Crufts

Thank you to the Crufts committee for the invitation to judge Greyhounds on the famous green carpet. I was very pleased with my entry considering the amount of people/dogs who could not enter due to partnerships and connections with me and thank sincerely all those who entered and the many who travelled so far. Thank you to my two stewards Trish Turton and Carol – their helpfulness made my day more enjoyable.

For me the breed is about type, temperament and fit for function ability i.e. no exaggerations. Therefore where able I chose dogs with this very much in mind.

What I did notice was a huge variance of type, personally I do not favour the dogs with exaggerated hind angulation and overly long loins. Whilst I appreciate a greyhound does not run on its head, we sadly seem to have lost the very pretty typical greyhound head in many exhibits – lots of wide skulls, poor eye set and worse still weak underjaws. Movement was lacking in very many of the exhibits sadly. Several were clearly unsound, and paid the price for this. There were also several dogs who lacked reach and drive, and whilst I do not want to see over extension they clearly need to be able to cover the ground well. The last point I wish to raise is that we need to look very closely at temperaments when breeding as several were very unhappy and reticent to be gone over, clearly not typical of our lovely breed. In some it may just be a teenage phase, but there were older dogs very unsettled

The open and veteran classes were a joy to judge, proving that they are a slow maturing breed and generally do not reach their full potential until maturity at 5 years plus.

Dog Challenge Certificate It Ch Southpoint Gabriel D'Sobers (Mrs B & Mr P & Mr P Ahrens & Primavera & Salmistraro)

Reserve Dog Challenge Certificate

It/swiss Ch Sobers Hansen (Mrs M Monti)

Bitch Challenge Certificate and Best of Breed

Ch Europa Decuma via Windspiel (imp) (Mrs E Newsham)

Reserve Bitch Challenge Certificate

Southpoint Quarrie (Mrs H Weron)

Veteran Dog (Entries: 5 Absentees: 0)

A nice class to start the day!

1. Ch Zoraden Love Man JW (Miss A Morland) 8.5 years, brindle and white particolour. Liked the smoothness of his lines and overall type. No doubting his masculinity, good head plains, neat small ears. Nice crest of neck and strong neck, excellent forequarters and good in fill in front, good bone, neat feet. Sweeping underline and strong loin. Would like to see a little more strength to hindquarters but put that down to age. Moved around the ring easily and true both fore and aft.

2. Int/de Vdh/aut Ch Rumford Ustinov (Mr D & Miss B Rudolph & Kessler) Put down in super condition and jacket, masculine and yet elegant. Good bone for size, expressive head, lovely dark eye, would prefer a little more return of arm, deep chest and strong topline, leading to powerful hindquarters. Moved steadily around the ring.

3. Skyswift New Moon (Mrs M, Miss R & Miss E Howlett & Howden).

Puppy Dog (1, 0)

1. Sobers Jannik Sinner at Simkhan (Imp Ita) (Mrs E & Miss I & Mrs B James & James & Ahrens Primavera) Quality hound, super condition, the standard calls for generous proportion and this puppy certainly displays this. Head still to break, good pigmentation, holds ears well and strong underjaw. Fabulous front and lovely sweeping underline and powerful hindquarters. Sadly today he was lame on the move, but far preferred his overall balance, substance and maturity to award best puppy

Junior Dog (1, 0)

1. Ryal Righteous (Ms N Corbeaux) Very raw black youngster. Loved his head, good plains, dark eye, nice small ears held nicely, good dentition and underjaw. Long neck. Still very narrow all through and would prefer more in fill in front and depth of chest for age. Lovely sweeping underline, neat feet, slight arch to loin, good balance of hindquarters but would prefer more width to second thigh. Happy outgoing temperament and being very exuberant on the move made assessment difficult

Post Graduate Dog (7, 0)

1. Azravi's Sunrise in Flames (Mrs P Nowacki) this red lad caught my eye as he came into the ring. Presented in excellent condition, lovely eye shape and colour to match coat, lovely fine ears. Strongly built, excellent in front assembly with super infill and return of arm, good bone. Has a lovely sweeping underline, and excellent hindquarters. For me he was just a little long in body, resulting in a flatter topline that I prefer. However his overall construction resulted in the most lovely free striding, sound and easy movement around the ring

2. Sky Hi Hunt London Calling (Imp Usa) (Mr D Clarke) Pleasing black hound presented in fabulous condition, still has lots of maturing to do, in line with the late development of this breed. Super depth of colour to this black dog. Good head, nice dark eye with alert expression. Lovely long neck, prefer a tad more in fill in front, good bone and preferred his feet and nice short nails to winner. Fine sweep of underline, and powerful hindquarters. Well handled and moved around the ring with ease and drive.

3. Inchydoney Memories Talisman at Hallimans (Imp Fra) (Mrs K Spacey)

Limit Dog (4, 0)

1. Estet Classic Oligarch at Grenowood (Imp Est) (Mrs S Brookes) 6 year old dark bridle lad who is coming into his best. Nicely balanced on the stand, with nothing exaggerated. Clean head, strong underjaw, to be hyper critical a tad flat in stop, lovely neck in strength and length, clean shoulders. Nice deep chest, and balanced hindquarters. Very controlled and clean profile movement, rather loose in front movement. Presented in excellent condition and jacket

2. Azravi’s Marked by The Sunrise at Kirjojax (Imp Nor) (Mrs J & Mr R J Wilce-Quinton & Quinton) Mostly white hound of generous proportions. Happy disposition and pleasing type of hound. Presents a nicely balanced image when stood, Happy expressive head with ears carried nicely. Long strong neck, deepest of chests, excellent bone and strong feet, would prefer a little more return of arm to complete the picture. A little loose in movement still but still young and has time to mature further, tends to fall away a little too much from pin bone. Well handled

3. Droopys Tavern (Mrs N Mallen-Wallace)

Open Dog (10, 2)

Interesting class full of quality hounds but oh so different in type!

1. It Ch Southpoint Gabriel D'Sobers (Mrs B & Mr P & Mr P Ahrens & Primavera & Salmistraro). Mature red lad who was in great condition and jacket. Typical masculine head, good eye, neat ears, long strong neck, and super clean shoulders. He has lovely infill in front chest, and good depth of chest. He has a nice sweeping underline, would prefer a more settled topline. He has strong but not over angulated hind quarters. He possesses clean and easy movement in all directions. DCC

2. It/swiss Ch Sobers Hansen (Mrs M Monti) I liked this dog a lot, just felt winner was more masculine and had a better front assembly. Clean lines throughout, expressive head, clean shoulders, adequate depth of chest, nice sweep to underline and super topline. Moved out with purpose and drive in rear RDCC

3. Graal Quest Once in A Life Time (Mr A Dumortier) I have placed this male highly before and still like him – he has a certain stamp of quality about him and no denying his masculinity. He possesses a super head and neck, good in fill in front, deep chest and nice clean lines throughout, powerful hindquarters and was presented in super jacket. Just felt he was somewhat longer in body and not so positive in front action than the winners today

Special Racing/Lure Coursing Dog (9, 1)

1. Shockwave Onyx (Ms K & Mr D Gooding & Wiepen) Don’t think I have ever seen this dog before but liked very much his overall type which was a good balance of doing the job he was bred for and meeting the breed standard. Nothing exaggerated, masculine head with handsome expression. Long and strong neck and nice sweeping lines throughout. Nice short strong hocks. Good strong loin and moved out nicely both profile and fore and aft

2. Satteo Jet (Ms V A Ball) Different in type but a classy black hound in gleaming jacket. Like the winner of this class, a very fit dog which could put some of the show ones to shame. Would prefer a slightly more masculine head to match body size but nice plains and dark eye, strong powerful neck, adequate return of arm, and has a super deep chest, strong loin. He was just slightly straighter in rear angulation to winner today. Moved out nicely

3. Droopys Tavern (Mrs Na Mallen-Wallace)

Good Citizen Dog Scheme Dog (4, 1)

1. Satteo Jet (Ms V A Ball) as previous class

2. Greyfort Mustang (Ms G Pears) Fit brindle dog with a lovely soft expression, eye colour to match coat. Good bone throughout, would prefer to see a slightly deeper chest and more width to second thigh, but otherwise very curvaceous and handsome lad. Nice short hocks and neat feet, moved out with purpose and drive.

3. Ketch Up Racer (Miss P E Keates)

Veteran Bitch (6, 0)

Oh, my goodness what a class full of quality, typy hounds

1. Ch Zoraden My Girl at Chosovi (Miss J & Mr H Cutter & Lubin). I have awarded this lovely girl a CC when younger and still love her – flowing lines, balanced with nothing exaggerated. Lovely head and neck with clean shoulders. Good sweep to underline, nice short hocks and moderate in rear angulations. Just wish she had that little bit more pizzazz but moved out well, very sound.

2. Ch Skyswift Moonlite Serenade (Mrs M & Miss R Howlett). Another glorious hound, same sire as winner. Lighter built and has more elegance than winner. Has a fabulous head, neat ear set, lovely long clean neck and good shoulders – lost out to winner as lacks the infill in front. Neat feet and moved around the ring effortlessly

3. Zoraden Your Precious Love at Shimmeree ShCM VW (Mrs C & Miss M Hills) I have watched this bitch over the years and always felt she has been hard done by not to gain her title. Fit condition but has dropped in body a little more than the two winners. She flows beautifully when you put your hands on her and has a nice easy gait.

Puppy Bitch (1, 0)

1. Inchydoney Memories Vinlandia Raspberry Chocolat avec Kirjojax (Mrs J & Mr R J Wilce-Quinton & Quinton) Pretty expression on this red brindle nine month puppy, long clean neck. Would like to see more bone throughout for her stage of development, whilst accepting different lines will mature at different stages. She has a light easy movement and nice outgoing temperament. Would prefer to see a little more angulation both fore and aft

Junior Bitch (1, 0)

1. Ina's Fashion Halo over Chosovi (Imp Deu) (Miss J & Mr H Cutter & Lubin) Very feminine brindle bitch, with strong underjaw and lovely eye shape and dark colour. Has a super outline and excellent balance throughout. Clearly still young and has lots of maturing to do, but feel she will trouble the best when older. Would just prefer her to be a bit bolder in temperament but this may just be a teenager phase. Neat feet and good pasterns, on the move has lovely clean lines with good drive and reach.

Post Graduate Bitch (7, 0)

1. Ina's Fashion Halo over Chosovi (Imp Deu) (Miss J & Mr H Cutter & Lubin) as previous class

2. Inchydoney Memories Une Virgin Mary avec Stonelow (Imp Fra) JW (Ms H Sawyer) This lass gave her handler a hard time today full of exuberance which is lovely to see a hound enjoying their day out! Nice, neat ears, eye colour could be darker but matches coat. Strong clean neck, clean shoulders, ribbed really well back. I would prefer to see stronger pasterns and more second thigh to complete the picture. Moved well enough in profile. Clearly still young and has lots of maturing to do, presented in gleaming condition and fitness

3. Heathlawn Darci (Miss J Heyman)

Limit Bitch (6, 1)

1. Inchydoney Memories Uhlalala (Mrs N. Cloux) 22 month old bitch, clearly still young for this class but felt in this class she had the most maturity to her. Cuts a striking pose with her mostly white outline. Well boned throughout, would prefer slightly neater feet. Clean neck, deep chest, and ribbed well back. She has a good topline, which she held well on the move. Would prefer a tad more hind angulation but still able to move around the ring with drive and purpose. All the dogs from this kennel had lovely outgoing temperaments.

2. Southpoint Normandia at Langshor (Imp Prt) (Miss G & Mr M Langcake & Short) A very feminine bitch with a sweet expression, neat small ears and keen eye. Nice long neck and good shoulders. Rather long in body and could do with a tad more strength to her loin. Neat feet, good sweep of underline. She was rather unsettled which spoilt her outline today, but once she was at ease on the move has good clean profile action.

3. Rumford Wilde Hummel (Mr D & Miss B Rudolph & Kessler)

Open Bitch (8, 1)

1. Ch Europa Decuma via Windspiel (imp) (Mrs E Newsham) I have had the pleasure of watching this veteran bitch from a puppy slowly mature and having my hands on her today for the first time, proved what a queen she is. There is no mistaking her femininity and yet she has bone and substance; she has completely balanced curvaceous lines; sweet even disposition and best of all possesses easy clean and sound movement both in profile and fore and aft. The experienced handler got the best out of her by showing her on a loose lead, allowing her to show off all her virtues herself. CC and BOB. I was so pleased to see her shortlisted in the very strong hound group, well done!

2. Southpoint Quarrie (Mrs H Weron) Another feminine red bitch, far younger at 2.5 years and still needs time but I liked her size and moderation throughout. Really pretty head, neat ears, perhaps could have a slightly stronger underjaw, long clean neck, deep chest, nice sweep of underline and good hindquarters. Moved around the ring with style and precision. Presented in beautiful condition and jacket. RBCC

3. Am Gch/am Ch Sobers Hazelyn (Dr A & Mr W & Mrs B Sobrado & Santiago & Ahrens). This dog completed a trio of beautiful red bitches, unlucky to meet today’s company. She is a very elegant bitch, full of quality. Perhaps would like just a little more size to her, stood she is very curvaceous and nothing exaggerated which is very pleasing. Feminine head, clean shoulders, deep chest and ribbed well back. Has a lovely easy profile movement, would just have liked her to be a little cleaner in front action

Special Racing/Lure Coursing Bitch (12, 1)

Lovely class, so hard to sort out as so different in type dependent on their work. Some beautiful hounds who I felt, when judged against the RKC breed standard, were oversized, but clearly fit for their function, which makes judging very difficult!

1. Shockwave Amber (Miss Clarke) A new dog to me and did not disappoint. Pale fawn brindle bitch presented in great condition, good dentition. Liked her overall balance, typical head, strong long neck and clean shoulders. Good sweep to underline, strong powerbox loin – moved out with grace and power.

2. Heathlawn Darci (Miss J Heyman) Another lovely bitch, red and white who has clean lines, liked her overall curvaceous and balanced outline. Good bone for size, neat feet. Deep chest with lovely gentle sweep of underline. Well muscled throughout, shown with sensitivity.

3. Ir Ch Greyfort Honey Ir J Ch (Miss V. Gentchev)

Good Citizens Class (4, 0)

1. Nordic Queen (Mrs K Nutter) this ultrafeminine blue racing type was very balanced and presented in good condition. She was shown by a very young boy, but boy for those who were watching at ringside didn’t he do well! Sympathetically handled and he really got the best of her when moving around the ring, displaying her light easy movement.

2. Ir Ch Greyfort Honey Ir J Ch (Miss V. Gentchev) So different to winner – clearly in the peak of condition, rather large frame but an absolute powerhouse. Loved the head and expression, strong neck, deep chest and really powerful engine loin. In gleaming jacket. Literally powered around the ring in profile.

3. Westview Puddles (Miss H & Mr G Prince & Ballentine)

Judge Clare Boggia