28/05/2025
CRUFTS 2025
CLUMBER SPANIELS
My thanks to The Crufts Committee for this wonderful opportunity to judge my favourite breed of 40 years. It is such an honour to have the opportunity to evaluate these super dogs. A special thanks to my two super efficient stewards who kept it all running so smoothly.
Thank you to the exhibitors for coming and presenting their pride and joy. Over the years we have, as owners and custodians of this wonderful breed strived to improve eyes, substance, ears and fitness. Eyes are clean and tighter, although some do need to eliminate tear staining. Some were lacking bone and substance, a few were down on pasterns which then shows lack of drive and easy movement. Only three incorrect bites today, which is pretty rare these days, and a few dogs were ‘ flying ,’ their tails. On the move they should be carried level and wagging.
All in all a fabulous day for me. There was a super atmosphere around the ring and I really appreciated the enthusiasm of the spectators which made the whole experience so special.
Veteran Dog (2)
1.Fenwick, Thompson and Langridges’ Suelynda Second Edition With Badgersmoon. Now 8. A boy who enjoys his day. He has substance, clean eye, deep chest, good angulation who moved well. BV 2. Crawford ‘s Northmore Cavalier by Abbyford. A 10 year old with good muscle-tone, nice clean eye, tight feet, who’s sadly left his jacket at home today and not as positive on the move as 1.
Puppy Dog (3)
1.Vickery & Jones’ Maursett Merwing 8month boy who presents a balanced profile with excellent bone, correct head, clean eye, straight front, well muscled for age. He moved well at a good even pace once settled. 2. Shoemaker & Chetkuti's Big Boom’s Showman Stuart. A 9 month well developed lad who is well off for bone and needs to tighten. He has a lovely head and deep chest. He moved OK but not as freely as 1 and was a little proud of his tail. 3. Crittendens’ Malbecmogs Tiger Eyes a 10 month old lad maturing slowly. A different type to some with a good profile, tight feet, clean eye. A little apprehensive today.
Junior Dog (4)
A lovely class of boys who could change places any day as at different stages of maturity.
1.Bunges’ Wahnahnish St Gilles (Imp NLD). Just 12 months. A lovely lad maturing nicely. He has a good head and clean eye, nice length of neck, deep chest, balanced profile who moved freely. 2. Taylors’ Creeaark Nereus at Mollynewf. Another 12 month lad of different type who is maturing slowly. He as a good head, length of neck and presents a balanced outline. A little unsettled on the move today. 3. Nicholson, Nicholson & Risk Knockhalon Spooktacular at Taranstigh. A well balanced boy who needs more work in his head, which will come with time, he is well muscled for age, in good silky coat who moved freely.
Post Graduate Dog (6)
1.Boden’s Suelynda Boom Bang A Bang. A boy who is maturing well, has super bone, good head and clean eye, deep chest, in good coat, just needs to tighten to complete the picture. Moved well. 2. Fenwick, Thompson and Langridge’s Badgersmoon It Had To Be You Another dog still maturing, lovely head, good bone, tight feet is in good hard condition. He has a balanced profile which is shown to advantage on the move, once settled. Another one to watch. 3. Husbands’ Bebecova Quicksilver. A lighter frame than the others but has a balanced head and clean eye, is compact and well muscled, moved freely.
Limit Dog (7/9)
1.Blackburn’s Suelynda Le Me Be The One JW. Only 22 months. A boy with a good head and clean eye who presents a balanced profile for his age. He has tight neat feet is well up on his pasterns, strong deep chest, a good length of neck flowing into a level topline and a good bend of stifle. He moved well although a little overawed by the occasion. One to watch. 2. Monaghans’ Kensesqui Nice At Tweedsmuir JW. Another typy young boy with good strong bone, tight feet, good profile but needs to strengthen all through. Time is on his side, not so positive in rear movement today. 3. Nesbitts’ Creeaark Austin Healey From Chabrouille. A young lad also at different stage of development. He has a balanced head, good lay of shoulder, level topline, correct angulation and moved well.
Open Dog (8/10)
A lovely strong class, all presented in pristine condition. A credit to you all.
1.Cox’s Sh Ch Vanitonia Soloist. What a cracking boy he is, only 31/2 still to reach his full maturity. A classic head with good length of neck flowing into well placed shoulders. He stands on tight, neat feet and strong bone. He shows a balanced profile which is shown to advantage on the move, with style and freedom. A credit to our Breed. CC and BOB. Thrilled see he was awarded Group 4. 2. Garamvolgyi Duthweilerne’s Big Boom’s Viking Thor Another young dog on his way to reaching full maturity. He has ring presence, is well balanced and stands on good tight feet with excellent bone. He has muscle-tone who moves well showing his overall balance to advantage. 3. Martinengo’s INT/IT/SL CH Charles Vom Malinvern JCH. An excellent upstanding boy with a lot to like. He has good strong bone, tight feet, is well developed , correct bend of stifle who moved well.
Good Citizen Dog Scheme (2/2)
1.Lovell’s Clumbraise Your Song (IMP NOR) A smaller framed dog than some, still balanced all through. He has time on his side and presents a good profile. A lovely free mover. 2. Pickering’s Vanitonia Sorcerer. A boy who enjoys his day, he has good bone and substance, still needs to mature, time is on his side. Moved well.
Veteran Bitch (1)
1.Crawford’s Abbyford Brave New Day. 11 years young who is balanced and in good condition who moved OK.
Puppy Bitch (5)
1.Matos Correia’s Big Boom’s Showman Pabbie. My star girlie of the day. A lovely 9 month young lady with such a balanced profile for her age. She has a super front has excellent substance, a classic head, correct angulation who moved so freely. One to watch I’m sure. BP. 2.Taylor’s Maursett Mergwynn. An 8 month young lady who was a little overawed today She has good bone, a balanced topline with correct angulation who moved steadily once settled. 3. Sainsburys’ Eskerwoo Cloudy Skies. She is of different type to some, who has a good length of neck and lay of shoulder, correct rear angulation and is well muscled and covered ground well on the move.
Junior Bitch (2/4)
1.Jefferies’s Abbyford One Seren Ash Of Jubilwell. A 16 month young lady who is so balanced for her age. A lovely head, clean eye, good straight front and tight feet , who has excellent muscle-tone and moves so freely. One to watch on maturity. 2. Dronsfield’s Knockhalon Hocus Pocus. A very feminine young lady with a lot to like. She has a smaller frame than some but is balanced, time is on her side. She moved well once settled.
Post Graduate Bitch (7/7)
These 3 young ladies are all of a similar age and developing at different rates. They’ll change places and I’m sure are destined for top honours.
1.Dawson’s Beskerby Flora Finching. Almost 3 yrs old now and maturing slowly. A feminine young lady with a lovely soft expression, correct head and good length of neck flowing into good shoulders presenting a balanced picture. She is well muscled and flows round the ring with ease. One to watch. 2. Kirkmans’ Kirkara Helga Hufflepuff. Another typy bitch of similar age who has a slightly smaller frame, deep brisket, good bend of stifle and moved well once settled. 3. Taylor and Hilton’s Delsaux Fly Me To The Moon. A little overawed by the occasion today. She has good substance, tight feet, correct angulation which was shown to advantage on the move.
Limit Bitch 5/1
1.Kirkman’s Kirkara Minerva McGonagall A lovely girl presented in full jacket, a super head, she has good substance and is maturing well. She moves with enthusiasm and purpose. One to watch. 2. Matthews and Moon’s Vanitonia Song and Dance slowly maturing. She has a lovely head and soft expression, presents a balanced profile, not so enthusiastic on the move today. 3. Clarke’s Gracedieu Finest Jewels. A different type with more colour but not to be denied. She has a balanced head, good shoulder, is very well muscled and fit which showed on the move.
Open 4/1
A lovely trio of super ladies. A privilege to see them. Thank you.
1.Mr P M and Mrs H D Monaghan’s Sh Ch Tweedsmuir She’s So Sheek. On top form today. She is a lovely girl with a super balanced profile, fully mature with a correct head and soft expression, well muscled and moved freely. Delighted to award her BCC and BOS. 2. Mr B A & Miss A & Mr S & Mrs S Crocker & Frost & Cahhill & Cahill Sh Ch Vanitonia Secret Episode. Another cracking young lady presented in tip top condition, with a super head, length of neck and excellent muscletone who moves well covering the ground with ease. RBCC. 3. Mrs L Levai ‘s Multi Ch Big Booms Viking Bo WW24 (ATC AZ40208HRV) A super lady with all the correct attributes. She is well balanced, with good rear angulation, has substance and is well muscled and moved well.
Special Working 3/3
1.Hirst’s Snow White Source of Happiness for Creeaark. Now mature, she is well muscled with tight feet, straight front. She moved freely covering the ground well. 2. Mrs J and Mr M J Lovell’s Abbyford Lady Merry of Ivale. A lady who has a balanced profile, straight front, and good rear angulation who is well muscled. Moved OK. 3.Mrs C Salvan’s Int/Fr Ch Sweet Hope Du Rieu Grand. A larger framed lady than some, she has good substance and moved OK.
Good Citizen Dog Scheme 2/2
1.Dronfield’s Knockhalon Hocus Pocus. 2. Mrs J and Mr M J Lovell’s Abbyford Lady Merry of Ivale.
Linda Thorogood
Judge
