Crufts

Crufts 9th March 2024 — Rottweiler

Judge - Mr Howard Monk

I had an incredible day judging this magnificent breed at the biggest dog show in the world.

What a beautiful entry it was, both numerically and in quality. All the exhibitors should be so proud of their dogs, in terms of their beauty and pristine condition, but more importantly their behaviour, which was absolutely impeccable. I was proud and humbled to be associated with the breed.

The standard was much better than I expected and it gave me confidence that the breed is in good hands. Type (including soundness of movement) was excellent overall and I saw no evidence of the conditions that led to the Category 2 Breed Watch status. On this evidence we have a high quality, happy and healthy breed. I have no doubt that the expansion of the gene pool over recent years has contributed significantly to the improvement. If I could suggest one area of opportunity it would be handling, as I did think that some dogs were not presented to their full potential. A minor point perhaps, but it matters when you are exhibiting at Crufts.

As is usually the case, many quality dogs went cardless, but it was more marked today because the standard of competition was so very high. There were some phenomenal exhibits on display.

I have kept a low profile for a number of years since accepting this appointment (extended due the cancellation of 2021), hence I did not know a single dog in the ring on the day. It was an excellent basis for effective judging and I was incredibly pleased with my placings.

Veteran Dog (4 0)

1st Place 11034 - Ch Rockstarotts Mini Clubman ShCM (Mr A & Mrs V Clapp)

Impressive compact dog with excellent proportions, level top line, very good limb angles and correct tail. Lovely typical head with the required detail, including ear set and eye/mouth pigmentation, creating the desired expression. Moved accurately front and rear, flowed effortlessly around the ring with power and pace.

2nd Place 11026 - Ch Steigen Crixus (Mr L & Mr L L Cartwright)

It is nice to see such quality in the Veteran class and this is another beautiful high quality dog, slightly less compact than the winner. Well proportioned head without any exaggeration creating the desired calm expression, admirable overall construction with level top line retained whilst moving, gaited with extreme power and purpose.

3rd Place 11073 - Ch Nageem Haribo at Haccasbrook ShCM ShCEx VW (Mr E C & Mrs C H Franklin)

Similar in type to 1 and 2 but slightly longer than both. Once again a very nice head, very typical of the breed. Very good fore and hind limb construction which he used to full advantage when moving. A strong contender in a strong class.

Reserve (4th Place) 11010 - Dortmund Dodging Bullets at Trevearl (Mr T & Mrs P Borne)

Minor Puppy Dog (1 0)

1st Place 11033 - Rockstarotts Battle Born (Mr A & Mrs V Clapp)

Alone in this class but fully deserving of the first place rosette and competed well in the Best Puppy Dog challenge. Blessed with all the attributes required of a young Rottweiler and will doubtless become more impressive as he matures. Particularly nice type of head, without exaggeration and displaying the desired finer pigmentation details. Moved accurately and with purpose. One to watch.

Puppy Dog (4 0)

1st Place 11041 - Jhava Black Magic over Whisperdown (Ms G Courtney-Baughan)

Excellent compact dog, really well balanced in terms of overall build. Particularly impressive front and rear limb construction, level topline and correct tail set. His beautiful head is the icing on the cake, full of the details that define Rottweiler type and it will only get better with age. He moved very accurately, with good stride pattern and with the energy and purpose that belied his age. A very deserving Best Puppy Dog and ultimately Best Puppy in Breed.

2nd Place 11058 - Seittor Magic Spell with Keljaygo (Mr R R, Mrs L A & Miss K J Goodban)

Another compact puppy with very good overall proportions and angles. Very pretty head with good detail and expression but not the overall strength of the winner, which is understandable at this early stage of development. Impressive mover, particularly in the power and pattern of his side profile gait.

3rd Place 11134 - Shantasia Dax (Mr S & Mrs M Willison)

Not quite as compact as the first two dogs in this class, but with good potential and plenty of time for maturity. He has the attributes of head type, construction and movement that provide a sound template for future development.

Reserve (4th Place) 11070 - Saintlythans Roman at Boosrot Rottweilers (Mr G Sweet)

Junior Dog (8 0)

1st Place 10996 - Upend Edward (Miss J & Mrs W Allen & Steel)

Excellent substantial dog presented in fantastic condition, a credit to his owners. Lovely head with desired Rottweiler expression and devoid of exaggerated features. Correct front and rear construction, strong hocks, level topline leading to the required tail and tailset. Moved with accuracy and drive, a worthy winner.

2nd Place 11098 - Vicaris from House Hertog Bel Jch (Mr S & Mrs T & Mr P Hertecant & Kennis & Huybrechts)

An impressive happy dog that clearly loves the show ring. I liked him very much but just preferred the size and strength of the winner. He will doubtless develop well in coming years. Very good head with correct pigmentation throughout. Nice skeletal construction which he used well on the move

3rd Place 11057 - Bereyda The Real Defender (Miss D & Ms E Egerton & Sutcliffe)

A very good example of the breed, larger, stronger and longer than 1st and 2nd. Very good overall construction, level topline, moved purposefully and with accuracy. Nice head with slight wrinkle when attentive.

Reserve (4th Place) 11105 - Botlierskop Silver Sceptre for Riversrock (Mr M & Mrs J M Powell)

Very Highly Commended (5th Place) 11049 - Tatrasrotts Atalo by Deepweiler (Mr S Dudley Paul)

Yearling Dog (4 2)

1st Place 11054 - Ch Teigan Jedi by Fantasa (Miss M Dunhill-Hall)

Truly excellent compact dog with a beautiful classic male Rottweiler head. Well balanced in construction throughout, from well defined front angles and brisket to level topline and perfect stifle and hock build. He used his considerable assets to full advantage as he powered around the ring with great precision. His piece de resistance though is his head which is alluring and just stunning in every detail. A deserved Res. Dog CC.

2nd Place 11117 - Vonkassel Maverick Sarkay (Mr R & Mrs G Trevett)

Very nice type of dog, longer and more rangy than the winner. Very good typical head with a pleasant expression. Favourable overall construction which allowed him to move really impressively around the ring.

Post Graduate Dog (10 2)

1st Place 11088 - Rhodilea Celtic Warrior (Mr N & Mrs J Greener)

This dog has all the attributes to be a top winner in the future. Excellent head with all the correct breed features including strength without exaggeration, lovely dark eyes, correct ear set and gleaming white teeth set against the darkest gums. Balanced quarters, level topline, really tight feet, strong hocks. Moved accurately front and rear and simply flowed around the ring.

2nd Place 11039 - Jaqary Blaze of Glory (Mr L & Mrs C Cocks)

High quality strong dog, unlucky to meet the winner in this class. Very good construction throughout, correct front and rear angulation, level topline. Excellent head type with desired expression. Moved with drive, purpose and accuracy.

3rd Place 11116 - Darkarmar Tobias (Mrs W & Mr G Steel & Mulhall)

Another high quality dog, difficult to distinguish between the top 3 in this class. Beautiful head, correct front and rear angle construction, level topline, moved impressively with freedom and energy.

Reserve (4th Place) 11068 - Whisperdown Ticket to Ride (Mr D & Mrs E Holden)

Very Highly Commended (5th Place) 11080 - Jaegerot Dream Lover (Mrs W & Mr I Kichenside)

Limit Dog (13 2)

1st Place 11002 - Dortmund Dizzy Rascal (Mrs C A Clark)

Excellent compact, sound, healthy, honest dog. Lovely typical head type, with correct ear set and very good eye and mouth pigmentation. Well angulated front and rear, level topline, correct tail. Particularly impressive when moving where his soundness stride pattern, harmony and energy were a pleasure to behold. Very competitive in the challenge.

2nd Place 11013 - Gilcoru Rhodri The Great (Mrs L & Mr E Parry)

Top quality dog presented in excellent condition. Typical head, very good overall construction, well angulated front and rear, level topline. Very sound in movement, accurate front and rear, correct stride pattern, lovely outline when gaiting around the ring.

3rd Place 11110 - Ketreda's Iron Man (Mrs K L Read)

Large and substantial dog, strong typical head, dark eyes, correct ear set, nice expression. Well constructed with correct angulation front and rear, tight feet, level topline, correct tail. Moved accurately, with power and purpose.

Reserve (4th Place) 10993 - Alkido's Ludicrous (Mrs T J Mason)

Very Highly Commended (5th Place) 11136 - Hanbar Frankel (Mr C N & Mrs N K Window)

Open Dog (17 1)

1st Place 11050 - Fr Ch/sw Ch/lu Ch/int Ch Nemo von Der Wharen Kraft Fr (Mrs V Piedbois)

I was absolutely blown away by this exquisite dog. Sound in temperament, sound in movement, I loved his happy demeanour in the breed ring and in the group ring. Presented in hard muscular condition, his coat gleamed under the lights. Superb head with all the correct proportions and attributes. The darkest eye and mouth pigmentation is worthy of mention. Fabulous front assembly, his perfect upper arm and shoulders allowing the withers to flow beautifully into a permanently level topline, then culminating in perfectly angulated stifle and hock. On the move his accuracy, stride pattern, power and harmony literally made the hairs on my neck stand up. A brilliant Dog CC and Best of Breed winner.

2nd Place 11053 - Ozel of Torma House Fantasa (Imp Srb) (Miss M Dunhill-Hall)

Impressive clean male with all the necessary breed features. Perfectly proportioned head with dark eyes and correct ear set facilitating the desired Rottweiler expression. Well balanced bodily construction, lovely tight feet, level topline, correct tail. Powered around the ring with great power and presence.

3rd Place 11004 - Ch Upmont Al Capone (Mr N & Miss L Bateson & Hoole)

Excellent dog of lovely breed type. I was particularly impressed with his head type, where dark eyes, correct earset and nice stop, combined to form a beautiful overall picture. Well constructed in front and rear and level in topline. He moved with great conviction and harmony.

Reserve (4th Place) 11003 - Ch Upend Blade (Mr N Bateson)

Very Highly Commended (5th Place) 11006 - Ir Ch Dubstar Chaos Cpw 22 Cen JW (Mr N & Ms T Beggs & Lawlor)

Special Working Trial Dog (1 0)

1st Place 11047 - Fantasa Just Out The Blu (Miss M T & Mrs J A, Miss M Docherty & Dunhill-Hall)

Alone in this class and fully deserving of a 1st place rosette. Credit to his owners for keeping the breed’s working heritage alive. A very typical male presented in excellent condition. Nice balanced head with good expression. Very good overall construction. Moved like a dream, with purpose and drive.

Good Citizen Dog Scheme Dog (5 0)

1st Place 11068 - Whisperdown Ticket to Ride (Mr D & Mrs E Holden)

Well balanced dog with very good breed type. Lovely head, correctly proportioned, dark eyes, correct earset, nice expression. Nice straight front, correct angles front and rear, level topline, correct tail. Very sound fore and aft, moved around the ring with power and precision.

2nd Place 11090 - Dortmund Double or Quits (V Minshall)

Another really good dog with admirable breed type and construction. Shown in excellent condition and looking so healthy. Very nice head with correct pigmentation and correct expression. Well balanced construction, level topline, correct tail. Very sound in movement and gaited well around the ring.

3rd Place 11007 - Jantavia Rebel Rebel (Miss G Bennett)

Plenty to like about this dog, not least his really nice typical head. Very good overall type and construction, level topline, correct tail, good angulation front and rear, shown in tip top condition. Moved with good accuracy, stride and power.

Reserve (4th Place) 11126 - Jezeve Perfect Storm at Bohannons (Mrs K Eynott)

Very Highly Commended (5th Place) 11134 - Shantasia Dax (Mr S & Mrs M Willison)

Veteran Bitch (7 3)

1st Place 11027 - Ch Steigen Needle in A Haystack (Mr L & Mr L L Cartwright)

Stunningly impressive girl, a dog to be proud of. Clearly so happy to be in the ring, she used all her considerable assets to full advantage. Shown in fabulous condition. Beautifully feminine head so true to Rottweiler type. Well balanced throughout with excellent skeletal and muscular construction creating a lovely profile, rock solid topline, excellent tail. Moved accurately and with perfect stride, powering around the ring. Much deserved Best Veteran and Res Bitch CC in her final show.

2nd Place 11108 - Botlierskop Star Garnet (Miss G Raine)

Short coupled and compact bitch, full of beauty from head to tail. Lovely head type with correct ear set, dark eyes and good mouth pigment. Very good front and rear construction, level topline, correct tail. Moved with accuracy coming and going and impressively around the ring.

3rd Place 11093 - Blushing Bacardy at Chantavory (Miss C A Moss)

Similar in many ways to 2nd. Very pretty head. Compact with lovely overall type and condition. Well balanced in construction, level topline, correct tail. Loved her happy demeanour which she maintained as she flowed around the ring.

Reserve (4th Place) 11132 - Bolia Shania Twain at Bluegold (Mr J Wicker)

Minor Puppy Bitch (4 0)

1st Place 11032 - Rockstarotts Bad Company (Mr A & Mrs V Clapp)

Extremely promising young girl. What a lovely pretty head with correct proportions, correct ear set and beautiful dark eyes. Very clean in outline effectively displaying her impressive overall construction. Shown in perfect gleaming condition. Moved with accuracy front and rear and with a lovely flowing stride around the ring.

2nd Place 11128 - Jezeve Hot Tottie (Mrs L & Mrs R Watts & Gibbard)

Another promising female with a multitude of desirable breed attributes. Nice feminine head, correct expression, no exaggerations, clean profile, level topline, correct construction. Moved with accuracy front and rear and in side profile.

3rd Place 10994 - Jodipas Time Ex (Mr & Mrs Allen)

Very flashy female with a nice clean outline. Feminine head, well angulated front and rear, level topline, good tail. Moved well but tended to crab slightly which maturity may improve.

Reserve (4th Place) 11040 - Jezeve Deja Vu avec Whisperdown (Ms G Courtney-Baughan)

Puppy Bitch (6 1)

1st Place 11082 - Seittor Cast A Spell (Mrs S & Mr D Lambert)

Extremely attractive young lady with the potential for great things in the future. She is constructed perfectly with a nice straight front, correct front angulation, well defined brisket, strong pasterns, correct rear angles, tight feet, level topline. Typical feminine head with correct earset, dark eyes and dark mouth pigment. She is proof that if a dog is built well it moves well. Very accurate front and rear and with a gait to die for. Best Puppy Bitch.

2nd Place 11101 - Just Ask Faith O’shea (Imp Swe) (Ms J & Mrs I & Mr G Pinky & O’shea & Mulhall)

A little beauty who didn’t really want to play the game today. Very compact and well balanced with excellent overall construction. I loved her head type, with correct detail and just the right balance of strength and femininity to provide an excellent template for further maturity. Correct accuracy and stride pattern when moving and plenty of power and poise.

3rd Place 11087 - Jhava Pure Magic at Rhodilea (Mrs H Mccreadie)

Yet another quality dog. Excellent head type with dark eyes, correct earset and really pleasant expression. Not as compact as 1st and 2nd but still really well built, with correct limb angulation and level topline. Moved with purpose and accuracy.

Reserve (4th Place) 11020 - Panelma Hedgeingmybet (Mrs M Bryant)

Very Highly Commended (5th Place) 11097 - Shantasia Diva (Mr W & Miss Tm Olden & Bates)

Junior Bitch (10 0)

1st Place 11028 - Steigen Silky Nutmeg Ganash (Mr L & Mr L L Cartwright)

I was drawn to her from the very start of the class, she has so much ring presence and future potential. Stunning is not a word I use lightly, but it is an apt description of this bitch. Such a beautiful head with excellent detail, strength and femininity. Built to the exact demands of the standard, her front and rear movement was so true and her side profile gait was immaculate.

2nd Place 11099 - Darkarmar Winx (Mrs M Rowarth)

Lovely, lively and compact. Excellent head type, pretty but typically Rottweiler with perfect eye shape and colour, providing true expression. Very well built and in really nice condition. Her happiness to be in the ring was evidenced by her willing, vigorous and harmonious gait.

3rd Place 11066 - Olearia Queen of Clubs (Mr D & Mrs E Hislop)

Really high quality bitch shown in beautiful condition. Lovely head with correct detail and true expression. Nice straight front, correct angulation front and rear, level topline. Moved really accurately and gaited with the correct stride pattern. Slightly short of enthusiasm today.

Reserve (4th Place) 11084 - Seittor Voodoo Spell (Mrs S & Mr D Lambert)

Very Highly Commended (5th Place) 11076 - Balticstones Blazing Ruby (Mr A Jarzyna)

Yearling Bitch (11 2)

1st Place 11091 - Olearia Queen of Hearts (Mrs M Monk)

Extremely attractive bitch with an ultra clean outline and shown in immaculate condition. Beautiful feminine head with correct earset, almond eyes and correct pigmentation combining in a beautiful expression. Excellent straight front with well laid back shoulders, well angulated hind quarters, level topline. Moved extremely accurately and gaited with vigour and style.

2nd Place 11055 - Teigan Juliette by Fantasa (Miss M Dunhill-Hall)

Very stylish and typical girl immaculately presented. Extremely beautiful head which for some reason she decided not to show off today. So well constructed, with all fore and hind limb angles correctly formed and a lovely firm level topline. Really accurate enthusiastic mover both coming and going and in side gait.

3rd Place 11011 - Starrosa Dance with Me at Trevearl (Mr T & Mrs P Borne)

High quality bitch, unlucky to meet 1st and 2nd in this class. Beautifully turned out and possessing all the specific and generic attributes required of a female Rottweiler. Went around the ring with style and precision.

Reserve (4th Place) 11075 - Stairvale Gisele (Miss L & Mr J Carmichael & Yardley)

Very Highly Commended (5th Place) 11045 - Chantavory Coco Chanel (Miss M L & Miss C Dobson & Moss)

Post Graduate Bitch (15 4)

1st Place 11009 - Rockwell Korra at Kanesbook (Mr J Bond)

Extremely classy and typical female Rottweiler, dripping with quality. Her head is a perfect balance of strength and femininity, with correct breed details and no exaggeration. Correct front and rear angulation, level topline, excellent condition throughout. Moved accurately fore and aft and with correct stride pattern and drive around the ring.

2nd Place 11046 - Fantasa Daddy’s Girl (Miss M T & Mrs J A, Miss M Docherty & Dunhill-Hall)

Attractive well proportioned and feminine dog. Head type that can be best described as well balanced and pretty. Nice dark eyes, correct ears and ear set. Correct straight forelegs, well set shoulders, optimum rear angulation. Impressive on the move in terms of both accuracy and drive.

3rd Place 11104 - Victorem Cracklin Rosie (Mr J T Plimmer)

Similar in many ways to 2nd, another bitch that could aptly be described as pretty. Really nice head with correct eyes, ears and proportions, creating a true Rottweiler expression. Effectively constructed to move accurately in both directions and purposefully around the ring.

Reserve (4th Place) 10995 - Jodipas Valen Time (ai) JW (Mr & Mrs Allen)

Very Highly Commended (5th Place) 11130 - Dyrockbrook Artic Storm (Miss B & Mrs E Welsh)

Limit Bitch (17 3)

1st Place 11015 - Varenka Firestar for Marvelrott (Mrs A, Mrs K & Ms A Coles & Brawn)

Beauty and power in canine form, a dog of true quality and breed type. Her typical Rottweiler head gives the impression of great beauty and self-assuredness. Optimum build quality with required skeletal angles and musculation all present and correct. Powered around the ring with superior freedom and accuracy and a profile of strength and suppleness.

2nd Place 11005 - Upmont Gypsy Roma (Mr N & Miss L Bateson & Hoole)

Classy, with all the qualities desirable in a Rottweiler bitch. Lovely feminine head with dark eyes and a true Rottweiler expression. Really well balanced in construction throughout, with a strong level topline that was consistently retained. Moved accurately front and rear and with great energy around the ring.

3rd Place 10998 - Stairvale Grace von Rottsworth (Mr A & Miss W Baillie & Topping)

It was splitting hairs to separate 1st to 3rd. Very high quality compact bitch, strong but infinitely feminine head with correct breed detail and a lovely calm expression. Construction that is conducive to efficient and effective movement. Impressive gait with correct stride pattern and high energy.

Reserve (4th Place) 11112 - Ketreda's Scarlet Witch (Mrs K L Read)

Very Highly Commended (5th Place) 11107 - Varenka Silver Spirit for Riversrock (Mr M & Mrs J M Powell)

Open Bitch (11 1)

1st Place 11051 - Ch Fantasa Lucky Seven (Miss M Dunhill-Hall)

Awesome Rottweiler, oozing quality, breed type, power and grace. Overtly feminine but with substance and an aura of great strength. Sublime head, broad and strong but aesthetically female and typically Rottweiler. She is built so well that she is unable to stand incorrectly. In motion there is accuracy, high energy, stability and an equilibrium of front and rear that is a great pleasure to behold. Bitch CC and Best Opposite Sex. Masculinity won the day in the best of breed challenge, but be in no doubt of my admiration for this girl.

2nd Place 11102 - Srb Ch Mimi Earl Antonius (Imp Srb) (Mr G Mulhall)

Extremely beautiful and happy bitch, exhibited in pristine condition. Fabulous head type boasting all the essential breed qualities, including perfectly formed darkest brown eyes enhancing a true Rottweiler expression. Compact build, lovely straight front, correct skeletal angulation front and rear, level topline. Propelled herself around the ring accurately and with great gusto.

3rd Place 11022 - Dubstar Black Magic (Mr D & Mr R Byrne & Brennan)

High quality bitch conspicuous for her beautiful head. Her head is feminine but robust and true to breed type. Well balanced in construction with correct front and rear angles and a firm level topline. Moved accurately fore and aft and gaited with correct stride and plenty of energy.

Reserve (4th Place) 11077 - Ch Olearia Western Girl from Westfalen (Mrs V Jones)

Very Highly Commended (5th Place) 11127 - Whisperdown All of Me at Jezeve (Mrs S & Mrs R Rivett & Gibbard)

Special Working Trial Bitch (1 0)

1st Place 11123 - Kenaiteen Cassley (Miss N Waterman)

Lovely happy girl showing herself with enthusiasm, clearly very proud of her working credentials. Very pretty in head type, well proportioned in body and limb, level topline. Moved with conviction and accuracy in front and rear and in profile around the ring.

Good Citizen Dog Scheme Bitch (4 0)

1st Place 11017 - Bevanray Shirley at Nyandor ShCEx (Miss Jh Broadbank)

Very nice bitch giving an overall impression of correct breed type and soundness. Very good head with nice breed detail. Compact and balanced in construction leading to good accuracy from the front and the rear. Very sound moving around the ring with vigour and style.

2nd Place 11115 - Apocalypto Famba by Rominjay (C Simpson)

Quality girl with an extremely pretty head and expression. Really nicely put together, particularly in the front assembly. Impressive in pigmentation throughout with dark eyes and mouth and lovely rich tan throughout. Moved with accuracy and a good steady stride.

3rd Place 11122 - Megalmar Cecelia for Lorozain (Miss R Verran)

Another good quality bitch. Larger in construction with very good balance of body and limbs, nice level topline, slightly less strength in head than 1st and 2nd but still good breed type. Did herself proud moving up and down the ring and gaiting with style.

Reserve (4th Place) 11078 - Westfalen Love A Cuppa with Kiarataz (Miss K Williams)