Crufts

Judge Results: Mr P Eardley

Crufts 2026

Thursday, 5 March 2026

Manchester Terrier

This judging assignment was a little bittersweet as I was the substitute judge for Carol Dunford who unfortunately is not well at the moment. I was so sad for Carol as I know that she was very much looking forward to judging her beloved breed at Crufts. I have known Carol for many years and learned a lot about Manchester Terriers from her. We both spoke at a breed seminar a few years ago and it certainly felt like we saw the dogs in much the same way. I send her my very best wishes.

Thank you to the exhibitors for a good entry and an interesting entry which I enjoyed. Thank you to the Crufts Committee for the invitation and to my two lovely stewards, Bryony and Sue, who did a fabulous job keeping us very much to time.

Overall I felt that the quality was perhaps not quite as good as the last couple of times that I have judged the breed although that comment should not detract from the quality of the principal winners who were all good specimens. Size was a bit mixed as was movement. However overall I was pleased with heads, ears and dentition. All dogs were in good condition.

Manchester Terrier - Good Citizen Dog Scheme Dog

Entries: 4 Absentees: 0

1ST Rattustrap Crimes at Night JW (Miss L & Mr G Bailey & Hancocks)-good type of dog to start things off, very typical, compact, good size, super outline, quite exuberant but is still a young dog, good rear, front could be a bit tighter. Is a competitive young man.

2ND Rattustrap Dark Matters at Carnifex (Mrs Ca & Mr Sd Bratcher)-another one good for size and type, nice proportions, ok up and back, flying his ears a little which detracted from his expression.

3RD Kaiser Aurora Dream Katar (Mr D & Mrs J Bird)

Manchester Terrier - Puppy Dog

Entries: 2 Absentees: 0

1ST Starryedge Titan Buck (Mr L & Mrs A Spain)-nice outline, steady, moved well, head is developing along the right lines, showing promise. Best puppy on his steady performance.

2ND Magicus Silvestris Prins Peter Pan (Imp Nor) (Ms L Bailey)-lovely headed boy, ok in outline, just not steady on the move and was pacing a little today. Hopefully he will grow out of that as he relaxes.

Manchester Terrier - Junior Dog

Entries: 0 Absentees: 0

 Manchester Terrier - Post Graduate Dog

Entries: 5 Absentees: 0

1ST Thunder Dragon Precious Adventure (Imp Nld) (Mrs F & Ms V Fitch & Crawford)-Won the class on his overall outline and movement, compact, would like more of him and is a bit proud of his tail,

2ND Erkenwyne Wildfire (Miss F & Mr P Lancaster & Rosser)-masculine but not the outline or movement of the one above him, good in body and ok in head.

3RD Rattustrap Beer Humbug (Mr R Earle)

Manchester Terrier - Limit Dog

Entries: 6 Absentees: 1

1ST Axaldarn Viking Wolf JW (Miss C Lomas)-I liked the type of this boy very much, caught my eye when he came in as he was correct in proportions, masculine, had a decent outline and a good temperament. In good hard condition, a touch light in eye. On first glance it looked like he would have to battle it out with the winner from the GC class and indeed he did inching past him on showmanship and steady movement. Looked just as good in the dog challenge which earned him the Res CC. Should have a bright future.

2ND Rattustrap Crimes at Night JW (Miss L & Mr G Bailey & Hancocks)

3RD Isari King of Hearts at Starryedge (Ms V E Hayllor)

Manchester Terrier - Open Dog

Entries: 6 Absentees: 1

1ST Ch Safiette Theos Doron (Mrs G & Mr P Bodsworth)-this boy really did take my eye. I noticed him as soon as he entered the ring and he kept catching my eye. He is so very typical and oozes quality. Lovely size, good outline standing and moving and holds a good outline in profile as well. He is super type, decent enough head and is a very worthy champion. A young mature dog at the top of his game and I found nothing that I liked better today. CC and BOB

2Nd Eaglespur Dutch Showman (Mrs L Broadhurst)-one of the best headed Manchesters in the entry today, a quality dog, not quite the clean outline of the winner and could not match him in movement but is very much the correct type.

3RD Wystry Depths of Glory for Sizlin JW (Mrs J Walker)

Manchester Terrier - Veteran Dog

Entries: 5 Absentees: 1

1ST Ch Talanors Time for Fun ShCEx (Mr F Warner)-this boy has done well under me in the past and his qualities are still evident. Looks good for his age, is a good showman, masculine but not coarse, in good body and condition, good proportions. Best veteran today.

2ND Paucelin Falster JW (Mr D & Mrs A Hebb)-an elderly gentleman, super head and in lovely condition for his age, still has the outline and the proportions, weaves a bit in front. Lovely to see this old boy enjoying himself.

  3RD Rattustrap Dark Matters at Carnifex (Mrs Ca & Mr Sd Bratcher)

Manchester Terrier - Good Citizen Dog Scheme Bitch

Entries: 2 Absentees: 0

1ST Rattustrap Dark Island by Carnifex (Mrs Ca & Mr Sd Bratcher)-not enough of this girl, however she had correct proportions and moved ok

2ND Harliboo Pretty in Pink at Ysabelkid (Mrs J Talbot)-a bit long cast which spoiled her outline, in good condition for her age and moved quite well.

 Manchester Terrier - Puppy Bitch

Not an easy class as all three of these young ladies were not fully cooperating.

Entries: 4 Absentees: 1

1ST Talanors Typical Tanzanite (Mr C & Mrs G Knight)-good type of bitch, when she stood showed real promise, lovely head, decent proportions, will need to settle but she is still young.

2ND Magicus Silvestris Bad Princess (Imp Nor) (Ms L Bailey)-not a bad sort, looked a bit short in leg next to the winner, feminine head,

3RD Bacolibay's Shrike (Miss L & Mr G Bailey & Hancocks)

Manchester Terrier - Junior Bitch

Entries: 1 Absentees: 0

1ST Talanors True Magic (Mr C & Mrs G Knight)-another good for type, feminine, lovely colour and markings, feminine head, looked good standing, not cooperating with her handler fully on the move but has all the makings of a good one.

Manchester Terrier - Post Graduate Bitch

Entries: 3 Absentees: 1

1ST Horsestones Hotpot (Mrs Ke & Mr Th Walker) -won the class on her better outline as she carried herself well, ok for bone and size.

2ND Ambranera Bella Bia (Mrs A Robuta-Swiedrych)-decent body, not quite such a clean outline as the winner, good temperament.

Manchester Terrier - Limit Bitch

Not an easy class to sort and I enjoyed sorting them out.

Entries: 6 Absentees: 1

1ST Junetta Fenetta (Mrs A J West)-lovely headed girl, decent size, good outline, was together in stance and on the move, caught my eye in the class and did so the more I looked at her. Continued to do so in the challenge to earn the Res CC.

2ND Astonblank Fern at Megellan (Mrs B O'neill)-put up a close fight here, another with a good outline and carries herself well, moved ok, feminine head, ears were just a bit untidy.

3RD Erkenwyne Firecracker (Miss A Brown)

Manchester Terrier - Open Bitch

Entries: 5 Absentees: 1

1ST Ch Magicus Silvestris Sweet Bonnie at Megellan (Imp Nor) (Mrs B O'neill)-not surprised to see that this lady has her title, caught my attention when she came into the ring, lovely outline, feminine and a good size, excellent temperament and holds her outline well both standing and moving. Lovely temperament. Is top drawer and a well earned CC. Looked good against the dog in the BOB challenge.

2ND Talanors Typically Magic (Mrs M E Gouldsborough)-super type of bitch with lovely neck and shoulders and uses her ears really well in stance. Just not cooperating on the move which was frustrating as she really is a lovely type.

  3RD Holtaire Runa (Mrs H Entwistle)

Manchester Terrier - Veteran Bitch

Entries: 2 Absentees: 0

1ST Digelsa Dark Velvet ShCEx (Mr M A Rudd)-in good condition for her age, lovely type, decent head, moved reasonably well, is just thickening all through a little.

2ND Harliboo Pretty in Pink at Ysabelkid (Mrs J Talbot)-

Paul Eardley

Judge