We’re fortunate to have had the inside opportunity to speak with Bern Pet Foods Regional Sales Manager, Tan Nagrecha, who was this year’s judge for the Working Group at Crufts 2025. In this interview, Tan shares his experiences judging at the world’s most prestigious dog show, his path to becoming a judge, and the skills required to evaluate the best in the world of canine excellence.
How was Crufts 2025?
Indescribable! Crufts is the pinnacle of any exhibitor’s, breeder’s, or judge’s career. To be chosen to judge on the green carpet of the biggest dog show in the world is truly an honour. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and the atmosphere is like no other. The level of quality in the dogs and the talent and expertise of the handlers from all over the world is great to see and a privilege to be part of.
How did you become a Crufts Category Judge?
Becoming a judge at Crufts is a significant achievement and not something that happens overnight. The UK system for judges is the most intensive in the world. It takes years of dedication and hard work to reach this level—on average, judges spend around 20 years immersed in a breed before they are eligible to judge it at Crufts.
After mastering breed-level judging, the next step is to progress to group judging, which encompasses seven distinct groups. To qualify for this, you must be a Kennel Club approved judge for at least 70% of the breeds within the group and have experience judging these breeds at Championship shows. A judge has to be highly experienced at judging the particular group prior to an invitation from Crufts.
To receive an invitation to judge at Crufts is a huge honour and is usually offered four years in advance. The anticipation is immense, particularly as it gets closer to the event, but the excitement and pride that come with it makes the wait worthwhile.
What did it feel like when you entered the ring before judging the Working Dogs?
Walking into the ring at Crufts can be quite overwhelming. The packed auditorium and the excitement in the air create a mix of emotions. There’s a moment of nervousness, especially when you’re standing alone in the ring, but as soon as the dogs enter, everything changes. The nerves disappear, and your experience and skills kick in. You’re focused, and the task at hand takes over. It’s a unique feeling—one that turns from anxiety to complete focus and adrenaline.
What do you look for in a Category winner?
Every breed has a written breed standard which is a blueprint for the ideal specimen for that breed. As a judge at the group level, you are awarding dogs that are as close to their breed specific standard as possible. Performance, presentation and handling also comes into the equation – the big tick boxes are: breed type, good conformation, correct movement, temperament and showmanship.
By the time these dogs reach this stage, after a long day of competing in their respective breeds, the pressure on both handlers and dogs is immense. To perform at this level once again, under the bright lights and in front of an audience, takes considerable skill and composure.
How do you compare different breeds?
This is where the breed standards come into play. Each breed has unique characteristics and qualities, and the challenge is to evaluate how well each dog exemplifies those traits.
The beauty of Crufts is that you get to see such a diverse range of breeds; the task of comparing them is a true test of a judge’s experience and understanding of the breeds.
Tell us about Viking the Tibetan Mastiff?
My choice, the Tibetan mastiff Dzhozias Viking, fits the standard to a tee. He is so noble and dignified. His head is a joy to handle and his expression solemn, with a well filled and moulded muzzle, his off square frame, and a full mane. At one point he shook and just typified all that is beautiful about this Tibetan breed.
Viking has everything with a strong body, good ribs and short loin, moderate in his angles with a well feathered tail carried perfectly to his coat texture. I could not fault him. And then he moved! He held himself like the king that he is. Perfect foot fall coming and going using his quarters to advantage, his profile movement is breathtaking, all of a piece with the ideal break point down his midline as he floated past me.
I just could not resist him and neither could Patsy Hollings, the Best in show Judge, who took him all the way through to Reserve Best in Show at Crufts, the World’s most famous dog show.