Crufts

CRUFTS THURSDAY 5 MARCH 2026

RUSSIAN BLACK TERRIERS – JUDGE MRS SHELLEY FRANKS

A big thank you to the exhibitors for making my day so enjoyable, apologies to the handlers for the extra laps of the large ring. A well-made RBT will show strong movement with good reach in the forequarters and good driving power in the hindquarters. All my winners today had strong powerful movement, a pleasure to watch as they moved around the ring. All had excellent mouths with the correct scissor bite, with just a few light eyes. Temperaments were good, with just a few a little hesitant but it is a very noisy environment to be in. Special thanks to my steward who managed single handed to keep everything moving smoothly and efficiently.

Good Citizen Dog Scheme D (3,0)

1. Zeus Black Legion (Imp.Pol) Lynnyk

Very striking male both standing and on the move, skull in correct proportions with a solid body, coat in good condition and texture. Loved his strong muscular movement which won his place today.

2. Kenig Forein Blek Berkut (Imp. Rus) Clelford

Another good looking male who looked like he was enjoying his day. Loved his skull, neck and body proportions. Again another well-muscled male, just preferred the movement on the winner today.

3. Lintweed Black Lucian Newton

Puppy D (1,0)

1. Kalaslane Nutty Irishman for Halaura NAF TAF Kerrigan

What a sweety, stood alone but deserved his first place. Just 7 months old and taking his time to mature, head proportions good with the correct eye colour and ear placements. Loved his body shape for one so young, when moving showed he is still very much a baby but plenty of time to strengthen and develop.

Junior D (1,0)

1. Sharm-Atas Ukr Jch Zhuravel

15 months old youngster who is developing very well, with a strong head and well laid shoulders, good solid body, legs straight and parallel. In excellent muscle condition giving strong movement around the ring. Should have a promising future.

Post Grad D (2,0)

1. Omiant Arthas Smith

Just out of junior and maturing very well, he has a good outline when standing and moved with strong strides around the ring. Lovely dark eye giving a kind expression, ear placement correct, good neck and strong body, well-muscled.

2. Egon Z Galicyjskiej Ziemi Clarke

Another quality dog just over 2 years old. When standing looked compact with good shoulder placement, solid body and correct tail set. Just preferred the movement of the winner today.

Open D (7,1a) A strong class of beautiful exhibits

1. It/kzs Ch Lisander Shooting Star Over The Rainbow JCh Mura

This dog just oozes quality and commands attention as soon as he enters the ring. He fits the standard perfectly, strong powerful and masculine. When moving around the ring he is in total tune with his handler, when standing he gives a perfect outline. BD & BOB, it was lovely to watch him in the group ring later on in the day.

2. Ukr/mld Ch Tsytrus FRESH-Atas Ejw Multi JCh Barska

Another outstanding male, his outline is perfect with a strong head, neck and well-placed shoulders, strong body with such power in his movement. Beautiful coat in excellent texture and condition. RBD.

3. A-Kanay Yabiuevyi Tsvit Budka

Veteran D (no entries)

Good Citizen Dog Scheme B (3,1a)

1. Holodnaya Zhara Vivat Poltava (Imp Ukr) Lynnyk

Quality bitch, I liked her strong movements with powerful strides. She has a feminine head with the correct eye and ear placements. Good outline when standing, her coat is in excellent condition and texture.

2. Lintweed Black Betty Boo Newton

Although slightly smaller framed than the winner she is in correct proportions. Loved her kind expression, good neck and compact body, lovely jet black coat in excellent condition. Just preferred the movement from the winner today.

Puppy B (1,0)

1. Kalaslane Irish Eyes at Neukiebear IKC O’Donnell

Baby of 7 months and what a sweety she is who thoroughly enjoyed her day. She has a beautiful feminine head, correct eye and colour, good body shape for her age. Her sound movement beat her litter brother for BP. One to watch for the future.

Junior B (4,0) A good class of promising youngsters

1. Buddleja Yablunevyi Tsvit Multi JCh Yablonka

15 months youngster and maturing very well. When standing she has the correct outline with a good feminine head, lovely body shape, excellent coat texture and condition. Best mover in the class, hopefully a promising future.

2. Kalaslane A Storm is Coming Holmes & Lyons

14 months old, smaller frame than winner but everything is in proportion. Lovely head, eye and ear carriage, good neck and body shape, well-muscled.

3. Dromnagus Miss Scarlet von Koscher IKC Hammond

Post Grad B (6,0)

1. Dromnagus Hit Me with Your Best Shot at Larkharbour Mercer

Lovely bitch just over 2 years old who is maturing very nicely. She fits the breed standard perfectly with a feminine head, good body shape with well laid shoulders and straight front and back legs. Strong movement that covered the ground with ease. Coat in excellent condition. RBB.

2. Dromnagus Hypnotic Poison at Larkharbour IKC Beale

Slightly larger framed to the winner but all in proportion. She has a very pretty head, correct shoulder placement and body shape with a lovely outline when standing and another strong mover.

3. Lintweed Black Bertha Newton

Open B (8, 4a)

1. Ir Ch Evrussky Black Widow (ai) Williams

 I judged this bitch as a young puppy and hoped that as she matured she would reach the top drawer. She just oozes quality, her outline is perfection, she has a lovely head and dark eye giving a kind expression. Correct length of neck and good shoulders. Her coat is in excellent condition and texture and when moving she covers the ground with strong strides, I could watch her all day. BB.

2. Multi Ch Yurmala Yablunevyi Multi J Ch Yablonka

Larger framed bitch than the winner, she has a good feminine head with a dark eye and correct ear placement. Loved her body shape, with well-muscled thighs. Coat in excellent condition and texture.

3. It Ch Lisander Cameron Diaz Mura

Veteran B (3,1a)

1. Proud of Being Ava Gardner at Evrussky (Imp Ukr) Williams

7 years old, I loved her feminine head, eye and ear placement with a good length of neck and well laid shoulders. She has a solid body which is level and muscular with a correct tail and set. Her movement is strong and powerful as she moved around the ring.

2. Multi Ch Romashka Yablunevyi Tsvit JWW Multi J Ch Yablonka

This beautiful bitch is 9 years old and still looks in tip top condition. Lovely outline when standing, good head with correct eye colour, well laid shoulders and strong body, tail and set correct. Movement was steady and strong.