Crufts

Crufts 2025

Kooikerhondje

Judge: Anthony Allen

I had the honour of judging some super Kooikerhondje, awarding only their fourth set of CC’s. This is a breed I have had an interest in for a number of years. I had two super stewards in Sue and Bryony who kept everything in order and on time. Most importantly I had some lovely dogs to go over and there was a super atmosphere around the ring, my thanks to all the exhibitors for making my day so enjoyable and taking my decision so sportingly.

My DCC and BOB was Gladsheim Veritas, he was winning his second CC, I thought he looked fabulous in the group ring. My RCC was Nld/int Ch Qunack’s Favor Lightning Mcqueen. I was thrilled to be told after judging that my BCC winner Valleyrise Illustration was winning her third CC making her the breeds first UK Champion – the icing on the cake of a fabulous day. I awarded my RBCC to Lütt Huuset’s Elynn Før Valentijn Nl/int J Ch Jww'23, my Best Puppy was Gladsheim Opening Gambit and my Best Veteran was the evergreen Daniella vom Thyrowberg to Gladsheim (Imp Deu) ShCM.

Veteran Dog - Entries: 4 Absentees: 0

1st Place Chriskoois Octavius at Genetika (Ms C Suiter)

I note from my records that I last judged this boy as a youngster back in 2016 when he was just 12 months old, and he did well under me then. Now 9 years old and still on form. Good overall body proportions with that correct height to length ratio. Head shape good with good balance, ears well set and well feathered. Strong neck which led on to correct front assembly, excellent lay back of shoulder. Straight, correctly boned legs with super tight feet. Body developing well, ribs starting to spring nicely. Super quarters. Good action on the move, good drive and footfall. He was better on the move than the second today, especially coming towards me which gave him the class, super to see him again looking so well.

2nd Place Cairnbraid Onwaba Lukimbi of Gladsheim (Imp Bel) VW

 (Miss S E Williams)

Another smart dog, 9 and a half and he pushed the winner very hard. I liked his head and expression, good proportions and eye colour. Strong through the neck, shoulder placement OK. Well made in body, firm topline and ribs well sprung. Just didn’t have the front assembly of the winner and this reflected in his movement as he came towards me, so gave way today. I am sure these two will have changed places many times.

3rd Place Gladsheim Helios (Mrs S Whitehead)

Puppy Dog - Entries: 4 Absentees: 0

1st Place Gladsheim Opening Gambit (Ms S A Marsden)

For me a very exciting youngster, just 10 months old and has bags of breed type about him. Mature for his age, he has a super head piece, lovely dark eyes and his expression is enhanced by super ears. Good through the neck in to well laid shoulders, standing on good legs and compact feet. Well made in body, ribs well sprung. Quarters well developed. Excellent tail which was carried correctly on the move. Typical action on the move. In consideration in the challenge.

2nd Place Falco Bursztynowy Zakatek (Mrs Maddy Fidler)

He is out of a different mould to the winner; I would like a shade more of him all through. Head shape good just not quite the expression of the winner. Good front assembly, moderate neck, well-muscled. Standing on well boned legs. Needs to drop in to his chest. Body proportions good with level topline. Hindquarters well developed, moderate stifle. Moved with drive.

3rd Place Middanwinter Trojan Horse (Mrs L & Mr N Brook)

Junior Dog - Entries: 4 Absentees: 0

1st Place Gladsheim Opening Gambit (Ms S A Marsden) Repeat

2nd Place Middanwinter War Horse at Kerelkoor (Mr A & Mrs K Guy)

So very close between these two and I am sure they will change places many times. Another young one, good overall shape and balance, pleasing in head and expression, good eye colour and super ears. Good front assembly, neck moderate, shoulders well laid back and a decent return. Body well made, good depth to chest and spring of rib for his age. Quarters well developed, good breadth. Did enough on the move with a positive action but not quite as tidy as the winner on the up and down today which was the deciding factor.

3rd Place Falco Bursztynowy Zakatek (Mrs Maddy Fidler)

Post Graduate Dog Entries: 5 Absentees: 2

1st Place Twybrook Barenhauter (Mr I & Mrs C Davies)

This 20-month-old chap had a masculine head and expression, super eye shape and colour. Well set ears. Excellent front assembly, shoulders well laid back, forelegs straight and standing on well-made feet. Body of correct proportions, ribs well sprung, a tad long in loin. Quarters well made, moderate bend of stifle, super muscle tone. Excellent side gate on the move, which gave him the class. Should finish well.

2nd Place Falco Bursztynowy Zakatek (Mrs Maddy Fidler)

3rd Place Ulwenn Ar Vro Breiz Izel (Dr S Kervella)

Limit Dog Entries: 9 Absentees: 1

1st Place Gladsheim Veritas (Miss M Wallis)

This chap now 3 and a half years old, did well under me as a youngster and today as the fully mature dog, I thought him really smart. Good overall body proportions with that correct height to length ratio. Head shape good with good balance. Ears well set and well feathered. Loved his markings and colour. Strong neck which led on to correct front assembly, excellent lay back of shoulder. Straight, correctly boned legs with super tight feet. Body developing well, ribs starting to spring nicely. Super quarters on him. Good action on the move, good drive and correct footfall. Pleased to make him DCC and later Best of Breed. I understand his second CC, fingers crossed that his third is not too far away.

2nd Place Bensu of Placid Roses (Mrs Ilona Presch)

Another smart dog with a good shape and outline. His head is masculine, well-proportioned with good pleasing dark eyes, decent earrings. Moderate neck in to well lad shoulders, stands on good legs but not quite the front of the winner. Good through the body, depth to chest, ribs well sprung, slightly long in loin. Well-made quarters and well-set tail. Moved out well with a good action. A smart dog with a lot to like about him.

3rd Place Benitin Trojan of Geduld (Mr W & Mrs S Gutteridge)

Open Dog Entries: 9 Absentees: 1

1st Place Nld/int Ch Qunack’s Favor Lightning Mcqueen

 (Mrs A & Miss F Straaijer & Janssen)

This 5 years old chap was on top form. He has a super masculine head and expression, super eye shape and colour. Well set ears. Excellent front assembly, shoulders well laid back, forelegs straight and standing on well-made feet. Body of correct proportions, ribs well sprung. Quarters well made, moderate bend of stifle, super muscle tone. Excellent side gate and he really drove round the ring with excellent footfall to take the class. Presented in excellent condition and handled to advantage. Just lost his shape a bit in the challenge so had to settle for the RCC today

2nd Place Millhanger Kemboy (Mr I & Mrs C Davies)

This chap ran the winner very close; he is very smart on the stack. His head is well made of the correct proportions, he has lovely dark eyes with super earrings. Good reach of neck into well set shoulders with a good return of upper arm, enough depth of forechest, ribs well sprung, just a tad long in loin, held his topline well. Quarters well made and angulated. A real showman in attitude, just not quite as accurate as the winner on the move today, he is a super type of dog, I am sure his day will come.

3rd Place Rose´s Free Spirit Vd Toetesteijn (Mrs Ilona Presch)

Good Citizen Dog Scheme Dog Entries: 4 Absentees: 0

1st Place Millhanger Kemboy (Mr I & Mrs C Davies)

2nd Place Benitin Trojan of Geduld (Mr W & Mrs S Gutteridge)

Pleasing type of dog with a lovely outline on the stack. His head is well proportioned with dark eyes, super ears which enhanced his typical expression. Good through the neck into well set shoulders, stands on good legs and feet. Well made in body with a decent spring of rib. Well made quarters. Not as settled on the move as the winner, just needs to calm down a little to settle into his stride to complete the picture.

3rd Place Crunchcroft Razzle-Dazzle at Taighmuilne (Mrs G J Caldwell)

Veteran Bitch Entries: 6 Absentees: 0

What a fabulous class, full of quality and the first three could have changed places on another day, this was the hardest decision I had to make today.

1st Place Daniella vom Thyrowberg to Gladsheim (Imp Deu) ShCM VW

 (Miss S E Williams)

This lady took Best of Breed under me at BUBA back in 2016, and I was delighted to see her again, now twelve years old, she is certainly made to last. In profile she had the proportions I was looking for, slightly longer in body than height. Pleasing feminine head and expression well balanced, good eye colour, super ears. Strong through the neck, excellent front assembly with shoulders well laid back and a good return of upper arm that gave super angulation. Standing on good legs with super tight feet. Correct through the body, a tad soft in topline today but that was with age, well sprung ribs. Quarters well made, broad with a moderate bend of stifle. Really used her quarters to advantage on the move to deliver that typical jaunty movement. I thought her super and was delighted to award her Best Veteran. She was very close up to the RCC.

2nd Place Sensation vom Tespelkooi of Valleyrise VW (Imp Deu)

 (Miss C Johnson)

Another super bitch, feminine with the right amount of size & substance, balanced throughout. Her head is feminine and well proportioned & has good fill in & work, well placed ears which were well fringed. Good front assembly, stands on well boned legs & neat feet. Good depth to forechest & ribs well sprung, quarters developed & moderate bend to stifles. Covered the ground with a springy action. I suspect these two have changed places on many occasions over their careers.

3rd Place Cirtaps Prinses Bynton Ida Rose Mk (Imp Swe) (Mr A & Mrs K Guy)

Puppy Bitch Entries: 2 Absentees: 1

1st Place Gladsheim Storm Chaser of Valleyrise (Miss C Johnson)

Very pretty young bitch with good overall shape and balance. Pleasing in head which is well shaped and has good proportions. Clean in neck, well set shoulders, just needs to drop in to her front and tighten in front to complete the picture. Body well made of correct proportions with well sprung ribs for her age and level backed. Quarters developing well. Used to advantage on the move with a good action which gave her this class.

Junior Bitch - Entries: 2 Absentees: 0

1st Place Gladsheim Storm Chaser of Valleyrise (Miss C Johnson) Repeat

2nd Place Kerfkooiker Soulsinger (Mr A & Mrs I Kerfoot)

A pretty young bitch with good overall shape and balance. Giving a lot away in maturity to the winner. Pleasing in head which is well shaped and has good proportions. Clean in neck, well set shoulders, just needs to drop in to her front to complete the picture. Body well made of correct proportions with well sprung ribs for her age and level backed. Quarters developing well. Once she settled, I could see accurate movement, a bit more confidence will complete the picture.

Post Graduate Bitch Entries: 7 Absentees: 0

1st Place Yara Lucy's Exite Vd Toetesteijn (Dr S Kervella)

Very pretty young bitch with good overall shape and balance. Pleasing in head, which is well shaped and has good proportions, good ears. Clean in neck, well set shoulders, just needs to drop into her front and fill her frame to complete the picture. Body well made of correct proportions and level backed. Quarters developing well. Good on the move with a good fluid action to take the class.

2nd Place Twybrook Rotkappchen of Geduld (Mr W & Mrs S Gutteridge)

Her head is feminine and well proportioned & has good fill in & work, well placed ears which were well fringed. Good front assembly stands on well boned legs & neat feet. Good depth to forechest for her age and ribs well sprung, quarters well developed & moderate bend to stifles. Looked a picture on the stack but not quite as fluid on the move as the winner today which cost her the class today.

3rd Place Valkira Whispering Hope (Miss A Mar-Gerrison)

Limit Bitch Entries: 8 Absentees: 0

1st Place Ayarips Mooi Sirap V Kasam (Mrs S Cadier)

Classic head with good proportions. Appealing eye with good shape and plenty of work that gave her a pleasing expression. Strong through the neck which led on to a well assembled front, shoulders well laid back. Standing on good well boned legs, super feet. Strong firm topline, ribs well sprung. Quarters strong and balanced, moderate stifles. Excellent on the move with a typical action and a good tail action. Needs time to finish to complete the picture.

2nd Place Twybrook Sweet Princess Rl1ex (Mrs C Stewart)

I liked this lady for overall type, well made with a head of good proportions. Ears well set with good feathering. Neck strong, front assembly OK, shoulders well placed, needs a little more return of upper arm, needs to fill out in front which she will do as she matures. Standing on good straight legs. Body well developed with ribs well sprung, level backed. Moderate quarters which she used on the move with a typical action.

3rd Place Valleyrise Inspiration at Maplecoombe (Mrs V A & Mr D Jones)

Open Bitch Entries: 9 Absentees: 0

1st Place Valleyrise Illustration (Miss C Johnson)

I liked this lady, she has a touch of class about her. She has pleasing feminine head and expression well balanced, good eye colour, the most superb earrings. Strong through the neck, excellent front assembly with shoulders well laid back and a decent return of upper arm. Standing on good legs with super tight feet. Correct through the body with level topline and well sprung ribs. Quarters well made, broad with a moderate bend of stifle. In excellent coat and condition. Really used her quarters to advantage on the move to deliver that typical movement. My Bitch CC winner.

2nd Place Lütt Huuset’s Elynn Før Valentijn Nl/int J Ch Jww'23

 (Mrs A & Miss F Straaijer & Janssen)

Another good one. 2 and a half years old, she has a pleasing feminine head and expression, well balanced, good eye colour. Strong through the neck, decent front assembly with shoulders well laid back and enough return of upper arm. Standing on good legs with super tight feet. Correct through the body with level topline, a tad long in loin, well sprung ribs. Quarters well made, broad with a moderate bend of stifle. Not quite the finish of the winner but that will come with maturity. Really used her quarters to advantage on the move to deliver that typical movement. My Bitch RCC winner.

3rd Place Lux/nld Ch Qunack's Favor Light for Twybrook (Imp Nld)

  Winner'24 Rl2ex (Mrs C Stewart)

Good Citizen Dog Scheme Bitch Entries: 4 Absentees: 0

1st Place Twybrook Sweet Princess Rl1ex (Mrs C Stewart)

2nd Place Twybrook Rotkappchen of Geduld (Mr W & Mrs S Gutteridge)

3rd Place Valkira Secret Love at Taighmuilne (Mrs G J Caldwell)