Crufts

Crufts Hound Group 2022.

Judge Gavin Robertson 

Without doubt being given the honour and privilege to judge the Hound group at Crufts will remain with me for the rest of my life and I loved every minute of the whole day. Standing in the centre of the famous green carpeted ring watching a beautiful collection of this years BOB winners enter individually I knew I was going to have fun selecting the top 4.

The BOB PBGV did a lovely lap of honour for his proud owner as I was the breeder but then I had a full compliment of hounds to assess. 

My shortlist was the very nicely made, compact beagle, the std wire dach with a super outline and type all through, a stunning Ibizan with such presence and dignity, the commanding powerful Irish Wolfhound and very balanced Rhodesian Ridgeback.

My group 4 winner was a 4yr old GBGV, Ch Forget Me Not V Tum Tums VRIENJES with the correct proportions and substance the breed calls for. A noble head with strength, nicely chiselled under the eye, ears well folded with good length, his body is deep and firm with a lovely level topline, his coat is harsh. On the move he holds his shape and his tail carriage is exactly how it should be in a sabre like fashion. A very nice example of the breed.

Group 3, Swe Ch/Ch Vaskurs Moni Maker Qiwidotter, this bitch really caught my eye as she entered the ring and on closer examination she is very typical all through, her skull is long and lean with high set ears which she uses at all times. Her front is nicely under her body with such a lovely lean arched neck, moderate and balanced front and back with a straight topline she holds at all times, in tip top condition, free flowing on the move. She paints a super picture on the stack.

Group 2, CRÈME ANGLAISE’S IRISH CREAM,

Just 2years old with the most beautiful clean graceful outline, feminine all through, she stands over good ground without any exaggeration, her head has good length with a flat skull and rose like ears set well back, straight forelegs and oval feet, deep chest with ribs extending well back. She has a neat waist and defined tuck up. I loved her long easy stride where she holds her outline. Full of breed type in fantastic condition,she has a real connection with her handler which is evident and she wants to give her all.

And my group winner who stole my heart and gave me goosebumps, Ch/CIB/DK/NL/DE Ch INA’S FASHION DESIRABLE. I really really loved her, she is so symmetrical without any exaggeration..length is there in her head piece with a slight stop, small ears and oblique bright eyes. A long arched neck with a super front, she is curvy but not overdone and has super muscular condition all through. However for me she came alive on the move with her super ground covering free stride. There is real power and precise foot placement. She gave her all on the biggest stage we have in dogdom every time I asked her to go and in no way could she be denied the top spot..

I felt incredibly proud watching her float around the ring for BIS 2 nights later..