Crufts

I have judged the breed several times before in the UK and other countries, but this was my first UK appointment for around twenty years. The dogs exhibited at this show were of a high overall standard. Breeders and exhibitors are to be congratulated with the progress being made in addressing the concerns that led to the breed being listed in Category 3. All dogs shown today were outwardly healthy, in good condition and free of extreme exaggeration.

Puppy - Dog

Entries: 3 Abs: 1

1st MATTEO JUNIOR (MS S STANWORTH)

Promising youngster, pleasing head properties with clean eye, typical outline and body proportions, pleasing ribbing and coupling, ample, bone, body development and substance for age, rear action could be more positive.

2nd RAYVONLEY KING KONG (MISS N HERALD)

More leggy and rangy than winner, fair head, eye and expression, a little narrow in fore chest and not as well ribbed up as winner, rather unsettled on the move so difficult to assess gait.

Junior - Dog

Entries: 2 Abs: 1

1st CINCIRIPINI'S TROOPER VIA VALLINO (MR S & MRS D PLATTS)

Excellent young male showing good breed type and quality, has the desired broad skull and flat forehead, good balance of skull to muzzle, well spread nostrils, well placed clean eye of pleasing shape and placement, wide and well let down chest, muscular back and loin, well set croup, hocks turning in slightly but nonetheless moved with power and a ground covering stride.

Post Graduate - Dog

Entries: 9 Abs: 3

1st EASY TO LOVE ARIKI (MS K & MR M SLATER & MAFI)

RBD, won a strong class, has many of the breed’s positive attributes and obvious ring presence, grand head and eye, deep and powerful body of good shape and proportions, gently sloping top line, powerful quarters, well boned with good feet and moving with a strong and powerful breed typical gait.

2nd CH PIRELLI LUIGI JW JCH [ATC AU00154BEL] (MRS S SMIDOVA)

Excellent exhibit with a pleasing head piece, clean eye, strong neck, good top line, deep ribbing, deep and wide fore chest, strong back and loin, a shorter in back than the winner and not quite the same power and freedom of movement.

3rd MAKAEVO HORLICKS BY KORMEESE (MR C A LEWIS-CROOKS)

Res LARGE PAW ROMA JCH [ATC AU01274RUS] (GP PERVENIS)

VHC RAYVONLEY MAD HATTER (S R COX)

Open - Dog

Entries: 6 Abs: 0

1st MAKAEVO HERCULES (MR M EVANS)

BD, mature male of good breed type with a deep and powerful body, pleasing height to length ratio, strong neck firm and gently sloping top line, very muscular back and loin, well balanced construction of front and rear assemblies, elbows set well under body, good length of second thigh and good hock length and placement, very impressive on the move with a powerful and lengthy stride

2nd FREDDO DEI MASTINI DELLA RUPE (IMP ITA) (MR M MAFI)

Pleasing type and quality, free of obvious exaggeration, pleasing head with good eye shape and placement, ample depth and width of chest, deep ribbing extending well back, strong loin, active mover but not quite the length of stride of winner.

3rd NEAFOX DENALI (MR D CARLIN)

Res VALLINO HERO OF THE DAY (MISS J & MR S JORDAN & WHITELAM)

VHC MATTEO GIOVANNI (MS S STANWORTH)

Puppy - Bitch

Entries: 1 Abs: 0

1st NANNINA AT MAKAEVO (IMP ITA) (MR M EVANS)

BP, very promising young female, grand head properties, desired body shape and proportions with an obvious impression of depth and power, deep ribbing going well back, very strong and powerful loin, firm back line, pleasing croup and tail set, well boned and clean limbed, good feet, confident and easy mover.

Post Graduate - Bitch

Entries: 5 Abs: 3

1st LARGE PAW SELESTIA DEL MASTINI (IMP RUS) (GP PERVENIS)

Quality exhibit with very pleasing head properties, strong neck, level top line, good length of rib, strong loin, clean limbed with fair bone and substance, good feet and pleasing movement.

2nd TEMPESTA DEL NORD (MISS P DRAKE)

Similar in many respects to the winner, pleasing head, eye and expression, good ribbing, strong loin, well set croup, just preferred the front assembly and more agile and fluent movement of winner.

Open - Bitch

Entries: 5 Abs: 2

1st ACTS OF HEROIC OFA (MS K & MR M SLATER & MAFI)

BOB, beautiful example of the breed, free of exaggeration in every respect, super head properties with a clean, well placed eye of good shape, ideal body proportions, excellent bone and substance, pleasing coat, just the right width and depth of fore chest, super ribbing, strong loin, ideal top line, moved impressively in the distinctive style of the breed.

2nd REGINA MAESTRA OPELI (MR M, MRS Z, MS K & MR M SPILSBURY, SLATER & MAFI)

RBB, strong contestant with many impressive qualities and attributes, very pleasing outline and proportions, clean, well boned limbs, good feet, ample length of rib, strong loin, free and fluid gait, just preferred the slightly stronger and more powerful appearance of the winner.