Crufts

CRUFTS 2025

HAMILTONSTOVARE

Firstly I wish to thank Crufts Committee for their kind invitation to judge at this show as well as for the excellent arrangements

I have judged Hamiltonstovare in the UK previously and was pleased with the number of dogs entered at Crufts. This is very much a hunting breed in its native Sweden and has to cope in demanding conditions as well as have stamina and endurance. I am fully aware that hunting is prohibited in the UK and that the breed cannot be used for its original work. The breed should still stay true to the standard which calls for a dog of great strength and stamina, also hardy and sound. I was therefore surprised to find a number of overweight dogs as well as dogs in poor muscle tone. Size and heads varied. I was pleased with my main winners. Temperaments on the whole were excellent.

VETERAN DOG (No entries)

PUPPY DOG (No entries)

JUNIOR DOG (No entries)

POST GRADUATE DOG (3): 1. Frame’s Master Spy for Sufayre, two year old pleasing masculine male of correct size. Excellent type. He is soundly made, but needs more practice. Very good head, medium brown eye giving typical kind expression. Good bone. His markings are correct, but his coat is a little short. Shown in fit condition. 2. Hough’s Secret Agent with Sufayre, two year old up-to-size male of correct type. Good head, but has some wrinkle. Very good bone and feet. Nice body. A little untidy in rear movement. Also his coat is a little short. Excellent temperament. 3. Briant’s Play On for Sufayre

OPEN DOG (4): 1.Graham’s Game Changer for Sufayre, two year old handsome young male of correct type and size. Very good bone and excellent feet. Good shape and length of head, well carried ears. Very good neck, topline and body. Correct harsh coat of ideal length. Capable mover. Best Dog & BOB. 2. Adey’s Abon Sfora Nordowskiej at Rubeusbay (Imp Pol) ShCEx, three year old dog of excellent type and outline. Lovely temperament. He is very soundly made. His head could be a tad longer and his eye a little darker to give better expression. Carries a little black colour on his temples. Correct bone and good feet. Very good coat quality. Very good and sound mover. Res.Best Dog 3. Briant & Ellwood’s Sufayre Larsson

GOOD CITIZEN DOG SCHEME (No entries)

VETERAN BITCH (No entries)

PUPPY BITCH (2): 1. Leigh’s Flixtonia Peggy Sue, 1st. and 2nd. are litter sisters. Both are soundly made, but carried an excess of extra weight on the day which made them look very heavy. Peggy Sue has the better head of the two. Both puppies are soundly constructed and moved reasonably well. Correct coat qualities. Some undesirable ticking in the white markings. Peggy Sue was Best Puppy 2. Leigh’s Flixtonia You’re The One, please see remarks above.

JUNIOR BITCH (1): 1. Kenmare’s Omega Huculska Dolina at Craigmills, 16 month old feminine junior of correct type. Pleasing head of good length, medium brown eye giving kind expression. Feet a little open. Just a shade long in loin. Moved well in profile, but needs to tighten in front movement. Coat quality not at its best.

POST GRADUATE BITCH (5-1 abs.): 1. Adey’s The Huntress from Sufayre, two year old female of correct type. Needs a little more confidence. Head has good length, but would prefer darker eye. Soundly made with good bone and feet. Good coat. Pleasing mover. Reserve Best Bitch 2. Stuart’s Dream Maker from Sufayre, this two year old female is rather lightweight all through and needs more time. Correct size. Pleasing head and medium brown eye. Well carried ears. Needs a stronger ribcage and body. Good bone. Very good feet. Moved well. 3. Walker & Leigh’s Gjovika’s Greta Garbo at Flixtonia

OPEN BITCH (4): 1.Briant’s Star Catcher from Sufayre, two year old female of very pleasing type, size and proportions. Soundly made. Head could be a little stronger, particularly in muzzle. Medium brown eye. Carries herself well. Has some brown hairs in her black mantle. Very good mover. Best Bitch. 2. Walker & Leigh’s Flixtonia Lady Magdelene, four year old female who would benefit from better handling, particularly on the move. She is a little strong overall. Good head, but needs better eye and expression. Has a little dewlap. Well marked. Sound on the move. 3. Reilly’s Wish Maker for Sufayre,

GOOD CITIZEN DOG SCHEME (1): 1. Adey’s The Huntress from Sufayre, 1st. in Post Graduate Bitch, please see notes above.

Elina Haapaniemi

Judge