Crufts

Crufts 2026

Spanish Water Dog

Sunday, 8 March 2026

Judge: Mr A Allen

Thank you to Crufts committee for inviting me to judge, to the exhibitors for entering under me and Shirley and Joe, my stewards, for keeping me on the straight and narrow. It was a super entry and there was a real depth of quality.

I was pleased to see the breed has improved significantly since I last judged. My main concern was about rear movement; many were very close behind and not driving from the rear to give that typical brisk gate, also there were many bad mouths, which I did not expect to see at this level of competition, that must be kept an eye on, especially for future breeding programmes.

My DCC and subsequently BOB was the top class Sh Ch Janamorio Northern Arlo (Mr A & Mr J Tkaczyk), my RDCC and Best Puppy was the very exciting youngster in As Good as It Gets Wavelet with Sinduda (Mrs J Wood). For my BCC I selected the lovely Bel/int Ch My Big Dream Upsakee (Mrs C Lambregts) and my RBCC winner went to second in open Bombadee Aliexpress EUJW24 (Mr T Kaczorek). My Best Veteran went to the evergreen Sh Ch Valentisimo's Tizi (Mr N P D, Mrs F J & Miss F Z M Walker).

Good Citizen Dog Scheme Dog

Entries: 3 Absentees: 0

1ST Chanderhill Eagle Eye Sinduda (Mrs J Wood)

Smart boy, on the stack presented a clean picture. I liked his head which was expressive and had good proportions, good eye. Short strong neck and well laid-back shoulders, decent return of upper arm. For me he is a tad long in loin. Well-muscled and in good condition. Coat of good texture. He moved well to take the class.

2ND Lendever's Icing On The Cake (Mrs R & Mr A & Mrs S Capille & Capille & Nicholls-Ward)

Liked this chap from the ringside as a youngster and pleased to see that he is fulfilling that early promise. Head pleasing, of good proportions with good overall balance. Strong through the neck, shoulders well laid back and good overall front assembly, needs to drop in to his front which he should do as he matures. Standing on well boned legs. Ribs springing nicely, strong through the loin. Well-made quarters. Good front action on the move, not quite as fluid nor the drive of the winner.

3RD Nelsonandaluza De Ubrique (Mrs Affleck-Carter)

Puppy Dog

Entries: 1 Absentees: 0

1ST As Good as It Gets Wavelet with Sinduda (Mrs J Wood)

A young boy with lots of promise at this stage, he is so together at this age and if he carries on developing in this way, he should do well. I liked his head proportions and expression, masculine and right for his age. Good through the neck and leading into well set shoulders. Standing on straight, well boned legs. Body developing well, good through the ribs. Quarters well made for his age. Super on the move with a typical action, he had sound and accurate movement fore and aft. In the challenge it really all came together. My pleasure to award him the RCC and Best Puppy. I will follow his career with interest.

Junior Dog

Entries: 1 Absentees: 0

1ST Lendever's Man among Men (Mrs R Capille)

A very smart young man who I liked a lot. Good overall shape, head masculine of good proportions. Strong through the neck which led into a decent front assembly, shoulders well set and a good return. Standing on well boned legs. Ribs springing nicely, a tad long in loin but not unbalanced. Well-made quarters, moderately bent stifles. In good coat which was of good condition with correct texture. On the move he had good foot fall, ran him off in the challenge, he just wasn’t quite as fluid as the principal winners today, but I am sure will have a bright future ahead of him.

Post Graduate Dog

Entries: 6 Absentees: 1

1ST Cooishka Wake Up Boo (Mrs C & Ms K Glaysher & Thompson)

Another smart boy with lots to like about him. Out of a slightly larger mould. Good head piece on him with a dark eye. Strong in the neck, shoulder placement ok with enough return of upper arm. Ribs well sprung and strong loin. Held his topline well. Quarters well-made and was in good condition. Super coat of correct texture and curl. Moved out well to take the class.

2ND Agemera Teddy Bear at Pabiaga (T Whitehead)

Another very typy dog, I liked his head which was expressive and had good proportions, good eye. Short strong neck and well laid-back shoulders, I would like him tighter in elbow. Well-proportioned in body, good spring of rib. Well-muscled and in good condition. Coat in good condition and of good texture. He tried very hard to throw it all away on the move and was initially all over the place, moved him off on his own at the end and he settled into a steady gate and able to take this place.

3RD Briarlow's Nueva Aventura (Mrs C E Ross)

Limit Dog

Entries: 5 Absentees: 1

1ST Zorrazo Kind Regards at Lendever (Mrs R Capille)

Smart dog, his handler just absolutely got the best out of him. Balanced head of good proportions, masculine with a kind expression, enhanced by a dark eye. Super neck which led on to a well assembled front, tight elbows. Standing on well boned legs and good tight feet. Ribs well sprung. Super quarters, good moderate bend of stifle and hocks well let down. Super action on the move, good foot fall, just lacked a little enthusiasm on the final run off. Considered him for the RCC, I am sure he will have a bright future ahead of him.

2ND Zorrazo King of The Castle (Mrs M Van Den Berg-Hagestein)

Another smart dog, lots of attitude about him and looks impressive on the stack. Strong masculine head, powerful strong neck, well set shoulders, good return of upper arm. Decent depth of chest and stands on good well boned legs. Ribs correctly sprung and firm through the loin. Would like a better tail set. Well-muscled quarters. Moved out well, if a little fast, with a good action to take this place.

3RD 18262 - Prizelands Fancy This (Mrs A W Van Dongen)

Open Dog

Entries: 8 Absentees: 3

1ST Sh Ch Janamorio Northern Arlo (Mr A & Mr J Tkaczyk)

It was no secret I liked this boy; he won his second CC under me last time I judged. This chap presents a super picture on the stack. On the move his action was brisk and fluid, he scored in accuracy of footfall. His handler just absolutely got the best out of him. Balanced head of good proportions, masculine with a kind expression, good finish to his foreface. Super neck which led on to an excellent front assembly, correct lay back, tight elbows and good return of upper arm. Standing on well boned legs and good tight feet. Ribs well sprung, super topline which he held throughout. Correct moderate quarters, good bend of stifle and hocks well let down. He has an excellent coat of the correct texture. Delighted to award him the Dog CC and later in a very close decision BOB against the super bitch. Thank you for bringing him again.

2ND 18228 - Sh Ch Zorrazo Hey There Yogi Bear (Dr K & Mr M Hodgkinson-Rutherford & Rutherford)

Another who I gave a CC to as a youngster and returned today as the finished article, and again in short clip as he was last time. Super movement on him, his action was so brisk and fluid, super on the move and his handler paced him correctly. He has a balanced head of good proportion, masculine with a kind expression. Super neck which led on to a decent front assembly, tight elbows and good return of upper arm. Standing on well boned legs and good tight feet. Ribs well sprung, super topline which he held throughout. Would have liked him a shade longer in body to give better proportion. Super moderate quarters, good bend of stifle and hocks well let down. Called him back in to be considered for the RCC, he lost that by a whisker to the puppy. A great dog and ambassador for the breed.

3RD 18215 - Chanderhill Smart Edition for Elizad JW (Mrs J & Miss E S Darwesh)

Veteran Dog

Entries: 5 Absentees: 1

1ST Chanderhill Alfredo JW Cjw 19 (Mrs A C S & Mr M Parish)

He is a smart 8 year old dog, has a typical head and expression, strong and powerful in the neck, shoulder placement good with a decent return of upper arm. Ribs well sprung and strong loin, if a shade long. Held his topline well. Quarters well-made and was in good condition. In short coat but of correct texture. Moved out well to take his place. Really nice type of dog.

2ND Nelsonandaluza De Ubrique (Mrs Affleck-Carter)

This 10 and a half year old chap was third in special beginners, but he had got his head together in this class and was moving much better. A well-made dog with a good head piece, enhanced by a dark eye to give a masculine expression. Short, strong neck, he has a decent front assembly on him, well made in body with well sprung ribs. Decent quarters with moderate angulation. Coat in good condition, good curl.

3RD Adormidera Ziggy Star Dust VW (Ms J C & Mr J R Abrahams)

Good Citizen Dog Scheme Bitch

Entries: 5 Absentees: 3

1ST Valentisimo's De Cascada (Mrs J R Appleton)

Really nice type of bitch with a pleasing outline on the stack. Her head is feminine, a tad round in eye but good shape and proportions. Good though the neck, slightly wider in shoulder and correspondingly would like her tighter in elbow. Good through the body, ribs have a decent amount of spring. Moderate quarters. Coat in good condition with a tight curl. Sound in movement had a better action on the up and down to take the class.

2ND Perrorizado Isla Zuaza (Mrs R & Mr P Clough)

Black bitch, lacking a little confidence but a good overall type. She has a feminine head with a kind eye, good neck and shoulders, good through the body, level topline, good depth of brisket and spring of rib, her angulation was good and she moved out soundly was just rather untidy on the up and down.

Puppy Bitch

Entries: 1 Absentees: 0

1ST Sierrasalvas Midnight Lady (Mr M & Mrs S Salvatierra)

Ten months old Black and White. She has a balanced head and feminine expression. She has a super angulated front, correct depth of chest for her age and stands on straight well boned legs. Shoulders well laid back and enough return of upper arm. Balanced body proportions, ribs springing nicely for her age and correct height to length ratio. Excellent quarters with that correct moderate bend of stifle. Super in profile on the move, great front action, good drive. Best Puppy Bitch.

Junior Bitch

Entries: 3 Absentees: 1

1ST Perroadicto Asti (Ms K Suszanowicz)

Nice type of girl, very appealing indeed and has lovely breed type. She has a very feminine head, dark eye, ears correctly set, feminine in expression. Good neck into well placed shoulders and straight front, needs a shade more return of forearm. Correct balance. Good rear angles. Correct reach & drive, true coming towards me just a little close behind, scored in profile with a brisk action.

2ND Zaphire Glamour Wavelet Sk/hun/srb Jch (Mrs V Debnarova)

Nice type of bitch, head well shaped, dark eye and feminine in expression, short strong neck, shoulder lay back good. I would like a little more return of upper arm and tighter in elbow, ribs well sprung, a tad long in loin for me. Well-made moderate quarters. Needed to settle on the move today as she was giving her handler a hard time.

Post Graduate Bitch

Entries: 10 Absentees: 1

1ST Guardian De Los Sueños Vida (Imp Esp) (Mrs Affleck-Carter)

Young bitch and very appealing indeed and has lovely breed type, she took my attention as she walked into the ring. She has a very feminine head with lovely pigmentation, ears correctly set, good neck into well placed shoulders and straight front. Correct balance and proportions throughout. Good topline and finish to her croup. Good rear angles. Good foot fall, true coming towards me and in profile with a typical action.

2ND Valentina De Canagua at Aguamarina (Imp Esp) (Mrs R & Mr A Kehoe)

Nice type of bitch, she has a pleasing feminine head of good proportions, good ear set. Tends to sink back into her shoulders on the stack which spoilt her outline a little. Good in front, standing on good legs and super feet. Ribs developing nicely for her age, good length through the loin. Quarters developing well with moderately bent stifles and hocks well let down. Brisk action on the move which had accurate footfall and which gave her the place in this class.

3RD Rainethyme Remember Me (Mrs SJ & Mr M & Mrs C Jarvis & Jarvis & Palumbo)

Limit Bitch

Entries: 6 Absentees: 1

1ST Prizelands Tickled My Fancy JW (F Donaldson)

This lady was my BPB last time I judged. Pleasing bitch with a typical head shape, good eye and ear set. Strong neck into well laid-back shoulders. Stands on well boned legs. Well sprung ribs and depth to chest. good height to length ratio. Moderate rear angulation with a decent bend of stifle. On the move she was sound but not as fluid in rear movement today so that cost her higher honours. Considered her for the RCC, one who should easily carry a title.

2nd Lunares De Los Llanos del Valle del Fielamigo (gkc) (Miss J Trebert)

Two-and a half-year-old bitch, out of a bigger mould, she has a pleasing feminine head of good proportions, good ear set. Good through the front would just like a little more lay back of shoulder, standing on good legs and super feet. Ribs developing nicely for her age, good length through the loin. Quarters developing well with moderately bent stifles and hocks well let down. Brisk action, just not as fluid as the winner on the move today.

3RD Cravessa's Right On The Dot by Adormidera (Ms J C & Mr J R Abrahams)

Open Bitch

Entries: 13 Absentees: 5

1ST Bel/int Ch My Big Dream Upsakee (Mrs C Lambregts)

I really liked this lovely bitch; she stood out in the class for me. She has a typical head of excellent proportions, a lovely eye and ear set, lovely feminine expression. Strong short muscular neck into well laid-back shoulders. Well sprung ribs and depth to chest. Good bone and straight front, at times appeared just a bit loose in elbows but when she settled, she was correct. Correct height to length ratio, she held her topline very well. Moderate rear angulation with a good bend of stifle. In full coat, correct texture and well presented. On the move she was sound as a pound, to me she looked a picture and I was delighted to give her the class and then award her the BCC, I thought her really top class.

2ND Bombadee Aliexpress

2 years and progressing in all the right directions. She has a good headpiece with a good eye and ears correctly set, just a shade stronger than the winner. Strong short muscular neck into well laid-back shoulders. Well sprung ribs and depth to chest. Good bone and straight front with tight elbows. Correct height to length ratio, she held her topline very well. Moderate rear angulation with a good bend of stifle. On the move she was sound as a pound and ran the winner really close. I am sure she has a bright future ahead of her. Delighted to award her the RCC today.

Veteran Bitch

Entries: 7 Absentees: 3

1ST Sh Ch Valentisimo's Tizi (Mr N P D, Mrs F J & Miss F Z M Walker)

An old favourite of mine who has done very well under me previously, in fact this was the third time she has won best veteran under me, it was lovely to see here again, now ten and a half, standing she has a super outline, with the correct ratios. She is so feminine, balanced & full of breed type. Lovely head, correctly proportioned with a dark eye and well set on ears, which all gives an intelligent & soft expression. She has correctly angulated front with shoulders well placed. Stands on good well boned legs and feet. Good depth of forechest & spring of rib. She did everything she needed to on the move, just showing her age slightly but she presented the most super picture, so had to take the class and Best Veteran, great to see her again on what I understand was her swansong.

2ND Sierrasalva's Regalo (Mr M & Mrs S Salvatierra)

Brown bitch with good overall proportions and in good coat with well-defined cords. Head proportions ok, good eye. Neck short and muscular, shoulders well placed with enough return of upper arm. Ribs well sprung and good depth to chest. Good overall proportions. Well-made hind quarters, moderate stifles. Good in profile, front movement good, just a tad untidy behind, unlucky to meet the winner on such good form.

3RD Nld Ch Zorrazo Knick Knack Paddy Whack Njk'18 (Mrs A W Van Dongen)