Crufts

Crufts 2025 Gundog Group - Judging Critique

This prestigious appointment was the highlight of my judging career to date. The breed judges did a great job and gave me a wonderful group of quality gundogs to judge. I was really spoiled for choice and as I could only shortlist eight dogs, many dogs which I admired greatly did not reach the shortlist but be assured that I appreciated their quality. I was looking for exhibits who were close to the ideal as laid down in their own breed standard, had excellent conformation and also displayed breed type. I was also looking for exhibits which were well-muscled and gave the appearance of being fit for the working environment. At this level of competition, it was also necessary to have the character, personality and stamina to cope with, and shine, in the big ring environment; my shortlisted dogs had this in abundance.

From this large group of 32 breeds, I shortlisted the English Setter, German Shorthaired Pointer, Pointer, Curly Coated Retriever, Labrador Retriever, Clumber Spaniel, Cocker Spaniel and Spanish Water Dog.

The English Setter is a beautiful example of the breed and so sound but unfortunately lost a bit of sparkle in movement towards the end. The Curly Coated Retriever has a lovely head, eye and expression; is well-constructed throughout and moved soundly both coming and going. The German Shorthaired Pointer displays lots of breed type and has a well-balanced head. He stood over plenty of ground and was shown in excellent muscular condition. The Spanish Water Dog was shown in full coat which had formed into cords of correct woolly texture, has the correct length to height ratio and a well-balanced head with a flat skull and expressive eyes. He moved with lots of powerful drive.

From this lovely shortlist I awarded first place to the stunning Cocker Spaniel, Todd & Rahman’s Sh Ch Zheridons Blanche. She just screamed Cocker Spaniel; so compact, full of curves and a typical merry tail action on the move. She has a beautiful, feminine head with a square muzzle of sufficient length and a melting, intelligent expression. She is so well constructed throughout with a well sprung ribcage leading to a short, strong loin. She was shown in muscular condition with a sparkling silky coat. She was expertly handled and didn’t put a foot wrong throughout her time in the ring.

Group 2 was the Pointer Siddle, Siddle & Medeiros’ Sh Ch Wilchrimane Frankly Darlin’ I have judged and admired this bitch before and she just seems to go from strength to strength. Another one who is full of curves with such a typical symmetrical outline. She has a well proportioned head with appealing eyes and the desired slightly dish-faced muzzle. She has excellent front construction with well-laid back long shoulder blades, good return of upper arm and a good forechest. Her ribcage is well-sprung leading to a short loin. Good bend of stifle and nice width of upper and lower thighs contribute to a very balanced and muscular outline. She moved around the ring smoothly in perfect harmony with her handler covering the ground well with each stride.

Group 3 was Nugteren’s Labrador, Sh Ch/Int Ch/Nld Ch Lab SBP Gazprom. He has a well-balanced head with a sufficiently broad skull, intelligent expressive dark eyes and large open nose. He is well-boned and has excellent angulation infront and behind. He gave the appearance of strength and activity and moved straight and true both coming and going in perfect harmony with his handler.

Group 4 was Cox’s Clumber Spaniel, Sh Ch Vanitonia Soloist. He caught my eye as he entered the ring with his fabulous, seemingly effortless, ground-covering movement and long, strong workmanlike outline. On close inspection he did not disappoint, from his masculine well-balanced head with nothing overdone, strong bone, powerful neck, to excellent angulation infront and behind. He was so well-handled and shown in lovely coat and muscular condition.

Kathy Moores

Judge