Crufts 2024.
Report by Frank Borg.
Report by Frank Borg.
The World’s Greatest Dog Show, Crufts Dog Show, was held at Birmingham's NEC Arena between Thursday 7th and Sunday 10th March 2024. It showcased over 24,000 dogs from around the globe, competing across various categories. It is organized by the World’s most prestigious and largest Kennel Club, The Royal Kennel Club, with whom the Maltese National Canine Federation enjoys a Reciprocal Agreement and a very close and special relationship.
Crufts was founded by Mr. Charles Cruft and was first held in 1891 in Islington. Charles Cruft and his family owned and managed the show until his death in 1938 and the Kennel Club acquired the rights from his widow Emma in 1942. The outbreak of the Second World War disrupted dog showing for several years, but in 1948 Crufts was back, at a new venue, Olympia. In 1979 the show moved to Earls Court in London, and in 1991, having outgrown every venue in London, Crufts celebrated its 100th Anniversary at its current home at the NEC, Birmingham.
So what makes Crufts the World’s Greatest? First of all, it is the biggest dog show when it comes to the number of dogs competing. But then, Crufts is not just about the conformation side of the dog’s competition. It also embraces many other dog related disciplines, such as Obedience, Fly Ball, Agility, Good Citizen Dog Scheme, Scruffts, Heelwork To Music, Working Trials, Junior Handling and so many more competitions and displays taking place at the Birmingham’s National Exhibition Centre. Crufts Dog Show not only celebrates canine excellence but also underscore the profound connections between dogs and humans, highlighting stories of resilience and companionship.
Out of the 24,000 dogs participating, 3776 dogs from all over the World are taking part, with 15 dogs from Malta being present. Malta was also represented in the International Junior Handler Competition by Mariah Manicaro, a 15 year old girl from Bahrija, Rabat, who was one of the 36 Junior Handlers from around the World who competed at this prestigious event. This year’s competition was won by Zofia Raboj from Poland.
Crufts was founded by Mr. Charles Cruft and was first held in 1891 in Islington. Charles Cruft and his family owned and managed the show until his death in 1938 and the Kennel Club acquired the rights from his widow Emma in 1942. The outbreak of the Second World War disrupted dog showing for several years, but in 1948 Crufts was back, at a new venue, Olympia. In 1979 the show moved to Earls Court in London, and in 1991, having outgrown every venue in London, Crufts celebrated its 100th Anniversary at its current home at the NEC, Birmingham.
So what makes Crufts the World’s Greatest? First of all, it is the biggest dog show when it comes to the number of dogs competing. But then, Crufts is not just about the conformation side of the dog’s competition. It also embraces many other dog related disciplines, such as Obedience, Fly Ball, Agility, Good Citizen Dog Scheme, Scruffts, Heelwork To Music, Working Trials, Junior Handling and so many more competitions and displays taking place at the Birmingham’s National Exhibition Centre. Crufts Dog Show not only celebrates canine excellence but also underscore the profound connections between dogs and humans, highlighting stories of resilience and companionship.
Out of the 24,000 dogs participating, 3776 dogs from all over the World are taking part, with 15 dogs from Malta being present. Malta was also represented in the International Junior Handler Competition by Mariah Manicaro, a 15 year old girl from Bahrija, Rabat, who was one of the 36 Junior Handlers from around the World who competed at this prestigious event. This year’s competition was won by Zofia Raboj from Poland.
The prestigious Best in Show title was awarded to Ch Brighttouch Drift The Line Through Dialynne (Imp Rus), known as Viking, a three-year-old Australian Shepherd which is Co-owned by Melanie Raymond, John Shaw, and Kerry Kirtley, Viking's victory marks only the second time this breed has secured the top honour at Crufts.
The Reserve Best in Show was claimed by Ch. Original Master’s Voice Lovesong Monamour, a nine-year-old Jack Russell Terrier from Japan, who also triumphed in the Terrier Group.
The Reserve Best in Show was claimed by Ch. Original Master’s Voice Lovesong Monamour, a nine-year-old Jack Russell Terrier from Japan, who also triumphed in the Terrier Group.
First day saw the Utility & Toy Breeds judging. With a total of 2874 dogs in the Utility Group and 2502 dogs in the Toy Group, it was a very busy day for the numerous judges that were given the honourable task to select the best dogs from each breed. It is indeed every dog judge’s dream to officiate at the World’s most prestigious dog show. At the end of the day, each Best Of Breed winner competed in its respective Group for the selection of the Group winner who will eventually represent the Group for the coveted Best In Show title at the finale of the show on Sunday. The Utility Group was won by the French Bulldog, Ch.Chelmbull Rocket Man, whilst the Toy Group was topped by the Papillon, Fashion First High Priority.
On the second day, the Gundogs were on schedule. The Gundog Group is the biggest Group at Crufts, this year having a total of 5668 dogs competing, the breed with the highest entry being that of the Golden Retriever with a fabulous entry of 653 dogs. The Gundog Group was won by Sh.Ch. Gunalt Hendricks, a Weimaraner.
Working & Pastoral breeds were scheduled for Saturday 9th March, another very busy day with 5160 dogs competing on the day. The Leonberger, Ch. Corleone Navigator At Kalizmar won the Working Group whilst the Australian Shepherd, Ch Brighttouch Drift The Line Through Dialynne won the Pastoral Groups and eventually winning Best In Show on Sunday.
The Final day, Sunday 10th March, saw the Terriers and Hounds filling every corner of the NEC, with a total of 2410 Terriers and 3187 Hounds. The Terrier Group was won by the Jack Russell Terrier who then went on to win Reserve Best in Show, with the Ch. Forget-Me-Not Tum-Tums Vriendjes, a Grand Basset Griffon Vendéen, taking the top spot.
On the second day, the Gundogs were on schedule. The Gundog Group is the biggest Group at Crufts, this year having a total of 5668 dogs competing, the breed with the highest entry being that of the Golden Retriever with a fabulous entry of 653 dogs. The Gundog Group was won by Sh.Ch. Gunalt Hendricks, a Weimaraner.
Working & Pastoral breeds were scheduled for Saturday 9th March, another very busy day with 5160 dogs competing on the day. The Leonberger, Ch. Corleone Navigator At Kalizmar won the Working Group whilst the Australian Shepherd, Ch Brighttouch Drift The Line Through Dialynne won the Pastoral Groups and eventually winning Best In Show on Sunday.
The Final day, Sunday 10th March, saw the Terriers and Hounds filling every corner of the NEC, with a total of 2410 Terriers and 3187 Hounds. The Terrier Group was won by the Jack Russell Terrier who then went on to win Reserve Best in Show, with the Ch. Forget-Me-Not Tum-Tums Vriendjes, a Grand Basset Griffon Vendéen, taking the top spot.
In the Flyball competition, Watson's Legacy emerged as the champion, defeating the two-time defending champions, the Road Runners, in a surprising final matchup.
The event also highlighted inspiring stories, such as Tilly, a puppy once abandoned in a laundry basket, who became a finalist for 'The Kennel Club Hero Dog Award' due to her impactful work in prisons and schools.
Additionally, ten-year-old Amelia Cleaver from Birmingham, who overcame leukemia, competed alongside her dog, Breeze, in the junior flyball competition, showcasing the therapeutic bond between dogs and their owners.
The event also featured the family-favorite Scruffts final and the Kennel Club Hero Dog Award, celebrating the remarkable roles dogs play in human lives. With over 155,000 visitors and 8.7 million viewers tuning in worldwide, Crufts 2024 reaffirmed its status as a premier celebration of canine excellence.
The 2024 Crufts Dog Show not only celebrated canine excellence but also underscored the profound connections between dogs and humans, highlighting stories of resilience, companionship, and triumph.
The event also highlighted inspiring stories, such as Tilly, a puppy once abandoned in a laundry basket, who became a finalist for 'The Kennel Club Hero Dog Award' due to her impactful work in prisons and schools.
Additionally, ten-year-old Amelia Cleaver from Birmingham, who overcame leukemia, competed alongside her dog, Breeze, in the junior flyball competition, showcasing the therapeutic bond between dogs and their owners.
The event also featured the family-favorite Scruffts final and the Kennel Club Hero Dog Award, celebrating the remarkable roles dogs play in human lives. With over 155,000 visitors and 8.7 million viewers tuning in worldwide, Crufts 2024 reaffirmed its status as a premier celebration of canine excellence.
The 2024 Crufts Dog Show not only celebrated canine excellence but also underscored the profound connections between dogs and humans, highlighting stories of resilience, companionship, and triumph.
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