Crufts review

Crufts 2020

Best in Show champion is Maisie the wire-haired Dachshund from Gloucestershire

After four momentous days, a new Crufts Best in Show champion has been crowned as Maisie (Ch Silvae Trademark), a Wire-Haired Dachshund, took home the coveted title tonight (Sunday 8th March).

In a packed arena, Maisie, who is two years old and her owner, Kim McCalmont from Berkeley, Gloucestershire, were cheered on as they were chosen by top judge, Anne Macdonald. Maisie’s win, the first ever for a Dachshund was captured live on Channel 4 in a programme hosted by Clare Balding, and watched online around the world by millions of dog lovers.

Almost 20,000 pedigree dogs from around the world competed at the Birmingham NEC over four days for just seven places in the Crufts 2020 Best in Show final. The other six finalists were Frankie the Miniature Poodle, Pablo the Bichon Frisé, Elsie the Irish Setter, Drago the Bullmastiff, Zokni the Old English Sheepdog and Pixie the Kerry Blue Terrier.

As a breed, the Dachshund is a firm favourite with the British public. It is the only type of dog which comes in six varieties, divided by size and coat type. The breed standard describes them as faithful, versatile and good-tempered.

Delighted owner Kim, a Kennel Club Assured Breeder, said of their win: “I have to say wow, it’s not very believable at this moment. It’s something you dream of and you don’t ever think will happen.

“It’s the goal that everyone strives for because Crufts is THE show - it really is, isn’t it?

“She just loves her showing, she just loves it. It’s such a joy to take her out.”

Maisie and her owner, Kim McCalmont from Berkeley, Gloucestershire

The Reserve Best in Show award was won by Frankie, the Miniature Poodle, owned and handled by Melanie Harwood, from Ramsgreave, Lancashire. It was the second time that Frankie had won the reserve title. Vanessa McAlpine, Crufts Show Manager, said: “This has been another fantastic year for Crufts, and tonight’s final was exceptional.

“Congratulations to Maisie who helped end this year’s competition on a real high, taking the prestigious Best in Show award with her owner, Kim McCalmont. It has been fantastic to watch their strong relationship together in the ring and they are very deserving winners. “Well done to all of our other wonderful finalists too. The dogs and their owners and handlers should be incredibly proud to get through to such a prestigious final – it really is a special achievement.

“Crufts is a British institution but it is also adored by dog lovers all over the world and we have been so delighted to see the unique bond between these much loved dogs and their owners, across a range of competitions and activities. Thank you to everyone involved for making the show what it is today.”

For more information, visit www.crufts.org.uk.

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Crufts announces the nation’s top canine hero: A Golden Retriever, Leo

Lyndsey Uglow and Leo, winners of the Kennel Club Friends for Life competition at Crufts 2020.

Lyndsey Uglow and Leo have tonight (Sunday March 8th) been announced as the winners of the Kennel Club Friends for Life competition at Crufts 2020.

Leo heads up a team of therapy dogs who visit the Southampton Children’s Hospital to provide animal assisted intervention.

Leo and friends have been visiting up to five times a week for the past seven years. The team is made up of six dogs and four very experienced handlers and have helped more than 10,000 often critically ill children.

Leo, was one of five hero dogs shortlisted for the Friends for Life competition in February. The finalists shared their unique stories of the impact that each dog has made on their life, with the nation voting for their favourite. The winner was announced

in the Resorts World Arena on the final day of the world’s greatest dog show by James Middleton.

The proud owner and deserving dog were presented their award and a cheque for £5,000 from the Kennel Club Charitable Trust for a dog charity of their choice. The four other finalists also received £1,000 for their chosen dog charity for making it to the prestigious final.

Speaking about their win, Lyndsey said: “I know it is just Leo and I up here, but we are a team of four handlers and six dogs.

“The fact that the public have recognised us in this way is quite overwhelming and absolutely lovely. We will share it with the staff and patients at the hospital too, who we are privileged enough to work with.” Vanessa McAlpine, Crufts Show Manager, said: “We congratulate Leo and Lyndsey on winning this year’s Friends for Life award; their story highlights the incredibly strong bond we share with our four-legged friends and why dogs are truly man’s best friend.

“Each and every one of the dogs in the final has helped to transform their owner’s lives, showing unwavering devotion and companionship. They are a great example of the positive difference that dogs can make. They are all winners and their bonds will last a lifetime.”

The five dogs which made the 2020 final were selected by a panel of judges from the Kennel Club, where they were chosen for the lifetime of love and loyalty they give to their owners and for the way that they have irrevocably changed their lives.

C R U E LT Y - F R E E , V E G A N - F R I E N D LY A N D N O H A R S H C H E M I C A L S