Crufts

This was undoubtedly the judging appointment of a lifetime, and I am immensely grateful to whoever put my name forward and supported it. It came as a huge surprise when I got the invitation back in 2022 and I don’t think I stopped grinning for weeks!

Come the day any nerves disappeared as soon as I started the first class. My overall impression was that our breed is in a very healthy position. One or two slightly untidy bites, nothing major, some light eyes, couple of tails flying, absolutely no bad temperament noted whatsoever in fact quite the opposite, and overall, a depth of quality the like of which I have never seen in one place before. Sincere thanks to all exhibitors for giving me the opportunity.

Junior and Yearling classes were both fabulous, which bodes well for the future. The Open class left me reeling! And I found it immensely cheering that so many beautiful girls had achieved their SGWC. When it came to the challenge my co-judge and I agreed on all awards, with Best Puppy going to the slightly older and more together bitch Rathcloon Operas and Arias over the extremely promising dog puppy, Best Veteran to the well-known champion dog Olvinglay Visionaire and the toughest decision of all (because we both loved both CC winners) we chose the fabulous dog Terra Di Siena I’m a Dreamer to send forward for no reason other than we agreed he might have a slightly more commanding presence in the big ring, and he did not let us down.

Veteran Bitch (39, 22 abs) 1. Langrick’s Flaxengold Story of my Life. Beautiful cream 8 y.o. who I have admired from the ringside on one of her rare outings and going over her she did not disappoint. So well made, with a level topline, correct angulation, neat feet and the sweetest of heads. Presented today in good coat and hard condition which enabled her to move effortlessly to win this super class, she simply filled my eye. 2. Rodgers’ Sh Ch Rojillair Evening Magic of Odarla JW another old favourite of mine and a worthy champion, standing on the straightest of legs on good feet, super construction throughout, just slightly preferred the forechest of my winner. 3. Carro’s Int/Prt/Esp Ch Jakos Tribute to Lar de Casanova WW22, EW16, EJW15, Prt JCh. What a striking outline on this grand old lady of 11y, would have loved to judge her in her prime, a joy to go over and very worthy of her place, but her age meant her movement didn’t match the slightly younger two ladies in strength from behind and her feet are losing strength too. Nevertheless a fabulous representative of our breed.

Minor Puppy Bitch (3) 1.Youngson’s Linirgor Adeline of Treeveville. This baby girl just screams quality and was an easy winner here. She has a beautiful head with dark pigment, well laid back shoulders and good length of upperarm but her forechest needs time to develop. She has a dead level topline held on the move and correct tail carriage. Her legs are straight when viewed from front and rear and she has correct feet. 2. Plevin’s Brynbachlove Smiler for Bowshella. This puppy has an attractive wavy mid-gold coat and a gorgeous head with the best of pigment. She has catlike feet, ample bone and is balanced. She tends to lose her topline when handler stands in front, as she is going through a “bum-high” stage at present. 3. Winter’s Ballybishop Islay Mist. Pale cream puppy who is much finer-boned that the other two. She has a pretty head with dark pigment, and a level topline. Her forehand is better felt than it appears visually, but she needs to strengthen in pastern as she stands ten to two in front. Moved well.

Puppy Bitch (14,1) 1. Murray’s Rathcloon Operas n Arias. Loved this almost 12 m.o. dark puppy who won here with her super free movement holding a level topline. She has a beautiful chiselled head with the darkest of pigment, she has super angulation and short couplings with good length of leg making her totally balanced. When mature she will trouble the best. Best Puppy B and later in agreement with my co-judge BEST PUPPY IN BREED Many Congratulations. 2. Goldermann’s Rise Like A Phoenix of Purple Bell Flower. A gorgeous puppy who shares many of my winner’s attributes, loved her balanced and well-angulated outline which caught my eye immediately, would prefer stronger pasterns but loved everything else about her and she moved soundly. Withdrew from next class due to a clash with the dog ring. 3. Healey’s Marsabit Celtic Harp. Very nicely made light gold p who stands foursquare presenting a picture of balance with nothing that jars the eye, no exaggerations and possessing all the essentials that I look for. Again a lovely feminine head with super pigment, liked her very much indeed.

Junior Bitch (28, 4 abs, 2 w/d) 1.Wheeldon and Hurry’s Dewmist Dolce Vita with Catnnels (Imp Swe) JW. One of my surprises on the day. This b. did not command my attention when she was a puppy but oh boy has she come together! She just needed time. Today I could not tear my eyes away either standing or moving, she oozes quality and balance and her construction is superb . My notes say simply “she has it all!” One to watch for the future. 2. Russell-Bond’s Rosinante Here We Go Again. A more compact cream b. with an attractive wavy coat and a lovely shape. Loved her as a 6m old and now she has come back into her own. She is balanced, with super angulation and the straightest of toplines. Like my winner, she has straight forelegs and lovely catlike feet. Loved her head. Just pipped on movement. 3. Suarez Prego’s Torre Brigantia Carta Magna Int/Gib JCh. Such a gentle head and expression on this youngster. Loved her overall shape and she excelled in movement. Preferred my winners’ strength of pasterns. Had to be good to beat another favourite of mine who wasn’t wearing her best coat just yet.

Yearling Bitch (31, 4 abs, 1 w/d) 1. Munro’s Thornywait Royal Destiny for Glenbuie JW. Wow! What a stunning gold b in full bloom, presented to perfection. Utterly balanced and textbook construction in every way, she just flowed around the ring to take this fabulous class and I just loved her. I considered her for the RCC but unfortunately in the challenge she didn’t move as well, having realised that the trunking under the carpet rattled a bit, but I have no doubt that she is destined for the very top. 2. Lopez’ Stella II De Ria Vela JCh. A more compact light gold b who also flowed around the ring, making it look easy with her correct construction and balance. Again, she has the straight strong limbs that are a must for me, and neat catlike feet. Super front with plenty of forechest but not overdone, excellent reach of neck and well laid back shoulders. Not surprised afterwards to see her sire is one of my favourite males. 3. Hohmann’s Faithful Heart Tracy Chapmann. This handler seemed surprised at her bitch’s success but she shouldn’t be! A beautifully made girl with an elegant shape, good angulation fore and aft, straight legs, level topline and a gentle, feminine head. Not in full coat but has nothing to hide, liked her very much indeed.

Undergraduate Bitch (31, 8 abs, 3 w/d) 1. Sonntag’s Ashbury Ultime Temptation. Top quality mid-gold b who ticked all my boxes. Classic outline with a fabulous front placing legs well under body, good bone and feet, level topline and tailset, and moved very stylishly and accurately. 2. Laidlaw-Good’s Terra Di Siena Lay Lady Lay at Fhairmhor (Imp Esp). Top quality cream youngster with a gentle head and a kind eye. Super construction throughout with all the essentials I look for enabling her to move soundly, another to watch for the future. 3. Martin’s Garline Guarding Lola. My notes say “a very honest gold b” presenting a very pleasing picture, standing foursquare and balanced with no exaggerations, simply well made, she ticked all the boxes for me and so earned her place in this very good class.

Graduate Bitch (20,3 abs) 1. O’Gorman’s Berrymeade Kinvara JW SGWC. A darker gold wavy- coated compact b who I have done well before. Nothing overdone about her but she has everything the standard requires, topped off with super movement. I loved her neat paws, constantly wagging tail, super angulation and overall balance. Unlucky to get knocked out of the challenge in a later class. 2. Layland’s Applecote Love in Disguise JW. Another I have judged before, she is such a pretty and feminine light gold b with the kindest of heads. Well made throughout, she is balanced, with a level topline and good angulation fore and aft. 3. Moss’ Ousevale Angel’s Kiss at Carianjo JW. This mid-gold b has, in my opinion, improved enormously since she was younger. She is correctly made throughout with sound, straight limbs, dark pigment and a super forechest. She really pleased my eye when stacked but sometimes has a tendency to “run downhill” which cost her a higher place today.

Postgraduate Bitch (19, 8 abs) 1. Moss’ Molbram Venosa at Carianjo. This b. was my second big surprise of the day! I assumed the handler was handling for someone else, as I didn’t recognise the bitch at all and my notes say “can’t wait to see who she is!” From the minute she came in she just owned the ring, demanding to win, oozing quality, style and substance and she powered around expertly handled by her young owner to beat a longtime favourite of mine, well done! 2. Maddison’s Jaymardy Sweet Caroline JW This beautiful cream b is very much my cup of tea. I love her shape and her oh so correct conformation and balance. She just needs to shed a little more weight (she has been heavier) to enable her to move to the best of her ability. However, I admire her greatly and she was so unlucky to meet my winner today. 3. Stokes’ Flyngalee Only Oakley at Jobeka. Very pretty and glamourous cream b in perfectly prepared full coat. Very pleasing construction in every way, sometimes loses her topline a little on stack but 100% level when moving. Completed a trio of lovely bitches.

Mid Limit Bitch (23, 7 abs) 1. Rodgers’ Ambersun Passione of Odarla JW. This bitch is simply stunning and definitely deserves to gain her title. She completely fills my eye and has the advantage of an excellent handler who knows how to bring out the best in her. Perfect balance and symmetry, substantial yet stylish, her outline is as close to ideal as I have seen and I wish her all the best for the future. Delighted to award her the RCC in excellent company. 2. Stencelova’s Starlight Famous Gold. This lovely girl has caught my eye in the past but today was the best I have seen her looking. She has a superb forehand matched by well bent stifles, a level topline and a well chiselled head with very appealing dark eyes. Moved soundly and stylishly. 3. Falconer’s Soneve Simply Special for Siatham JW. Another b I have long admired, she is so well made with a gorgeous head, super angulation, neat feet and who could not be charmed by that ever-wagging tail?! Moved soundly, loved her.

Limit Bitch (20, 8 abs) 1. Dunbar’s Linirgor Nine To Five JW. Beautifully presented and well made b with excellent construction all through . Neatest of feet, straight limbs, level topline, deep through the chest and super balance overall with no exaggerations. Moved soundly and with style. 2. List’s Haydengold Time to Remember. Different style of bitch yet sharing many attributes as required by the standard. Darker and more compact, utterly balanced with super angles and a level topline, I particularly liked her head. She looked an absolute picture on the move as she powered around the ring. 3. McShane’s Rigerin Respect. Glamorous lady with a profuse wavy coat expertly prepared. She has the loveliest of heads, stands foursquare and short-coupled, mature in body, good length of leg and correct angulation fore and aft.

Open Bitch (46, 10 abs) This was the most amazing class I have ever had the pleasure (and pain!) of judging. There were bitches I admired greatly that didn’t even make the first cut. In this company I had to be brutal! Thank you all from the bottom of my heart for allowing me the privilege. My winner was Coronel and Pardo’s Multi Ch Queen de Gran Ayuda Sp/Pt/Gib/Int JCh. I judged this bitch almost a year ago in Croatia and loved her then, but she has got even better since. Today, no-one could touch her, she was perfection from every angle and gave me goosebumps! There is literally nothing I would alter and I had no hesitation in calling her in first even in this amazing class and subsequently awarding her the CC. Warmest Congratulations to her owners and breeders. 2. Russell’s Grassyards Call Me Madam JW. A worthy champion having recently gained her crown, she has the loveliest of outlines with super angles and balance, level topline held on the move which she did effortlessly to gain this place in such super company. A top quality girl, loved her. 3. Monteverde’s Olvinglay Miss Dior. Yet another beautiful b from this clever breeder and handler, pale cream with a clean outline possessing all the essentials I look for. Best of toplines held on the move, just stunning.

Field Trial Bitch (2,1 abs) 1. England’s Dairycott Hebe. What a charming bitch, her love for her owner and desire to please was so evident even in the alien environment of the NEC. I was pleased to find such a well made working bred bitch who did not look out of place at all. Although she stood alone she deserved her red rosette, well done.

Special Working Bitch (18, 2 abs, 1 w/d) 1. Hohmann’s Faithful Heart Tracy Chapman (3RD in Yearling). 2. O’Gorman’s Berrymeade Kinvara JW (1st in Graduate). 3. Waddell’s New Year’s Eve Date Loyal Gold at Seancaer. Beautiful darker gold with an elegant outline and plenty to like, she is well made all through and keeps getting better as she matures. Just preferred forehand of 1 and 2 but deserved her place in this very good class.

Good Citizen Dog Scheme (35, 7 abs) 1. Moss Molbram Venosa at Carianjo (1st in Postgrad) 2. Nelson’s Sh Ch Cadwst Eternal Flame. This worthy champion was shortlisted in Open, she has a gentle head and expression, she is a slightly longer cast but well-made b with lots of substance yet still retaining her femininity. Moved well. 3. Harding’s Eveninghill Going Dutch SGWC. Shortlisted in Limit, she is a very nicely made and pretty girl with a balanced outline showing a good length of leg to body ratio, and her movement was sound and accurate.