Crufts

Lagotto Romagnolo – Crufts 2024

This being my second time judging Lagottos at Crufts, I was delighted to be trusted to awarded the first set of CCs in the UK, indeed an historical moment for the breed. With an entry of 100+ from many different countries, as expected type, proportions, construction and soundness varied quite a lot. Good length of leg is essential for correct balance, and I was pleased to find this in the majority of the class winners. Heads and temperaments were generally very pleasing. Coat quality and presentation was much improved compared to my last Crufts appointment, only a small minority were overly groomed, a rustic appearance being essential to the overall look of the breed.

I was delighted with the winners and with the genuine commitment and enthusiasm of the breed fanciers, I feel confident that the KC decision to allow the breed to have CCs was a sound one.

Veteran Dog (3)

1. Multi Ch Paolo Della Taparina

At eleven and a half years old, this dog is remarkably fit and in excellent condition. He is robust, strong and masculine. I would prefer some more length of leg on him for optimal balance. Typical head, with slightly rounded skull, correct length of muzzle, Excellent ears. Strong neck of medium length. Very well angulated in both ends. I would not want him any wider in front. Excellent coat. Easily the best mover in the class.

2. Mizani Dorocco Raffaele

Brown dog, on the larger size. He is longer cast than the winner. Typical skull and expression. Somewhat longer in muzzle than what I prefer. Strong neck. Well constructed except for his pasterns which could be stronger. Excellent coat. Moved quite well from all angles, if still not up to the winner.

3. Yduns Blue's Kenzo

A dog well up on legs, but on the finer side. The same thing goes for his head. Moderate, balanced angulation both ends. His coat is not correct and lacks curls. Light on his feet on the move.

Minor Puppy Dog (2)

1. Mad Max Madiba of Freworth

Crème coloured dog with very pleasing length of leg. He has a pleasing skull, but does not need to grow longer in the muzzle. Neck with nape. Needs to develope in his front and overall in his body, having a bit of a tuck up at this time. Very good coat including undercoat. Needs to strengthen in his pasterns and a bit high behind in his balance at this time, but moved well from the side. Best male puppy.

2. Clamerkin Tawny Emperor

A very happy young dog, well up on legs, still very immature as can be expected at 7,5 months of age. His head is also immature with a rounded skull and needs to develop more strength of muzzle. Normal neck. Rather straight in upper arm and needs to develop in his chest. Pleasing topline, rather short in croup and does not move well behind. Coat under development, needing an undercoat. Wonderful disposition, very friendly and happy.

Puppy Dog (3)

1. Mad Max Madiba of Freworth

2. Mizani Dorocco Raffaele

A dog of moderate size, he will need to gain some more masculinity with age. Would like more strength of head. Would prefer complete dentition. Pleasing neck, well set. Pleasing topline and outline. Needs to gain some more bone with maturity. Pleasing coat. Webbed, but very short feet, he could put more weight on them standing, but still moved light on his feet.

3. Mizani Primavera Forest

Strong masculine dog, well developed for his age. Good skull, long in muzzle, would prefer a correct bite. Good ears. Strong neck. Well developed in body, very good substance. Falls away too much over the croup which restricts his side movement. Very good coat. Well handled.

Junior Dog (6)

1. Il Granaio Dei Malatesta Dick Dastardly of Pendlebrier

A very well made dog of excellent type and quality, he really filled my eyed. Typical skull, correct length of muzzle. Correct neck, well set into shoulders. Well angulated both ends. Deep and capacious body making for an attractive outline. Excellent coat quality. He moved very soundly from the side and in front, if not perfect going away. Excellent coat, good webbing. Tail carriage was rather inconsistent in the start, but improved over time and ended up excellent. A very typical Lagotto male with a future.

2. Emmroche Erminio

A very smart and eye-catching dog, well up on legs. He has a typical head and expression, reverse scissors bite, which is fully acceptable. Good neck. Excellent topline. Could do with a longer croup. He stands very well over his legs. Excellent coat quality with very good undercoat. Moved with very good carriage, but not the extension behind of the winner.

3. All I Wanted Labando

Another very typical dog, well proportioned. Attractive head with correct length of muzzle. Pleasing neck. Firm topline. Excellent coat quality. Balanced angulation both ends. Lost a bit of balance and carriage on the move, but used his legs well.

Post Graduate Dog (7,2)

1. Ca’ del Corsi Otto

A dog with pleasing balance on the stack. He has enough length of leg and balanced angulation both ends. Typical masculine head with a big nose typical of the breed and of correct length. Pleasing neck into shoulder. Firm topline, well set tail. Excellent coat. Webbed feet. Moved reasonably well when not raced around the ring.

2. Sospiro del Mircolo Du Pech Du Cayrol

A big dog on the strong side, well up on legs. Strong head and strong neck. I would not want any more of him. He was a strong positive mover from all angles. Very pleasing coat structure.

3. Moonreed Drake

An attractive dog standing and with a typical, well balanced head. Strong neck. Rather wide in front and tended to roach his topline, more so moving than standing. Typical coat. Well hnadled. Could mover cleaner going away.

Limit Dog (4)

1. Truffalusa November Moon from Mizani

A very typical, masculine Lagotto with excellent proportions, well up on legs and with corresponding body length. One of the best dogs here today and for sure champion material. Typical head with correct proportions. Pleasing neck. Moderate but balanced angulation both ends. Strong topline. Good depth of chest without exaggerations. Correct coat quality. He is a very good mover from the side, excellent from the front, reasonable from behind. Well handled.

2. Il Granaio Dei Malatesta Rublo

A larger and stronger dog, I would not want him any larger than this. Light crème in colour. He excels in side movement. Strong skull, correct length of muzzle, big nose. Strong neck. Pleasing front angulation, strong bone. Very good coat quality. Well handled.

3. Gaesten Top Tinker

A dog of excellent size, well constructed. Pleasing skull and length of muzzle. Firm topline, but body on the longer side. Very good coat quality. Could be sounder in movement as viewed from behind, bow-legged, but a pleasing side mover.

Open Dog (14,3)

1. Rozebottel’s Love at First Sight

A beautiful, very balanced dog, ideal for size and with an excellent make and shape and an impressively sound mover. Pleasing length of leg for overall balance. Very good width and shape of skull, ideal length of muzzle. Correct neck with strength and an attractive nape and very well set into withers. Excellent topline and a very well set and carried tail. He demonstrated a highly typical rustic appearance while his excellent coat was still being immaculately presented and tidy. A truly excellent mover from all directions, sound, balanced, effortless and stylish. Very well handled to show off his attributes to win the breed’s very first UK CC. He made a lovely picture running around with what turned out to be his lister sister to compete for BOB in the end.

2. Germ.Ch. Amazing Mr Grey I M Simply the Best

An impressive dog, strong and masculine, larger than the winner, but still within acceptable size. He is very well proportioned, well up on legs and square in his outline. Excellent head, expression and ears. Strong, well set neck. Excellent body, bone and substance. Excellent coat with typical curls and undercoat. An athletic mover from the side, sound coming towards me, at all times keeping his balance and outline, but not as clever as the winner going away. ResCC

3. Kan Trace Emit Remmus

Another attractive dog with very pleasing proportions. Excellent head with correct width and length and a large nose. Well set neck. Well angulated both ends. Kept his balance well, but appeared somewhat busy on the move, if soundly. Excellent coat quality, if not quite as rustic in his appearance as those above him. Well handled.

Special Working Gundog (3)

1. Truffalusa November Moon from Mizani

2. Dario Delle Caveja

Another typical lagotto, not dissimilar to the winner, his son, but an overall somewhat less outstanding version. Well up on legs, if appearing a bit rangy. Pleasing skull, correct stop. Enough bone. Very good topline and tailset. Moved well, if not as well as the winner.

3. Multi Ch. Granaio Dei Malatesta Homer Simpson

Good Citizen Dog Scheme (4)

1. Mizano Dioro over Savio

A dog of pleasing type and proportions with enough length of leg. Expressive head, masculine enough. Good width of muzzle. Pleasing ears. I would prefer some more angulation in front. Firm topline, good tailset. Very good coat quality. A fair mover.

2. Gaesten Top Tinker

3. Articbreeze Now or Never

A strong, powerful male. At his age I hope he does not grow on as he does not need to. Strong head and strong neck. Would not want him any wider in his front. Excellent temperament and an enthusiastic mover. Very good coat quality.

Veteran Bitch (4,2)

1. Celise Nyah

At eight years old this bitch is in very good condition. I would like her more up on her legs, but she is very feminine, has a typical head and coat and moves quite soundly. Excellent temperament.

2. Yduns Blue’s Mellis Full Forge

At eleven years old, this is a very friendly bitch carying too much weight and not the outline I am looking for. Her coat is not curled. She has balanced angulation both ends and a big nose.

Minor Puppy Bitch (3)

1. Made Chianti for Timaturn

An elegant young bitch, well up on legs and with excellent proportions. She may go on to gain some more substance with maturity, but is at age she has it all in balance. Feminine head with very pleasing proportions, correct amount of stop. Correct length of neck. Attractive outline. Very good coat, well curled and with enough undercoat. She moved light on her feet and soundly coming and going. Best Puppy.

2. Il Granaio Dei Malatesta Valeria Velez

A strong bitch, also very well balanced and makes a very pleasing picture standing with excellent proportions. A bit longer in muzzle. Excellent coat. Less consistent on the move, at times moving well, but tending to jump around and then leaving her balance to imagination. Excellent legs and feet. She has a good temperament, but was a little restless on the table.

3. Claermkin Painted Lady

A very immature young lady with very good potential. Feminine and with a lovely temperament. She tended to curl up on the move.

Puppy Bitch (5,1)

1. Articbreeze Top Secret

Attractive bitch, well up on legs and with matching body length. She has a typical head and expression, with correct length of muzzle and slightly domed skull. Pleasing neck. Excellent topline and tailset. Needs to gain some more weight with age. She used her legs well, but her carriage was rather inconsistent. Excellent potential.

2. Mianatra Ever So Elegant

A bitch of similar type and quality, another well up on legs, but somewhat longer in body. Attractive, feminine head. She could do with some more experience in the ring to show her qualities off more consistently. Lovely coat. Excellent topline. Sound mover if not as proud as one might wish for.

3. Articbreeze Secret Agent del Rigrunner

Very elegant bitch, somewhat on the fine side and needs to gain some more substance with age. Excellent coat. Very good topline which she kept on the move.

Junior Bitch (9,2)

1. Articbreeze Smile and Wave

A proper lagotto, well balanced. She is feminine, if not small. Excellent, well balanced head and expression. Very pleasing outline with a firm and slightly sloping topline. Balanced neck. Excellent coat. She moved only medium well and could do with some more ring training.

2. Emmroche Emiliana

A bitch who is well balanced and proportioned. She has an excellent skull, but I would not want a longer muzzle. Balanced neck. Firm topline. Falling off a bit more than ideal over the croup. Kept her balance on the move, but extended only moderately well.

3. Articbreeze Keep It Legal

Feminine bitch of excellent size. She has pleasing body proportions. Her head could be stronger. Balanced neck. Balanced angulation and pleasing topline. She did not carry herself all that well on the move, but used her legs quite well.

Post Graduate Bitch (12,4)

1. Articbreeze Truth or Dare

A typey bitch, she stood out in the class for her overall make and shape. Excellent head with ideal proportions, excellent expression. Correct length of neck with a nape. Firm topline. Moderate angulation in front, I would not want any more behind. Excellent coat quality, well handled. She moved with energy and purpose.

2. Nelbekio High Hopes

Bitch of excellent size and with enough length of leg. Another with an attractive head and a very good front. Tight curls to her coat. Tends to turn her hocks in when standing, but still moved cleanly both coming and going and very well from the side.

3. Regun Nara

Another bitch who came into herself on the move. She is not small, but still definitely feminine. Not dissimilar to number two. Excellent expression. I would not want her skull any more rounded. Stood well over her legs. Very pleasing coat. Moved light on her feet and well synchronized.

Limit Bitch (12,1)

1. Solipse Viva La Musica

Instantly attractive bitch of excellent type and quality, indeed she is very smart. Typical head and expression with beautiful eyes, excellent skull, correct length of muzzle. Firm topline, ideal length of leg. Not small, but certainly feminine. She used her legs well from the side, if with some tendency to sidetrack. Excellent coat. Well handled to win the resCC.

2. Havana King of The Truffles to Byphar

Another bitch with excellent proportions and a really pleasing side mover. Not quite the skull of the winner, but excellent length of muzzle. Crested neck. Good angulation in front. Firm topline. Excellent coat. Came into her own on the move. These two clearly stood out in the class.

3. Hunging Track Curly Wurly at Emmroche

Bitch of excellent size and well up on legs. She has a very attractive head even if I would not want a longer muzzle. Excellent coat quality. She moved well from all angles, but a little anonymous compared to the two in front of her.

Open Bitch (10,1)

1. Rozebottel’s Love of My Life

An outstandingly beautiful bitch, perfectly proportioned and with ideal make and shape. She is not small, but definitely feminine. She has just everything I am looking for in a Lagotto, the picture of the breed standard. Well up on legs, square body, sturdy, robust and rustic. Excellent head with all the details in place as for skull, muzzle, eyes and ears. Typical slightly arched neck, well laid shoulders, excellent layback of upper arm and ideal forechest. Compact, square and strong body with a wide and short loin, balanced angulation behind. Compact feet with good webbing. well set and carried tail. Excellent dense and woolly coat forming thick curls.An outstanding mover from all angles. One of the very best I have ever seen in the breed, she stood out from the rest to win CC & BOB

2. Il Tranaio Dei Malatesta Ricotta

Another beautiful bitch, well constructed and well proportioned, if not quite the rustic look and with that not quite the intensity of type of the winner. Moved well from all angles and kept her outline.

3. It.Ch. Il Tranaio Dei Malatesta Carisma

Another excellent bitch, very well proportioned. Not the pigmentation nor the expression of the two above her. Very well constructed, she had excellent body proportions and kept her lovely balance on the move.

Good Citizen Dog Scheme Bitch (4,1)

1. Havana King of The Truffles to Byphar

2. Allsong Nuova Luna

White bitch who came into her own in side movement. I would prefer longer legs. Feminine head, nicely proportioned. Adequate neck. Firm topline. Moved rather narrow behind. Very pleasing coat, well presented.

3. Nelbekio Just The Ticket

Espen Engh, Norway (judge)