Crufts

Crufts 2025 Utility Group - Judge: Miss Ann Ingram It was a great honour to be back centre stage at Crufts to judge this group and I enjoyed every minute of it! From a big group I also shortlisted the Akita, French Bulldog, Keeshond, Toy Poodle and Xoloitcuintle … all top quality dogs and worthy of a second look, with some very close decisions. Group 1 - Lucin & Mendikote’s Miniature Schnauzer, Aidante Georgia On My Mind Jew23 Ww23/24. Being more used to the FCI groups I had forgotten that Schnauzers come into the Utility Group in the UK so it was a lovely surprise when this super little girl entered the arena! We tend to see more Pepper & Salts taking top honours in this breed, but to see a Black of this quality was amazing. Not the flashiest of the Schnauzer colours, sometimes you really have to look closely to appreciate the Blacks but with this girl, the more I looked, the more I liked her. Shown in excellent coat and hard, well-muscled condition, she is so very feminine, but still has great body and ribcage, a head with good length and strength of muzzle and dark expressive eyes. Her strong but elegantly arched neck runs into well laid shoulders with noticeable forechest making such a wonderful profile picture. When you study the overall picture she could be a Giant, a Standard or a Miniature – the mark of a great Schnauzer. Then came the icing on the cake, that movement; such soundness and drive and wonderful attitude, she simply exuded confidence, love for her handler and happiness. She certainly brought a smile to my face … and seemingly many of the ringsiders too! Group 2 – Søgaard’s Lhasa Apso, Int/Dk Ch Xisang´s Roxana. She caught my eye as soon as she entered the ring with her beautiful outline and well-presented coat. Sometimes with a Lhasa what you see is not always what you get when you put your hands under the coat, but with this lady, she was just as beautiful to go over as the initial impression. Really gorgeous head and expression, arched neck of correct length, good front and excellent body proportions, level topline and high tailset. On the move she was free and effortless with lovely carriage, demonstrating that lovely mixture of aloofness and arrogance that so typifies the breed. Group 3 – O’Brien’s Tibetan Spaniel, Ch/Ir/Am/Lux Ch Gallantib's Oslo Ir Jch Cw 23/24. What a great little showdog he is, so very confident … he knew he was a star and never put a foot Wrong. Presented in super coat and condition, he has a lovely head with well cushioned muzzle, the desired slight lift to his ears and those lovely oval eyes which twinkled all the time. Correct front with slightly bowed forelegs and hare feet, excellent body proportions and tail set, so very positive on the move with great carriage and attitude. He was another who didn’t take his eyes off his owner which helps create a great overall package. Group 4 - Dunhill-Hall’s Japanese Shiba Inu, Ch Vormund Xmas Bonus. Such a well-balanced boy in great coat and condition making the absolute most of himself. He has a classic head with well-set ears, obliquely placed eyes and well developed cheeks. Good front assembly, strong arched neck of medium length, level topline with the required high-set withers and deep chest. To complete the picture he is very positive on the move, having great rapport with his handler. He completed a very satisfying quartet of outstanding representatives of their breeds.