types and while one or two looked promising they did not match up on closer examination.

1st Mrs D E Lambert – Dommari Hilton At Perrofina

11 months old, a small compact dog. He has a sweet head, lovely eye, good stop, ears well set but could be smaller, short neck with good front and cobby body, short in loin, nice medium angulation, good feet, high set tail, moved accurately and with buoyancy. His coat is still a bit fluffy at rear but forgave today bearing in mind his age, he is an import and the front half of his coat has guard hairs and is coming through correctly.

2nd Mrs C D Holman – Mitchfields Crème Brulee At Altina

A honest dog of 10 months old, he just didn’t excite me, he has a good head but stronger than I like and he lacked a bit of expression but had a good stop and nice eye, ears ok. Good clean front with nice lay of shoulder, nicely bodied, a little longer cast than some, good strong quarters, moved well, correct coat coming in well, correct set tail.

3rd Mrs R Pickering – Learcarcoys Diamond Nite

Very much my type, dainty neat little dog, good head, correct stop, nice eye, ears could be smaller but set well. Short neck in to good front, nicely bodied, short coupled, medium rear angulation, well set tail with good plume but not presented to best advantage, with good correct double coat which was well presented. He just didn’t settle on the move, possibly handler nerves and like many youngsters not had the experience and this was a big occasion.

4th Mrs N Gooch – Paavalis Paddington At Cassibawn

5th Mr Allen – Alexiasdream Golden Boy

Junior Dog 12 entries 3 absent

1st Mr W Tonks – Wilzhunds Earl Oleg

Headed a good class, really liked this little dog, pleasing head with good expression, excellent stop, good muzzle. Excellent lay of shoulder, good well barrelled body, short coupled, good quarters of medium angulation. Well set tail with good plume. Excellent double coat being picky could be slightly better trimmed to enhance his shape even more. A really balanced little dog shown on a loose lead who once he and his handler settled on the move was very true up and down. A lovely young dog please persevere with him as we have all been there with the difficult ones.

The next two have many attributes to like but on the day, I felt that the length of coat with guard hairs and undercoat wasn’t there and that impacted on their placings. I hope they come through as age is on their side and lots to like.

2nd Mrs J & Mrs A Pike & Carter – Reta’s Sex In Flames At Breezlyn

Black of 16 months, lovely neat head, good stop, correct medium eye, small ears, short neck, overall, a small framed dog, clean front and good body, slightly longer cast than 1, well set tail. He just lacks the profuse double coat to enhance his shape. Good tail set. Moved well.

3rd A M Cawthera- Purdy – Lireva's Finders Keepers

13 Months old, very showy upstanding male, pleasing head with good expression, good eye, correct muzzle, good stop, his head is a lovely rich orange, ears are ok, short neck, well bodied, longer in loin, enough rear angulation, well set tail with excellent plume, upstanding youngster but stands over more ground. He moved ok and was presented well and shown to advantage.

RES Mrs W M & Mrs A Jones – Sharmipom Yustan Star Trek

VHC Ms A K Ogilvie - Pakov’s Candy Cane

Yearling Dog 10 entries 1 absent

1st AM Cawthera-Purdy – Ch Lireva’s Wildest Dreams

21 months old, easy winner of this class on overall type, he is a little too strong in head for me and not as sweet as some but he ticks many boxes, that said he has a good eye, correct stop, ears ok, short neck, well bodied, short loin into good quarters, he is an upstanding male, top end of size but makes a good shape standing and moves well. Has an excellent correct coat of rich orange so rarely seen with fabulous plume, presented and shown as one would expect from this handler.

2nd Mrs J Frohagen - Del Mar Pom’s Dr Feelgood

20 months old, orange sable dog, smaller type than one, his head is ok but again lacks in expression, good eye, stop ok, ear set good, short neck, well bodied, longer cast than 1, well set tail with good plume, moved ok. Presented in good correct coat.

3rd Mrs Kacarevic – Vip Pom Stars Magic Moments

18 months old, orange sable, stronger in type than first two, muzzle ok, good stop, good eye, his ears are a bit big and not set higher enough, short neck, well bodied, longer cast than first two, rear ok, well set tail but lacks plume that spoils overall finish. He is heavy boned than I would like. Moved well and shown to advantage.

RES Ms A K Ogilvie - Pakov’s Candy Cane

VHC Mrs M Wilcox - Boazpoms Blaze In Son

Post Graduate Dog 16 entries 5 absent

1st Mrs J & Mrs A Pike & Carter – Breezlyn Time To Shine

2 years old, a lot to like in this lovely sized dog, pleasing male head with good eye, correct stop, ears well set, good neck into clean front, well ribbed, short loin, just enough angulation in rear, fine boned, well-set tail, coat of correct texture, well set tail with good plume, presenting a good profile stood and moving. Moved well in both directions.

2nd Mr C & Misses M & M Hills – Sharhazlah's Son Of A Devil

Nearly 2 ½ year old. An under estimated black with much to like, I see he is the litter brother to my limit winner. A correct head, with a good eye, correct muzzle, small ears, correct head coat, well made all through and shown sympathetically and with a little enhancement in presentation and getting his tail swept up would enhance this dog immensely. He is very sound and moved well in all directions. A good profuse coat of correct texture.

3rd Mrs Chinn – Lorentis Challenger

Nearly 2 ½ year old cream, stronger in head than first two but has a good eye, correct muzzle, neat ears. Short in neck, front ok with good body, longer cast than first two, well set tail, presented in good coat but a not quite the harsh double coat, moved well.

RES Mr L Patel – Altinas Flynn

VHC Miss A H Sullivan – Kazariastars Pride and Joy

Limit Dog 9 entries 1 absent

1st, RCC Mr C & Misses M & M Hills – Sharhazlah's Suave Devil

 Nearly 2 ½ year old orange, excellent head properties, with lovely eye, good stop, being picky would like a slightly smaller ear but he has a wealth of head coat to cover these. He has a sweet expression which was lacking in many today. Short neck in to a good lay of shoulder, correct cobby body, short loin in to excellent quarters with good angulation. Tail correct set with excellent plume. One of the soundest dogs here today from any angle. Excellent correct textured coat, lovely cat like feet. Very unlucky to come up against the open winner on such excellent form, one who will gain his title I am sure.

2nd Mrs Slough - Special Edition of Persimoone

4 years old orange dog, a really sound honest dog just would like a little less of him. He has a correct male head, with good stop, slightly rounder eye, ears well set, short neck, good front, well barrelled body, short loins, good strong quarters, well set tail with excellent plume, huge profuse coat. Moved really well. Presented and shown well.

3rd Mrs T Berrington - Izumrundy Zvet Vegas At Altina

2 ½ years old orange dog, smaller type, he has a correct eye but lacks a little in stop which makes his head look a fraction plain, small ears, short neck in to cobby body, rear ok, correct coat with good tail set but spoilt by excessive trimming. He is longer cast than first two, moved well.

RES Mrs J & Mrs A Pike & Carter – Breezlyn Ginvincible

VHC Miss A Walkey Bonniebears Magic Potion

Open Dog 15 entries 1 absent

This was a difficult class as on first look it appeared a strong class but many did not have the typical English head I was looking for and there is no excuse for a Pomeranian not to be able to move and far too may failed to track up on moving on the day which proved disappointing and made the selection and ultimate placings hard.

1st, CC, BOB, Group 2 - Miss C & Mr T Kristoffersen & Losen GB/NO/SE/DK/NORD CH Tiny Fellow’s U Got The Look

Wow, feel honoured that this multi titled Champion was bought under me here. He came across to the UK and titled prior to Covid and I was not disappointed having the chance to judge him. At nearly 6 years old he gave a foot perfect performance and was a credit to his owner. His head is lovely but still male, dark mischievous medium oval eye, tiny ears set high, flat skull, delightful expression. This lovely head goes in to a short neck into a good lay of shoulder, with a good chest in to a well ribbed body, short loin, in to a good medium angulated rear, correct cat like feet. Tail set high with excellent plume that touches his ears. He has a correct double coat which is presented beautifully. He has an excellent profile when stood and moving round he is a joy to watch. Absolutely delighted to award him the CC and BOB over the beautiful bitch and ecstatic when he gave a faultless performance and took Toy Group 2 in a lovely strong group! Congratulations.

2nd A M Cawthera-Purdy Ch Lireva’s The Power and Glory

This dog gives his handler a hard time and is not the easiest to show but when it mattered, he did enough to deserve this placing on overall type in this difficult class. Just over 3 years old, he has a pleasing head and expression, with good stop, small dark eye, neat ears, flat skull. His front is ok, short neck with good body, he is longer in loin than 1 and quarters are ok. His tail is well set with excellent plume to his ears. He stands over more ground but pulls together to make an acceptable profile. He has a tendency to scuttle when moving and drops a fraction long but on second run he pulled it together and moved well. He has a good coat but it makes him look heavier than he is. He is presented well and handled to get the very best out of him.

3rd Miss L Pagnier -Swiss Sh Ch Foxlight Rule Breaker

A smaller type but not the expression of first two in head. He has a good stop, dark eye, ears set well, short neck in to cobby body again longer in loin and quarters ok, good tail set with good plume, moved well. The overall picture was pleasing.

RES Mrs M Pastuszka - Altina’s Tom Thumb

VHC Mr Dirk Paulussen - Pommekes Resort Stay With Me Cooper

Good Citizen Dog Scheme Dog 3 Entries 0 absent

1st Mrs C Simmons – Petitpom Legend of Love JW

3 ½ years old male, orange sable, head is ok, with good eye good pigment, lacks a little in expression for me, nicely bodied, a fraction long in loin, good quarters moved ok. Presented with an excellent full correct coat, with well-set tail with good plume.

2nd Mrs R Pickerings – Norvanik Happy Feet At Leahcartoys

Only 10 months so giving a lot away to 1st in maturity. An honest dog, top end of size. He has a good eye with good pigment, ears set ok, short neck into good body, short loin and medium angulation, well set tail. Coat of correct texture coming through. He moved well and gave a good account of himself.

3rd Mrs K Kovalenko -Tokie Too Good Chudo-Yudo Shekspire

Another only 11 months and giving a lot away and unfortunately out of coat. He has a pretty head, with good stop and nice eye, short neck into reasonable front and body, short loin, enough rear angulation, tail set good, moved ok.

Veteran Bitch 3 entries 2 absent

1st Best Veteran Ms S Smith - Ch Taa Palatis Under A Glass Moon At Sueacres

Sadly the veterans were thin on the ground today but this worthy White champion, 8 ½ years, she has a good head, good stop, correct eye, excellent pigment, tiny ears, shown in profuse full coat, dual purpose size, well made and moved steadily and enjoying her day.

Minor Puppy Bitch 2 entries 0 absent

1st Ms C & Mrs L Simmons – Sueacres Legend Of The Fall For Petitpom

8 months old, orange sable, pleasing head, good stop, nice eye, ears set ok, short neck, good front, cobby body, rear angulation ok, high set tail, good coat coming in of correct texture, moved well. Pleasing puppy.

2nd Mrs L Johnson – Startori River Of Pheonix

7 ½ months old, pretty head, good dark eye, ears ok, short neck in to good front, nicely bodied, short loin, quarters ok, good tail set. moved ok. she is a balanced picture stood, Correct coat for age just a tad small.

Puppy Bitch 5 entries 0 absent

1st Mr C & Mr D Van De Burgt & Strange – Norvanik Déjà Vu

10 months old, black, this stunning lady was shown to perfection by her sympathetic handler and gave a first-class performance. Her profile stood was spot on and she did not disappoint on closer inspection. A beautiful head and expression, correct medium eye, tiny ears lost in the wealth of head coat, excellent stop, fine muzzle, flat skull, short neck in to well laid shoulder, well barrelled rib with depth of chest, short loin in to a medium angulated hind leg, tail set well with lovely plume coming. A correct coat of good texture and colour and presentation faultless. Absolutely sound fore and aft and going round was a joy to watch as she held her shape. A black jewel and one to watch. Delighted to award her BP.

2nd Mr J Akelis – Yoshe Miss Nibs

Near 12 months old and a lot to like in this young lady. A fraction shorter in muzzle, with a good eye shape, tiny ears set well, flat skull, short neck in to a good lay of shoulder, nicely bodied, short loin, ok rear angulation, moved well in all directions and shown well, good correct coat and nice plume coming. Not quite as confident as 1 but a nice type.

3rd AM Cawthera- Purdy - Lireva’s Gloria Swanson

10 months old orange, pleasing head, good eye, correct stop, small ears, short neck, front assembly ok, nicely bodied, longer in loin than first 2, lacks a little in stifle, high set tail with good plume. She stands over more ground and is longer in profile than first two and not as accurate in movement. Excellent coat coming through of good colour. Handled to get the very best of her.

RES Miss S Maclaine – Pennygown Atomic Kitten

VHC Miss Boyes - Poshdonpoms Ella Be Mememe

Junior Bitch 14 entries 4 absent

1st Miss M Emmerson - Aacharmoe’s Heaven Sent For Ismirelle

15 months old, orange, smart girl of good size, good head, correct eye, good stop, ears ok, pleasing expression, good front, well ribbed body, a fraction longer cast, good angulation behind, high set tail with good plume, moved well. While not in her best jacket what she had was good and coming through well.

2nd Mrs E Etchart – Summer De La Legende Des Diables Noirs

13 months old cream, a lot to like in this girl. Good stop and eye, would like a smaller ear but set well just needs more head coat but she lacked the expression in head of one. In full coat, well presented, nicely made all though moved well. High set tail with good plume, Shown to advantage.

3rd Miss E Baens - Where Magic Begins The One From Gold Djoels

16 months old, orange sable of overall good type, nice eye, good stop, ears ok, in reasonable coat of correct texture, short neck in to good front, nicely bodied, quarters a little straight in stifle so not as clean moving behind as first two. Neat correct feet. Shown and presented well.

RES Mrs L Knight Roberts – Gablenight Liberty

VHC Mrs A Norman – Alexiadream Precious Lady

Yearling Bitch 12 entries 0 Absent

1st Miss J Ngai – Katchinas Right Design For Yoshipom

20th months old, dark orange sable, good head, correct almond eye, well set ears, short neck into good front, well bodied, short loin, good quarters well set tail, not in her best jacket but correct harsh texture and enough to make a good profile and moved sound in all directions, pleasing stamp, fine and elegant.

2nd Mrs E Etchart – Summer De La Legende Des Diables Noir

2nd in JB

3rd Miss Boyes - Sunny Beach Silva For Poshdompoms

12 months old, good eye, correct stop, ears ok, short neck, front ok, good body, longer in loin, quarters ok, well set tail with good plume, not as balanced as first two. Moved ok, presented in good coat of good texture.

RES Mrs L Knight Roberts – Gablenight Liberty

VHC Mrs C & Miss E & Miss A Moores – KLassna Tell Me More With Chibaya

Post Graduate Bitch – 17 present 6 absent

1st Mrs N Davey – Yuliashka Panamera Noir For Klassna

Just over 2 years old, black, lovely expression, good eye, excellent stop, well set small ears, short neck into good front, well barrelled body, short loin, good quarters, well set tail with good plume, lovely profile, moved well, ultra picky slightly heavier trimmed than needed on this black but enough coat of reasonable texture. Pleasing type.

2nd Miss L Johnson – Amardica Legend Of Dreams

Orange sable mature 3 years old, good muzzle and stop, fractionally rounder eye, flat skull, ears ok but lacks a little head coat to finish picture, short neck, good body, nice quarters good tail set and plume, moved well, another good type.

3rd Mrs A Norman – Alexiasdream Lady Brady

20 months old, good dual-purpose bitch, another good head again would like slightly smaller ears, excellent stop, short neck into good front, good body, short loin, rear ok, high set tail with good plume, sadly carrying a little too much weight that spoilt her front movement and cost her a higher place today.

RES Ms L Lyons – Darade Heart Of A Lyon

VHC Mrs B & Miss A Black – Dilina Royal Biene Maja Mit Zaandam

Limit Bitch 12 entries 3 absent

1st Mr C & Mr D Van De Burgt & Strange – Norvanik Gold Dust

3 ½ years old, orange headed a good class of girls that would be a credit in any kennels, dual purpose bitch, good muzzle, correct stop, nice eye, ears well set, flat skull, short neck into excellent front, well barrelled body, short loin, good strong quarters with correct angulation, high set tail with good plume. In enough coat of correct texture to make a pleasing shape. Sound in all directions and gave a good account, hardest decision of the day between this girl and the Open winner but the head on the open winner the best I have seen and just that extra bloom of coat but little to choose and a worthy RCC.

2nd Mrs N Davey – Pomhaven's Pretty As U Please At Klassna

Nearly 3 years old, Clear orange, not quite the expression of 1 but another dual-purpose bitch, good eye, larger ear, short neck, reasonable front, body ok, short loin, rear ok. Makes a good profile stood and shown to fall advantage not quite the coat of 1, well set tail, moved ok but not as true in front as 1st.

3rd Mrs Pickerings – Leahcartoys Peridott

Cream, 3 years old, a pleasing elegant type, a lovely head, good stop, correct eye, sweet expression, small ear, good front, nice overall type, fine boned, in a good correct coat, presented well but tail not swept up to full advantage, moved ok.

RES Mrs C Simmons - Petitpom Sunrise

VHC Ms L Lyons – Darade Heart Of A Lyon Zolouzen

Open Bitch 14 entry 1 absent

1st , CC, BOS Mrs I M E Elleri - N CH/DK CH SE CH Katchinas Girl On Fire

3 years old bright orange. She stood away in this class despite giving her handler a hard time! This mature girl has the most stunning feminine head, beautiful expression, correct almond eye, excellent stop, correct length of muzzle, tiny ears set correctly, short neck into a good front, good layback of shoulder, well bodied, short loin, medium angulation, high set tail with good plume, moved well. correct cat like feet. Super profile stood and moving. I see she is sired by the same dog as my dog CC winner and he has certainly stamped them. Difficult decision in BOB but I had to choose and the confident dog pipped her. One I would love to own.

Both the 2nd and 3rd at 5 years are a credit to their owners presented and shown well and both moved soundly.

2nd Mr A, Mr S A, Miss T Fleetwood – Spanapoms A Taste Of Honey At Auberge

5 years old rich orange sable, a lot to like about this little girl, pretty neat head, good eye, small ears, short neck, small cobby type, she was presented in excellent coat and moved well. Well set tail with nice plume. Shown to advantage.

3rd Mrs C Simmons – Tiny Jewels’ Love Is Only Love For Petitpom

Another 5 years old, orange sable, really nice type, good head not quite as sweet in expression as first 2, short neck, good front, another cobby body, short loin, good rear, moved well. Presented in good correct harsh coat, well set tail and good plume.

RES Mrs N & Miss E Davey & Moores – Bilijees Wishing On A Star with Klassna

VHC A M Cawthera-Purdy – Ch Lireva’s Glorious

Good Citizen Dog Scheme Bitch 2 entries 0 absent

1st Mrs C Simmons – Tiny Jewels’ Love Is Only Love For Petitpom

Third in a good open and pipped her kennelmate on maturity and finish.

2nd Mrs C Simmons – Petitpom Sunrise

Fourth in limit behind 3 good bitches, not quite the head and shortness of 1, but a nice overall dual-purpose type, lovely rich colour and good coat. Moved well.