Crufts 2026

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.

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.

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.

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.

Chaitriona

I guess Crufts is more about humans than dogs really.

It's about money.

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.

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 guess Crufts is more about humans than dogs really.

Aveline

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

I agree. That's just awful.

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 😊

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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".