CRUFTS 2020

Crufts is highly regarded as The World’s Greatest Dog Show.  What a title! But what does that actually mean to us dog show folk?

Dog breeders, exhibitors and enthusiasts of pedigree dogs spend the majority of the year competing at Kennel Club licensed events throughout the country, in order to qualify for Crufts. Overseas dogs too, have particular shows where a scheduled award can qualify them to compete at Crufts. Of course, there are other awards to win at these qualifying shows, for example Best of Breeds, Best of each Sex, Top Puppy, Top Veteran,  Class Winners and Prize Card Winners but for the majority of exhibitors, having the opportunity to exhibit at Crufts is one of the highlights on the Canine Calendar.

It is every owner’s dream to win a prize card at Crufts.  For some that dream goes to another level – the hope is to win the Top Dog or Top Bitch award (or Challenge Certificate, CC for short), in one’s chosen breed. Taking things to the next progression would be to win Best of Breed, i.e Best of both all boys and all girls.  Wow!

Gwendariff owners have been thrilled to have had some fabulous moments to treasure on the famous green carpet of CRUFTS DOG SHOWS. The Crufts awards for the dogs’ breeders are also a nod to their prowess as a Breeder.

The atmosphere is electric as the day progresses with the senior classes usually exhibiting later in the afternoon, with competition for the very top spot decided by both judges. The rings flood with spectators all rooting for their favourite and the photographers come out in force, all trying to get ‘the shot’ of the final winner.

In 2020 we had the experience of a lifetime. Our lifelong ambition to get to the finals of Crufts was realised. With almost 20,000 dogs competing at Crufts 2020, we made it to the last 7 dogs having won the Gundog Group – in fact even writing this, it feels somehow surreal.  It was an experience like no other and all because of one special girl – Elsie, or as she is officially known, GB SH CH, IR SH CH & INT CH GWENDARIFF COCO NUT CREAM CW’18.

You can visit our Crufts journey with Elsie here.

The day was made even more spectacular for us, by the added achievements of our other Gwendariff owners and their fantastic dogs.  The most notable win in males was the CC win for Jackie & Bill Willis, with their GB SH CH GWENDARIFF THYME BOMB AT JACWILINS JW.  To complete the day Best Puppy In Breed was awarded to Lynn Muir’s, GWENDARIFF’S UP TO SOMETHIN.  We couldn’t have been prouder.

Here we have selected some very special Crufts highlights to share with you.

We hope you enjoy our photographs and videos.