Crufts 2026

RosiesMawagain

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 🐾🐾

Me too, it’s the best part haha

There’s talk on social media that the Lakeland that made the final was lame ( luxating patella). And a lot of people are saying that the Kennel Club breed standards still include genetic problems.

There’s also talk about the lovely Cavalier King Charles being used for breeding before the age of one, siring several litters before the age of four, all against breeding guidelines for the breed. However much the owner appeared to love him that is completely irresponsible in view of the terrible health problems endemic in the breed.

Yes. I asked about that and was told they are still breeding them with neurological problems. I thought it was because of the problems with King Charles spaniels that Crufts fell out of favour a few years ago.

nightowl

There’s also talk about the lovely Cavalier King Charles being used for breeding before the age of one, siring several litters before the age of four, all against breeding guidelines for the breed. However much the owner appeared to love him that is completely irresponsible in view of the terrible health problems endemic in the breed.

In view of the owners of both the Best in Show winner and Best in Breed in the toy group, now known to have been prosecuted for animal cruelty and breaking breeding guidelines, I think it is high time Crufts did their homework before allowing these owners to compete. After reading the RSPCA report on the owner of the Clumber Spaniel, he should never be allowed near dogs ever again, let alone be presenting at Crufts.

I didn't know that. That's awful and they should never be allowed to enter.

nightowl

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.

I agree and think that this hasn’t done Crufts’ reputation any good.

The Kennel Club knew about Lee Cox's animal abuse history but felt as it was so far in the past it was no longer relevant.

OldFrill

The Kennel Club knew about Lee Cox's animal abuse history but felt as it was so far in the past it was no longer relevant.

I don't know what's worse. Not knowing about this man's cruelty towards a dog that was no longer making him any money or being fully aware of what went on and allowing him to be at Crufts.
Some might say everyone can make a mistake and give him another chance but animal cruelty is not acceptable to me, no matter how long ago it happened. People like that should not be allowed to keep any animal.

My daughter’s half brother won first prize in class with his Chesapeake Bay retriever , Olive! He was thrilled !!

Sarnia

OldFrill

The Kennel Club knew about Lee Cox's animal abuse history but felt as it was so far in the past it was no longer relevant.

I don't know what's worse. Not knowing about this man's cruelty towards a dog that was no longer making him any money or being fully aware of what went on and allowing him to be at Crufts.
Some might say everyone can make a mistake and give him another chance but animal cruelty is not acceptable to me, no matter how long ago it happened. People like that should not be allowed to keep any animal.

As I understand it the dog had an abscess in its ear that was untreated and was found living in very mucky conditions. The bar for the RSPCA to even go out to a complaint seems to be very high, let alone a prosecution. I think he should not have been allowed to enter the competition. The sentences for animal abuse are pitifully low anyway so there has to be payback for those poor creatures somewhere.
I've long since thought the KFC needed to completely overhaul their breeding regulations and now it seems their competition regulations. There is a breeder in Norfolk who breeds Tibetan Terriers and has been known to go to back to the Kennel Club quite a while later and change the birth dates of the puppies by a considerable amount - months not days. Despite the complaints from owners, the Kennel Club do nothing. She has been shut down by the licensing authorities recently but has found a way to carry on. No doubt the Kennel Club will facilitate her money making.

I haven't watched it for years. Some of those breeds have so many health problems - many caused by overbreeding and inbreeding - that the poor dogs can't even live normal lives. I know the Labradors at Crufts are 'show line' rather than the working line Labs we've always had, but they look like completely different dogs. I think that's partly why many people expect Labs to be chunky, even overweight or obese, when that doesn't have to be the case.

Dempie55

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

That's exactly what I thought 😊

Aveline

I didn't know that. That's awful and they should never be allowed to enter.

I agree. That's just awful.

I guess Crufts is more about humans than dogs really.

Disgusting - anyone convicted of animal
cruelty should be banned from Crufts for life. Channel 4 should drop this if the kennel club don't up their game and start putting animal welfare first.

vegansrock

Disgusting - anyone convicted of animal
cruelty should be banned from Crufts for life. Channel 4 should drop this if the kennel club don't up their game and start putting animal welfare first.

I agree.

Chaitriona

I guess Crufts is more about humans than dogs really.

It's about money.

ViceVersa

I haven't watched it for years. Some of those breeds have so many health problems - many caused by overbreeding and inbreeding - that the poor dogs can't even live normal lives. I know the Labradors at Crufts are 'show line' rather than the working line Labs we've always had, but they look like completely different dogs. I think that's partly why many people expect Labs to be chunky, even overweight or obese, when that doesn't have to be the case.

I always think the ones at Crufts look fat.

Dempie55

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

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
You said it Dempie 55.
Wonderful dog and the affection between owner and dog was lovely to see.
Most of the dogs were wonderful.
Shame they couldn't all win a prize.

The German Shepherd that won best of breed wasn’t allowed to go onto the next stage of judging as it had the sloping back that causes back and hip problems and which I thought the Kennel Club now frowned upon.

MayBee70

The German Shepherd that won best of breed wasn’t allowed to go onto the next stage of judging as it had the sloping back that causes back and hip problems and which I thought the Kennel Club now frowned upon.

Yes, I thought that too. When you see pictures of German Shepherds as they are meant to be, compared to some of today's dogs with the very sloped backs, it's very sad indeed.