First Place in Limit - Dog, Judge: Mr David Hunt (Ottaswell)
It was a tremendous honour and a great privilege some 3 years ago to be asked by the Kennel Club to judge at Crufts in 2025. Having attended and enjoyed this show over many years it felt strange to be finally standing centre stage.
My grateful thanks to the exhibitors and handlers from both home and overseas for giving me a fantastic entry of 249 dogs making 279 entries. I wish to sincerely thank my 2 stewards Ken Francis and Bill Ashworth for organising the ring and me so efficiently and thus avoiding any delays between classes in what was a long and tiring day starting at 08.00. Thanks also to Joyce Martin for the excellent photographs.
I was looking for an exhibit that best fitted the standard and most importantly that they were spannable. With kennel cough widespread throughout the country I requested handlers show me the exhibits teeth to avoid possible further spread. On the day I tried to ensure that each dog was given equal time on the table and moving around the ring.
The general condition of most exhibits was fine with coats as usual at all stages and some appearing to have been stripped the day before. Movement was generally good at the rear but less so in front where several were loose and moving in various directions usually caused by poor shoulder construction. Feet were disappointing in some exhibits being spread and well down on their pasterns with thin pads. I found 2 kinked tails and in the mouths 2 undershot plus several with missing and misaligned teeth. All males were entire. Temperaments were good throughout the day.
I was pleased with my final lineups and delighted to see my Best of Breed make the shortlist and be awarded Group 4
This upstanding light g&t looks good in profile. Has a lovely typy head well set on with large teeth, shortest of strong muzzles, broad skull with little stop all framed with dark ears. Has a narrow front of ideal bone carried on tight catlike feet with an excellent topline and good carrot tail. With a shapely rib he spans well and is fit but not overweight. In a plentiful coat he covered the ground well.