Crufts

CRUFTS 2025 – LEONBERGERS

What a fabulous day this was, I think its every judges dream to be offered an appointment at Crufts doing a breed they love and I thoroughly enjoyed my day. Naturally I was thrilled to see my BOB shortlisted to the final 8, a great achievement. On a slightly negative note, I was quite disappointment to see so many lame and unsound dogs to the point where I recommended that one exhibitor withdraw their dog. Leonbergers should have reach and drive, not pitter patter around the ring with short steps, sadly there were some of those too. That said I was mightily please with all my placings and I thank everyone for their entries.

VD (8,2) Such lovely class of veterans here 1 and BVD Lear Schofields CH Alfross Kapuko Haruki a rather elegant 7 yr d, pleasing head proportions, dark eye and well set ears, I liked his neck and shoulders and he has ample bone for his size, body is well ribbed with a good depth of chest and he is well angulated front and rear, he covered the ground freely with good drive but I would have liked a slightly better topline.2 Lewis Cochise Choovio President Z Merboltic (Imp Cze) 8 yrs old and solidly built, he has a handsome all male head with defined mask, slightly shorter in neck than the winner, straight well boned forelegs, a strong level topline and moderate hind angulation, moved steadily and soundly around the ring.3 Baldwins Brynarian Balilaika

PD (5) 1 and BPD Burrells Kalizmar The Hitch Hiker a really super 10 mth medium sized d with very good bone and a big puppy coat, Good length of head although stop needs to develop a little but he has a lovely dark eye and well pigmented mask, well boned forelegs and rounded feet, currently just a little narrow in front but with enough depth of chest for his age, under his coat he has well sprung ribs, a decent topline and a nice broad rump, moved out very well for such a youngster 2 Mouldsdales Kalizmar The Aviator of Berglowe litter brother to the winner and of larger frame all through, a well school boy with excellent bone and substance, as with the winner his head needs to mature on as he too is slightly lacking in stop but with good eye colour and dark mask, he has a strong neck and stands true in front with enough width between the forelegs and well laid shoulders, he appears rather high on the rump but hands on told me this is due to the enormous coat he carries, sound and ground covering with slightly more front reach than 1 but I would like to see a little more drive and less kick up coming from his rear. 3 Rudd and Channing Rudds Bedeburn Gan Cann

JD (7,1)1 Lorings La Dolce Luna's Arctic Blizzard, slightly squarer that 2 in outline and with a hint of elegance, excellent front and sufficient forechest for age, I liked his neck and shoulder placement although he could have a fraction more hind angulation, his coat which is a striking red colour is profuse and was well prepared. Moved out very well with good front reach holding a firm topline. Lots to like here 2 Jacksons Lunahai Like A Hurricane a medium sized boy of 16mths whose type appealed to me alot, well presented darker coat with an impressive sheen to it, head still needs to develop more as he is lacking slightly in stop, he stands true on front on straight forelegs and good feet, body is developing well with a good spring of rib and depth of chest, covers the ground really easily, I would have liked a stronger topline but he still has plenty of time to strengthen up 3 Ansell and Mckenzies Gisabosie Skyblu Egilsay

YD (10,1) 1 and RDCC Davies Simden Bank The Hitman from Jarno JW I have watched this boy since I first set eyes on him as a raw puppy, today at 19 month old he is really starting to come together nicely. Of good size with a handsome masculine head and super bone, in profuse coat with good featherings, he is nicely angulated fore and aft, body proportions are 9:10 and he is well ribbed with a strong level topline to slightly sloping croup and lengthy tail, covers the ground well with good reach and drive. A champion in the making for sure 2 Moores Ir Ch Hillhaven Johnny B Good Ir/int JCH another lovely youngster although different to the winner, masculine head with a good width to skull and correct earset, he has a strong neck although its length was somewhat hidden by his huge but immaculate coat, defined withers and firm topline, he has super bone and stands true behind on strong parallel hocks which he used to advantage on the move 3 Junehalls Dragongårdens King Edward Int Jch Se Jw-24

PGD (11,1) 1 Rousselet and Sivade Tropic Des Gardiens Des Lions I didn’t so much like this dog on the stack as on the move, whilst presented in good coat and muscled condition he wasn’t really standing to advantage, forelegs are straight and strong but he tends to stand rather wide in front, he has a good depth of chest and firm topline, broad in rump to moderately angulated quarters, won the class on his accurate ground covering movement and excellent reach and drive. 2 Knights Morwinas Lysander, lovely temperament on this lad who is clearly well schooled, of good size and so well prepared for competition today. Masculine head with a good width of skull and well set ears, oval eyes which could be a fraction tighter, he stands true in front on well boned forelegs and tight feet, deep chest and a firm topline maintained on the move but slightly high tail carriage on occasion, his strong drive and accurate strides ensured him a decent place today.3 Sandalls Saljay Twick Lord Sovereing

LD (9.1) 1 Bells Lionscourt King Kahekili This is such a handsome dog presented in beautiful profuse coat and general condition, several times in the past I have seen him throw classes away with his antics and tendency to pace around the ring but today he was on top form. He makes a pleasing picture on the stack with a strong and balanced outline, mature in body with a clean neck into well paid shoulders, good depth of chest, close fitting elbows and a lovely broad rear with moderate bend of stifle, very sound on the move. The best I have seen him look in a long while.2 Wilsons Eanske's Dirkus V Hescos Leo's for Jantonely 6 yr male out of a smaller mould but still balanced, he has a well proportioned head with good width of skull and well placed eyes, strong neck and well boned forelegs, deep chest and well spring ribs, moved out with strong rear drive.3 Charwins Debbollinby Sleeping Lion, I really liked this boy and he has a fabulous head and expression, good bone and a lovely neck and shoulders, such a shame he insisted on pacing which spoilt his chances of a red card today

OD (13,2) 1 and DCC, BOB Whans Sulandi Electric Storm, not a dog to catch my eye before but he really is maturing into a stunning example, beautifully presented with a hint of elegance on the stack, elongated head with moderate stop and clean oval eyes although they could be a fraction darker, excellent neck flowing into withers and well placed shoulders and a firm level topline, long well muscled thighs and moderate in hind angulation with strong hocks and a good length of tail, on the move he covers the ground so easily and freely with strong and accurate reach and drive, on top form today and putting on a faultless performance both in the breed ring and in the group where I was delighted to see him shortlisted to the final 8.2 Iversens Skjærgaardens B&b Lumière Int/nor Jch brother to the BCC winner, different in type to the winner being slightly longer cast but with super bone all through, handsome head with moderate stop and well set well used ears, strong neck into good shoulders, fabulous topline and hind angulation and moving out soundly with a good length of stride, I just preferred the stronger rear action of the winner but still much to admire here. 3 Studhome and Rushbys Ch Corleone Navigator at Kalizmar (Imp Can)

SBD (4) 1 Bedeburn Gan Canny 3rd in PD and such a delightful character clearly enjoying himself, he is of good size and substance all through, rather immature in head but with very good mask and dark eye, clean neck into ample shoulders and when stood still I could see his level topline and good hind angulation, typical puppy on the move but went forward well when settled and handled well to get the best from him. 2 Sharkeys Jantonely Zingalong Baloo a well grown boy with good head properties and dark eye, well boned forelegs and strong enough in pasterns although I would have liked to see tighter feet, body in muscled condition and deep through the chest with well sprung ribs, moderately angulated in the rear and presented in decent coat, moved out with a good length of stride but could just tighten up a little in the rear. 3 Moulsdales Cookie Bombs Leo from The Old Oaks to Berglowe JW (Imp Deu)

VB (4) 1 and BVIB Hurrens Ch/Ir Ch Debbollinby Mini Kruz avec Shaleodust JW of lovely type and showing femininity and balance on the stack, pale gold coat that was well conditioned, elongated head of balanced proportions and a clean neck, well developed in forechest and depth of chest with a strong topline and good bend of stifle, she still moves so well in profile but is steadier in her strides. 2 Springels Lionscourt Fortuna another lovely girl with an attractive headpiece, even at 10 years old she has retained her shape and feminine charms, good bone and straight forelegs although now showing just a little weakness in pasterns, correct body shape with a good spring of rib and reasonable topline, moved out steadily and soundly.3 Slicers Medvebergi Maszkos Kassiopeia (Imp Hun) JW

PB (3) 1 and BPB BPIB Studholmes Kalizmar Guided by The Moon a beautifully presented b who is litter sister to 1 and 2 in PD. Very attractive headpiece although as with her siblings needs to develop in stop, excellent bone and feet and good 9:10 body ratios although she is a tad short on leg for perfect balance, topline is level to rounded rump and correct tailset and shapely hindquarters. Very impressive on the move particularly her front movement which was true and showed good reach. Hope she grows on a little as she has the potential to get to the top.2 Bennetts Prideofelsa Amber Heart at Leoflaed, an attractive and feminine girl with a pale gold coat, complimenting cream furnishings and super black mask, she has good height to length ratios and although more moderate in bone than the winner she has enough for her size, standing true in front on strong pasterns and rounded feet with a nice length of neck and is balanced in front and rear angulation, moved out very well with good tail carriage.3 Lear-Schofields Dakota Grande Leonis Team NAF

JB (6,1) 1 Ahokas Cleon Miss Tarantallegra an elegant girl with moderate bone and substance but making a very nice shape on the stack, pretty head with dark mask and high set ears, I really liked her length of neck and lay of shoulder and she has a strong level topline held both stacked and on the move to slightly sloping croup and well set tail. Moved out with a good length of stride.2 Hurrens Debbollinby Kandy Floss at Shaleodust A shapely 17mth lion gold girl with s pleasing outline and good body proportions, not as developed in head as the winner but she still has time to mature, she has a good neck flowing cleanly into withers and stands true in front with ample forechest and depth of chest, a little unsettled to begin with but had calmed herself by the time she moved going soundly around the ring.3 Mandelsons Prideofelsa Poinsettia in Honrukai

YB (10,2) 1 Weavers Simden Maida Girl Like You a gorgeous 19mth b and sister of the RDCC, I loved her bone and substance and her head whilst strong is undoubtedly feminine and she has a super dark mask and eye, moderate length of neck into well laid shoulders and straight strong forelegs, ribs are well sprung and she is nicely angulated in the rear with parallel hocks allowing her to move with good drive, worth another look in the challenge but just standing a little high at the rump on occasion. Definitely one with the potential to make it to the top.2 Moores Ir Ch Hillhaven We Belong To Each Other, what a sweetheart this young lady is, she took a few seconds to settle but I thought she had a lovely outline with a well shaped head, defined stop, high set ears and a full black mask, she stands true in front on strong well boned forelegs and is nicely angulated in the rear, really impressive topline held on the move and covering the ground with good drive. 3 Lear – Schofield and Schofields Kinglords Miss Selene at Alfross (Imp Fin)

PGB (13,2) In terms of movement this was a really good class 1 and RBCC Herods Leosrus Powers That Be, a gorgeous b who caught my eye as soon as she came in, presented to perfection with a pale gold coat and cream furnishings, this girl is femininity personified. She has a very attractive headpiece with dark eye, slightly arched skull, moderate stop and well set ears, looking balanced on the stack with a good neck into well laid shoulders, firm level topline and shapely hindquarters, moved with excellent reach and drive, hard to fault really but if I was being hyper critical she could have another inch or two on her height, however she pushed hard for the CC today and I think with another 12 months on her she will trouble the best. 2 Lear-Schofields and Schofields Warrior Queen Bovidicca Grande Leonis another really nice b, lovely headpiece and great expression although her mask is slightly broken, presented in quality coat and undercoat, strongly made with good bone and substance but just tending to stand with a slight rise in topline, nicely angulated in the rear with strong parallel hocks and covering the ground with a good length of stride.3 Sandalls Saljay Twick Nice 'n' Sleazy 

LB (16,4) 1 D Gavrysh Saint Secret Leo vom Zarendorf , this girl presents an almost perfect outline with a profuse but slightly shorter coat which fits her well to show off her shape, impressive on the stack when stood freely which shows off her elegance and femininity, attractive headpiece and defined mask, moderate length of neck flowing into a good lay of shoulder, very good topline and hind angulation, well furnished tail carried low and moving out with accuracy and drive around the ring 2 Simpsons Simberger Perfect Blend JW I judged this girl at one of her first shows and did her very well considering she was only 6 months old, what appealed then has enhanced and matured and she has developed into a real beauty, feminine head with super ear set and use, clean neck to well laid shoulders and excellent forechest with well sprung ribs and a firm topline to slightly sloping croup, presented in first class coat. Unfortunately her owner took a tumble on the initial go around the ring which unsettled her somewhat although the replacement handler did a super job presenting her to advantage to show off her lovely shape. On another day she could easily have won this class and more. 3 Heginbothams Sulandi Fallen Angel (IKC) JW 

OB (19,5) This was a hard fought class and the best of the day in terms of construction and movement 1 and BCC Mosbys Int/n/se/dk Ch Skjærgaardens B&b Petite Belle Nor Jch a 2 yr old substantial b with a beautiful red coat, only a youngster but lots to admire, strongly made but still feminine with elongated head and well defined mask, high set ears framing her beautiful face, excellent front, legs and good sized feet with width to forechest and depth of chest, slightly longer cast than ideal but with no compromise in topline which remained firm and level both stacked and on the move. Shapely in the rear with strong hocks, powerful on the move covering the ground with ease 2 Baileys Ch Skjaergaadens Riding The Cribbar (Imp Nor) JW a 6 yr b from the same kennels who has always appealed for her bone and substance and is lovely to go over, again strongly made but still feminine, slightly broader in head than the winner but with correct eye shape and excellent use of ears which added to her appeal, strong neck into a good lay of shoulder, firm and muscled topline to moderately angulated quarters, steady and sound on the move 3 Niall and Rotherys Davenheath Gin and Frolic 4 yr red b who I have always liked, fabulous red coat colour and strong but feminine head, its fair to say she doesn’t always do herself justice on the move but today being moved by someone else she really looked super in action displaying good reach and drive and carrying her head a little higher than I have seen before, she just needs to get her act together a little more on the stack and then she should be picking up those green cards.

GCB (6,2) 1 Bolsovers Condalf Forging Ahead VHC in LB but worthy of a 1st place here, solidly made but still feminine, pleasing head shape with slightly rounded skull, oval eye and defined stop and standing true in front on well boned forelegs and compact feet, deep through the chest with ample forechest and a good spring of rib, sound on the move maintaining a firm topline but could have a fraction more animation 2 Macdougalls Prideofelsa Bruichladdich 6 yr b not quite the bone and substance of the winner and a fraction longer in body but she has an appealing head piece with black mask and high set ears and has a good width and depth to chest with a well sprung rib cage and good hind angulation, although sound, she was not as true on the away as the winner 3 Mandelsons Prideofelsa Poinsettia in Honruka

Bridgette Bodle