Crufts

Critique Bavarian Mountain Hounds, Crufts 2025

Veteran Dog (2,1)

1. Cornistor Woody

At nine years old, this dog has outstanding side movement. He is strong and masculine, but could do with some more length of leg for optimal proportions. Excellent skull and pleasing stop. Could be stronger in muzzle. Well set and shaped ears. Generously angulated both ends. Keeps his strong topline well and the topline is typically sloping slightly upwards towards the croup. Beautiful coat and lovely deep colour. Lovely mover from the side, pleasing as seen from the front, acceptable from behind. Best Veteran

Post Graduate Dog (6,1)

1. Ballagora Mountain Larch

Strong, masculine dog of very pleasing type and quality. He excels in bone and body, sturdy and full of substance, but could be a little more up on legs. Classical head with excellent skull, stop, ears and mask and a quite pleasing expression. Strong neck into shoulder. Well angulated both ends. Lovely coat and colour. A very good mover indeed from the side, quite pleasing from behind, but needs to stabilize in his front movement.

2. Ballagora Juniper Joy

Another dog of very pleasing type and quality, not dissimilar to the winner, his brother. I prefer his length of leg to the winner. Typical in head, but his eyes could be darker. He stood very well over his legs and feet. Very pleasing substance and bone all the way. Firm topline. Rather cow hocked and should be sounder as viewed from behind, but quite stable in front. Moved quite well from the side, if not as well as the winner.

3. Brudees Mate

Open Dog (5)

1. Cornishtor Nevek

Strong, powerful, masculine dog with very pleasing proportions. Typical head with excellent skull and stop and strength of foreface. Strong neck, well set into shoulders. Well angulated both ends. Very strong body, I would not want any more. Tends to make a bit too much arch of topline standing, but is typically somewhat higher behind than in front. Well angulated both ends. Strong legs and excellent spoon shaped feet. Beautiful colour, including mask. A strong and sound mover from all angles. Best Male & BOS.

2. King Albert

A dog with very attractive shape and proportions. He combines substance with quality. Typical head, but a darker mask and ears would not go amiss. Very pleasing overall construction, including angulation both ends. Very good neck, front, depth and length and body. Would prefer him a little stronger behind. Moved cleanly and soundly from all angles with moderate extension behind. Very well handled. Res Best Male.

3. Ballagora Juniper Joy

Good Citizen Dog Scheme Dog (2,1)

1. Donard Dream for Arlatdax

This dog looked had settled by the time he came into this class. He is still obviously very young and needs to gain quite a lot more body and weight with age. Strong enough in his head. Pleasing neck. Moderate, balanced angulation both ends. Typical topline with rise towards the back. He moved well in this class and controlled his tail which he had so proudly displayed in his previous class.

Post Graduate Bitch (7)

 The first two bitches stood out in this class for proportions and construction.

1. Ballagora Forest Orchid

Bitch of lovely type and quality, feminine and elegant, yet strong and substantial. Typical, feminine head with a good skull, correct stop and excellent strength of muzzle. Excellent ears. Well proportioned body with correct shape and balance as well as balanced angulation both ends. She is a sound and functional mover from any angle. Well handled. Quite a star in the making and with maturity could become a champion in any country. Res Best Bitch

2. Ballagora Desert Rose

Another bitch of lovely type and quality, very similar to the winner in most ways. Hard to separate these two and much of the same critique applies. She excels in balance and construction. She moved very well when she wanted to, but not as consistent or quite as outstanding on the move as her sister.

3. Kentwone Precious

Open Bitch (4)

1. De Ch/lux Ch/be Ch Amber Hope Quiana

Beautiful bitch of excellent proportions, type and top quality. Feminine, yet strong. Typical feminine head and lovely expression, typical dark mask. Well set, shaped and carried ears. Strong neck, well set into shoulders. Well angulated both ends. Firm and strong topline, could be just a little higher behind for perfection. Well balanced and angulated hindquarters. Excellent legs and typical feet. An outstanding mover from all angles. Best Bitch & BOB

2. Ballagora Desert Rose

3. Conwydogs Purple Into Amlida

Good Citizen Dog Scheme Bitch (1)

First not awarded

2. Miss Lulu Mildred

Quite a well made bitch, but she is much too fine overall for a grown up Bavarian bitch. Everything fits within herself, but I would like much more strength and substance. Lovely coat and body colour, rather pale in her face. Firm topline, balanced angulation both ends. Had to be content with a second price today.

Espen Engh (Norway), judge