Crufts

Crufts The Royal Kennel Club – 7 March 2026.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel – Bitches.

I would like to thank the Crufts Committee for inviting me to judge. It was an honour and a privilege to judge at this, the World’s Prestigious Dog Show. I owned my first Cavalier King Charles Spaniel in 1973; this breed is close to my heart. Judging at Crufts is a day I will treasure for the rest of my life. I must congratulate the organisers for setting out such wonderful sized rings enabling the dogs to display correct sound movement; to have such large size rings set up correctly, there was no hiding anything. Thanks to my stewards, Mrs Carole A. Jackson & Mr Ant Andrews, who kept things running smoothly. Thanks also to the many exhibitors for entering under me and for the packed ringside and the warm, sporting applause.

I was presented with some of the world top quality dogs to judge with a lovely entry of 157 bitches. I had 10 Champions including Overseas Champions entered and exhibited. I would like to truly thank their owners for the honour and privilege to judge them. I felt that overall, the depth of quality was excellent. I was pleased with my final line-up; there were some excellent examples of the breed. I found all dogs exhibited were sound and fit for function and thank you for such a super quality entry. I was privileged to have such a lovely co-judge; Ms Maryann Hogan we were both in total agreement.

BEST OF BREED: Mrs & Miss Chapman & Ireland – Ch Ellemich American Express

BEST OPPOSITE SEX: Dr. G. Rizzi – Int/It/Fin Ch Giocavalier Filippa The Rebel

Bitch CC: Dr. G. Rizzi – Ch Int/It/Fin Ch Giocavalier Filippa The Rebel

Bitch RCC: Mrs R. Tremain – Bonitos Companeros First Class (IMP DEU)

Best Puppy Bitch & Best Puppy In Breed: Chapman & Ireland – Ellemich Pure Passion

Best Veteran Bitch & Best Veteran In Breed: Loades – Rosirius Bluebell

Class Good Citizen Dog Scheme Bitch (13 Entries) Abs: 1

1st: Leaver & Gresty – Revaelann Scrumptious ShCEx

 A 5½-year-old Blenheim bitch with a most desirable head and kind, soft, expressive dark eyes. She is of good size with a gentle character and is nicely marked, presenting a lovely body and outline. Very well constructed, with a good neck and well-turned stifles, she moved soundly and stylishly around the ring. She is presented in lovely condition throughout.

2nd: Colavecchia – Carolus Miss Liberty

An 11½-year-old Blenheim bitch, defying her years. She has a nicely formed head with a level skull and large, expressive eyes, and still retains a lovely topline and tail set. Well put together throughout, she presents a lovely outline and is very much on her toes. She moves well and is presented in super condition.

3rd: Hall – Granasil Miami Secret For Rootessma

Class MPB (2 Entries)

1st: Hawkins – Lexody’s Serenity

A 7-month-old Blenheim bitch, a very stylish and feminine youngster of lovely size and overall outline. She is very good on the move, with a correct topline, tail set, and angulation. She moves with great style and aplomb, and is really shown to perfection, very well handled and presented in lovely condition. It will be interesting to see her head develop as she matures. She shows all the essentials of a very promising future, being excellent for breed type with a delightful head and expression.

2nd: Riis-White – Cerneyleaze Lillibridge

An 8½-month-old tricolour bitch with good rich tan in all the correct places and a pleasing overall size. She has a good body and a pleasing expression with a nice head, and is of well-constructed, quality breed type. She moves freely and soundly and is presented in tip-top condition. Two very nice minor puppies, but of different types.

Class PB (13 Entries) Abs: 2

1st: Chapman & Ireland – Ellemich Pure Passion

A 9-month-old Blenheim bitch, a striking and very attractive youngster full of energy and breed type. She has a pretty, feminine head and expression, and is well marked with a coat of good quality. Correct for size and very much fitting the breed standard, she is of excellent temperament. Presented in immaculate condition and handled to perfection, she moved at just the right pace, showing herself to advantage throughout. She was shortlisted in my final four and awarded Best Puppy Bitch and Best Puppy in Breed.

2nd: Cunningham – Verheyen Valerie

A nearly 12-month-old Blenheim bitch with flashy, well-broken markings and a pleasing overall size. She has a good body and is coming into plenty of coat. A sweet, feminine expression and well-proportioned head, presented as a very happy showgirl. She has a very good topline with a well-set neck and correct shoulder placement. She moves freely and soundly and is presented in tip-top condition, very ably handled throughout.

3rd: Byers – Moorfields Maple

Class JB (21 Entries) Abs: 3

1st: Ireland – Ch Kiss Du Chateau Noblesse At Ellemich

A 16-month-old Blenheim bitch, this youngster is an excellent example of the breed. She has a well-balanced outline and a very pleasing head with good dark pigmentation. Her coat is of correct silky texture and is presented to perfection, as were all exhibits from this kennel. She is well proportioned for her age and moves very freely around the ring with good attitude and presence. She was shortlisted in my final four.

2nd: Jackson – Bed of Roses V ’t Burgstse Hof At Amantra (IMP NED)

A 17-month-old Blenheim bitch with plenty of potential and a good, honest size. She has a beautiful feminine head and expression, with dark eyes and a black nose, and is full of breed type. At first glance she appeared to be carrying too much weight, but on the table it was evident this was coat rather than condition. She has a lovely straight, silky-textured coat, gleaming with condition. A level topline, good body, and substance, and she moved soundly.

Two very attractive bitches with little to choose between them in the final placings.

3rd: Rizzi – Giocavalier Lou Ty

Class YB (19 Entries) Abs: 4

1st: Wieczorek-Furtak & Debiak – Idealistica Magic Oak

A very attractive 22-month-old Blenheim bitch with a shapely outline and in excellent coat and condition. She displays pleasing breed type, with a feminine head, large round dark eyes, and a correct scissor bite. Good neck and shoulder placement flows into a firm, well-constructed topline. She moves with strong rear drive, giving her reach and purpose around the ring with free, true movement. At times she could show herself to slightly greater advantage to fully highlight her virtues, but she is well presented and in excellent overall condition.

2nd: Debiak – Luisiana Magic Oak

A nearly 2-year-old Blenheim bitch, a very pretty exhibit with the darkest of eyes and good pigmentation. Well balanced throughout with a well-set tail and a straight front. She moves very freely with sound, straight movement and good ring presence. She has a lovely straight, silky-textured coat and is presented in gleaming condition.Two quality bitches of excellent breed type, who may change places many times.

3rd: Wilkins & Wilcock – Llapsttam Four Tea Love At Tebaldi

Class GB (25 Entries) Abs: 7

1st: Hazeltine – Juzandia Relight My Fire

Richly coloured Ruby, 2 years old. Impressive in a full, straight, silky coat and so well presented. She has a pretty, ultra-feminine head with plenty of fill under the eyes, excellent pigmentation, and a soft, gentle expression. Good neck and shoulders, with a level topline and a super outline, all within the size I was seeking. She fits the standard in many respects and is spot on for size. She moved soundly throughout and must have a good future.

2nd: Ryan – Cavallibrook Demelza

Ruby, 16 months old. Another nice exhibit with plenty to like about her. She has a good body and shoulders, with a pleasing head and expression and good pigmentation. This girl really scores on the move and was a joy to watch, moving so effortlessly around the ring. Presented in excellent condition, she just needs more time to mature. I just preferred the softness of the winner’s head.

3rd: Rizzi – Giocavalier Morning Star Of Renaissance

Class PGB (14 Entries) Abs: 3

1st: Searle – Stonepit Dominique

Well broken Blenheim, 2 years old. This girl stood out in a strong class. I loved her size and balance, and she was presented in lovely condition with superb coat quality. Everything flows into place, creating a beautiful outline that immediately caught my eye on entering the ring. She never put a foot wrong. She has an appealing feminine head with lovely large dark eyes and strong black pigmentation. Good rib and a level topline, with a tail carried correctly both on the move and when standing. Her impressive movement is driven by strong rear angulation, allowing her to move effortlessly.

2nd: Colavecchia – Carolus Camilla

Blenheim with lozenge, 2½ years old. A quality exhibit of good breed type and size. On the move she looked particularly lovely, presented in a beautifully kept coat of silky texture. She has a slightly arched neck leading into well laid shoulders and a level topline, with a correct tail set and well feathered tail. She moved soundly throughout.

3rd: Craney – Sweetbriar Moonstone

Class MLB (21 Entries) Abs: 5

1st: Tremain – Bonitos Companeros First Class (IMP DEU)

Blenheim with rich chestnut markings, 4 years old. The more I watched this beautiful ultra feminine girl, the more she grew on me. I was delighted with her soundness, elegance, and ultra-feminine, appealing head, complemented by large, dark, round eyes. She has excellent pigmentation, long feathered ears, correct conformation, and was presented in superb coat and condition. She handled well on the table and moved like a dream. Pleased to award her the RCC, and she pushed hard for the CC in a very close decision.

2nd: Lovel – Lovetrac Angelica

Blenheim of rich chestnut colour, 2 years old. Another quality girl who looked particularly good today. She has a pleasing head of breed type, with dark expressive eyes and good pigmentation. Lovely for substance, although I felt she was carrying slightly too much weight today, which detracted somewhat from her outline. Nevertheless, she is of lovely breed type, presented in a beautiful soft silky coat and in super condition.

 3rd: Corner – Delaby Miss Daisy

Class LB (10 Entries) Abs: 1

1st: Jackson – Amantra Fancy Fox

Tricolour with rich tan in all the right places, 3 years old, she is of a pleasing size, feminine head, with lovely large, dark, round eyes and excellent pigmentation, very well constructed and a sound mover with super temperament, good show personality, well-handled and presented in lovely condition.

2nd: Bennett – Rishtte I’m Tanisha Of Remmya JW

Ruby, 5 years old. A well-made girl throughout and of ideal size, with good depth of chest and correct shoulder placement. She has an appealing feminine head, although her pigmentation was slightly off on the day. She moved soundly, was full of confidence, and showed steadily throughout. Presented in lovely condition.

3rd: Thomas – Verheyen Charm At Pepyswood

OB (23 Entries) Abs: 6

1st: Rizzi – Int/It/Fin Ch Giocavalier Filippa The Rebel

Blenheim, 3 years old, outstanding quality of ideal size and shape, gorgeous ultra feminine head with long ears to frame it, beautiful large dark eyes with kind expression, her sound movement is a joy to watch and she is always such a happy girl, a proper Cavalier I was thrilled to have the chance to go over her and it gave me equal pleasure to award her the CC. In the challenge for BOB, I had to agree with my co-judge that the dog CC winner had the edge on the day, really in blooming condition and was presented in immaculate condition.

2nd: Waters – Ch Sweetbriar La Dee Da JW

Blenheim, 4 years old, of excellent overall quality and shown to perfection. Correct for size and well broken in markings, she was presented in full coat with ample feathering. She has matured into a lovely, feminine girl and was presented in sparkling condition. A very worthy champion.

3rd: Lovel – Ch Lovetrac Born To Boogie

Class VB (9 Entries) Abs: 1

1st: Loades – Rosirius Bluebell

Blenheim, 9 years old. I first judged this girl as a Minor Puppy in 2017, where I placed her first, and she has matured beautifully. She has a lovely well-proportioned head and an ultra-feminine expression, enhanced by large, dark, round eyes. Soundly constructed and well boned, she is still moving soundly and maintaining her level topline. Presented in excellent condition. Best Veteran Bitch & Best Veteran in Breed.

2nd: Ourednikova – Int Ch Kiss Me Krasna Louka

Black & Tan, 11 years old. An excellent quality girl of lovely breed type, with such an ultra-feminine head and large, dark, round eyes. She has a well-balanced body, a correct front, and a sound rear, all of which were reflected in her outstanding flowing movement. This was a very close decision, as I liked her a great deal. Presented in excellent condition, she is truly a credit to the breed.

3rd: Colavecchia – Carolus Miss Elsie

Stephen Randle Goodwin (Lanola)