Crufts 2025 Critique

My thanks to Crufts for the honour of judging this very special breed at this most prestigious of shows. I was looking for conformation and soundness in movement, breed type is also a bonus. Without exception I found this in all my winners. All dogs were clean and well-presented and all temperaments were spot on. My thanks to all the exhibitors who allowed me to judge their very special hounds and also to my two very professional and confident stewards who made my day go so well. A day I will treasure in my memories.

1st. Ch Beardswood Uther (Mr J & Mrs L & Dr Sa Faircloth & Faircloth & Helps) A super class and this seven and a half year old was on top form today, exquisite masculine head with an aquiline nose, ex ears, very well balanced all through, well reaching neck set on correct shoulder angulation, ribs carried well back with length in loin, well-bent stifles and strong second thigh, his movement was absolutely sound in all directions, immaculately put down and shown, he showed his socks off and loved the big ring, a lovely type gave his all in the challenge and was delighted to award him RCC.

2nd. Ch Cotherstone Dallas Dhu of Altimarlach (Mr I R and Mrs L Swanson) Love his type, dark harsh coat and lovely soft expression, well off for bone, another with very good muscle tone, fit as you like and moved covering a lot of ground with a long stride, immaculately presented and kindly handled, very close up to 1st, just preferred leg length of my winner, ex coat and feet, very well presented and handled.

1st. Kilbourne Jagger (Mr M J & Mrs G M Peach) Two very nice puppies, this one the older of the two and it showed in their maturity, it makes a big difference at this stage. A lovely type and so correct to go over, good head and pigmentation, excels in front construction, with a good forechest, straight legs on correct well knuckled feet, good reach in neck, shoulder well laid-back, balanced angles all through, very "together" on the move, a lovely type, surely a star for the future?

2nd. Vin-De-Château Du Triple Bois at Lycanfold (Imp Fra) (Mrs N J Mckie) Less mature than 1st, liked his type, not behaving for his handler, nevertheless his temperament is excellent, a happy young hound, ex head, good bone, lovely angles, when his handler got him moving out he showed a good long stride and a lot of promise.

1st. Fortheringhay's Ina's Invincible Hero (Dr R Schuder) Nice dark eye and pigmentation, a little too much stop but not too broad in skull, well sprung ribs with a good top line which he held on the move, good fall away, excels in his sweeping stifles which he uses to their full potential on the move, a long striding hound, a little light on bone, ex feet and temperament, well presented.

2nd. Flaxside Druid (Mrs E & Mr J Beasley) Nice type, correct head proportions and pigmentation, lovely soft expression, ex ears, well set on. Very good length in rib cage and loin, a little narrow in front and movement needs to settle, nice coat, needs time to mature, well presented.

1st. Humbiehounds Pirnmill at Coronach (Dr S Sharp) Fabulous head with a lovely far away expression, aquiline nose with good pigment, ex ears, ex forechest and a well laid shoulder, balanced angles all through, ex coat, his movement was absolutely sound both fore and aft with a long ground covering stride, liked him a lot, one to watch.

2nd. Chuilinn Enigma at Albaeirn (Mr Prgj Nicholls MBE) Striking hound, very dark, a lovely type, excels in head, shown in fit condition, balanced, sound on the move, held his top line throughout on well-knuckled feet, challenged hard for 1st place, just preferred the length of 1st place, well presented and handled.

1st. Fritzen Zareef at Wolfcastle (Imp Ger) An impressive hound who has still yet to come into his own! He is a lovely type and he was the best mover in this very strong class, love his head, dark eye and far away expression. He displays balanced angulation and free movement on his tight well knuckled feet, which he uses to his best advantage on the move, low set hocks, in good coat. Still a young hound, I feel the best is yet to come! Very well presented and handled.

2nd. Packway Blue Moon (Miss L & Mr J Sandells and Lovell) Another lovely type, close decision between these two, preferred top line of my winner, nevertheless this hound is also still young and has so much more potential and has a lot to like. Well balanced angles and well let down hocks, great depth in brisket, would prefer more forechest, good underline and tuck up, shows substance and strength, well off for bone, free and sound moving, covering a lot of ground. Very well shown and presented.

1st. Ch Quantistico Giuseppe to Kilbourne (Mr M J and Mrs G M Peach) Soundness, confirmation and breed type, this hound has them all. So full of quality and straight out of the top drawer, there's not much I would change, super masculine head, a dark eye and soft expression, excels in front construction, strong arching neck into well laid back shoulder, length in upper arm and ex forechest, deep well sprung ribs and length in loins, correct top line held on the move, ex breadth across hips with length from hip to well let down hocks, tight feet. Balanced and not exaggerated. Movement was a joy to watch, powerful, absolutely sound, strong muscle and second thigh effortlessly covering the ground with front reach and powerful drive behind, a joy to judge CC & BOB.

2nd. Ormanstar Ezra (Mrs S J Taylor) Another high quality hound of ex breed type, dark eye with a lovely soft expression, would prefer a little less stop, ex small ears well set on. Very good front construction with a good forechest. Ex feet, very well balanced height to length ratio, shoulder well laid, length and spring of rib with length in loin and correct top line held on the move, good fall away with length from hip to well let down hocks, adequate bend of stifle, just not the rear angles of my winner, ex coat, shown in good fit condition with well-developed second thigh, very sound mover, not yet three years old, can only mature and go forward, a lot to like, very well presented and shown.

1st Shagiead Stormyseas (ai) (Mrs L A Spence) Three fabulous girls, all had beautiful heads, all moved with enthusiasm, such a privilege to see. This 7 1/2 year old is such a lovely type, she is well balanced, showing correct height to length ratio, length and strength in neck excels in front and rear construction, showing a correct shoulder, length in upper arm and a good pronounced forechest, preferred her top line to 2nd with a good fall away, great breadth through hips and length from hip to hock, ex feet, she is so sound and correct on the move from all angles, so much to like, very kindly handled and presented, a strong contender for RCC, much to like.

2nd. Kilbourne Louisa Chick to Kirjojax (Mrs J & Mr R J Wilce-Quinton & Quinton) A very lovely type, well balanced proportions with good reach in neck, super head with good furnishings, dark eye and dark pigmentation, flowing lines, close up to winner, sound movement with a lovely long side gait, very well presented and shown.

1st. Kirjojax Thrilling Thistle (Mrs J & Mr R J Wilce-Quinton & Quinton) 4 super puppies all showing quality, so it was nice to be spoilt for choice! My winner, an 11 month old showing so much breed type and promise, best of heads with a far away expression, aquiline nose, ex forechest, balance in height to length ratio, well angulated and neat, well knuckled feet, initially a little unsettled with the tannoy, but once she got going her movement won her the day, easy and active with a long stride, very sensitively handled, BP.

2nd. Fritzens Gunhild at Wolfscastle (Imp Ger) (Mr K J & Ms Z L S Owen and Brodie) Super type and high quality, sweet head and soft expression, correct front and neat, well knuckled feet, very close up to 1st just a little longer cast, so preferred the balance and top line of my winner. Nevertheless, she moved very well for one so young, with a lovely long stride and good parallel movement, strongly developed muscle tone, a lot to like about her, surely another little star of the future? Well presented and handled.

1st. Heaven Jolie Rose von Der Weidenvilla Int/Lux/Dwzrv Jch (Mrs B Kroll). Three present, all very different, this 16-month old bitch is very much my type, she has a fabulous head with all correct proportions, small neat ears well set on, she is balanced although just going through the "teenage" stage but sound on the move with ex rear angulation, depth in her chest, ex coat quality. A little unsettled but not at all nervous, just enjoying her day, needs time to mature, I liked her very much, well presented.

2nd. Lowland Fauns Ianthe at Flaxside (Imp Ger) (Ms S Thom) Different type to 1st, would like a little more of her, but nevertheless she is in the breed standard and has plenty of bone and is very balanced all through, she has a lovely head, well-knuckled feet and ex crisp, harsh coat, well-bodied, correct in top line with correct fall away, tail well set on and well let down hocks, moved well and very well presented and handled.

1st. Kilbourne Danny's Annie (Mr M J and Mrs G M Peach) An excellent class with not enough cards to hand out! But this bitch stood out and did not disappoint in any way, at just 20 months old she had so much ring presence without being overdone or flashy, quality all through with a good coat, lovely feminine head and soft expression, pigment correct and ears well set on. Strength and reach in neck with ex front construction, she is balanced height to length and is absolutely sound round the ring covering the ground with her long stride, my only criticism is her top line is not her best attribute, nevertheless it does not spoil her outline, a youngster of high quality and breed type, looked long and hard and today was delighted to award her RCC.

2nd. Kilbourne Devon (Mr M J and Mrs G M Peach) Another super breed type with a lovely head and expression, on the small side but easily within the standard, showing balance and typical outline. Straight four legs and well-bent stifles, hocks well let down, marginally preferred front of my winner, well-bodied and muscled with evident second thigh, very sound on the move, in ex dark, crisp coat, very well presented.

1st. Hyndsight Neaghley (ai) (Mrs L A Spence). This bitch is so sound and correct to go over, she's not necessarily my "type" but is full of quality, very well balanced, sweet feminine head, strong well-arched neck, ex shoulder placement showing length in upper arms, good forechest, deep brisket with well sprung ribbing and good tuck up. Breadth through hips and super sweeping angles behind, if you're looking for soundness look no further, she is correct in all directions, effortless and nothing exaggerated, handled to perfection, so much to like.

2nd. Kilbourne Ocean Blue of Matahari (Miss Ka Llewellyn) Oozes breed type, if I was taking one home, this is her! Exquisite head with correct planes, aquiline nose, pigmentation, ears, it's all there. Would prefer a little more breadth in front, balances correct and she stands on good well-knuckled feet, well angled behind, move out with enthusiasm, with a lovely long side gait. A bitch of high quality, well presented.

1st. Kilbourne Opal's Fire to Abayomi (Mr M J and Mrs G M Peach) I found what I was looking for in this bitch, straight out of the top drawer. I see from my records I awarded her a class in yearling, so clearly liked her, but had no idea who she was and was surprised to find out (the same with my RCC bitch). A lovely class of mature bitches, but the quality, movement and type of this girl could not be denied. The best of heads, neat ears, loved her shape and outline, well-knuckled feet, well-bodied and ribbed with good tuck-up, correct in top line which she held on the move, powerful driving hindquarters showing breadth and flowing lines. Well off for bone, free striding with maximum ground coverage, she didn't put a foot wrong, elegant, true to breed standard and not exaggerated in any way. Very well shown and presented CC.

2nd. Quantastico Lucia to Kilbourne (Mrs T C and Mr M C Edwards) Close up to 1st and many comments apply, another I had judged in the past as a youngster and she had only improved, showing ex breed type, excels in her long head and far away expression, not the tallest but she is absolutely balanced in proportions and height to length ratio, ex front and rear construction, well muscled with prominent second thigh, harsh coat, sound on the move, pushed hard in the challenge, sensitively shown and put down to perfection.

1st. Lowland Fauns Ianthe at Flaxside (Imp Ger) (Ms S Thom) Would like a little more of her, but nevertheless she is in the breed standard and has plenty of bone and is very balanced all through, she has a lovely head, well-knuckled feet and ex crisp, harsh coat, well-bodied, correct in top line with correct fall away, tail well set on and well let down hocks, moved well and very well presented and handled.

2nd. Finch Hill Alastriona An Baskevyns (Mr A & Mrs J Wyatt) More my type than 1st, good angulation and balance, lovely head, front needs more fill in, was out moved by my winner, but in fact a nice quality bitch who needs more time to drop into her chest and mature, a nice baby. Nicely shown.