Crufts review – we look at some of the highlights

Crufts – the World’s Greatest Dog Show Returned

Crufts 2022 Best In Show Champion: Baxter the Flat Coat Retriever

After four momentous days, a new Crufts Best in Show champion has been crowned as Baxer (CH Almanza Backseat Driver), a Flat Coat Retriever, who took home the coveted title on Sunday 13 March.

In a packed Resorts World Arena, Baxer, who is six-years-old, bred in Sweden by Ragnhild Ulin, and his co-owner and handler, Patrick Oware from Oslo, Norway, were cheered on as they were chosen by top judge, Stuart Plane. Baxer’s win was captured live on Channel 4 in a programme hosted by Clare Balding, and watched online by millions of dog lovers.

Almost 16,000 dogs from around the world competed at the Birmingham NEC over four days for just seven places in the Crufts 2022 Best in Show final. The other six finalists were: Aya, a Greyhound; Akela, a Siberian Husky; Donnie, an Irish Terrier; Lenor. a Border Collie; Conan, a Yorkshire Terrier and Waffle, a Toy Poodle.

Baxer is a liver Flat Coat Retriever, a more unusual colour for the breed. This is the third time the Flat Coat has won Crufts.

Delighted co-owner and handler Patrick, said of their win: “It’s been amazing to go from winning the breed, to now winning Best in Show. It’s really a dream come true! I’ve been going to Crufts ever since I was a young and it’s always been a dream to show my own dog in the main ring - and win!

“Baxer never lets me down, he’s always happy and energetic. He’s a fantastic dog! I don’t have any words, it’s just amazing, and I’m really proud of him. He’s a true credit to his breed.”

The Reserve Best in Show was won by Waffle, the Toy Poodle, owned and handled by co-owner Tom Isherwood, from Preston, Lancashire.

Vanessa McAlpine, Crufts Show Manager, said: “This year has been a triumphant return for Crufts and tonight saw another fantastic final.

“Congratulations to Baxer who helped end this year’s competition on a real high, taking the coveted Best in Show award with his co-owner and handler, Patrick. The pair are very deserving winners and it was clear to see their strong bond together in the ring.

“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 not only a beloved event here in the UK 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 and results from the show, visit crufts.org.uk.

BIS winner Baxter with his co-owner Patrick Oware

Crufts Announced the Nation’s Top Canine Hero

Bob, and a wider team of lifesaving Newfoundlands led by Pete Lewin, have tonight, (Sunday 13 March) been announced as the winners of The Kennel Club Hero Dog Award competition at Crufts 2022.

Pete Lewin, from Leicester, runs a non-profit organisation working with his Newfoundland dogs for suicide prevention. This amazing team provides support for staff from frontline emergency services and military veterans, and those struggling with their mental health. With the Covid-19 pandemic, this has never been more important.

Pete, who himself is a long-standing front-line paramedic for the East Midlands Ambulance Service, has worked with water dogs as a hobby for around 25 years. Both his own experiences and feedback from others about the positive effects of swimming in open water with Newfoundlands, who are natural water rescue dogs, made him realise the potential for a unique experience to support people with mental health needs.

Bob and the lifesaving Newfoundlands were one of five hero dog nominations shortlisted for The Kennel Club Hero Dog Award 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 actress and award ambassador Sally Phillips.

Proud Pete and his deserving team of Newfoundlands were presented with 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, Pete said: “Tonight has been incredible. I can’t put into words how amazing it is. I never expected all of this, I’m just a paramedic who helps people by swimming with my dogs. The work we do is for the emergency services staff, veterans, disabled children with different needs. Getting this award is just amazing - not just for me but the whole team and the breed, it’s quite unique what these Newfoundlands do.”

Sally Phillips, the award’s Ambassador, said of the winner: “These dogs are life-savers, they are heroes, and they are all winners. Well done to Pete and the Newfies, what they do is very very touching. It’s wonderful to recognise the relationships we have with our dogs through this award.”

Vanessa McAlpine, Crufts Show Manager, said: “We congratulate the team of Newfoundlands and Pete on winning this year’s Hero Dog Award. What they do is inspirational. There wasn’t a dry eye in the arena! All the finalists perfectly demonstrated their incredible bond they have and the companionship they provide to their owners, and the wider contribution dogs can make to society. All the dogs and owners have transformed each other’s lives for the better and we thank them all for sharing their deeply personal stories with us all. They are all winners.”

The five dogs which made the 2022 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.

To find out more about the award, visit crufts.org.uk/herodogawards

Proud Pete and his deserving team of Newfoundlands were presented with their award and a cheque for £5,000 from The Kennel Club Charitable Trust for a dog charity of their choice.

Shropshire Dog Wins Crufts Crossbreed Competition

Questa, a five-year-old Golden Retriever/Labrador cross, owned by Hazel French from Highley, Shropshire, has won the Scruffts Family Crossbreed of the Year title at the world’s greatest dog show, Crufts, on Saturday 12 March.

Questa was one of four crossbreed finalists in the national Scruffts competition, which is exclusively supported by pet food makers James Wellbeloved. Hundreds of dogs competed in qualifying heats around the country, with 24 dogs and their owners making it through to the semi-finals, which also took place at Crufts earlier on Saturday.

Questa is Hazel’s assistance dog who helps with everything. Together, they take part in Kennel Club Rally and they have started to complete in Heelwork to Music too! In their hometown Highley, Questa also helps to pick up rubbish from the village, and is well known by everyone there. Together, Questa and Hazel are a heroic duo, who also raise money for canine partners, over £7,000 to date.

Thrilled owner Hazel said of Questa’s win: “I think Questa is an extra special dog. The way she always keeps an eye on me and is always there for me is wonderful! I got Questa as an assistance dog when she was 16 months old. I suffer with severe brittle asthma and osteoporosis and needed help around the home. Thanks to her I have now got a lot of friends in the doggy fraternity! She has given me a new lease of life. She will be getting extra treats tonight for all her hard work! I am very proud of her.”

Jenny Cambell, entrepreneur, judged the four finalists, alongside Mark Beazley, Cheif Executive of The Kennel Club, looking for qualities such as good character, health and temperament with people and other dogs.

The Scruffts Family Crossbreed of the Year competition is run by The Kennel Club, which organises Crufts, and caters exclusively for crossbreed dogs: dogs whose parents are of two different breeds, or a mixture of several breeds.

Questa, a five-year-old Golden Retriever/Labrador cross, owned by Hazel French won the Scruffts Family Crossbreed

The four finalists were:

• Most Handsome Crossbreed Dog: Sir Duke the Romanian rescue, owned by Clare Gallacher from Osgathorpe, Leicestershire • Good Citizen Dog Scheme: Questa the Golden Retriever and Labrador cross, owned by Hazel French from Highley, Shropshire • Golden Oldie: Teddy owned by Louise Jacobs from Colchester, Essex • Prettiest Crossbreed Bitch: Edith the Saluki Greyhound and Whippet cross, owned by Michael Clement from Horley, Surrey

As well as the Scruffts Crossbreed Family Dog of the Year title, Questa, received a year’s supply of healthy hypo-allergenic dog food from James Wellbeloved.

James Wellbeloved European brand manager, Sonja Hartomo said: “Huge congratulations to Questa and Hazel on becoming Scruffts champions. James Wellbeloved is very proud to be exclusive supporters of this wonderful competition which celebrates the nation’s most fabulous crossbreed dogs.

“The bond between the pair was clear to see and we hope they enjoy every moment of being a Scruffts champion.”

To enter one of the 2022 heats, please visit the Crufts website to find one near you crufts.org.uk/scruffts