Crufts

Judge: Mrs Margaret Brown 

CRUFTS - 08/03/2026  

I was honoured to be invited to judge at Crufts, and standing on the famous green carpet was an unforgettable experience I never thought would happen. Sharing the day with my friend and fellow Scot, Fiona Braddon, made it even more special.

Crufts is a prestigious event that asks a lot from every exhibitor in terms of time, effort, and money. I am truly humbled by the support I received and deeply appreciate everyone who trusted me to judge their bitches. I am especially thankful to those who travelled long distances to take part. Your involvement was really appreciated.

The bitches entered were all of excellent quality, which made judging both exciting and challenging.

The open class was truly exceptional. In over 50 years with the breed, I have never seen such an impressive group of females in one ring. Having to excuse so many beautiful bitches in each round was agonising, and these choices were some of the hardest I had to make on the day.

I want to thank my stewards for all their hard work. I am especially grateful to my friend Nancy, whose support and timely reminder to take a break made a big difference.

Saying I enjoyed the experience doesn’t do it justice. I loved every minute!

BITCH CHALLENGE CERTIFICATE  & BEST OF BREED (referee's decision)         

Am Ch Everland Dance Party at Gallivant (Ms M & Mr F Juhl & Negron)

RESERVE CHALLENGE CERTIFICATE     

Am Ch Cedarkey Back to Flo Rida at Suebel (Mrs I & Ms K Wilcher & Hite)

BEST PUPPY BITCH                               

Seatallan Ebony (Miss K Powell)

BEST VETERAN BITCH                           

Sh Ch A Sense of Pleasures Yvli at Alkhamhurst (Mrs M A Woodley)

In making my decisions, I prioritised the breed’s main characteristics and defining features: head, coat, tail, and temperament. Overall balance, construction and soundness were also important to me.

​Class 2956. Good Citizen Dog Scheme Bitch

Entries: 12 Absentees: 2

1ST Sh Ch Kimbajak Miss Jazz Swinger JW (Ms C M Edwards). This is a lovely bitch with an impressive outline and has undeniable quality. Her head is well-balanced and distinctly feminine, with correct eye shape and an eager-to-please expression. She presents a flow and balance from nose to tail. She has an excellent topline and tail set, as well as strong hindquarters with well-let-down hocks. She is free from exaggeration. I was impressed by her correct Labrador coat and dense undercoat, which is not immediately apparent from the ringside. Overall, she is a top-class bitch with good leg length and exceptional soundness on the move. I consider her truly special, and she thoroughly deserved to be in my final six.

2ND Exelby Elizabeth (Miss A Gunn), such a well-presented yellow; her handler gets the best from her; sound all through, with a feminine head, lovely, kind expression, well-balanced in outline, well-placed shoulders with a short loin and balanced quarters, and excellent feet; has not the bone of one but in first-class coat and condition, moved out well. Thoroughly deserved her place.

3RD Rochevale Palm Reader JW (Miss Z R Davis)

Reserve Overmarsh Seventh Hour JW (Mrs W Manning)

VHC Mattand Scarlet Witch (Ms S Lambert)

Class 2957. Minor Puppy Bitch

Entries: 3 Absentees: 1

1ST Salvator’s Hot Summer Rossacre (Mrs V Findjan) I thought this young lady was a real charmer, so very pretty; she lost her concentration a few times, but her overall construction was excellent: a lovely head of good proportions, a correctly shaped eye, long, sloping shoulders and good angulation behind. She had an excellent double coat and was full of the classic Labrador bre. type I was looking for. Lovely bone, feet and pasterns. Moved around the ring with a free-flowing stride, and a well-balanced front gave her good forward reach. I think she is very promising.

2ND Labramarine Honey Moon (Ms N & Ms K Lombardo & Karpova) thought this yellow would be my winner, as she was definitely the most eye-catching on my first look; she has a feminine head with well-set ears, a clean, strong neck, and a well-ribbed body. Her front assembly is very good, with the correct lay-back of shoulders. She is a striking bitch in profile. Beautifully presented, handled expertly, and moved out and back soundly.

Class 2958, Puppy Bitch

Entries: 11 Absentees: 0

1ST Seatallan Ebony (Miss K Powell) This black puppy bitch displays excellent overall shape and type. She presents herself confidently, with excellent balance and construction. Her neck and shoulder assembly is particularly strong, and she is short-coupled with a good length of rib. She has a sweet, feminine head with a kind, alert expression and a calm, composed demeanour. If you are looking for "flash", then this puppy would not appeal, but her beautiful type clearly marks her as a Labrador. Her classic qualities won her the class, and I felt she deserved Best Puppy Bitch.

​2ND Eastdew Sky Full of Stars over Eminala (Mr C & Miss E McKee & Evans) is such a striking bitch; her handler presents her with complete understanding of how to get the best out of her. Pretty feminine head, clean over the neck, with a level topline and a well-set tail. She carried a good double coat and had sound, free movement. A quality young bitch and another to watch.

3RD April De L’etang Balancet (Miss A C Dreyfus)

RES - Darmilye Dialga (Mrs C Mitchell)

VHC Tissalian Juliette (Mrs C Bailiss)

Class 2959. Junior Bitch

Entries: 29 Absentees: 1

1ST Sharouns Gladys Friday (Mr S. Williamson): Wow! This youngster is a star in the making. She stands out for her overall balance and quality, and she looks excellent in profile, displaying her attributes so naturally. Her head is well-balanced, with a good length and depth of muzzle, and is very feminine, with kind, expressive eyes. Her shoulders are well-laid-back, and her clean neck flows into a strong top line. Her overall conformation provides reach in front and drive from behind, all done smoothly and without exaggeration. She has a good double coat of the correct texture, a moderate turn of stifle, and well-let-down hocks. Although still very young, I am confident this young bitch will gain her title. The best of luck with her.

​2ND Foxrush Hope So JW (Mrs J. Charlton) another lovely yellow with much to like about her. I judged her as a puppy and awarded her BPIS. She was raw then, with lots to come, but her qualities were unmistakable. She will be slow to mature, and this is a bonus in itself. This was a strong class today, but she held her own with plenty to spare. She has a feminine head with good balance between skull and muzzle, a look of calm intelligence, and is very appealing; she is well balanced with an excellent front and topline, carrying a good coat and tail. This breeder continues to produce quality in her bitches year after year, always from the top drawer, and this youngster is no exception. When she is fully mature, she will trouble the best.

​3RD Allegra Strong Wind (Mrs B. & Mrs J. Jureta & Flego)

RES Wahnahnish Bella Aida (Mr P M J M Candel)

VHC Meadowline Whizz Bang at Bruxinho JW (Mrs K & Mrs A & Mrs L Gordon-Smith & Bibby & Gordon-Smith)

Class 2960. Yearling Bitch

Entries: 37 Absentees: 4

1ST Green River Lab Macome (Mr Marco Burattini)

This is such a classic yellow bitch who has done exceptionally well under me before. She presents herself so well and has such excellent balance; she demonstrates strength while remaining extremely feminine. She has the most beautiful expression and good length and depth of muzzle; her shoulders are well laid back, providing balance and unrestricted front movement. I like her size and body strength, as well as her length and spring off rib. She has excellent bone continuing down through her pasterns and carries a very good coat and tail. Her well-muscled quarters have just the correct degree of angulation. She moves with good drive and is very sound. Just my type of bitch and reminds me greatly of the beautiful Smocked Silk. She has beautiful breed type. I was delighted to include her in my final six. I loved her.

​2ND Sh Ch Binnaig Sea Salt JW (Ms C Campbell), a difficult decision between the first two young bitches; a lovely yellow bitch to go over, so very feminine, clean in outline, with a sparkling personality into the bargain. She knows how to make the most of herself in the ring, with good conformation and carrying just the right amount of weight, well-balanced with good shoulder angulation and the correct amount of bone for her frame; on the day, I just felt my winner held herself better on the move. A very worthy champion and a pleasure to judge.

3RD Heartbeat Road of Princes Jch (Mr Mgj Ter Horst)

RES Dolbia Clover Jade Fiw-25 (Mrs A Geschwindt Eriksson)

VHC - Umaya Caniwergi´s (Mrs L Pajerová)

Class 2961. Undergraduate Bitch

Entries: 43 Absentees: 10

1ST Noelany Winter Queen (Ms M V Demireva) This is a lovely black. I am impressed by her beautiful type. She presents herself very well, showing excellent balance and construction. Her neck and shoulders are especially good, and she is short-coupled but still has a good rib length. She has a sweet, feminine head with a kind and alert expression. Her coat is the correct texture, and her tail is wrapped perfectly. She is calm and composed with classic breed type that is difficult to describe until you see it. Sadly, we seem to be losing breed type, and in its place, dogs with eye-catching features but who lack the true type. This breeder had lovely dogs today, and it was a pleasure to judge them.

2ND Hafnau Odette (Miss C Jones) Black with a beautiful, feminine head and expression. This kennel always presents bitches of a lovely type with lots of quality. Her neck is strong, and her shoulders are well placed. She was presented in excellent condition. Carries a dense coat, perhaps a little long on top, and has a beautiful clothed tail. She moved soundly, covering the ring with a free, easy stride.

​3RD Fourjays Sassy Said It All (Miss R L Young)

RES Darmilye Dancing Queen (Ms S McDonald)

VHC Exelby Elizabeth (Miss A Gunn)

Class 2962. Graduate Bitch

Entries: 26 Absentees: 5

1ST Balladoole Black Lace (Miss K Druggan): This black is another that, in my opinion, should have her title; she is such a beautiful bitch to go over. She stood perfectly and was beautifully handled without fuss. She has quality in abundance, a lovely head & expression, and is very balanced, with a kind, intelligent look to her; she is so well put together, excellent over the neck & shoulders and with good depth & width in the chest, a superb topline and tailset, compact feet with well-developed pads, and a short dense coat of correct texture, and moves with ease and control; strong quarters allowed her to drive off from the rear, she thoroughly deserved her place in my final six, and she was close up to the main awards.

2ND Noelany Wonder Woman (Ms M V Demireva), lovely chocolate, beautiful classic type. Her sister won a strong class here today, and she is equal in quality but so unlucky to meet my winner. She has a strong, clean neck and level topline. She is short-coupled with a good depth of forechest. Her coat has the right texture and a strong undercoat. She combines strength with femininity. Her head is well-balanced with an appealing expression. She moved around the ring without exaggeration, a very sound, lovely bitch.

​3RD Cilurnum Tintho Flavia (Mrs J & Mr M Tinlin-Thompson)

RES Baileydale Bottoms Up (Mr A & Mrs J Metcalfe)

VHC Bruxinho Feeling Epic (Mrs K & Mrs A & Mrs L Gordon-Smith & Bibby & Gordon-Smith)

Class 2962. Graduate Bitch

Entries: 26 Absentees: 5

1ST Balladoole Black Lace (Miss K Druggan): This black is another that, in my opinion, should have her title; she is such a beautiful bitch to go over. She stood perfectly and was beautifully handled without fuss. She has quality in abundance, a lovely head & expression, and is very balanced, with a kind, intelligent look to her; she is so well put together, excellent over the neck & shoulders and with good depth & width in the chest, a superb topline and tailset, compact feet with well-developed pads, and a short dense coat of correct texture, and moves with ease and control; strong quarters allowed her to drive off from the rear, she thoroughly deserved her place in my final six, and was close up to the main awards.

2ND Noelany Wonder Woman (Ms M V Demireva), lovely chocolate, beautiful classic type. Her sister won a strong class here today, and she is equal in quality but so unlucky to meet my winner. She has a strong, clean neck and level topline. She is short-coupled with a good depth of forechest. Her coat has the right texture and a strong undercoat. She combines strength with femininity. Her head is well-balanced with an appealing expression. She moved around the ring without exaggeration, a very sound, lovely bitch.

​3RD Cilurnum Tintho Flavia (Mrs J & Mr M Tinlin-Thompson)

RES Baileydale Bottoms Up (Mr A & Mrs J Metcalfe)

VHC Bruxinho Feeling Epic (Mrs K & Mrs A & Mrs L Gordon-Smith & Bibby & Gordon-Smith)

Class 2963. Post Graduate Bitch

Entries: 21 Absentees: 2

1ST Irislav O Revolution at Rocheby (Imp Ukr) (Mrs D M Hopkinson) I have admired this black for some time for her unexaggerated, clean outline and beautiful breed type; she is very classic with a feminine head with a kind, biddable Labrador expression. She is strong and clean over the neck, with long, sloping shoulders and legs that fit well under her body. She is short, coupled with a good length of barrel rib, and her quarters are strong and well-muscled. Movement was sound and positive with good forward reach. She carries the right bone and substance for her frame and has strong, well-formed pasterns. When you look at her in profile, she flows from head to tail, and she has such a good otter tail set correctly; this bitch is short-coupled and carries a first-class double coat. She has sound, unexaggerated movement and handled without fuss. A lovely example of the breed.

2ND Afinmore Alamosa (Mrs D & Miss F Fisher & Maclean) I have always admired the dogs from this kennel; they all have a classic look. This chocolate bitch scores on her outline, coat, and tail. Her shoulders are the right length and angle, and she has a beautiful neck and topline. She is short-coupled with good brisket depth. Her coat has the right texture to the topcoat, and she has a dense undercoat; she combines scope and strength while still looking feminine. Her head is distinctly feminine, with a friendly, eager-to-please expression. She flows smoothly from nose to tail. Her topline and tail set are excellent, and her hindquarters are strong with well-let-down hocks.

​3RD Gamesmere Clementina (Mrs S A Lewis)

RES Halshimoor Perfect Pitch at Shanorrell (Mr & Mrs M J, Miss L & Mr & Mrs D P Rawlinson & Balshaw)

VHC Integration in Future (Mr L A Parreno)

Class 2964. Mid Limit Bitch

Entries: 31 Absentees: 3

1ST Afinmore Aquilegia (Ms F. Maclean). This chocolate exhibits the classic type with no exaggeration. She has a beautiful outline, with a feminine head, a well-proportioned muzzle, and burnt-sugar-coloured eyes that express intelligence and a willingness to please. I thought her profile was striking, featuring a clean neck, well-placed shoulders, an excellent forechest, and strong bone and substance. Her neck flows smoothly into her topline, and her tail continues this line, highlighting well-angled, strong quarters. I like her size, with plenty of scope and the right leg-to-body proportions. She has the perfect weather-resistant coat with a dense undercoat. Her tail is completely wrapped, and she moves around the ring with a free, easy stride. The more I looked at her, the more her qualities appealed to me. She was included in my final cut of six.

​2ND Antonine She’s Like The Wind (ai) (Mrs L Mcgillivray) pale yellow of presence, invites you to look at her, is the size I like with strength in body without being overdone or coarse in any way, has a pretty balanced head, is very feminine with an alert expression, is clean over the neck with the correct angulation in shoulder, is short coupled and has just the right degree of angulation over the quarters, has excellent depth & spring of rib, and has a firm topline which she holds well on the move; had the bone & substance to complete the picture and won her place here on her very sound movement and obvious quality.

3RD Aldamity Passion of My Heart (Mrs D Bartosova)

RES Tomative Annabelle JW (Mr T Lapper)

VHC Strathhunker Gabrielle JW (Mrs C & Miss R Thomson)

Class 2965. Limit Bitch

Entries: 19 Absentees: 5

1ST Harley Quinn of House Capitana Lab (Miss Monik Bertova). This yellow stood out in the class for her balance and quality from nose to tail. She is strong yet feminine, with a head that exemplifies Labrador appeal: kind, balanced, and beautiful. She is attentive to her handler, calm, confident, and an excellent representative of the breed. Her shoulders are well laid back, and she has the correct barrel rib. She is short-coupled with good width in the second thigh, well-let-down hocks, a well-shaped tail, and an excellent coat. She moved with a gentle wag of her tail and demonstrated soundness throughout. Her handler did a magnificent job of getting the best from her, both standing and moving. Unlucky not to make my final six.

2ND Deniangill Almost Had It All JW (Mr S Williamson) This yellow bitch displays a well-balanced, attractive head and excellent bone down through her pasterns. She has a very good layback of shoulder and is longer in the rib than the first-placed bitch, which gives the winner an advantage in topline. Her correct rear angulation and strong front assembly enable her to move with drive. She had coat in abundance today and is a quality bitch and thoroughly deserved her place in this strong limit class. I hope that 3rd ticket is not far off.

3RD Noelany Song Sparrow (Ms M V Demireva)

RES A Positive Mystery Truly Madly Deeply Trudi (Mrs S. Wegner)

VHC Mattriella Maybe This Time for Dakross (Miss C L & Mr P J Morton & Howard)

Class 2966. Open Bitch

Entries: 38 Absentees: 10

This class was exceptional in both number and quality. It was really hard to excuse so many outstanding bitches from the ring in each of my cuts.

I found out later that the first two bitches have the same sire.

1ST Am Ch Everland Dance Party at Gallivant (Ms M & Mr F Juhl & Negron): This black female Labrador is exceptional. In my experience, only four others have commanded the same attention in the ring. She consistently demonstrates the qualities I value most. Her head is beautifully balanced, with the correct muzzle length and depth, a defined stop, and a wide nose with well-developed nostrils. She has a strong neck and long, sloping shoulders. She is broad and strong over the loin, with well-sprung, barrelled ribs. Her coat is short, dense, and of the correct texture. Her tail is perfectly clothed and free from feathering. She displays a calm, biddable temperament and excellent overall balance and construction. Her feet are round and compact with strong pasterns. She was impeccably presented and truly at one with her handler. Her movement is stylish and sound, with a free, effortless stride that maintains her topline and matches the ideal pace for a Labrador. She shows excellent forward reach and has well-developed hindquarters. She has a well-turned stifle, and her hocks are well let down. It was a pleasure to judge her; she is very special. —CC & BOB—on the referee's decision.

​2ND Am Ch Cedarkey Back to Flo Rida at Suebel (Mrs I & Ms K Wilcher & Hite). This chocolate bitch impressed me so much. She stopped me in my tracks with her breathtaking profile. How beautifully balanced she is, with a lovely, feminine head that is clean-cut, with balance between muzzle and skull. Her stop is well-defined, and although she has a slight zip, which has never bothered me, she displays an alert, intelligent expression with well-developed nostrils and eyes of the correct shape and colour. She stands naturally and never requires correction. Her abundance in quality is evident, especially in her beautiful neck and shoulders. Her coat and tail are outstanding, and her strong, firm quarters and correct angulation provide excellent balance. She covers the ground well with good, unexaggerated extension in front and sound action behind. She carried herself around the ring with confidence and class. Although others pleased me greatly, she had that indescribable “something” on the day that gave her the edge. Res CC. 

3RD Int/ltu/est/lat/balt Ch Boogie Woogie Archipelago (Mr A. Breive) I have got to mention this beautiful bitch who has done very well under me before. She is very classic in type, with the most beautiful head, and is so well put together. She was just unlucky to meet the first two bitches in such sparkling form. What a beautiful bitch.

RES Sh Ch Rocheby Hickory (Mrs D M Hopkinson) deserved her place here for her beautiful type, balance and excellent coat and tail. She was handled expertly without fuss. Lovely example of our breed.

VHC Hr Ch Mirakul Hopeless Romantic (Miss M & Mr N & Miss A Racic & Jolly & Weber), an exciting find in this class of quality bitches. I really liked her, and her overall quality won her a place.

Class 2967. Field Trial Bitch

Entries: 6 Absentees: 2

All of the dogs in this class had good coats

1ST Questeleet Persephone Dee (Mr G Lowe), this yellow is very appealing. I loved the way she looked at me with a kind, intelligent expression and a softness you only see in a Labrador. She has a pretty feminine head, inclined not to want to use her ears, but that was not a problem, as I was able to see that her head is balanced and she has a good length of muzzle, a beautiful disposition, lovely compact feet with well-arched toes, and good development in her quarters, which are strong and well-muscled. Moved out and back with a steady free stride.

2ND Jenbull Bracken (Ms C Jenkins), darker yellow, beautiful, feminine head, has a kindness to her expression, shown in peak condition, is sound in body, with a good length of rib and strong, clean neck and good feet and pasterns, has enough bone for her size and frame, has a lovely Labrador demeanour, and moved around the ring with an easy stride.

3RD Leospring Tiffin (Mrs J Venturi Rose)

RES Edenmoss Willow of Dalerwa (Miss C Wilkinson)

Class 2968. Special Working Gundog Bitch

Entries: 12 Absentees: 6

1ST Ch Warringah's Pippingarra JW Sgwc (Mr D Coode) yellow with a most balanced outline and a very pretty head with a good length and depth of muzzle; she has long sloping shoulders, and she has great feet and pasterns; her loin is wide, and she has a good barrel rib. She carries a good weather-resistant coat and has a strong topline on the move; she is so well-constructed from the top of her head to the end of her slow-wagging tail. Her hocks are well let down, and her handler moved her in an unpretentious manner around the ring—one from the top drawer.

2ND Shork's Homecoming De La Vallée De Chevre Wgc (Mrs K & Mrs L Leith-Ross & Gildroy) Fabulous coat and tail on this compact black bitch, a pretty, feminine head with a biddable, willing-to-please expression. She has good bone, depth of forechest, and a strong, wide loin with well-turned stifles and strong, muscled quarters; she is balanced in outline and carries a level topline on the move. I really liked her.

3RD Ramlley Mavis (Mrs C A Cox)

RES Richbourne Legally Blonde at Ankari (Mrs A & Miss J Welford)

VHC Ramalley Mabel (Mrs C A Cox)

Class 2969. Veteran Bitch

Entries: 33 Absentees: 9

A wonderful class of older ladies. The first two were difficult to split.

1ST Sh Ch A Sense of Pleasures Yvli at Alkhamhurst (Mrs M A Woodley) This black bitch has been a favourite of mine since she was a puppy, and now, as a veteran, she still delights me. She is very well balanced and presents herself beautifully, with excellent overall conformation. I like her head, which is very feminine with a kind expression and well-developed nostrils; she has lovely feet and pasterns, a chest of good width and depth, and well-sprung barrel ribs. Her shoulders are properly set, and her legs are well placed under her body. She flows smoothly over the neck and along her topline; she is unexaggerated and of beautiful quality. She has the correct coat and a well-clothed tail. She is a lovely example of the breed and deserved a spot in my final six.

​2ND Sh Ch Rochevale Once Upon A Time (Mrs C Clayton). A real favourite of mine. This yellow is beautifully put together and truly stands out. Her structure and movement are impressive, and she has all the qualities you look for in a bitch. She is well balanced, with everything in the right place. Most importantly, she is allowed to present herself naturally, without fuss or overhandling, and moves with ease and confidence. There is no exaggeration in her movement, which is sound behind and positive in front. Today, I simply preferred the winner's coat, but this bitch is equally special. I wish she were mine. Her breeder has a wonderful future ahead.

3RD Pollham Marley at Drumonagh (Mr A & Mrs S Drummond) I have always liked this yellow bitch from the ringside; she is a quality bitch who moved extremely well. She has good feet and pasterns and an excellent coat. She was handled extremely well and merited her place here today.

RES Carromers Classy Read JW (Mr M & Mrs C Reynolds)

VHC Warringah's Wirrabara at Timouron (Mrs C & Mr D Allen)

Margaret Brown

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