Crufts

CRUFTS 9/3/2025

TIBETAN MASTIFF

Thank you to my two stewards – you looked after the ring with efficiency and humour .

It is a great honour to judge at CRUFTS. Not only do we see the best of the UK dogs but nowadays the opportunity exists for overseas dogs to also be exhibited.

After I had chosen my BOB winner I found out that Tan Nagrecha was to judge the Working Group. Tan was instrumental in introducing me to the joys of the Tibetan Mastiff breed through his handling of Yogi, one of the most well-known ambassadors of this breed at UK shows. I knew that Tan was a breed specialist for the breed and thought to myself that it would be wonderful if the Tibetan Mastiff was short-listed in the Group. It is always a thrill to see a dog that you have judged and sent through to Group judging put on a good performance in the Group ring & Viking certainly did that. I watched the Group at home on TV and was thrilled when the TM actually won the Group!

Watching Best In Show on TV, I admired all final 7 dogs. Patsy Hollings was the appointed judge and I have great respect for this lady, her integrity when judging, and her eye for a dog. When I started judging in 1992 I never imagined that I would ever award CCs in any breed at all. I certainly would not have believed that I might one day send through a dog that would become Reserve Best in Show at Crufts.

I have learnt that my BOB winner was truly the result of international teamwork. Bred in Russia by Olga Nvoronova, owned by Valentin Molnar in Romania, and with an Italian handler in Gabriele Stafuzza. It is a testament to the input made to the breeding and raising of this dog by all of these people that at only two years of age his super temperament coped so admirably with the travel, strange surroundings, a long day of showing, media attention, & unique sound and lighting of the main ring. All of which he took, quite literally, in his stride.

What a wonderful achievement for breed history, to win a Group & RBIS at Crufts.

I sincerely hope that the custodians of the breed now keep it safe.

VD (1, 1A)

PD (0)

JD (4) 1. Dowey’s Haleigha's L'imperatore Augusto for Tamdrin. 13 months. Not long out of puppy, he made a worthy winner to start the day. A picture on the stand with his prolific plume balancing with his masculine head supported by a strong neck. Head was of 50/50 proportions of muzzle and skull with correct stop. Well boned forelegs, & moderate angulation at both ends joined by a level topline with heart shaped ribs. He moved steadily around the ring. 2. Kooijmans-Linse ‘s Thinley Radocynka Njk24 Jw24 W24. 15 months. Typical outline for the breed, with strong bone. Ex scissor bite in strong jaw with ex width of muzzle. Pendant ears frame his head. Coat texture is correct. He has a tendency to pace at times when moving – the handler needs to be aware of this to stop & correct it. 3. Roberts’ Callowdale Tenzin Nyima

PGD (1) 1. Lowes & Jackson’s Callowdale Drummer Boy. 14 months black boy. Not surprised to find that he is sired by an old favourite of mine in Ch Richearon Palden, who it appears has passed on his many qualities to his progeny. He is developing well for his age and should go from strength to strength as he matures. He is so very sound, with strong hocks - which the breed has sadly lacked overall for a number of years. Good layback of shoulder, good return of upper arm, deep in brisket & well balanced. He stands on large but compact cat feet. He covers the ground easily as he moves around the ring.

LD (1) 1. Drinkwater’s Kentwone Apus. 3 years old. I liked the size & shape of this attractive boy with his distinctive mane ruff & proud plume carriage. Pleasing headpiece. Dark eyes with tight eye rims & large nose. Ex bone on strong, straight forelegs – correctly placed a good width apart with big tight feet. Good width all through his body.

OD (4, 1a) 1. Molnar’s Dzhozias Viking. Just 2 years old, this black and tan boy has it all. Proud and majestic in stance, his silhouette is unmistakably TM, and he just oozes self-assured confidence. What a combination of dog and handler at one with one another. Presented in tip top coat & body condition, he is impressive for size without being overdone in any way & each part of him conforms to the breed standard. His truly masculine head has clean dark eyes, well placed ears & the rich tan markings above the eyes to give the impression of being awake when actually sleeping. His compact feet are large with tight toes. Carrying the right amount of weight, he is agile & flexible, with well laid shoulders and well bent stifles and his strong parallel hocks are well let down. Having impressed on the stand he then reinforces what the hands on assessment has discovered when he moves. When he first sets off he is perfectly composed and in control straight away, but then around 4 strides in, the handler turns him up a notch & he perfoms with such forward reach and strong rear drive coming from well muscled thighs & powerful hocks. An easy, light, ground covering stride which is a joy to watch. DCC & BOB. 2. Lowes’ Ch Wangdak Forrest for Callowdale. This top quality three year old B/T boy is maturing well & of super construction. Close up to 1st, he is of excellent true TM breed type, without excess in any part. A most worthy champion & a credit to his owner. He certainly impresses for soundness & meeting all criteria to be absolutely fit for function, but today he just didn’t quite match 1st for smoothness in stride. No hesitation in awarding him the RDCC. 3. Haasova’s Cze/pol Ch/cze Gch Bonbon Cerny Krasavec

GCSD (0)

VB (1) 1. Lowes’ Ch Callowdale Easy Street. Seven years old & clearly here to prove that the best never grow up. Correct body proportions of height to length 9:10 ratio. A beautiful head & expression with oval, slightly slanting clean eyes and tight eye rims with no haw showing. Broad & deep muzzle. Slight arch to neck supporting proud head carriage. Ex well sprung ribcage with deep brisket. Tail well set & carried over the back. Pushed hard in the challenge but gave way to her kennel mates today. BVIB.

PB (0)

JB (3) I liked all 3 girls. The first two are litter sisters to the PGD winner . 1. Lowes’ Callowdale Tibet Takiri. 14 months B/T with rich tan markings. Pretty in head whilst still keeping good breadth of muzzle & correct scissor bite. Well off for bone, retaining femininity, I liked the size & balance here on 1st , preferring her height to length ratio. She has good depth of chest, width to her body & well sprung ribs. An enthusiastic mover, she has flexible pasterns & I felt that she had the edge over her sister.Just pipped the veteran to take the RBCC. 2. Hind’s Callowdale Tibet Tira at Diamoneo. I was splitting hairs between the first two. So most of the comments on 1st apply to this girl too. Just not quite equalling 1st on stability of rear movement today. 3. Gálos’ Ortipo Black Mara

PGB (1) 1. Bailey’s Callowdale Dixie Rockin It at Sagrael. 2 years old. Not carrying a full coat but WYSIWYG & it is all good. Plesing head, clean eyes. Straight forelegs, well laid shoulders & upper arm, with correct rear angulation. She has good forward reach & rear drive. Parallel hocks. Holding her topline at all times. Full of fun, enjoying herself.

LB (3) 1. King’s Callowdale Gingersnap. Four years old substantial girl. A rich gold in colour, she has a fabulous head with a kind, melting expression. Muzzle 50% of total skull length. Presented in ex coat condition with correct texture of top & undercoat. Lovely depth of brisket & rib spring. She moved with purpose around the ring in all directions. 2. Bailey’s Power of You from Gom-Khyi at Sagrael (Imp Pol) Two years old & not carrying full coat today which is understandable. Good front assembly & neck length but a little lacking in rear angulation which affects her movement. Carrying her tail well. 3. Doran’s Tamdrin Rinchien (IKC)

OB (1) 1. Lowes’ Ch Power of Love from Gom Khyi at Callowdale (Imp Pol). Litter sister to 2nd in LB. 2 year old girl with a well balanced outline & typical deportment. Everything is in proportion & all lines flow gently into one another. A top quality bitch with so much to offer the breed. Strength but femininity in head. Well constructed front assembly & ex sweep of stifle with well muscled thighs. She moves with a certain presence, sure footed & precise with an easy stride, holding her topline & with proud head & tail carriage. BCC. BOS.

GCSB (0)

Jane Paradise (Judge)