Crufts 2026

Beautiful dog, so nice that a Clumber Spaniel won. (There’s that thing about a dog resembling its owner, though…..😆)

He's a handsome enough dog, and lovely markings, but looks half asleep. Maybe he's a bit dazed by it all!

Crufts has been a welcome respite from all the awful news. Clearly the Clumber Spaniel named Bruin was the nearest to the perfect specimen of his breed. I was rooting for the corgi, having had one as a pet, but no complaints about the winner. The presenters were all good and clearly doggy people. The pinnacle of the canine world. I enjoyed it all from the judging to the Flyball and Agility rounds. Dogs and their owners having a great time.

The presenters were all good and clearly doggy people.
Claudia Winkleman was an interesting newcomer to this. A bit different from her Strictly role!

I was never interested in the flyball till I watched the documentary Hustle and Run about the woman who decided that whippets would be good at it. Up until then it had all been collies but Hustle ( who retired last year) was a revelation and now most of the teams consist of sighthounds and lurchers. I actually bought my whippet a furry tuggy toy last year after noticing that all the dogs were rewarded with their tuggy toy after competing. Wasn’t sure about Claudia Winkleman; my first thought was she’s taking over everything. I think people used to say that about Clare but she really is a genuine dog lover as anyone will know if they have read her autobiography. They didn’t seem to mention anything about the terrible problems that King Charles spaniels used to have so I was relieved that the Cavalier didn’t win, which might have made them popular again ( maybe the Cavaliers weren’t as badly affected?). As a spaniel lover I can’t say that Clumbers are my favourite breed but I guess it’s good for an endangered breed to be recognised. His owner was definitely a character.

I thoroughly enjoyed the showing of dogs, but can't get enthusiastic about flyball or agility so a lot of forward winding went on as I watched after the event.
I used to have Cavaliers with no problems and a gorgeous Gordon Setter. The Clumber was obviously the closest to the breed standard. I was amused to see that Bruin and his owner looked alike!
I liked Claudia's fresh humorous approach and Clare was her usual professional self, but I found Ellie a bit too giggly for me, although it is nice to see her making a career in presenting.

I always enjoy dipping into this. I have never owned a Dog but some of these Dogs look fabulous.

I love Crufts, all of it, including all the agility etc. I love the overall winner, he and his owner both look alike!

The only thing I don’t like about Crufts and breeders is that there are so many dogs in refuges we don’t really need any more bred AND some of the over bred, in bred breeds with such obvious issues, ie pugs, frenchies and many of the “mini” dogs

Loved the JRs all ignoring instructions and doing their own thing.
I think the Kennel Club are taking on board the breeding issues now especially regarding flat faced dogs. I do agree Cossy there are lots of lovely dogs waiting to be rescued.

We have a friend with two Clumbers, she’s delighted. They are the soppiest thing out! I was surprised to see how fast the winner moved, hers are more into relaxing!

That dog does not look dopey, he actually looks very pleased with himself, just zoom in to see his smile.

No, you're right, let's go with J52's word, "soppy"!

MartavTaurus

No, you're right, let's go with J52's word, "soppy"!

His owner said Bruin is a comedian in a white fluffy coat which made me laugh and then he said he never lets me down and I never let him down which brought a tear to my eye.

They are also very cuddly and provide extra warmth in the winter!

Not sure about Claudia but then I'm not a fan at all!

I have just read on line (MSN) that 20 years ago the owner of Bruin was convicted of animal cruelty after RSPCA inspectors found his dogs in terrible conditions and with untreated skin problems. He is still allowed to keep them so things must have changed! One can't always believe on line stories so hope this one was made up.

shysal

I have just read on line (MSN) that 20 years ago the owner of Bruin was convicted of animal cruelty after RSPCA inspectors found his dogs in terrible conditions and with untreated skin problems. He is still allowed to keep them so things must have changed! One can't always believe on line stories so hope this one was made up.

If that is so, and it's in several papers, surely he will be disqualified? Though it's not the dog's fault.

I’ve read that too shysal and seen clips of the news reports from the time showing an obviously much younger version of the owner. I also read that the winning dog has entropion (which apparently is a regular problem with the breed and could explain why he looked half asleep). If that’s true I’m horrified that either the poor dog or the owner was allowed to enter, let alone win.

I just wish the Kennel Club would clean up its act.

Marg75

Not sure about Claudia but then I'm not a fan at all!

I agree.

I havent watched for a few years.
Thought I would have a look this year.
Found Claudia very off putting.
Wont write reasons why as dont want to put others off.

I love Crufts. It's the Flyball and Agility that I particularly enjoy. Those dogs go like rockets and genuinely seem to love it.
I agree about that Corgi. We have had several in the family and loved them. Dear dogs.

I love it when Agility goes wrong and the dog decides to do his own thing, usually grinning widely and tail going 19 to the dozen 🐾🐾

Sarnia

Crufts has been a welcome respite from all the awful news. Clearly the Clumber Spaniel named Bruin was the nearest to the perfect specimen of his breed. I was rooting for the corgi, having had one as a pet, but no complaints about the winner. The presenters were all good and clearly doggy people. The pinnacle of the canine world. I enjoyed it all from the judging to the Flyball and Agility rounds. Dogs and their owners having a great time.

My short list was Bruin, Hazel the corgi and Viking the giant black beast; the wee corgi was gorgeous.

Many years ago 12 yr old animal mad DS entered a pet food comp and won an all expenses paid (for two, I was his Other) 2 night trip to Crufts as the guest of the famous petfood; included a behind the scenes tour with a vet (son's sole ambition from 6, was to be a vet, which he now is) It was a fascinating experience but some of the dog-show fraternity are total obsessives, some to a toxic degree, NOT all strokes treats and sweetness like before the TV cameras.

Son's first experience of witnessing "Dog owners behaving very badly".

shysal

I have just read on line (MSN) that 20 years ago the owner of Bruin was convicted of animal cruelty after RSPCA inspectors found his dogs in terrible conditions and with untreated skin problems. He is still allowed to keep them so things must have changed! One can't always believe on line stories so hope this one was made up.

There are some very nasty people who are dog owners. One year at Crufts my friend's dog had a big stripe of hair razored so it completely spoiled his coat - she just packed up and came home as there was no point in entering. So I can well imagine some one starting a nasty rumour.

That's awful. So disappointing. What a wonderful prize though for butterandjam's DS.
I knew someone who 'showed' her dogs. For Crufts she'd hire a bus and have most of the seats removed to give the dogs enough room. They all slept in the bus too. She never won but enjoyed the whole experience. I'm not so sure the dogs did though.