Crufts

Crufts 2026

Scottish Terriers

I felt so honoured to be invited to judge Scottish Terriers at Crufts, I would like to thank the officers & committee for inviting me & for looking after me so well. Thank you to all who entered their dogs, giving me a fabulous entry of 120 Scotties, I thoroughly enjoyed the day and have memories I will always treasure. Thank you to my stewards for keeping the ring running on time.

I was delighted with my top winners & in the open classes some beautiful dogs went unplaced due to there only being 5 placings. It was a pleasure to handle so many lovely exhibits.

Several points of concern were 6 exhibits with incorrect bites, several who were disappointing in front assembly, narrow fronts, bendy front legs, out at elbow.

A surprising number of exhibits were shown in a stripped-out condition with just a few strands of harsh hair & a few with blown coats. A double coat is part of the breed standard.

Good Citizen Dog Scheme (2,1)

1st. Hughes, Trimscott Idris Elba, black male of good size, he has a long-balanced head, dark, well-shaped eyes. Well boned forelegs, he has deep ribs & is short coupled, moved happily & has a correct double coat.

Minor Puppy Dog (0)

Puppy Dog (1)

1st Dawson’s, Kenbloom Inky, black male almost a year old, well off for bone, lovely big paws, level topline, needs more body which will come as he matures, double coat, moved steadily.

Junior Dog (6,2)

1st Ashworth’s, Lochgems Sole Sensation for Naviba, a masculine youngster who presents a complete balanced package, correct head, neat ears set on top of skull, well boned straight forelegs, good shoulder placement, neck of moderate length, running into a level topline, well angulated and muscled quarters which helped to power him around the ring. Excellent double coat, nicely presented, paired with confident handling and his positive attitude he stood out as the winner of this class.

2nd Junge’s, Multi J Ch Broddways Macarthur, attractive brindle male, a structurally sound dog with a long clean head, straight well boned forelegs, level topline, crisp, harsh jacket, presentation tweaks could aid his overall appearance

3rd Doble’s, Huckleberry Quinn.

4th McNiven, Bryson & Bryson’s, Dajaveil Dugald Drumguish

Yearling Dog (5,1)

1st Nicol’s, Celmareva Go The Distance at Ropebbie, this boy was the best mover in the class, he has a long, balanced head, correct mouth, well boned, straight forelegs, strong, deep quarters, correct double coat, would prefer more width in front, a kind & spirited boy who made a good account of himself.

2nd Tilley’s, Fredrick Oriono Kerai, presents a nice outline, clean head, neat ears, well off for bone, deep chest, short coupled, a little unsure on the move today. Very nicely presented.

3rd Darragh & Faith’s, Celmareva Zero to Hero

4th McNiven, Bryson & Bryson’s, Dajaveil Dugald Drumguish

Post Graduate Dog (8)

1st Breden, Skudder & Caley’s, Honeypaws Mister Sandman, a handsome, substantial wheaten who presents a nice profile, attractive colour, he has a balanced clean head, dark eye & good pigmentation, neat ears which he uses well, good width, excellent bone, deep chest, ribs carried well back, correct angulation front & rear, would prefer tighter in elbow, in soft condition, moved steadily with drive, beautifully presented, nicely handled.

2nd Miller & Miller’s, Glenaffric Hidden Magic, brindle of slighter build than winner, he is functionally sound, has correct bite, neat ears, would prefer them higher set, dark eye, reasonable bone, deep ribs, short coupled, smartly presented, moved confidently.

3rd Hughes’, Trimscot Idris Elba

4th Bodman’s, Severus Snape

5th Tilley’s, Fredrick Oriono Kerai

Limit Dog (11, 2)

1st Broome’s, Evingbriar War of The Roses, black male, sound to handle, balanced, clean head, keen expression, good dentition, neat, well used ears, good forechest, well boned, deep ribs carried well back, big well-muscled hindquarters, tail on top, correct double coat, harsh jacket, well presented. Moved out well displaying good reach & drive.

2nd Nixon’s, Tout Nouveau Beau Du Clan Des Petits Colonel Karmaristol JW Shcex, a substantial, well boned brindle presented in smart order, lengthy, balanced head, neat ears, pleasing width, good layback, level topline, moved steadily.

3rd Redfern’s, Eimahan’s Last Jedi

4th Norton, Norton, Norton & Wells, Divadell Mighty Quinn

5th Norton & Harrison-Brown’s, Divadell Who’s The Man

Open Dog (22, 10)

1st Dixon’s, Chattterdale Star Eclipse, black male in prime condition, was one of several dogs in this class who caught my eye. When I got my hands on him he did not disappoint, everything flows as you would hope it would, he is balanced throughout, has a beautiful head, keen expression, looking down his nose with an air of dignity & intelligence, lovely run in, good layback of shoulder, well slung body, short coupled, powerful quarters, well angulated & muscled, perfect topline and tailset. Correct double coat presented in top order, used himself well, moved with purpose & drive. Excellent type. Delighted to award him the dog CC.

2nd Cockayne’s, Ch Am Ch Trakside Gabriel Oak, Reserve CC. A dog I have long admired, he has matured into a very beautiful Scottie, attractive brindle of quality & correct breed type with a gorgeous head & expression, dark eye, neat, well placed ears, he is balanced throughout, lovely width in front, nice brisket, excellent bone & depth, ribs carried well back, level topline, tail on top, wide buttocks, well-muscled. Double coat, beautifully presented & handled, moved freely with good reach & drive, a hard decision between 1 & 2.

3rd Portala’s, Quaint Very Well Winston

4th Baranauskiene’s, Filisite Brash Riddle of Fate

5th Smit Kamerbeek’s, Int Ch Lucia’s Dream Showstealer,

 Veteran Dog (5, 1)

1st Kieffer’s, Int/Fr/Sp/De Ch No Way Du Moulin De Mac Gregor Ww, black male, 9 years old, clean, balanced head, he has neat ears set on top of skull, beautiful expression, with dignified silver sparkles around his eyes, wide front, good depth & ribs carried well back, level top line, nice big quarters, harsh jacket, moved with enthusiasm.

2nd Hovagimyan’s, Ch/Multi Ch Verascott Jumpin Jack Flash, twelve & a half year old male who I had the pleasure of judging as a puppy, to see him here strutting his stuff today is wonderful, he is lovely to go over, has a long, clean head & keen expression, great bone. He presents a wonderful outline standing, on the move he was flagging his tail a little today. Shown in lovely condition, a credit to his owners.

3rd Vivien’s, Fr Ch Chlucifer Du Clan Des Petits Colonels

4th Jankiene’s, Lt/Iv Ch Unik Kupazh Hariton

Good Citizen Dog Scheme Bitch (5, 1)

1st McCracken’s, Carisco Myrtle Beach to Amawyn, a nicely balanced feminine brindle who was enjoying her time in the ring, sound to handle, would prefer a little more width in front, she has reasonable bone is short coupled, level topline, nicely presented, moved freely.

2nd Knight & Poolton’s, Russalan Martha Rose, attractive feminine black, slightly larger than winner, she has a clean, lengthy head with correct expression, good width in front, nice bone, soft topline today, correct double coat, nicely presented in excellent condition, moved well.

3rd Duckhouse’s, Trimscott Hollyhock,

4th Hill’s, Skircoat Semibreve at Tahgmor,

Minor Puppy Bitch (0)

Puppy Bitch (2)

1st Hovagimyan’s, Verascott A Sky Full of Stars, feminine black bitch, 10 months old, full of herself, cobby, a pretty puppy with neat ears, balanced head, decent layback, level topline, tail on top, sound fore & aft movement, enjoyed her time in the ring. BP

2nd England & Francis, Llanragles She’s The One, 11 months, taking the day in her stride. Pretty brindle, nice head & expression, neat ears, needs to firm up in topline, correct double coat, showed steadily.

Junior Bitch (10, 2)

1st Baranauskiene’s, Kelsy Ugninis Chalcedonas, 13 months, feminine brindle bitch, she took my eye as she entered the ring, very nice to handle, she is balanced throughout, has a typical head & expression, neat ears which are well set, well laid shoulder, big, deep ribs carried well back, level top line, wide buttocks, animated, purposeful movement, beautifully presented & handled, I like her a lot.

2nd Nemeckova’s, Adelleida Awa Leukaristo, black, slightly larger than winner, another who is well put together & of good type, not as deep in chest as winner, correct double coat, moved & showed well.

3rd Hovagimyan’s, Verascott All You Need Is Love,

4th Lockwood’s, Tatuin Tropicana at Lochgems,

5th Hovagimyan’s, Verascott A Sky Full of Stars,

Yearling Bitch (13, 4)

1st Hovagimyan’s, Verascott Against All Odds, feminine, well-proportioned head, correct front, deep ribs, short coupled, nicely muscled well angulated quarters, good tail set, plenty of dog behind tail, correct double coat, initially her movement was erratic but settled into acceptable gait, revealing soundness beneath early excitement.

2nd Hovagimyan’s, Verascott All You Need Is Love, shows an attractive outline & pleasing movement, she was engaged & responsive during her time in the ring, similar remarks apply to her as to her sister who was first in this class.

3rd Lemerre’s, Versace Mi Amor Des Vicklands

4th Wojke’s, Soul Sister od Wild Briar

5th Riddell’s, Swiss Ch Sei Fantasia Mia Dal Sogno Primaverile Swiss/Lux/Bel Jch

Post Graduate Bitch (14, 4)

1st Kenny Marriott, Marriott & Wilcock’s, Millingford Bluebell, pretty black bitch, feminine, typical head, neat ears, good breadth of chest, decent bone, straight forelegs, deep ribs carried well back, well angulated quarters, nicely presented double coat.

2nd Rutherford’s, Carisco Winter Solstice, attractive bitch, she has both substance & femininity, balanced head, dark eye, typical expression, well boned straight forelegs, deep ribs, short coupled, level topline, good tailset, moved steadily & true.

3rd Norton, Norton, Norton & Wells, Divadell Harleyquinn

4th Hovagimyan’s, Verascott Against All Odds

5th Lemerre’s, Versace Mi Amor Des Vicklands

Limit Bitch (10, 4)

1st Nemeckova’s, Adelleida Awa Leukaristo,

2nd McCracken’s, Carisco Myrtle Beach to Amawyn

3rd LoorenDe Jong’s, Bianco-Neri Miracolo A Milano

4th Redfern’s, Eimahans Leap Of Faith,

5th Hoare’s, Divadell Who’s Next at Glenaffric

Open Bitch (23, 8)

My favourite class of the day, there were many quality bitches that went unplaced, it was a pleasure to judge them, thank you all.

1st Portala’s, Int/Fin?Dk/Se Ch Quaint Sherry Perry Fiw-22Dkw-21 Euw-19, black bitch of absolute top quality, I have long admired her, my heart melted as my hands discovered her many typical Scottie qualities, she combines substance with femininity, has a long, balanced head with dark, intelligent eyes, neat expressive ears, beautiful run in showing quality, excellent bone, straight forelegs & lovely big feet, she is deep chested, correct brisket, width of chest, coupling, big well-muscled quarters, tail on top, plenty of dog behind the tail, harsh jacket nicely presented, she powered around the ring displaying great reach & drive, a joy to watch, I was delighted to award her the CC & BOB

2nd Melville, Lacoe, Barton & Malvar, Am Ch Whiskybae Haselmere Westpride When Stars Collide, Very appealing, pretty young brindle, not as mature as winner, however, I am certain her day will come, there is so much to like about this girl, she is lovely to go over, everything is where it should be, she has a long, balanced head, keen expression, neat, well placed ears, good layback of shoulder, nice brisket, bone, depth, short coupled, powerful, well angulated quarters, correct double coat beautifully presented, her movement was effortless, she covered the ground with style & drive, a pleasure to judge, Res CC.

3rd Eggert’s, Am Ch/am Gch Invercrest Dark Intrigue via Macblain,

4th Baranauskiene’s, Black Rose Ugninis Chalcedonas,

5th Dixon’s, Ch Chatterdale Catch A Star,

Veteran Bitch (9, 2)

1st Broome’s, Liroda Midnight Kiss at Evingbriar, quality black bitch of 11 years, showed herself with the youth of a much younger dog, beautifully presented, she still looks in the prime of her life, lengthy balanced head, keen expression, neat ears, good body, short coupled, level topline, strong, muscular quarters, well set tail, moved soundly with purpose, a credit to her owner. BV

2nd Hovagimyan’s, Multi Ch Verascott O’never Give Up, black, slightly longer than 1, she has a good head & expression, decent bone & substance, deep ribs carried well back, well angulated quarters, shown in tight coat, she is full of herself!

3rd Rutherford’s, Carisco Cendal Crème,

4th Le Pelletier’s, Int/Sm/Hr/Slo/Slk ChO Que Je T’aime Della Roccacia Di Modigliana Bel/Lux/Fr Jch

5th Knight & Poolton’s, Orrscot Mod De Baliol with Russalan

Clair Chapman (Judge)