Crufts
March 2024
Boxers

Thank you to the exhibitors for accepting me as your replacement judge at such short notice due to the awful accident that befell poor Julie. I think Tim was somewhat generous in his Breed Notes quoting “5 days’ notice” for the appointment. I actually received the call at 3.30pm on the Tuesday and some 4 days later it was already over.

I was really pleased with both the quality & quantity of the dogs I judged. Temperament & presentation were excellent as expected. I was delighted with both unbeaten line ups. To be able to look around the ring & see so many of the overall characteristics I was looking for, balance, soundness, & type, was gratifying, and that was down to the quality of the entry. Some may raise eyebrows over the RCC winners. There has always been two schools of thought, those who would disqualify a puppy from green card consideration & those who wouldn’t. It has never been a right or wrong, black or white subject, more like not quite 50 shades of grey. I can appreciate the reasoning from those who take an opposing view, but for me all winning exhibits are eligible candidates, if they are good enough they are old enough. Yes they have to be special to not be at a disadvantage. Youngsters of such calibre don’t come along very often, but when they do, I think they deserve to be considered. So rarely do we encounter puppies who are even remotely deserving so young. The two RCC winners at this show do not take anything away from the quality of the older exhibits, this was a class entry! I did have a debate with myself over the bitch, heart v head or devil’s advocate, I asked questions, but she won out when I was happy with my answers. I believe the two exhibits concerned are very special Boxers, presumably the proof of the pudding will be deemed by their future show careers. I wish them both great luck.

VD. Ent 7 Abs 2.
1st Casemates Gandalf (Mr J & Mrs E Kelly), This lads performance certainly belies his age & he was well up for it if a bit over enthusiastic & fidgety at times, he’s a powerful male who excels in profile, substantial yet retains a clean muscular outline. Neck of good length, a superb forehand with proper shoulder layback & upper arm angles, good depth of brisket, strong thru his torso, he strides out with purpose holding his shape well, Best Veteran. 2nd Ch Winuwuk Scouting for Girls at Lorrosa (Mrs L A Fay-Smith) very good headed b/w he is another who sports a superb forehand formation with correct shoulder & upper arm angulation, well developed forechest, square outline, I awarded him his 1st CC in 2017, he’s enjoyed an illustrious show career but he seems to have lost a bit of enthusiasm for the game, it comes to us all. 3rd, Olleyville Stanley Man at Whirlobox (Miss M A Littlewood), b/w with a balanced head but a tad cheeky, good width & depth of muzzle, straight forelimbs, short coupled, decent quarters hammy thighs, driving action & held his shape going round.

MPD Ent 3 Abs 0.
1st Glenauld The Chase (Misses L & S Mair) Tidy r/w with a neat compact outline, he has a good head if a tad finished for age, good pigmentation, dark expressive eye, broad nose with wide nostrils, blocky muzzle, wide mouth, evident chin & good lip placement, arched neck, good forehand with correct shoulder & upper arm angles, short & square, good tailset, well boned limbs moved with purpose. 2nd Jeddhi Through The Flame to Birleyvale (Mrs D Payne) taller b/w with a sharper outline, good headed with correct rise & muzzle to skull ratio, well shaped dark eye, appealing expression, good neck topline & tailset, just lost out to 1 on forehand angulation. 3rd Kelsant Raising The Roof (Miss K M Saunby) Balanced head, short back giving square outline, good topline well held on the move, decent quarters, tight feet, just lacked forehand angles.

PD. Ent 4 Abs 1.
1st Sashbob Never Would I Ever from Berwynfa TAF (Ms C & Mrs F Johnson & Pynegar) Wow! This exciting youngster is a new one to me & I loved him. His square outline just flows, copybook head just right for age is cleanly structured, eyes of correct shape & colour offering super alert expression, good mouth, crested neck, defined withers, good forehand angles, straight forelimbs, well knuckled feet, true topline, tapering underline, sweeping quarters with correct turn of stifle & short from hock to pad, free striding he covered the ground with ease retaining his stunning shape. In a cracking entry he demanded a top award & was rewarded with the RCC & BPIB. 2nd Willow Stardust (Mrs A Payne) smaller b/w with a more compact frame, a lovely headpiece, correct rise of skull good width & depth of muzzle, neck of ample length, good topline well held, short back, correctly muscled rear providing propulsion on the move. 3rd Diceulon Top Hat and Tails at Merquin (ai) (Mr M J & Mrs J R Merritt) balanced head properties, good neck well used, short coupled giving square appearance, moved slightly erratically.

JD Ent 5 Abs 1.
1st Jimbren The Irishman (Mrs B & Mr S Hare) Classy b/w beautifully balanced head with clean skull & correct width & depth of muzzle, intelligent outlook from well shaped dark eye, good length of neck, decent forehand angulation, he holds an unexaggerated outline, moves out on a free stride, stronger musculation would result in more drive in rear. 2nd Newlaithe Respect JW (Mrs V Van-Beck) Good head full muzzle, arched neck well used, short back giving a square profile, well developed rear, moved with reach & purpose. 3rd Shellark Here Comes The Sun (Mrs Law) scores on a well proportioned head dark expressive eye, broad nose, powerfully developed muzzle, upsweep of underjaw to give chin & lip placement, correct length of neck, sound topline, bang on tailset, just a bit too steep in forehand angulation.

YD. Ent 5 Abs 1.
1st Ch Sulez Scorcher at Glenauld (Misses L & S Mair) beautifully schooled super smart b/w totally at one with his handler, he’s a real showman, strong head but not over wrinkled or fleshy, he excels in bone, strong thru his frame & produced in fit hard condition, as do all the exhibits from this kennel, good front& tight feet, crested neck, defined withers, good depth of brisket, broad flat back, well ribbed, strong thru loin, well muscled developed quarters, his movement shows extension & drive. Last 4 CC. 2nd Ulverbox Magic and Mayhem (Miss A J Robinson) smaller cobbier b/w with a nicely balanced head, good rise of skull, blocky muzzle, arched neck of ample length, lovely layback of shoulder, tad long cast, strong in quarters, held his shape going round & tidy away & back. 3rd Winuwuk Line of Duty for Enesha (Ms S M & Mrs L D Peck & Ames) taller b/w this lad has developed a nicely balanced head, flat cheeks, good rise, distinct stop, good width of muzzle, straight forelimbs, knuckled feet, correct topline & tailset, good width of thigh yet still appear a tad weak in rear, not the forehand angulation.

PGD. Ent 8 Abs 0.
1st Yeteb Totally Charming JW (Mrs E M & Miss K L McDonald) Not glamorous b/w but well made & good to get hands on. A sound honest dog of good proportions, well balanced head, good muzzle to skull ratio, correct eye giving a bright alert expression, ample neck he could use it better, good forehand angles, well off for bone, short coupled, good width of thigh, moved soundly just lacked a little oomph today. 2nd Arkeney Barrister (Mrs T Nason) smart attractive headed b/w with dry skull distinct stop full muzzle & upsweep of underjaw to provide chin, arched neck, short back, straight forelimbs, knuckled feet, good tuck up, would prefer tad more angulation fore & aft, handled to get the best out of him. 3rd Britesparke Norman Moon (Mrs J & Mr I M Fox) Another b/w with an appealing head, arched neck, good topline & tailset, correct tuck up well angulated in rear, a tad more foreleg height would balance out, moved briskly.

LD. Ent13 Abs 1.
1st Boese Jiggerlardo JW (Mrs S C Kuech) sizeable b/w who has bodied up well with maturity & now commands an impressive profile, developed head, good skull ear placement distinct stop & big nose, his flews are deep for the width of muzzle, would prefer more chin & better lip placement, he excels in conformation, strong boned limbs with well knuckled feet, excellent crested nape, defined withers, sloping topline, good forehand with evident forechest, good spring of rib, super quarters with well developed hammy thighs correct sweep of stifle, strong hocks, he moves out & round on a smooth unrestricted stride with drive from his well muscled rear, Last 4 CC. 2nd Newlaithe Absolute Bug (Mrs P Taylor) This smaller more compact b/w possess a smooth balanced profile, dry skull in balance with a blocky muzzle, keen expression from correct dark eyes, uses his neck well, sloping topline, hammy thighs with good width, moved soundly away & back, not quite the flowing reach of 1. 3rd Farvalley Dark Warrior (Mrs B & Miss C Renshaw-Turner & Murfin) this really well balanced b/w present a compact square outline, his head is strong, just carries a tad over wrinkle on skull but does have a soft expression from correctly shaped dark eyes, full muzzle, would prefer better lip placement, crested length of ample length, good depth of chest & forehand angles, well developed quarters which produced drive moved out well.

OD. Ent 13 Abs 3.
1st Ch Boxania Roamin Around at Rameleon (Mrs E & Ms S Woolliss & Flintoft) I love this dogs chiselled headpiece, clean cut with great rise of skull flat cheeks & powerfully developed underjaw, really expressive dark eye & lovely pigmentation, clean muscular neck, he has a super forehand with evident forechest, clean limbed sloping pasterns & knuckled feet, broad flat back, good spring of rib, decent quarters with correct angulation & good width of thigh, moved with reach of stride, he exudes excellent combination of balance & type & today put in a great performance to take the CC. 2nd Ch Macbarra Kickin Up A Storm at Glenauld (Misses L & S Mair) love this b/w’s headpiece, sheer rise to his skull, distinct stop, expected characterful expression from such correct dark eyes, lean skull, excellent width & depth of muzzle, big nose, evident chin, another with good pigmentation, crested neck, defined withers, short flat back, parallel forelimbs, cat feet, tapering underline, well muscled & angulated quarters producing true positive free striding movement. 3rd Ch Galicar Investigating with Limubox JW (G L & J Brough & Cairns) Well grown b/w of quality, good headed with dry skull & full padded out muzzle, wide underjaw, expressive eye, deep chested, defined withers, broad sloping topline, tad longer than square, good spring of rib, well developed rear, shown in hard muscular condition, this dog excels on the move, he powers round the ring with great reach & drive.

GCDS. Ent 3 Abs 0.
1st Marbleview Phantom Menace at Thenamy (Mrs L D Ames) very well made solid b/w shortlisted in limit. Well balanced clean head no excess flesh great expression, sooty muzzle of good proportion to skull, very good lip placement, crested neck, good depth of chest, sloping topline & bang on tailset, correctly angulated in rear with good width of thigh. 2nd Britesparke Norman Moon (Mrs J & Mr I M Fox) 3rd in PG. 3rd Attomic Mirror Man (Mrs J & Mr P Longley) Unplaced in limit this r/w at almost 6 years showed well, he holds a balanced outline, clean limbed, well ribbed, good topline, & tailset, correct underline, held shape going round, just preferred the head properties of 1&2.

VB. Ent7 Abs 3.
1st Ch Lanfrese Cassini at Sultash (Mrs F Godwin) This elegant b/w still retains the sharp stylish outline of her youth, feminine head with lean skull no over wrinkle, distinct stop & enough width & depth of muzzle, she has a refinement about her, crested reachy neck, short sloping topline, elegant underline, straight forelimbs good sweep of stifle, she moved out freely on a good stride. 2nd Farvalley Instant Love (Miss C Murfin) b/w with a balanced head & pleasing expression, good front, short back, good tailset & tuck up, correctly angulated quarters moved positively holding her shape. 3rd Miofrey Morning Glory (Mr P & Mrs A F C Kay) tough call between 2&3, another nicely balanced b/w who just didn’t quite put it all together today, fidgety for her patient handler, better they enjoy their day, she moved out well on the move though.

MPB.Ent 3 Abs 0.
1st Jeddhi Ring of Fire (D & S Mccarthy & Gething) Another Wow! I had never seen this exquisite b/w before & she knocked my eyes out! Her almost perfect proportions provide the ultimate balance, she simply flows from top to toe completely free from exaggeration, her sculptured headpiece is just gorgeous, completely in balance with a captivating expression from beautiful dark eyes, I loved her lip placement & evident chin, elegant crest to her neck, defined withers, sloping topline, a really good forehand with proper right angles of upper arm & layback of shoulder, gun barrel front, cat feet, tapering underline, really developed quarters for one so young, great width of thigh correct angulation & short from hock to pad, the plumb lines would certainly fit this one. This precocious youngster moved with confidence active & effortless. Following the devil’s advocate debate with myself I just had to award her the RCC & thought she made a typey pair with my CC winner. BPB 2nd Lorrosa Missy Elliott (Miss D A Fay-Smith) stylish b/w with a sharp outline, pleasing head with correct muzzle to skull ration, dark eye providing alert bright expression, good mouth, neck of good length used well, good topline, lovey developed quarters. 3rd Jeddhi Spice It Up At Farvalley ( Miss C & Miss J Murfin & Cobbledick) Well balanced b/w with attractive head, good rise & width of skull delightful expression produced by dark correctly shaped eyes, she holds a level topline, parallel forelimbs , good tuck up & balanced rear, not quite the forehand angles & too undershot.

PB. Ent 6 Abs 2.
1st Borestone Take Me to Heart (Mrs F & Mr Dr & Miss R Neilson & Neilson & Connell) Mature b/w holds a large frame quite forward for her age, balanced head properties, flat cheeks dark eye of good shape & size broad nose, well padded out in muzzle, arched neck when she uses it, well furnished forehand, tad long cast, correctly angulated quarters, this bitch looked a lot better when baited it made her use herself come up on her front and arch her arch her neck, it gave her the nod in the class. 2nd Willow Belle Star for Daervlish (IKC) (Mr A J & Mrs D A Huggins) close up she has it all there, in a close decision she just lacks the maturity of 1, still a tad weaker thru her frame this will undoubtedly come, appealing well balanced head, delightful expression from well shaped eyes, crested neck, short coupled, good front, tapering underline, correctly angulated in rear moved on a free stride. 3rd All That She Wants with Lorrosa NAF (Mrs L A Fay-Smith) this b/w has a well balanced head with good muzzle to skull ration, decent length of neck, short backed giving square appearance, well developed in rear, would prefer stronger pasterns & tighter feet.

JB. Ent10 Abs 2.
1st Jimbren Queen of Tarts (Mrs B & Mr S Hare) This b/w oozes quality her outline just flows, love her sculptured head, excellent balance of muzzle to skull, beautiful expressive eyes, broad nose wide nostrils & great lip to lip placement, clean cut neck, sloping topline, angled forehand, still to develop a forechest, parallel forelimbs, elegant underline, required rear angulation still to develop & firm up in quarters then she will trouble the best, moved on an unrestricted stride. 2nd Romanico Bacctu Clarricks JW (Miss C Lock) Size bigger & more substantial b/w but still retained her femininity, well boned limbs & knuckled feet, good angle of upper arm to layback of shoulder, neck of ample length, smooth thru torso with sloping topline, good spring of rib & tapering tuck up, correctly angulated in rear, rise of skull dark eyes & blocky muzzle, would prefer a tad more chin. 3rd Diddle On Newlaithe JW (Mrs V Van-Beck) b/w with lovely eye & expression, well padded muzzle with broad nose, big nostrils correct width of skull just showing a tad over wrinkle, arched neck, level topline, true front, sweeping tuck up, correctly angulated quarters, moved freely.

YB. Ent 11 Abs 1.
1st Ch Winuwuk Silent Witness (Miss J & Mr T Brown & Hutchings) this b/w is straight out of the top drawer, clean cut head free from any excess, lean skull full muzzle, keen expression from dark correctly shaped eye, broad nose, good mouth & lip placement, arched neck of good length, well furnished front with developed forechest firm sloping topline, sweeping quarters with good width of thigh , shown in great muscular condition, free striding on the move with strong rear propulsion. Last 4 CC. 2nd Charlons Viva La Diva (Mr J & Miss E Jones & Charles) close up another beautifully balanced b/w of obvious quality. Lovely balance of muzzle to skull, keen expression from correctly sized & shaped dark eye, she poses a striking outline when set up, crested neck, defined withers, straight forelimbs, well ribbed, good topline & tapering tuck up, super width of thigh good turn of stifle, moved with purpose, in a splitting hairs decision 1 just edged on her more developed forehand. 3rd Willow Irish Mist (Mrs A Payne) lovely headed b/w good rise of skull distinct stop, beautiful dark eyes giving a melting expression, good mouth, evident chin & lip to lip placement, good neck defined withers, sloping topline and good tailset, well boned forelegs sloping pasterns, well angulated rear, tad & puffy in underline, moved without restriction.

PGB. Ent 21 Abs 5.
1st Farvalley Milyon Dolla Baby (Miss C & Miss J Murfin & Cobbledick) stylish r/w of high station, her elegance producing a sharp clean cut outline, good head with flat cheeks distinct stop & rise of skull showing just enough wrinkle of forehead, lovely dark expressive eye, full muzzle with broad nose wide nostrils, crested neck of good length flowing into defined withers short flat back with sloping topline giving square appearance, bang on tailset, she holds a developed forehand, good upper arm lay back of shoulder & forechest, parallel forelegs & knuckled feet, good depth of brisket, tapering underline, well developed quarters she moves with purpose on an unrestricted stride. I consider this bitch to be very unlucky/underrated, she is without doubt title worthy, no hesitation today in short listing her to the Last 4 CC, I hope she get the “luck” she deserves. 2nd Boxania Make Me Smile (Miss S Flintoft) pretty headed b/w lovely rise of skull well set ears lie on flat cheeks, inquisitve expression from correct dark eyes, broad nose, good width & depth of muzzle, upsweep of underjaw gives an evident chin, clean cut neck, sloping topline, straight forelegs elegant underline, balanced in rear, moved steadily. 3rd Glenauld Ovanta (Misses L & S Mair) This b/w has a sharp outline & is such a showgirl, immpecibly handled as ever, crested neck, gun barrel forelegs, cat feet, broad flat back, tapering tuck up, well developed hammy quarters, moved with positivity holding her shape well.

LB.Ent11 Abs 4.
1st Sultash Enable (Mrs F Godwin) She’s always been a big girl but now she has filled her frame & she has come together, balanced head with good skull & powerfully developed muzzle, lovely dark expressive eyes, lip to lip placement, reachy elegant neck, defined withers, short sloping back, clean limbed, sloping pasterns, tapering underline, enough hind angulation, she retains her shape going round on the move. 2nd Kajobox Boom Boom Pow at Berwynfa (Mrs F Pynegar) smaller framed b/w with a neat outline, shown in excellent condition & handled to advantage, she has an elegant crested neck which she uses well, sloping topline & bang on tailset, straight fore legs sloping pasterns, cat feet, tapering tuck up, muscled quarters with well developed thigh, she holds her frame in profile going round. 3rd Yeteb Little Miss Nonsense (Mrs E M & Miss K L McDonald) lovely chiselled headpiece on this b/w , clean skull flat cheeks in balance with good width & depth of muzzle, good mouth & powerful upsweep of lower jaw to provide chin & lip placement, melting expression from correctly shaped dark eyes, good topline, correct depth of brisket, elegant underline, developed in rear & moved on a free stride.

OB. Ent11 Abs4.
1ST UK & Ire Ch Willow Sparks Will Fly (Mrs A Payne) This stunning b/w is positively teeming with quality& breed type, one of the best I’ve judged she possess correct construction & beautiful balance, so good to go over. Strongly sculptured headpiece not coarse or fleshy but formed on bone structure, clean skull full muzzle with excellent upsweep of chin from a powerfully developed underjaw, good mouth, she certainly has characterful expression which can only be produced by correctly sized & shaped dark eyes, she exudes the perfect combination of the substance required for a Boxer with a degree of feminine elegance, she moves easily with a purposeful unrestricted stride. I think she has actually improved with maturity & she put in a great performance all day, CC& BOB delighted to see her short listed to the final 8 in the group. 2nd Ch Susancar Celia Deal (Misses S & S Carter) smart as paint b/w with a clean cut balanced outline, lovely dry head, good rise of skull & blocky muzzle, correct lip placement& chin, good mouth, lovely expressive eyes, arched neck of good length, tight feet, quarters with good width of thigh, moved soundly retaining her shape in profile. 3rd Ch Sunhawk Norwatch Talulah (Mrs H & Mr E A Banks) Stylish b/w with a sharp elegant outline, feminine head, dark well shaped eyes, crested elegant neck, defined withers, sloping topline tapering underline, well muscled in rear, moved on an unrestricted stride.

GCDS. Ent4 Abs 0.
1st Harvlin’s Mystification (Mrs L & Mrs L Harvey & Bole). 2nd Rocvilla Theory of Love at Sebriville (Mrs T J & Mr C A Brian) My sincere apologies to these 2 exhibitors, I lost my last page of notes & with such a long day then collecting my dogs the day after, I just couldn’t bring the two exhibits to mind well enough.

Claire Kay (judge)