Crufts

PORTUGUESE WATER DOG CRITIQUE – CRUFTS 5.3.26

I would like to thank the Crufts committee for the invitation to judge at this prestigious show and for their hospitality which made the day such an enjoyable experience.

I am grateful to my 2 stewards Marilyn Moody and Paul Hayes for their help and ensuring the ring ran smoothly.

I am also grateful to the exhibitors for their entries and the sporting acceptance of the placings.

Having been around the breed since the 80’s and having watched its development from Rare Breeds to CC’s there were a couple of things that concerned me and which breeders need to consider if type is to be preserved and for the breed remains fit for function.  In a number of exhibits the head shape was smaller and narrower than it should be and lacked the required median furrow for two thirds the length of the skull.  The size of exhibits was variable and we need to remember the size and substance that would be required to cope with the job they were bred to perform. I hope these comments will be accepted as constructive.

I was pleased with my top winners and thought my BOB gave a good performance in the Group ring.      

Good Citizen Dog Scheme Dog

Entries: 2    Absentees: 1

1ST    1280 - Prt Ch Aquafortis Serendipidy at Gemson (Imp Nor) Ir Jch (Mrs J Johns) 8yr old black dog of good type, decent size and proportions. Has a large skull with the required median furrow, extending for the correct length of the skull, and well defined back skull. Muzzle shorter than skull with width and strength, correct bite, dark eyes and well pigmented and nostrils that are open. Is well muscled throughout, short neck and head held high. Decent layback of shoulder, liked his depth and width of chest, strong bone. Short loin and tail set correct. One with the make and substance that could cope with the task the dog was bred for. Moved soundly

Puppy Dog

Entries: 2    Absentees: 0

1ST    1300 - Oldeely Swiss Etziken Rubin (Mr N & Mrs W J Smith) 10 mth old black who caught my eye for shape size and body proportions.  Well up to size with a coat of excellent quality giving a classic outline and one who will hopefully have a promising future. Has a skull that has width and depth with the required furrow, good strength of muzzle which is slightly shorter than skull, dark eye, well pigmented and correct bite. Short strong neck, well placed shoulders, decent width and depth of chest and ribbed well  back, strong bone and enough muscle for age. Tail well set on and held correctly on the stand and move. Best Puppy In Breed

2ND    1273 - Rarjo Harlequin (Mrs Ke & Mr Sr Crisp) 9mth old black/white shown in good coat and condition. Finer than 1 and with a lot of maturing to do but has the required elements to his construction to have promise when he matures and bodies up. Moved with a breed typical gait.  

Junior Dog

Entries: 2    Absentees: 1

1ST    1273 - Rarjo Harlequin (Mrs Ke & Mr Sr Crisp) Placed 2nd in previous class

 Post Graduate Dog

Entries: 1    Absentees: 0

1ST    1301 - Calladano Amadeus Andante (Mr R & Mrs V Thompson) 20mth old black whose outline impresses and looks typical for the breed. Head is well proportioned skull to muzzle with enough width of skull and furrow, strong muzzle and correct bite, breed typical expression.  Short, strong neck. Shoulder placement and angulation are fine and are well muscled. Enough bone and straight pasterns. Has a good depth and length of rib with spring and short loin. Tail set is fine and hindquarters are well muscled with long straight pasterns. Moved soundly with drive from the rear and tail carried high. 

Limit Dog

Entries: 2    Absentees: 0

1ST    1285 - Auldhelm Charmed One (Mrs G R & Mrs D A Mardle & Barton) 3yr old brown, at the bottom end of the standard for a male and although has a breed typical outline I think he lacks some of the strength and substance that I think would be required to work as a fishermans dog. Head in proportion to size but lacking the strength and central furrow of skull that I am looking for. Short neck with enough depth and length of rib, short loin, tail ok for set and carriage.  Handled well.  

2ND    1310 - Viva Merlot Tempus Ad Miraculum (Miss K Wlckova). 2yr old white curly of good size. Didn’t feel his clip did him any favours as, in my view, it spoilt the look of what I see as a breed typical head shape. Skull could be broader and have a longer more defined furrow, muzzle decent width and length.  Chest of good depth and length, tail set fine and tail carried well.  

Open Dog

Entries: 7    Absentees: 1

1ST    1293 - Adriatic Porti Beast (Mrs Ana Sehovic). 6yr old brown wavy. Really took my eye for his type, size and substance.  Has strength and substance without coarseness, very masculine, and looks like he could do the job he was intended for. Handled well and presented in good coat and body condition. Skull has breadth, required back skull and the required furrow, dark eye and pigmentation. Strong short neck, high head carriage, shoulders are well set and angulated and accommodate a broad deep chest. Well ribbed back and strong loin. Well muscled hindquarters with the right length of straight pasterns. Tail set slightly high.  Moved in a breed typical fashion, sound but without extended front reach and plenty of drive from the rear.   Dog CC & BOB

2ND    1298 - Ch/int/ir/swiss Ch Gemson Alfamar of Oldeely ShCEx (Mr N & Mrs W J Smith)  7yr old black wavy coat dog of nice type. Scores well in head with good width of skull, central furrow, defined stop, dark eye, typical expression and well pigmented, strength of muzzle which is shorter than skull. Liked his front assembly and length of rib, strong loin and strong hindquarters. Moved well. 

3RD    1306 - Multi/int Ch Unistars High On Crashing Waves Multi Jch (Mrs E. & Mr G. Wiegmann) 2yr old brown, wavy coated, with an appealing breed typical outline.  Head of decent size and proportions, correct bite, well pigmented and dark eye. Neck strong and short, front assembly fine and depth and length of rib are OK. Feel he still has a lot of maturing to do and could carry more muscle and body to advantage. Movement was fine.   

Veteran Dog

Entries: 2    Absentees: 0

A pleasing class to judge and both were a credit to their owners

1ST    1275 - Ch Yelsek The One and Only (Mr S & Mrs D Dring) 9yr old black, shown in excellent coat and condition. In outline he has a classic look being of good size with correct height to length proportions. Strong head with broad skull, furrow and enough back skull.  Muzzle slightly shorter than skull and with strength and depth. Correct bite, dark eye and well pigmented. Short, strong neck, well set on shoulders which are well angulated.  Liked his depth, shape and spring of rib.  Forequarters well muscled, short loin, tail set fine, and hindquarters well muscled. Moved in a typical breed fashion. Res Dog CC & Best Veteran In Breed  

2ND    1304 - Ch/fin Ch Belleville Anjo Negro (Mrs C & Mr E Thompson-Morgan & Morgan) 10yr old black shown in good coat and condition and with an attractive eye catching outline.  Smaller all through than 1 but in balance. Has lot of positive qualities, head with enough size and strength, short strong neck. Has a decent depth of chest and length of rib. Well set tail held correctly standing and moving.  

Good Citizen Dog Scheme Bitch

Entries: 1    Absentees: 0

1ST    1290 - Barqueiro Amora (Mrs C M Richings) 3yr old black wavy coat. Decent size for a bitch with correct height to length proportions. Head properties skull to muzzle are fine but skull and muzzle could be broader, dark eye, well pigmented and correct bite. Short neck would prefer shoulders with better layback and angulation, decent depth of chest and length of rib. Hindquarters have enough muscle and strength with long pasterns. Tail set a bit high. Moved ok.    

Puppy Bitch

Entries: 2    Absentees: 0

1ST    1305 - Portomel Santa Isabel at Belleville (Mrs C & Mr E Thompson-Morgan & Morgan) 10mth old black wavy coated puppy that is eye catching and liked her size, shape and proportions. Head is developing well with skull that is of a good size, with furrow and developed back skull, muzzle nicely proportioned and with strength. Dark eye, well pigmented and correct bite. Neck is short and muscular, shoulder placement and angulation are fine. Chest is developing well with enough depth and spring of rib. Short loin and hindquarters are well muscled. Tail set well and held correctly on the stand and on the move.

2ND    1302 - Calladano Balou Belle (Mr R & Mrs V Thompson) 7mth old black curly coat. At the lower end of the standard for size but proportions are balanced. Head proportions are ok but lacks some of the strength of skull and muzzle that defines the breed. Short neck, shoulder placement and angulation are fine. Has a lot of maturing to do. On the move she was a bit uncertain and untidy.    

Junior Bitch

Entries: 2    Absentees: 0

1ST    1282 - Adventurer’s All The Nights Like This of Belezaflor (Imp Fin) (Mrs L & Mr J Kirk) A lot to like about this 14mth old black wavy coated bitch.  Catches the eye for size, shape and proportions with a coat of excellent texture and quality. Has strength with femininity. Has width of skull, correct furrow and developed back skull, defined stop, dark eye, strong muzzle slightly shorter than length of skull, correct bite and well pigmented. Strong short neck with well laid back shoulder and decent angulation. Liked her depth of ches, ribbed well back and ribs well sprung. Well muscled loin and rear, tail correctly set and held as it should be on the stand and move. Handled, presented and moved well. Obviously more maturing to do but if she continues as she is she should have a promising future.  Pleased to award her the Res Bitch CC. 

2ND    1281 - Peixinho Maior Fortuna at Majesixs (Miss H Killilea) 16mth old black/white wavy coat. Unfortunate to meet 1 as has a lot of positive qualities but needs time to mature and carry more body. Head is of good shape and size and proportions, strong muzzle. Short neck, rib ok and hopefully will deepen in chest, decent strength of loin. Moved with a typical gait.

 Post Graduate Bitch

Entries: 2    Absentees: 0

1ST    1286 - Winterkloud Rioja (Miss S Mcgill) 19mth old black wavy coat. Is of a decent size for a bitch with correct height to length proportions. Head is balanced with enough width of skull, muzzle could have more strength but proportion to skull is fine. Dark eye, moderate stop and correct bite. Decent strength of neck, shoulders are well placed and with decent angulation. Body condition and muscle development fine, has depth to chest and good length of rib. Tail set was ok. Moved with drive from rear but she was a bit uncertain and tail held low in the class but in the challenge she did hold it correctly 

2ND    1290 - Barqueiro Amora (Mrs C M Richings) See Good Citizen class

Limit Bitch

Entries: 3    Absentees: 1

1ST    1307 - Majesixs Flaming Hot at Peixinho (Mrs S Williams) 4yr old black/white wavy coat who catches the eye for type, has enough size and strength but also femininity. Shown in good coat and body condition. Has a skull of good size, median furrow, enough stop, dark eye with typical expression. Strong muzzle which I felt could be slightly shorter to advantage. Chest had depth and ribbed well back to strong loin.  Rear assembly well angulated and with well developed muscle, long straight pasterns.  Moved with a breed typical gait and without excessive front reach.  

2ND    1278 - Far Away New Generation at Aquatass (Mrs E & Mrs C Henry & Bjorklund) 2yr old with a profuse black coat. Well up to size. Has a strong large head with decent balance between skull and muzzle, typical expression, well pigmented and with correct bite, to be critical for me she lacked some refinement and femininity. Short, strong neck, shoulders well laid back, chest had decent depth and ribbed well back. Strong loin, tail set a bit high and overall preferred the hindquarters of 1.   

Open Bitch

Entries: 9    Absentees: 2

1ST    1296 - Ch Rarjo Macduff Making Waves with Megulcie JW (Miss Md & Miss Lg & Mr Bc Slack & Newton & Williams).    2yr old black bitch with immaculately presented coat and in wonderful body condition shown to full advantage by her young handler who got the best out her. Impressed on the stand for a classic outline, like her size and balanced proportions height to length and that she had both strength and femininity. Has a head with skull that has size, strength and is the correct shape for the breed, muzzle slightly shorter than length of skull, defined stop, dark eyes, well pigmented lips, eye lids and open nostrils. There is a nice flow from her short neck into well placed shoulders and down to her short, strong loin and correct tailset. Her front and rear are well muscled and she was handled at a pace to get the best out of her on the move. Bitch CC in the challenge for BOB she just lost out to the power and presence of the dog.   

2ND    1283 - Ch Belleville Crazy in Love of Belezaflor JW (Mrs L & Mr J Kirk) 3yr old black another shown in excellent condition and a worthy champion. Very breed typical in outline, and correct for size and shape. Liked her head for size and proportions. Good depth and width of chest. Enough length of rib and strong loin. Handled and moved well but unfortunate to meet 1 who was on top form today. 

3RD    1274 - Ch Yelsek Love and Pride (Mr S & Mrs D Dring) 5yr old black wavy coat and another of correct type and a worthy champion. Has a lot of what I am looking for in the breed, especially in relation to head properties. Just felt today she was a bit flat and not showing to her best advantage.

Veteran Bitch

Entries: 5    Absentees: 1

1ST    1297 - Ch/int/ir Ch/swiss Ch Auldhelm Xquisite ShCM VW (Mr N & Mrs W J Smith) Hard to believe this black wavy coat was 11yrs old. Her presentation, body and coat condition are a credit to her owner. Her head shape and proportions are good with enough size of skull and strength of muzzle, correct bite and strong pigmentation. She maintains a topline that flows nicely and an underline that has still the required tuck up. Moved with an easy typical gait.

2ND    1284 - Ch Auldhelm Bizzy Lizzie (Mrs G R & Mrs D A Mardle & Barton) 9yr old brown wavy coat and not a lot to split 1 & 2 in terms of head and body shape and condition but preferred the shoulder placement and angulation of 1.  

3RD    1291 - Ch Aquafortis Semper Fidelis at Nazare (Mr D & Mrs A Samuelson) 7yr old brown wavy coat. Has enough quality to merit her champion status. Just preferred the size, shape and overall proportions of 1 & 2. 

Tony Burscough, Judge 8.3.26