Crufts

CRUFTS 2025 DAY 2

VULNERABLE BREEDS COMPETITION FINAL

It was a great honour and privilege to be invited to judge the RKC Vulnerable Breeds Competition Final at Crufts 2025. My thanks to the Crufts Chairman and Committee for this prestigious invitation.

It was an exciting experience to undertake the judging of the Vulnerable Breeds Competition Final in the Crufts Main Ring.

The Vulnerable Breeds Competition is open to all British Vulnerable breeds which are on the RKC Vulnerable Breeds list, competing at designated championship shows throughout the year, each having to qualify to compete in the Final held each year at Crufts.

This year there were 35 qualified Finalists with 27 present on the day.

All were excellent representatives of their respective breeds and provided an impressive spectacle lined up in the Main Ring.

Having examined each breed representative individually I selected a short list of 8 dogs.

The Lakeland Terrier SAREDON REVERE                                                                                  The Sealyham Terrier CH ZIPPER SLEEPY SAPPHIRESON AT LETARA                             The Irish Wolfhound CH CAREDIG MAFIOSO                                                                        The Clumber Spaniel SH CH VANITONIA SOLOIST                                                                  The Welsh Springer Spaniel SH CH NYLIRAM TELLING TALES JW                                   The Mastiff CYBERUS ZAVIER                                                                                                The Bearded Collie CLOVABRAE VILLANELLE                                                                   and the Cardigan Welsh Corgi CH PI ET RA OF TREFILIO BORNTOBE AVALANCHE JW

Having looked over and moved each short-listed breed once more, I selected my winners:

Vulnerable Breeds Finalist Winner:                                                      Tebbutt’s Irish Wolfhound CH CAREDIG MAFIOSO an impressive hound of striking appearance, having size, pleasing leg length excellent balance and proportions of body. Imposing, firm and powerful but graceful and elegant which was highlighted when moving soundly down and back with particularly impressive side gait.

Runner Up was Cox’s Clumber Spaniel SH CH VANITONIA SOLOIST a super quality workmanlike gundog who has stature with excellent bone, body and overall balance. Impressive head with nothing in exaggeration and having a self-assured expression. Particularly notable precise, purposeful movement.

3rd was Irving’s Welsh Corgi (Cardigan) CH PI ET RA OF TREFILIO BORNTOBE AVALANCHE JW a sturdy breed typical Cardi bitch who has all the desirable breed qualities of conformation and breed characteristics. Super head and expression, imposing standing profile with a well-defined outline and ideal body proportions and balance. Free, easy, controlled and positive movement.

4th was Andrews’ Mastiff CYBERUS ZAVIER an imposing, powerfully built male who has impressive bone and body. Magnificent, well-proportioned head. All-together he presents an appearance of great stature without losing any quality of conformation. Easy and powerful movement with steady accurate foot-fall and looking good in the big ring.

JUDGE: GRAHAM HILL