Crufts (Ch - 07/03/2026)

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Critique

CRUFTS - 2026

GERMAN SPITZ - MITTEL

It was an honour to be invited to judge my breed at Crufts and I looked forward to my appointment with great excitement.  Thank you to the Crufts Committee for the invitation, my 2 stewards and all exhibitors who entered their dogs.  I consider it imperative that the breed is measured; it is only size that distinguishes a Klein from a Mittel and a dog in full coat can also look deceptively oversized.  I was greatly dismayed to find, minutes before judging, that due to the schedule not stating that the breed would be measured, I was prohibited from doing so.  I spoke to a Chief Steward who, whilst appreciating my thoughts, reiterated the use of a measure was prohibited.  I would like to apologise for the delay in the start of judging that this caused.  The entry was impressive in both the quantity and quality of dogs. The cliché “Splitting hairs” was very apt today as many of the placings could change on another day.  There appeared to be a considerable variance in size; again, the reason why measuring is so important because the naked eye can be wrong.  Crufts has a different atmosphere for all concerned and it was clear that some dogs did not really enjoy the experience and others were like a bottle of Champagne and ready to pop!   Some ears appeared to be on the large side and not small as the Breed Standard calls for which I feel breeders need to be aware of. Fantastic to see so many talented younger handlers in the ring with dogs clearly devoted to them.  Delighted that my BOB was shortlisted later in the day in the strong Utility Group.  Good Citizen Dog Scheme (4,1) 1 Izulou Every Day I’m Truffling at Flytesway (Wilson) Compact, well-constructed, smaller framed black, enough bone & substance for size but would prefer more of him, typical head with correct ear set & eye shape giving lovely expression, harsh textured coat, excellent tail set, moved and showed well to take this class. 2 Grizwold Paper Moon (King) balanced cream with ample bone & substance, presented a square outline, firm body & condition, brown pigment compatible for colouring, lovely dark eye which is sometimes missing with brown pigmented dogs, pushed winner hard but not as steady in front action. 3 Grizwold Pirate’s Tale at Louchelle (Lewis) PD  (6) 1 Pufnstuf Is Leu Affair at Vixenstar (Fox), 2 Pufnstuf Is U Charmed (Hall) 2 litter brothers sired by BOB winner headed this class so similar comments apply.  At 8 mths both displayed lovely confidence & aptitude to the show ring, attractive, masculine heads, enhanced by neat, well used ears, correct eye, straight front, catlike feet, sound movement, 1 was more mature in coat, which was beautifully presented, showed his heart out and didn’t put a paw wrong to take the class & later, with an assured performance, BP.  3 Tispitza’s Damned by Rumour of Nosregor (Rogerson). JD  (4) 1 Shelayne Riotous Revelry (Clarke) 14 mths well grown sable, typical head & expression, lovely shaped dark eyes, good bite, correct front, firm body, well-presented coat, pleasing outline on stance, attentive to handler, moved with purpose.  2 Spellcast I’ve Got the Look, 14 mths brown in good coat & condition, well-proportioned head, good use of ears, level topline, well carried tail, sound movement, just preferred expression of 1.  3 Tispitaza’s Midnight Ritual at Fabolym (Pollen) PGD  (7) 1 Tispitza’s Unbreakable Vow (Taylor) cream who was a stylish, easy mover, presented a compact, square outline, pleasing bone & substance, typical head, dark eye, well used ears, correct bite, catlike feet, excellent topline & tail set,  2 Longsdale’s Derun Around at Jeansway (Drechsler) Much to like about this black, appealed for breed type, wedge shaped  head, mobile, lovely neat ears, correct coat, good muscle tone, showed well, not as positive on the move as the winner.  3 Izlou Everyday I’m Truffling at Flytesway (Wilson). LD  (4) 1 Cadasaro Georgie with Nosregor (IKC) (Rogerson), sparkling, animated, eye-catching 2-year-old cream, pleasing outline, good construction with correct bone & substance, masculine wedge-shaped head, with well used mobile ears, jet black pigment, oval shaped dark eye giving inquisitive expression,  good front & shoulder, firm & level topline maintained on the move, at one with handler, moved correctly,  with purpose & drive when viewed from all angles, to take this class and later RCC.  2 Claran Copper Nebula at Izlou JW (Clayton) orange sable, liked his proportions & balance, stood four square, catlike feet, well carried tail, correct textured coat, moved well but not the ring presence of the winner.  3 Grizwold Oriole (King) OD (10,1) Quality class headed by 3 lovely examples of the breed 1 Unospitz’s Onix The Rock of Catwalk Caddy (Schroder) lovely condition on this short coupled 2 ½ year old cream, correct textured coat, blackest of pigment which enhanced his masculine, head, small, neat, well used ears, correct bite, straight front, well carried tail, brisk mover from all angles pushed hard by 2 Ch Kitsune Notorious (ai) (Chapman)  masculine quality wolf sable, rising 4, litter brother to bitch CC winner what a lovely litter, appealed for size, bone & substance, compact outline, neat well used ears, correct bite, beautifully presented coat of correct texture, lovely rapport with handler, 3 Cadasaro Gerhard (O’Leary) VD  (8, 2) Huge diversity of ages ranging from 7 years & 3 days to 15 ½ years; so nice to see the “Golden Oldies” who were a credit to their owners enjoying their day. Class headed by the CC & BOB winner Ch Izlou Shiver Me Timbers (Barnes & King) 7 years old black, masculine dog in his prime, appealed for size, balance, bone & substance, impressed from the moment he entered the ring, breed standard, confidence & self-assurance personified, never stopped showing, masculine wedge head with captivating expression, super balanced square outline, good depth of chest, firm topline held on the move, excellent muscle tone, beautifully presented, gleaming coat of correct texture & despite being awarded CC last time I judged, he could not be denied today, pleased to award him his 25th CC, BOB  and so pleased to see him shortlisted in the Group.  2 Ir Ch Lindcoly Mischief Maker (Saich) at nearly 11 years old this black was a delightful character to behold, full of charm & raring to go, not the biggest but everything in proportion, nicely constructed with appealing head, neat ears & dark eye, attentive to handler, supercharged on the move & a credit to his owners & breeders. 3 Nixtev Xander (Lowe & Rosebury) Good Citizen Dog Scheme (2) 1 Pufnstuf Kiss Da Paw (Hall) Typey, 6-year-old Black, who enjoyed her day out and won the class on her steady, precise movement, appealed for size, alert kind expression, neat ear set, straight front, good length of neck, firm body with excellent muscle tone, well carried tail, attentive to handler & showed well.  2 Cadasaro Gucci (Kettlewhite), pretty, feminine 2-year-old black & white parti, presented square outline, enough bone & substance, correct front, catlike feet, firm topline, beautifully presented correct textured coat, showed well but not the movement of 1 today. PB (3) 1 Claran Galaxy Quest (TAF) (Andrew) Scrumptious 9 mth cream sable bitch, literally bounced around the ring at times thoroughly enjoying her day out as a puppy should, well-constructed with the sweetest of expression, neat, well used ears, good bite, straight front, appealed for size & substance, well carried tail, attentive to handler & showed well.  2 Lindcoly Hips Don’t Lie (Saich), feminine, incredibly pretty 9 mth cream, would prefer more of her, pleasing outline, good bite, firm body, coat coming in nicely, super outgoing temperament as all dogs belonging to this kennel had, showed well & another clearly enjoying her day out. 3 Izlou Rock Ya Heart Out (Pointer & Cruttenden) JB  (7 1abs)  1 Cadasaro Hanna (O’Leary),  eye-catching, compact, well- constructed,  pretty cream sable, nearly 18th mths old, ultra feminine, wedge shaped head with super dark eye, well used, neat ears, melting, mesmerising  expression, beautifully balanced with good bone & substance, excellent muscle tone, correct textured coat, moved with drive & purpose, lovely rapport with her young handler, pushed hard for CC, RCC and I have no doubt she will gain her title.  2 Shelayne’s Celebration (Fitton) 14th mths, brown & white parti, pretty head, correct eye, well used ears giving alert expression, straight front, catlike feet, well carried tail, attentive to handler, moved confidently with drive & purpose.  3 Lindcoly Wish On Rainbows (Saich) PGB (31) 1 Nosregor Dear Diary (Miss Rogerson), brown who was utterly and totally old of coat, her precise, ground covering movement won her this class, smaller framed, compact square outline, dark eye/pigment, correct bite, straight front, attentive to hander.  2 Cadasaro Gucci (Kettlewhite) LB  (4) 1 Izlou Gossip Girl JW feminine cream, balanced outline, super black pigment enhancing expression, neat well used ears, smaller framed but well-constructed, high tail set, economic, ground covering movement. 2 Nosregor Cassiopeia at Shelayne (Fitton) this sable appealed greatly for size & breed type but not the movement of the winner on the day, lovely head & expression with small, well used, ears, good bone & substance, pleasing outline, never stopped showing. 3 Kitsuen Cream Fudge (Purves). OB  (5)  1 Ch Kitsune The Liness at Izlou (AI) (Barnes & King) strongly contested class headed by this mature, mesmerising black, with an abundance of breed characteristics, ideal bone & substance, balanced, square compact outline, typical head, correct eye & well used ears giving alluring, beguiling, expression, correct front, excellent muscle tone & firm condition, level topline at all times, gleaming coat of correct texture, moved with aplomb & drive, at one with her handler, pleased to awarded her  CC.  2 Ch Jansanaleis Rave JW (Moir & Mackenzie) Glamorous, attractive, beautifully presented cream who definitely fell into the “fizz” category.  Standing foursquare she presented a compact & balanced outline, super black pigment, neat ears, giving sweet expression correct bite, straight front, well set & carried tail.  3 Ch Tispitza’s Avad Kedavra (Taylor) VB  (1) 1 Izlou Peanut Passion (Dr Drew). 8 yr black, compact outline, feminine head with sweet expression, neat ears, correct eye, firm body, neat catlike feet, well carried tail, brisk, efficient mover, showed well at all times.

Melanie Hill