Crufts

CRUFTS 2025 – ITALIAN SPINONE

I would like to thank the Crufts Committee for the invitation and also the exhibitors who brought their lovely dogs to show. Thororoughly enjoyed judging and ringside had a great atmosphere. The breed standard states a squarely building dog of solid construction, strong bone, well developed muscles, rough coated and kind expression which my main winners were good examples of. Did note that there were a few exhibits with soft coats and also some lacking muscle.

Veteran Dog (3,1) – 1st Dewars Macarica Harrys Rock JW – He is a very sound boy, certainly enjoying his day on the green carpet. Good head proportions, good depth and moved well, good angulation and well muscled. 2nd Blythes Sh Ch Larlila Morello (Ai) – This handsome boy has a great kind expression, good coat and moves out soundly, good clean neck and front. Preferred the muscle condition of my winner. Puppy Dog – no entries. Junior Dog (2,1) Manns Isolo Make a Splash – Stood alone but a worthy winner and also delighted to award him RCC. His young handler did a great job showing him. To me he typifies Italian Spinone, good expression and head, excellent depth and well muscled which enabled him to move around the ring with power and drive, moves true and good angulation. Good harsh coat, I shall watch his future in the show ring with interest. Post Graduate dog (15, 1) – Mills & Watts Diggmere Baby Bear – Another smart youngster, just said to me Spinone. Good size, good correct coat, good tail set and lovely depth of rib. Good shoulders and angulation, well muscled and moved really well. Good eye colour and such a kind, gentle expression. 2nd Hopes Testaverde Selwyn Flogit – Could not be overlooked, great front and lovely head and expression, good angulation fore and aft, moves true with drive. Only 2 and has time on his side, would love to see him when fully mature. 3rd Falberg & Buckleys Tolosa Tallegio. Limit Dog – (10,0) – 1st Knowles & Glens Bessalone Shameless – Moves effortlessly around the ring showing great power and style, excellent muscle, good angulation and good harsh coat. Kind expression, good head, lovely depth of rib. 2nd Fordhams Lucoru Blow A Fuse at Cloudnine – Still a youngster coming up to 3, another with excellent muscle and moves well and true, Good expression and head, good topline. 3rd Mcgregor & Wrights Diggmere Marys Chi Bloom. Open Dog (12,2) – For me the star of the day, stunning dog who depicts the breed type. Another with excellent harsh coat and excellent muscle. Best of heads with a lovely kind expression, good neck into clean shoulders, has the square appearance you look for in the breed. Moves true and with power and style, sound as a pound and delighted to award him CC and BOB. 2nd Duncan’s Diggmere Tiger Swallowtail – This handsome boy just says Spinone to me, excellent breed type, gorgeous head and expression, very good depth and angulation. Moves out really well and has good muscle. So unlucky to come up against my winner and the Junior Dog, but I am sure top honours will not be too far away. 3rd Littlemore Sh Ch Inostricani Bell Ragazzo via Krismoor. Field Trial Dog – no entries. Special Working Gundog – no entries. Good Citizen Dog – (2,1) – 1st Mackays Testaverde Deal or No Deal – Smart boy, only a youngster and needing time to mature on. Well handled. Good coat and angulation, moved soundly.

Veteran Bitch – (3,0) – 1st and RCC Bruces Sh Ch Teazledown Aphrodite – Lovely feminine girl but still has the substance required for the breed. Sweetest of expressions, good head, good neck, very good shoulders and angulation. Good muscle and moves with power and style, quality girl. 2nd Boyes-Weston Inostricani Crown Jewels – Similar attributes to my winner, moves soundly. Good neck and shoulders, good coat and angulation. 3rd Duncans Diggmere Strawberry Heart of Larhuly. Puppy Bitch (3,2) – 1st Barretts Barold Forever Faithful Stood alone in the class, nearly 1 year old. Good head and front, wide croup and good tail set, moves OK. Junior Bitch – (5,2) – 1st Karaszewska & konkiel’s White Princess Z Arislandu – Quality girl who stood out in this class, gorgeous head with the most gentle, kind expression, good neck into clean lovely angulation, good bone and moves with power and style, smart girl. 2nd Wakelings Fioralba Aurora – Another lovely feminine bitch, not too settled today but got it all there just needing time. Moves well when settled, good muscle and bone, honest type. 3rd Barretts Barold Forever Faithful. Post Graduate Bitch (10,1) – 1st Hibbs Testaverde Brass and Boodle – Best of coats, excellent muscle and good movement with style and power. Good head and expression, good depth, smart girl. 2nd Bovios Princess Pea – Another smart girl with a good neck and shoulders, good depth and length, moves out true and soundly, honest type. 3rd Lewsleys limoncello Sunrise at Estover Z Niedzwiedziej. Limit Bitch (14,5) – 1st Sandys Inostricani Sky’s The Limit at Milisimo – Eye catching girl when she came into the ring and didn’t disappoint. Excellent breed type, correct head and expression, good neck into shoulders, square appearance, excellent depth of rib, good angulation, well muscled. Moves true and with style, smart girl who I was delighted to award CC. 2nd Bovios Isolo River Island JW – Another quality girl, with the best of heads, excellent depth and muscle, good angulation moves out well and another who will have top honours soon. 3rd Whittingham, Wright, Bexons Diggmere Cortona Sofia del Riccini. Open Bitch (11,1) – Another quality class. 1st Sharps Sh Ch Affilato It Had To be You – this young lady has the best of heads, with kindest of expression, good neck into good shoulders, harsh coat, good rear angulation and muscle which enables her to move around the ring with style. 2nd Allums Sh Ch Macarica Fair and Square – A firm favourite of mine, larger bitch than my winner, but great breed type. Good head and expression, well muscled, good topline on the move and good angulation. 3rd Kruglows Sh Ch Amberellie Rosanna ShCEx. Field Trial Bitch – no entries, Special working bitch – no entries. Good Citizen Dog Scheme Bitch – 1st Challands Sh Ch Annilann Miss Big Girl Spanx JW – Where has she been hiding, seriously considered for RCC. Very typy girl, with the sweetest of expressions, great angulation fore and aft, good depth and correct proportions, moves really well and has good harsh coat. 2nd Steere & Cauls Elgin Lost My Marbles – 7 year old girl who is sound as a pound, good breed type lovely head and expression. 3rd Wiles Bessalone Rainbow Drops.

DOREEN SMILLIE-GRAY

JUDGE