Crufts

What an honour to be invited to judge one of the first breeds I owned at the world’s most prestigious pedigree dog show. I would like to thank the Crufts Committee for giving me this opportunity. I was delighted with my entry of 98 Italian Greyhounds and thank the breeders and exhibitors from home and abroad who thought my opinion worthy of their time and money. My stewards, Bob and Ceri, were excellent and helped ensure this became one of my most enjoyable judging experiences of all time.

I last judged the breed at the Ladies Kennel Association in early December 2023 so a healthy 2 years and 3 month gap. On that day, my principle winners were all youngsters and returned here to compete on the famous Crufts ‘green carpets’; they all placed and or figured in my top honours.It was interesting to judge several quality overseas dogs particularly in the Limit, Open and Veteran Classes. Other ‘visitors’ really impressed for type and in side gait but were sadly disappointing away and back. It was very encouraging to see several obviously ‘new’ exhibitors in the breed. I tried to be as supportive and patient as time would allow. A little more confidence and handling practice will result in improved performances of your promising dogs.

This breed does not need heavy hands-on assessment; I would nearly go as far as to say could easily be limited to ‘bite and testicles’. You can judge Italian Greyhounds with your eyes, and you can hide nothing. I fully appreciate my table assessment may appeared to have been brief but I can assure you it was detailed and thorough. Your dogs were being assessed, and virtues prioritised from the moment you stepped onto the green carpet through to your individual table assessment and movement patterns and on that final stand. My placings are explained herein.

GCD (1,0) 1st Skylar's Chico (Miss K Wallace Horne). A lovely start to the day. Symmetrically marked dark fawn dog with white collar and points. Loved his overall breed type. He makes a very typical silhouette stood and on the move – all gentle curves. Long, narrow head with dark bright eyes, fine muzzle and small, neat ears. His white ‘collar’ makes him look a little upright in shoulder but on closer inspection his shoulders are moderately laid and hind quarter angulation matches. On the move he impresses in side gait but moved away close behind. In fabulous condition with a short glossy coat and obvious muscle tone.

PD (4,1) 1st Vito Corleone De Azahar del Mediterraneo (Ms B Mcnamee). A little black beauty – short, shiny coat in fit overall condition. Only a youngster and still has a lot of maturing to do but all coming together nicely. Fine, chiselled head of quality with dark sparkling eyes. Very elegant in neck and well laid shoulders. His chest needs to drop still but he has a good length to his rib cage. As such, he looks a little longer and flatter than ideal both stood and on the move at present. He is parallel away and back and has accurate footfall in side gait with good lift in front and carrying his tail nice and low. Best Puppy in Breed. 2nd Pako from Emerald Galaxy (Imp Ukr) (Mrs A J & Miss D M Guyton). A close decision as this young lad instantly impressed by his overall breed typical outline and was clearly more mature than the winner. In super condition with super short soft golden fawn coat (with white toes). Looked a real picture stood with his super head and expression and flowing, gentle curves to his top line. Super straight front legs and neat hare feet with elbows close to his deep chest. Nice and strong on his hocks. Moved with pace and freedom in profile. Good drive going away but untidy, crossing front legs coming towards. I hope that front settles as his fore chest develops further as he is a very promising puppy. 3rd Ophis Perigeo (Imp Ita) (Miss L & Mr P Picca & Weston)

JD (3,0) 1st Pegani Colorino (Mrs N Russell). A well-conditioned blue dog who still has some maturing to do in terms of his depth of chest and fore chest. Has an appealing kind, expression with large dark eyes and neat ears. He has a very typical top line which I really admired. I would like a longer more elegant neck to balance. Moved parallel away and back. Lacked the desired pace on the move in side gait due to his lack of angulation of shoulder blade, upper arm and bend of stifle. 2nd Lamoye Magnificent Matteo (Dr J M Mellis). A golden fawn dog with a very attractive fine chiselled head and dark expressive eyes. Used his ears well but they are a little larger than ideal. Elegant neck with slight arch. Chest still needs to drop but he has good length of rib and shape to underline developing well. He is much longer in loin so lacks desired shape in his top line. Super coat quality and in fit but lean condition so his pin bones were showing. Moved with drive and enthusiasm and looked better in profile but very narrow going away and coming towards. 3rd dog withdrawn

PGD (9,3) 1st Littlebriton I Don’t Care (Mr T & Miss J & Mrs S Wyatt-Hughes & Doherty & Read). This young blue fawn dog (with neat white trim) won’t be eligible for this class for long I guarantee. He’s probably just over the ideal 15” height guideline but he has the essential type and elegance and is so very sound. My notes for this class say “biggest but easily the best….best shape, best mover, best top line and tail set”. Beautiful head and expression. Long elegant neck with slight arch. Perfect top line and loved his shape over his loin and off his croup to that low set tail. His really impresses in side gait where he shows such balance, has drive from his strong hocks and well bent stifles and extension in front with required lift. He also holds his typical shape on the move even when moving at pace. The icing being his well-conditioned muscle tone, short soft immaculate coat and neat hare feet. In the Dog CC challenge, he just held his topline better than 2nd in Open who was in fact my impressive Dog CC winner last time I judged. Today, the well-deserved RCC winner. Best of luck in your quest for his Champion title. 2nd Killer del Ocejon Skywinds Jch (Miss Beata Tatkowska). A much smaller and finer boned black dog needing to mature. Beautiful head and darkest sparkling eyes. Long elegant neck and shapely in outline stood but flattened his top line on the move. Would like the chest to drop a little lower and his pin bones were showing. Moderate angulation to his forequarters with well angulated hind quarters. Moved away soundly with drive from his hocks but crossing his front legs coming towards. 3rd Littlebriton Smokey Sings (Mr R & Miss E Lowe & Guidotti). A quick mention for this young blue and white dog who really caught my eye. He is an ideal size and exudes breed type. To his owner/ handler - please persevere with your ring craft training as you have a beautiful show quality dog who just needs more practice and confident handling. He was in fabulous condition and has great potential.

LD (5,1) 1st Ackra's Gondolero among Jocenro (Mr J L Centella-Rodriguez). Immaculate ebony black stallion absolutely gleaming with condition. To prepare and present a black dog to this standard takes time, dedication and expertise. His muscles shimmered like a piece of wet coal; his fine, soft coat was like mole skin. He has long fine, chiselled head with flat skull, neat rose ears and beautiful sparkling eyes. Long elegant neck. Will stand out in all company for his textbook silhouette. Whether top line or under line all just a series of gentle curves. On the move he has effortless reach and drive and is absolutely parallel away and back. Icing on the cake was his temperament- happy disposition, obvious devotion to his handler and a confident show man. His tail wagged throughout. In my final consideration for the Dog CC and well deserving of a UK Champion title.2nd Skylar's Chico (Miss K Wallace Horne).Winner of the Good Citizens Class.3rd Crystaldrift Neo Lythix (Miss L Weston)

OD (12,2) An outstanding class with CC worthy dogs not even making the final 5. The RDCC winning Puppy from my 2003 appointment was VHC today but in this company that was no embarrassment and delighted to see he has matured into a beautiful hound and now sporting his Champion title too. 1st Ch Artmeis Aces High of Regallust (imp) (Mrs J & Mrs M Amsel & Hayden-Smith). What an honour to get my hands on a dog of this quality. So obviously bred in the purple this beautiful miniature hound fits my interpretation of the standard quite perfectly. When you are invited to judge at a show as prestigious as Crufts you just hope you find some ‘spine tingling’ dogs in your entry befitting of the occasion. Absolutely top draw and I’ll be honest I wrote very little on the day other than ‘Stunning – wouldn’t change a thing’. A quick referral to the photo I took in the ring generated that same beaming smile as I must have had on the day. He epitomises the phrase ‘what you see is what you get’. This red fawn dog has a small, attractive brilliant white blaze and matching white ankle socks. Exquisite head carried elegantly on his long neck. Matching angulation of his front and hind quarters which creates such effortless free-flowing, rhythmic movement in side gait with lift in front, accurate foot fall and drive form his low hocks. Deep brisket and length of rib. His fitness and body tone are that of a gold medal winning athlete and he is a shining example of how to condition your dog to consistently win top honours. He has fabulous feet, a gleaming coat and ‘turkey teeth’ and that is all down to his owner. He was handled with a quiet, confidence with an obvious objective of making her dog the star of the show. Mission accomplished. DCC winner. 2nd Ch Artmeis Jokers Wild (Mr P & Mrs J Lee & Amsel). My Dog CC winner the last time I judged, and he is still a very beautiful Champion. I found him hard to fault 2 years ago and my opinion hasn’t changed. He has matured into a beautiful hound. I love his head and expression, and he is still so impressive on the move. He moves with such freedom and is so parallel going away and coming towards. His outline is spot-on to standard and he holds his shape so well on the move. Such a quality coat and in immaculate condition. It was the finest of margins that split not only this class but the decision for the two green cards too. So down to the decision. In this class Aces High and Jokers Wild matched each other on move and overall breed type. Aces High just having a fraction (and I mean fraction) more length of rib and depth of brisket. In the CC challenge he just started to ‘tire’ in top line when stood and in such stiff competition it came down to tiny ‘on the day’ priorities. 3rd Int/multi Ch Cherokee Pustynny Wiatr Multi Jch (Mrs A. & Ms U. Baran)

VD (2,0) 1st Ch Florita Tavalino (Mrs J Amsel). An outstanding example of the longevity that can be achieved with a well-constructed and well cared for healthy, pedigree dog. If you have exemplary breed type, then you have it for life. At 12 years of old he still has full dentition and clean healthy teeth. I was brought up to ‘respect my elders’. There are a couple of minor signs of his vintage years and he deserves for these to be only talked about in private. That said, we have to acknowledge and praise his construction and movement. He still moves with freedom with accurate foot fall in side gait and ‘tidy’ away and back. Best Veteran in Breed. 2nd Blue Lagoon of Bytheiad ShCEx VW (Dr J S Thompson). Another beauty this time a very attractive blue with white chest and white four white mittens. Shocked to find him walk into the Veteran class as he looks fantastic for his age. In his 8th year and showing no signs of age whatsoever. Beautiful long narrow head and the darkest sparkling eyes. Full dentition, immaculately cared for bright, white teeth. Long neck flowing into a curvy top line with well angled coup and low set tail. Looked a picture in side gait showing good reach and desired lift in front. Just moving a little closer behind than the winner today. Again a credit to his owner; he is so obviously well cared for, much loved and well conditioned.

GCB (2,1) 1st Ch Artmeis Summer Breeze at Birchwind (Mrs M Hayden-Smith). My 3rd best bitch from LKA as a very young lady but now matured and today an obvious choice for the RCC and unlucky to have to play bridesmaid to Raise The Stakes. This bitch really is in the same league and of such a similar mould. She must look an absolute picture sat with the Dog CC winner – a perfect ‘brace’. She is so pretty and elegant; everything you want in an Italian Greyhound bitch. Loved her size and so typical in silhouette both stood and on the move. Her head is refined and pretty with black sparkling eyes full of expression. Must be a joy to handle as she walks into a stand so naturally and is just foot perfect standing and on the move. Gleaming, fine red fawn coat with small attractive white collar with matching mittens in front and ankle socks behind. Another lesson in presentation, conditioning and ‘subtly professional’ handling. Moved with such precision and has a wonderfully free effortless side gait.

PB (6,0) 1st Laborghini Requiem (Mrs M, Miss M & Mrs J Smith, Smith & Teasel). Attractive, pale cream fawn bitch with a fine quality coat and skin. Super pigmentation which is always eye-catching on the lighter coat colours. She with an exquisite head and expression. Long fine head with beautiful dark eyes. She has a lovely curvaceous body. Moderately angulated forequarters with straight front legs. Neat feet with jet black short nails. Chest still to drop fully; good length to her rib and well developed in loin. Parallel away and back. Accurate foot fall in side gait. Her movement made her the clear winner in this class. Just flattened in top line on the move which the reason the dog puppy was Best Puppy in Breed. Will watch her career as she matures with interest. 2nd Tamiskene April Sunshine (Mrs G D Bird). An attractive dark, blue-fawn and white pied bitch with a beautiful head and dark expressive eyes. Small ears still to settle. A really elegant neck with slight arch. Moderately angulated forequarters with straight front legs. Already nice and deep in brisket. A little longer in the loin than the winner. Straighter in stifle. Giving her very patient handler a hard time and quite a frustrating madam at times. Moved parallel away and back but lacking the coordination in side gait with top line tending to dip towards the withers. Short, gleaming coat and super fit condition. 3rd Laborghini Wild Thing (Ms L Hague)

JB (7,1) A challenging class all very noticeably at different stages of maturity and lacking in various minor breed specific virtues. As such, I ranked them by soundest. 1st Eleganza D’oro Prima (Mrs J Bojarova). A very pretty and petite solid blue bitch with such a sweet yet intelligent expression with the darkest bright eyes and neat ears. Would like a little more length of neck but other than that she has the correct top line and when her chest finishes dropping will have an obvious tuck up giving her all the gentle curves the standard demands. Lovely straight front legs and neat hare feet. Moved away and back very soundly. In side gait she is steady and considered with accurate footfall and carries her tail nice and low. 2nd Chasing Kisses A League of Their Own (Mr T & Mrs A Wertmann). A fine and elegant pale cream bitch who would rather have been at home on the sofa or running in the garden but showed a real obedience and loyalty to please her handler. Feminine head and beautiful dark eye; ears could be a little smaller. Long elegant neck and moderately angulated fore quarters with straight front legs and neat hare feet. Appealed for her overall outline and balance stood and when relaxed. Deep chest and good length of rib. Moved with good drive and a freedom of action with reach and drive. A little close than the winner going away.3rd Jocenro's Hipolita (Mr J L Centella-Rodriguez)

PGB (15,4) 1st Revillo Camellia (Miss N M Downs). The stand-out winner in this class from the off. Loved her shape and balance. Had great deportment from the moment she entered the ring makes a perfect silhouette stood. In super condition with an ultra-short fine glossy coat. Blue fawn colour with white toes and flash on her neck. She has the prettiest of heads and the sweetest expression. Flat skull and long refined muzzle with dark eyes and small, fine neat ears. Really flows from her neck into her curvaceous top line with a well angled croup and low set tail. Moved parallel away and back. Had drive from her low hocks but could have a little more reach in front for ideal. 2nd Bytheiad Fair Guinevere at Willingwisp (Miss L Smeath). Another darker blue fawn with white toes and of a similar make and shape. Very slightly taller and equally as elegant as the winner. Long narrow head with flat skull, dark eyes and neat ears. Not quite the length of neck of the winner which detracted but still appealed in top line and underline making a typical overall shape. Coat with all the right qualities and in super fit condition. Held her outline well overall shape on the move. Moved out well with good drive g=from her hindquarters but moving a little closer behind than the winner.3rd Amore Dreaming in Firenze at Sfizimio (Imp Usa) (Miss C W Y Chau)

LB (17,6) A challenging class with various ‘styles’ and some disappointing movement. The first three were by far the soundest but were equally all quite different. 1st Rilloby Thin Blue Line (Miss J E Doherty). What a beautiful head on this navy blue with white trim bitch. Just pipped the 2nd by having better reach in front and her overall confirmation and movement. I particularly liked the propulsion from her hindquarters. She has matching angulation of her shoulder and upper arm and her bend of stifle to pin bones. She can tense and become exaggerated in her top line when she is stacked/stood which detracts. When relaxed I can see her being quite the force to be reckoned with. Her colour, her head carriage and the sweeping flow to her side gait is most impressive. 2nd Revillo Camellia (Miss N M Downs). Winner of Post Graduate. 3rd Florita Tesoruccio (Miss H M Lister)

OB (14,1) What a fabulous class. My choices for the ‘Top 5’ are all eminently CC worthy and well deserving of their Champion titles. 1st Ch Artmeis Raise The Stakes (Mrs J B & Mrs H Amsel & Rishworth-Cutler) CC & BOB). It would be criminal to find fault for the sake of it and using exactly the same words as my last critique she really is “Just stunning; one of the best I have ever judged”. As she has matured, there is now a really confident attitude about her and a charisma that says ‘find fault if you think you can but you may be there a while.” She was absolutely foot perfect whichever way she moved and she simply cannot stand wrong. Such a fabulous rapport with her talented, sympathetic handler and always handled to show off her many virtues. Her head and expression are text book to standard. She is the perfect shape stood and on the move. Her silhouette is like a blue-print for the breed. So once again my BCC winner. She was most definitely the matching pair to my Dog CC winner. The highlight of this very special and most memorable occasion came when two perfectly matched (nearly identical) Champions circled the ring in the BOB challenge – a goose bump moment. The bitch (and I suspect her handler too) were clearly intent on making it to the main and ‘raised’ their showmanship game to take the Best of Breed. Deloighted to later see her rewarded further with a Group 4 place in the star-studded Toy Group. 2nd Multi Ch Chasing Kisses Phantom Menace (Mr T & Mrs A Wertmann). Well worthy of her many champion titles and split the recipients of my ‘big green cards’ from my last appointment in 2023 such is her quality. Like many other judges I too admired her many qualities. This golden fawn bitch has a beautiful coat and supple, dark skin. She has fabulous pigmentation which is also extra attractive especially in her dark eye and shaded muzzle and her jet black, well-manicured nails. Long lean head with flat skull. Small neat ears carried neatly. Beautiful, elegant neck into well laid shoulders and matching angulation to her return of upper arm. Well bent stifle with long thigh to provide balance in construction which then translated to her effortless free flowing movement. Parallel away and back. Strong hocks which aided her propulsion and well-conditioned hare feet. Would happily ass to her CC collection. 3rd Ansanda Winter Bird (Mrs A J & Miss D M Guyton). My RCC winner when I judged in 2023 and must be so close to gaining her Champion title as she truly deserves to be titled.

VB. (6,3) A truly challenging ‘heart v head’ class as I thought all three of these more mature ladies were very special indeed and all very worthy of their Champion titles. 1st Pol/Aut/It Ch Famous Girl Dogoteka (Mrs R Ciesla). I could not believe this blue bitch was 10 years old; what a credit to her owner. She was fit and well-conditioned with a fabulous short, sleek coat, immaculate ‘manicured’ feet and nails, clean bright teeth and sparkle in her eye. She just oozed health, fitness and vitality. She has a pretty head with the darkest eye and small neatly shaped ears. She is beautifully balanced both stood and on the move. So sound with such an impressive freedom of movement. Drives from her low hocks and has good extension with slight lift. Carries her head proudly with a slight arch to her elegant neck. 2nd Ch Littlebriton Kissed by Fire (Miss J E Doherty). Darker blue fawn with white trim. She is so pretty with gorgeous eyes and expression. Could have a fraction longer neck but not detracting at all from her overall elegance and outline stood and on the move. Her top line which has shape and flow to her well angled croup and low set tail. Totally belies her veteran years and is fit as flea. Can still out-move a vast majority of the bitches entered today. Parallel away and back and has reach and drive in side gait with desired lift in front. A credit to her owner.3rd Am Gr Ch Artmeis The Winter Queen (Mrs J Amsel). If my heart had won then this would be my winner. I nearly asked to buy this snow white beauty when I first saw her as a baby over 11 years ago. She has always been a favourite and epitomises the breed standard. An elegant, fine-boned sighthound athlete in miniature. As her name suggests she is pure white with fabulous pigmentation. Today she still showed the freedom of movement she has always had and in side gait had accurate foot fall, drive and reach in front. Just going a little close behind now but hocks still strong and rock solid when stacked. Such a privilege to judge her and see her looking so well in her twelfth vintage year.

Judge – Nick Gourley.