Crufts

It was an honour and a great privilege to judge Affenpinschers at Crufts 2024, a breed I have loved sharing my life with for the last 22 years and continue to do so. I’d like to say a huge thank you to the exhibitors for giving me the opportunity to go over their dogs, and for the sporting way they accepted my decisions. I had some really super dogs and bitches to judge and very close decisions to make. Some of the classes were quite varied for size as is the norm, and I was very pleased with my winners with several other exhibits in the final lineups for the respective CCs that were worthy of being awarded a green card. I felt that my Best of Breed epitomised the Affenpinscher, and with his very experienced and talented handler, they made a formidable team representing us in the Group. A special big thank you must go to my two extremely amazing & fabulous ring stewards, Katherine Tress and her Mum, Helen Tress who worked tirelessly all day to keep the ring running smoothly and certainly looked after me so well. BOB Clifton-Plaice & Wildig’s Ch Coutureabull Mr Muison DCC Clifton-Plaice & Wildig’s Ch Coutureabull Mr Muison RDCC Cary’s Carycares Birthday Boy BCC Cary’s Carycares Oh My Darling RBCC Hick’s Ch Datiro Gibbontake BP McEvoy & Pirrie’s Afterglow Bat in The Belfry for Guereza BV Hick’s Ch Carmichan Heidi Hi VD (0,0) PD (5,0) 1ST McEvoy & Pirrie’s Afterglow Bat in The Belfry for Guereza . This 8-month-old baby had it very much together for one so young. Lovely square compact shape and very much liked his head and expression and ear placement. Short neck, into straight back, carried his tail well and brimmed with confidence both standing and on the move which was delightful to see. Enough bone, not overdone in any way and exactly where he needed to be in this stage of his development. Beautifully handled and presented. Certainly one to watch for the future I feel. Was pleased to award him Best Puppy in Breed. 2ND Macdonald’s Ashiblack Benjamin Button at Zondora. Another baby of 8 months, although a little bit more of him, Very close up to the winner of this class but sometimes not moving at his best. Nevertheless, I liked the overall shape and substance of him, and he had such a gorgeous head and expression, lovely dark eye and nice ear carriage. 3RD Gruninger’s Darkle Vyvan Bear Starred. 10 ½ month old and super square in outline with lots to like including desired angulation. Very positive & sound mover, I just preferred the head and expression of first and second in this class. RES Wildig & Wildig & Merrett & Merrett’s Darkle Rascal Rodders VHC Mcguinness & Nelson-McGuinness’ Dinahtron The Notorious One JD (5,0) 1ST Cary’s Carycares Birthday Boy. At almost 18 months old, this quality young man very much caught my eye as he entered the ring. On going over him I was not disappointed as I found him to be first class from every angle. Loved his head & expression, solidly & squarely built, oozing sturdiness. Presentation was great and not overdone in any way. He moved soundly and fearlessly on the green mat, showing off his short straight topline & carrying his tail well. Desired angulation front and rear, & lovely to see those small, round compact feet and his lively strutting front movement. Could not deny him the Res Dog CC in the challenge. I’m sure he will go on to much greater things and I will readily watch his journey. 2ND Callow’s Buffels Evidently Obvious. This 15-month-old young man also carried himself with self-confidence, both standing and on the move. Good head and expression, short neck, level back and carried his tail well. Moved smartly and soundly but not with the same pzazz as the first, nevertheless a fine young man. 3RD Toohey’s Dinahtron The Rock. At just 10 months old he was very much a baby in this class although looks up to size. He presents an acceptable outline standing, but he needs time to get his act together on the move. Has a nice head and expression with a straight back and carries his tail confidently. Was handled and presented to perfection. RES Merrett’s Coutureabull Quo Vadis at Veunstus VHC Patmore’s Simiacanes Khal Drago PGD (5,1) (1w) 1ST Shepherd’s Avantgarde I’m A Gangsta. Almost 15 months old, so not long out of puppy and competing with older exhibits here. A smaller build, even so, he was square, sturdy and solid throughout, presenting a very pleasing outline. He was by far the best mover in the class and was very sound. He had a great head and expression which was very endearing. 2ND Mather’s Scapafield Schwarz Roc at Benningholme. At 2 ¾ years old he was the most mature in the class. For me perhaps a shade longer than square but he presented very confidently & stood well. He has a lovely head and expression but was moving somewhat close behind today and this spoiled the flow as he went around the ring. 3RD Mitchard’s Wizabeanie One Banana. 23-month-old young man presented in good coat and condition and handled well. He presents as a smart small square dog with short neck and straight back and confident tail carriage, but today he couldn’t get it together on the move and that held him back somewhat. LD (4,0) 1ST Shennan’s Ashiblack Caviar JW. At 21 months he was the youngest of the class and I loved everything about him, Presented and handled impeccably, he confidently stood square and sturdy – certainly not delicate in any way. He has a super head and expression, he moved beautifully with self-assured tail carriage. Ample bone throughout, with such compact feet, enough depth to his body and strong hindquarters but not excessive. Straight out of the top drawer and I feel is destined for greater things. He is another whose progression I will be following. 2ND Wiggins’ Carmichan More Than A Dream with Scapafield. Almost 2 ½ yrs, a super boy who presented well. Little bit heavier in build and not quite the presence of 1 but nevertheless a quality Affenpinscher throughout. Good bone and musculature in desired amounts, with short neck, straight back and carried his tail confidently. 3RD Gill’s Florindale William Waffle. I judged this boy as a youngster and liked him then and he is still the same quality Affenpinscher, only now at almost 4 ½ he has maturity on his side. A shade less of him than the ones above him, however, this is not to his detriment as he presented a smart shape and outline both standing and going around the ring, but today, didn’t quite display the verve of the first two when he moved. RES Brown’s Affentude Chatham Robin OD (9,1) 1ST Clifton-Plaice & Wildig’s Ch Coutureabull Mr Muison. What an impressive quality 4 ½ year old exhibit he was and another that caught my eye when he entered the ring. He was presented to perfection, displaying a lively and self-confident profile throughout. He never stopped showing for his handler. So much to like about him, yet all in moderation and not overdone in any way. He is such a compact sturdy size, has great muscle tone and is very soundly made and a pleasure to watch on the move, his tail joyfully showing how he is feeling. He has a super masculine head and expression, twinkling dark eyes, great ear placement and desired prominent chin with good turn up. I see that I have judged him before when he was just 2-yrs-old and placed him very well. I most definitely seem to have liked him then and clearly still like him very much now, the added years and his subsequent maturity gave me the opportunity and pleasure of awarding him higher honours with the Dog CC and Best of Breed. 2ND Mitchard’s Wizabeanie Kuiil. Such a smart 3-yr-old boy who oozes quality. A truly nice size overall and he is not overdone in any way. Typical Affenpinscher head of correct proportions and desired attributes. Presents a square sturdy outline. With straight back line, he has good muscle tone throughout. With correct front and rear angulation, he showed himself off on the move. 3RD Maskell’s Scapafield Schwarz Quarrel. A fully mature male of almost 4 ½ years in super coat and condition. Presents as a substantial sound exhibit with short neck, straight back. Showed off his very straight front on the move today including a positive lively strutting movement and good width to hindquarters. RES McEvoy’s Ch Ashiblack Pearly King for Balata VHC Marris-Bray’s Scapafield Schwarz Quibble at Helenwood GCDS Dog. (0,0) VB (4,0) 1ST Hick’s Ch Carmichan Heidi Hi. Lots to like on this pretty headed 8-year-old, and her eyes clearly depict the ‘mischievous monkey’ with lovely prominent chin and good turn-up. Short neck and back provide a sturdy square outline, she carries her tail well standing and in motion. A very sound mover with desired strutting front action and strong rear action. A most delightful exhibit to go over. Best Veteran. 2ND Hill’s Ch Scalene Saucy Sal JW ShCM VW. She is a lovely ‘grey’ mature lady of quality, so pretty in head with all the desired attributes and she might be 14 years old, but she still moves absolutely true which is understandable as she is very soundly made with good front and rear angulation. She clearly adores her very able handler and was presented well. 3RD Shennan’s Ashiblack Perfect Alibi. Gorgeous head and expression on this quality 8-year-old who presents the perfect square and sturdy outline. Presented and handled superbly. Just not moving at her best today. RES Clarke & Ladner’s Spunky Monkey Miss Pink Vid Laydelins (Imp Swe) PB (8,1) 1ST Shennan’s Ashiblack by The Sea. Such a lovely quality puppy and at almost 9 months old she was full of confidence and presented and handled in a first-class manner. Beautiful head of good proportions displaying desired expression. Sturdy and square overall, she was a very sound and lively mover, and at one with her handler. Had enough bone and I loved her small round compact feet. Pleasing angulation, strong hindquarters but not overdone in any way. Challenged the puppy dog hard for BP but today was his day, however, I do feel that she has a very promising future. 2ND Harrison’s Scapafield Schwarz Swyft. Very sweet head and expression on this almost one year old quality girl. A very sound and sturdy mover who showed herself off going around the ring but didn’t appear to be as comfortable standing with regards her tail carriage. Presented in good coat and well handled. 3RD Waller’s Scapafield Schwarz Swallow at Lilnrose. Litter sister to the exhibits standing 2nd and reserve in this class I see. She too had a lovely feminine head and expression, but perhaps a shade longer in body than first and second in this class, and she seemed a little unsure of herself when moving but was very sound & true once she got going. RES Hill’s Scapafield Schwarz Skylark with Scalene VHC Gill’s Florindale Letty Larkin JB (7,0) 1ST Purse & Marsh’s Carycares Dee Dee at Tidemill. Almost 18 months old, of good size and she presented an impressive profile. Lovely head of correct proportions with a super feminine expression. So sturdy and substantial throughout. Good front movement, small compact feet and strong, moderately angled hindquarters. Short strong back and carried her tail well both standing and on the move. She was full of exuberance and clearly enjoying her day. Liked her a lot and see that she is litter sister to the reserve Dog CC today. 2ND Mather’s Buffels So Independent at Benningholme. Slightly smaller overall than one, but every inch a quality exhibit. 16 months old and has a super square profile both standing and on the move. Her lively movement was carried out with purpose and was very sound. Very sweet head and expression and a very nice-looking bitch in all aspects. 3RD Callow’s Scapafield Schwarz Siskin. At not quite 12 months, she was one of the babies of the class. Nevertheless, she is a quality bitch, and held her own with her sound easy movement. Beautiful head and expression and ample bone throughout, lovely tight feet, nice level topline with good tail carriage. Would prefer a little shorter in body length so not quite the squareness of the first and second. RES Hughes’ Pipes of Peace at Nantmelan VHC Mcguinness & Nelson-Mcguinness’ Dinahtron Lily Savage PGB. (10,2) 1ST Haigh’s Yorcrechi’s Dream Come True for Neviwesh. A very smart 20-month-old self-assured exhibit who was at one with her handler. Super in profile and held it impressively both standing and on the move. Very feminine in head with a delightfully mischievous expression. She was in super coat and condition and so well presented. A lively, sound mover who appeared to be enjoying her time in the ring. So much to like about her. 2ND Merrett’s Affentude Wiggle and Giggle. 23-month-old beautifully feminine exhibit very much displaying many of the pleasing attributes of the one above her. At first, she was a little unhappy on the move, but when she settled, she moved soundly but still seemed to be a little unsure of herself at times on the green carpet. With settled movement and a little more confidence, likely she could have challenged for the first place. 3RD Ferrier’s Affentude Merry Red for Rangimaria. Another lovely quality feminine exhibit, not overdone at all and I see is litter sister to 2 & 4. Pleasing in outline and used the ring well. Impressive small round compact feet which I so love to see. Perhaps her tail is a little low set, but her movement was sound, and she was beautifully prepared and a delight to go over. RES Wildig’s Affentude One in A Minion VHC Obringer’s Buffels Miss Sleepy LB. (9,0) 1ST Wiggins’ Scapafield Schwarz Raven JW. At almost 3 years old this young lady was of super breed type. I loved her head and expression. She was not as much of a show off as some of the others when going around the ring, but she did move so true and sound, and certainly presented a square, sturdy outline, displaying level back and tail carried high. An honest type of Affenpinscher and a very nice one too. 2ND Pirrie’s Riogaioch Beth Le Hem. This compact and very sturdy 27-month-old bitch presented such a square outline and really seems to know how to enjoy herself in the ring. There is lots to like about her and she was presented in lovely condition. A different type to one so it was a hard decision in this class, but I just preferred the head and expression of the winner. 3RD Cairn’s Afterglow Greta Garbage at Galicar. Quality 21-month-old, confident and outgoing and presented in top condition. I felt that she was not quite moving at her best today and preferred the femininity of the winner’s head and expression. RES Kentros’ Faehat for The Roses VHC Purse & Marsh’s Wizabeanie Cara Dune at Tidemill OB (7,1) 1ST Cary’s Carycares Oh My Darling. This almost 2 ½ year old exhibit gave me everything I was looking for today and I found her to be a most pleasing sturdy type and a really lovely example of the breed. She had an impressive profile and carried herself with such ease. She was in excellent condition and so very well presented. Such a lively mover and a pleasure to observe, I found her to be sound in every department with super Affenpinscher angles front and rear, firm body throughout with admirable muscle tone. She has a beautiful head of correct proportions and ultra feminine expression, good ear placement and really dark sparkling eyes. With a short neck, into desired shoulders and her straight back which she keeps level on the move. She has straight front legs and correctly placed elbows and she moves exactly as she should. I was very pleased to award her the Bitch CC. 2ND Hick’s Ch Datiro Gibbontake. Such a fine-looking Affenpinscher of 4 ½ years, and another straight out of the top drawer, and also one that I have previously admired and indeed have awarded top honours to her some years ago. She is still the same exquisite exhibit that I previously thought so highly of, and she shares all the same virtues that the exhibit standing first has. I do consider them both to be of outstanding quality, but sadly as we know there can only be one winner and today this very pretty girl graciously accepted the role of bridesmaid in this class, however, I was delighted to award her the Reserve Bitch CC. 3RD Gruninger’s Darkle Merry Melodies. Unexaggerated 5 ½ year old exhibit who presented a really balanced, square outline . Short neck into level back, and moderate hind angulation. She moved purposefully around the ring; however, she was a little down on her front pasterns today and I would have preferred more femininity in her head and expression. RES Shepherd’s Avantgarde Les Fleurs Du Mal VHC Schneider’s Ch Ch Suddenly Shuri V Tani Kazari von Vondercroft (Imp Nld) JW GCDS Bitch. (0,0)