Crufts

UTILITY GROUP 

Sincere thanks to the Kennel Club for giving me the honour of judging the Utility Group at Crufts 2023. Also to the breed judges for sending me some great dogs that I will never forget having had the opportunity to judge. 

After initial consideration I selected the Akita, Chow Chow, French Bulldog, German Spitz Mittel, Japanese Akita Inu, Japanese Shiba Inu, Miniature Schnauzer, Standard Poodle, Schipperke, Tibetan Spaniel, and Xoloitzcuinitli for further examination, resulting in a few spectacular performances to leave me with 4 exhibits that were all equally capable of winning this strong group. On that last run around I had no hesitation to award the group placing to 

Group 1

Ch Huffish Rewrite The Stars with Atastar. Standard Poodle

I have judged this dog several times and have awarded him major awards, he is now in his prime, mentally, physically and has a mature adult coat of correct texture, presented to perfection to enhance his outline. He never put a foot wrong on the move and his poodley carriage and outline shone like a star to command this win. 

Group 2 

Sh Ch Dai Kichi Go Shun’You Kenosha. Japanese Akita Inu

He oozes type and is so well constructed with powerful movement. His head and expression are excellent with correctly placed ears enhancing his neck and balance. Coat texture is excellent and beautifully defined markings. Excellent topline and again moved great keeping his outline at all times. His proportions are excellent and is in great physical condition. 

Group 3 

JB Ch Joker Lands First Call. Miniature Schnauzer

The cleanest outline and correct shape. Masc clean head with good length and dark eye. Excells in neck, topline. He has such well formed ribs and exc body coat properly banded. He has such strong powerful and typical gait with such precise footfall. 

Group 4

Int Ch Kool Kashmir from Kwaiting. Chow Chow

Excellent square outline, with strength from nose to tail but not overdone in anyway. Moderate. Excellent masc head with typical expression and excellent ear size and placement. Strong neck, compact well conditioned body. Balanced moderate construction and excellent coat texture completing the picture. Powerful typical short stride with free pendulous rear action and so sound. 

Mark Cocozza