My grateful thanks to the committee of Crufts for their kind invitation to judge the breed, of which I have not only always been so very fond of, but also have excellent memories at this show where my lovely Ch Foxearth Jubilant won three CCs, twice with BOB when each time she was shortlisted under the old Working Group. I felt it a great honour and was more than pleased with my very good entry, filled with quality Smooths where, in some classes, competition was extremely hot, especially in the Open classes. Temperament was exceptionally good, as was presentation. My hands were as clean at the finish as when I started, no evidence of any dirt at all, so credit to you all for your excellent presentation. This was indeed a privilege to be afforded the opportunity to go over such quality dogs. My grateful thanks, also, to my two more than efficient stewards, Lynn Crane and Elaine Waddington, who kept proceeds on the move at all times. 

 

VD (5, 1) Four quality dogs who I have previously judged and placed highly. 1 Lister's Ch Eridor I'm Mr Blu At Newarp (Imp Australia). Previously awarded this b/m a CC, has entered veteran status with aplomb. Maintained his form with additional CCs. No doubting his quality, now nine and a half years old, but still as fit as a fiddle. Stylish, clean head, good neck, good eye, appealing expression, good reach of neck, good depth of chest, in good body covered with coat of correct texture and good colour, moved out very well. 2 Forbes' Ch/Ir Ch/Int Ch Pelghart Paint It Black At Willowhurst (WW08 EUW09). As name suggests, a tri to whom I awarded the CACIB in Belgium and a RCC behind winner of class. Now 9 yrs old, still maintains his very masculine, almost arrogant stance. In excellent condition, well muscled up, strong bone, body well covered and firm, sporting coat of correct texture. Good head, pleasing dark eye and expression, good neck and shoulder, nice sized boy, very sound mover. 3 Griffiths' homebred Alopex Matt Finnish. Most appealing tri, fit as a fiddle at eight years, nice head, flat skull, good ears, pleasing eye and expression, sets himself up well, presented in excellent hard condition, excellent muscle, very workmanlike on the move. 4 Trundley's Juniperwood King Of Kings. 

 

JD (1) 1 Trundley's Blamorder Back To The Future. 17 months b/m, very friendly and agile! Son of DCC, very pleasing head, excellent ears, flat skull, sweet eye and expression, very good neck, full white collar stretching back to body but not white factored as roots end at withers, good straight front legs, good feet, good length of back, good rear construction, very well developed thigh musle, extra long tail, very sound on the move. 

 

PGD (4, 1) 1 Musty's Shulune Imperial Gift For Buebezi. Bred in the purple, also sired by day's DCC with many of his attributes, tri of super make and shape, quality head, good ears, very dark eye, sweet but masculine expression, in good body covered by coat of correct texture, good overall construction, good shoulder and front, straight legs, good tight feet, excellent thigh muscle, extra long tail, very sound mover. Caused some amusement by jumping the shadows where the sun shined through. 2 Benton's homebred Oakestelle Sebastian Bach. Homebred tri, smaller type but definitely masculine, pleasing head, good eye, enquiring expression, in hardy condition, good firm legs, good rear, turn of stifle and thigh muscles, moved well keeping topline. 3 Beeney's Coneypark Cappuccino. Homebred s/w, all male, at only his second show, so a bit overawed, but conducted himself well, clean head, good depth of chest, turned out well, moved ok. 

 

LD (5) Very good class. 1 Czyzak's Cuba Libre Smooth Drinks (Imp Pol). 3 yrs 9 mths s/w, and all dog! Most masculine, impressive lad full of confidence added with touch of arrogance. Balanced head, good ears, skull and muzzle, very sweet eye and expression, alert at all times, flat skull, strong neck into good shoulder, very good overall construction, body well covered, good rear angulation, extra long tail, excellent temperament, well handled to move with authority. 2 Denton's Ryecombe Jaffa Jake At Brackenhaye. 3 yr old tri with lovely head, good ears, flat skull, lovely dark eye and expression, strong neck, good bone, good overall shape, very long tail, moved with animation. 3 Gay's Yagane's Blue Mist. Home bred from champion parents, nicely marked b/m, smaller than first and second, but masculine with it, well turned out, lovely head, kindly marked, sweet eye and expression, very sound mover. 4 Benton & Wood's Oakestelle Vivaldi. 

 

OD (8, 1) Excellent class, competion so strong and exciting, gave me a real buzz. 1 Hayward's Ch Foxearth Flintab. Home bred b/m from champion parents approaching four years, clearly at his best. Awarded him BPIS at club champ show where so attracted to his beautiful colour. Has now filled out and developed into a super male, always standing his ground. Such a lovely clean head to handle, so well sculpted, flat skull topped by excellent ear carriage, correct stop, well filled muzzle, sweetest of eyes and expression with sufficient arrogance to mirror his 'I'm the boss' tempo. Well arched and muscled neck into good shoulder, good depth of chest, straight well boned front legs, tight feet, good length of back covering well developed body covered in coat of good harsh texture, rear angulation compliments his front, enabling effortless movement. Well handled, sound as a pound, certainly fit for purpose, very good temperament. Promoted himself sufficiently to win the DCC in a very tight battle for top honours. When it came to the BOB challenge, the bitch was still fresh from topping her rivals where her faultless movement and showmanship earned her the day, but that is taking nothing away from Flintab. Pleased to give him the ticket. 2 Novotna's Cz/Sk/Nl/Dk/Lux/Pl/Hu/A/Slo/Hr/D/Ro/Smr/Aze/Nda Ch Brontes Elenor. Czech invader boasting titles in 17 countries and ran first to within a whisker. Awarded him the CACIB & BOB at the Kessel International in Germany at the backend of '12, so pleased to see how well he has matured, developing into a top quality dog. Best turned out smooth of the day, tri totally beautiful dog in the masculine sense, exuding an amazing expression of love, intelligence and concentration. Cleanest of heads, excellent ears, flat skull, good stop and muzzle, lovely well placed dark eye, strong, well muscled neck into very good shoulder, lovely strong legs, excellent feet, good depth of chest, very good overall conformation, good length of back covered in beautifully presented gleaming black coat of correct harshness, well developed rear, very strong thigh muscle, like first, effortless mover without raising a sweat. Excellent temperament, totally fit for purpose, confidently handled, very pleased to award him the RCC. 3 French's Ch Foxearth Flock Master For Breckamore JW. Full tri brother to CC winner with much of his attributes, excellent type, quality head, well placed and used ears, flat skull, very good eye with enquiring expression, strongly built, in hardy condition, very well handled, slightly spoilt his chances by lifting his tail, slightly losing cohesion, shame because he's an excellent mover, could have followed his brother home. 4 Leikola's Ch Timonan Clouds Can Catch JCh EUJW-13, SEW-13, SI1-L4 DKW-14 NORDW-14. This class was a delight to judge. GCD (2) 1 Trundley's Juniperwood King Of Kings. 2 Benton's Oakestelle Sebastian Bach. Home bred tri, lovely male head, good eye and expression, strong muzzle, good neck and well covered body, very good temperament, good legs and turn of stifle, moved well. 

 

VB (5, 2) 1 Gay's Ch Manordeifi Sapphire Mist At Yagane. Rising nine years, super feminine b/m of obvious quality, turned out in the best of order, well balanced head, flat skull, excellent ears, lovely eye, beautiful expression, good front and legs, good depth of chest, well constructed rear, let down of stifle and strong hocks enabling effortless driving movement, super temperament, very sound. 2 Lusty's Juniperwood Dream Maker At Blamorder. Seven years, most feminine tri, pleasing head, good dark eye and expression, good ears and skull, very much on her toes, very good mover. 3 Neff's Hightri Until ShCM. Belying her name, she is a b/m, pleasing head, flat skull, good ears, nice eye, alert expression, at times was sullen but sympathetically handled, once finding her true stride, moved ok. 

 

PB (1) 1 White's Breckamore Bridget Jones. I believe her named character wore enormous knickers but this feminine tri, I'm sure, would be far more selective in her lingerie. Has enjoyed a spectacular start to her career and looks a certainty to join the top house. Most beautiful clean head, excellent well used ears, good skull, stop and muzzle, coal black eyes full of intelligence and femininity, bitch with attitude, good overall conformation, body well covered, coat of correct texture, level topline kept on animated movement, very good rear construction, sound as a pound, super temperament, very well handled. On the day, giving a bit to the more mature ladies but that is taking nothing away from her qualities. BP.

 

JB (3, 1) 1 Peacock's Blamorder Back To The Start For Saraneth. Full tri sister to JD winner where much of the comments apply to this feminine girl of 17 months, very full of herself, nice head to handle, good eye, very alert expression, good skull and ears, good neck and front, level back held on move, extra long tail, lovely temperament full of attitude, well handled. 2 Forbes' Willowhurst Vanity. Home bred tri by kennel's Int Champion, but at just 12 months, giving bucketloads to winner. However, nice type, clean head, excellent ears, very feminine and alert, good neck, turn of stifle, nice disposition, moved out well. 

 

PGB (9, 3) 1 Norman's Seanua Serendipity. Homebred s/w of almost two years who absolutely exudes femininity. Real eyecatcher, stood her ground throughout. Quality balanced head, so clean to handle, very sweet dark eye, gorgeous expression, good skull and ears, good stop and muzzle, in super coat of correct texture, good depth of chest and front, good shoulder, strong legs, good length of back, rear well developed, so easy on the move, super temperament, lovely ring presence. 2 French's Breckamore Bang Tidy. Home bred tri of 20 months, pleasing head, good ears, flat skull, good stop and strength of muzzle, lovely eye, feminine expression, in good body and condition, very positive on the move, unlucky to meet first. 3 Benton's Oakestelle Venus De Milo. Home bred b/m rising two years, well trained showgirl, pleasing head, very good ears, good dark eye, feminine expression, good reach of neck, well developed front, well handled, good mover, completed a trio of lovely girls. 

 

LB (5, 1) 1 Gay's Yagane's Lavender Mist. Home bred b/m from champion parents with a lot going for her, so shapely and sound, looks a picture when set up, quality head, excellent ears, flat skull, lovely dark eye, good stop, ultra feminine expression, good front, depth of chest and shoulder, strong straight legs, body well covered, not the best of colours but doesn't detract from her quality, really nice temperament and attitude, excellent mover. 2 Howard & Smith's Jack Mack's Hefin Huw (Imp Ger). Two and a half year old b/m of impressive make and shape, different type but better colour than first, well angulated, always on the job in hand, pleasing head, excellent ears, feminine eye and expression, strong neck, body well covered, level topline held on the move, good rear construction, lovely temperament, very sound. 3 Trundley's Juniperwood Jubilation. Home bred tri of four years, nice overall make and shape, balanced head, good ears, dark eye, good length of back, sound, bit lethargic, due in season. 4 Campbell's Ryecombe Dolly Mixture. 

 

OB (10, 1) What a beautiful class full of quality ladies. Great difference for type but quality throughout with competition keen as mustard. 1 Kirveskoski & Asikainen's Est Ch Clingstone's Famous Footstep FW'13. What a beautiful, breathtaking, striking s/w! Ultra feminine, seductive in all her ways, expertly groomed and presented. Interestingly bred by a Clingstones champion out of a UK bitch (Shulune), just couldn't be denied. Real quality head of good length, pleasure to go over. Excellent well used ears, flat skull, perfect stop, well rounded muzzle, most beautiful dark eye with so, so feminine expression to die for. Very good shoulder angulation, good depth of chest and spring of rib, straight front legs, well boned, nice tidy feet, good length of back, strong in loin, well developed backend, turn of stifle, well developed thigh muscle, strong hocks, a joy to watch on the move. Lovely temperament, a very sound bitch expertly handled. What more can I say? Certainly hit me in the heart, couldn't be denied. No hesitation in awarding her the CC. In the challenge, pulled out all the stops with effortless movement, showmanship, ring presence, you name it, she's got it. BOB. Thank you so much for bringing her over to the UK. 2 Sewell's Ch Foxearth Dressed To Frill. Superb tri rising five, ticks all the boxes. Quality head, correct ears, flat skull, lovely stop, well developed muzzle, most beautiful dark eye and expression, so soft and feminine, overall conformation very good, correct angulation where it counts to enable her to move so positively once she got her pace sorted out. Like first, has lovely ring presence. Turned out in the best of order, firm body covered by gleaming coat of correct texture and eventually handled to full advantage. RCC. 3 Hayward's Breckamore Fly Me To Foxearth. 20 month super feminine tri giving a bit away to first two in development but built on such good lines, with two CCs already in her pocket will easily gain her title. Turned out in best of order, so sweet it is hard to deny her. Calm and gentle in attitude, possesses quality head, lovely eye and soft expression, particularly well constructed at rear with good let down of stifle and hock enabling impressive drive from the rear. 4 De Feliter's Ned/Bel/Lux/Int Ch Gallant Darya Happy Magic Star NJK BELW NEDW. GCB (2) 1 Lusty's Juniperwood Dream Maker At Blamorder. 2 Neff's Hightri Until ShCM.

 

Geoff Duffield