Latest news with #Crufts'
Yahoo
07-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Six-year-old boy makes history as one of youngest ever Crufts winners
A six-year-old boy has made history as one of the youngest ever Crufts winners alongside his beloved smooth fox terrier in Birmingham. Freddie Osborne, from Bobbington in Staffordshire, took to the ring alongside Penny at the National Exhibition Centre with the pair winning their first class veteran category. Having just turned six, it meant that Freddie soared into the record books as one of Crufts' youngest entrants and winners and he was thrilled to share the stage with his best friend in Birmingham. READ MORE: Millions of bank customers set to get compensation after apps crashed READ MORE: Downing Street statement over extra Bank Holiday plans for VE Day "I really enjoyed Crufts," he said. "Penny and I won best veteran in breed and we are so happy with our rosette. She is the best dog ever. "I love walking her and she's really good." Freddie went to his first Crufts at just two weeks old. He may not remember the experience but it's a crucial moment for the youngster who has since grown into a big fan of the event. It was also a whole family occasion. The youngster was accompanied to Birmingham by his mother Kimberley and father James, who noted that their son's showing of the rare breed adds to a rich family history. "We are so proud of Freddie, he has been really dedicated to get this far but he's really enjoyed himself too, which is the most important thing," said James. "It's also been great for our family to be able to highlight our wonderful breed, the Smooth Fox Terrier, which is classed one of the Kennel Club's native vulnerable breeds. "My grandfather used to have a Smooth Fox Terrier and I remember seeing an old home film with it in and wondering what type of dog it was. "I was always keen on terriers as a farmer so I could have something small go in the tractor with me. "They are great pets and Penny and Freddie have done themselves and us proud." Smooth Fox Terriers were in the top ten most popular breeds in Britain a century ago, registering close to 3,000 puppies a year, but saw just 45 born in 2024 - their lowest recording in history. And with his third overall veteran win and first victory at Crufts on debut, James now hopes that six-year-old Freddie can continue to pursue his passion for showing and showcase the breed even further. "It's some great family history," he added. "This was the breed for me and I hope it's the breed for Freddie and his brother in the future." Crufts, run by The Kennel Club, is a unique celebration of happy, healthy dogs and of the loving relationship that they enjoy with their owners. Crufts is held from 6-9 March 2025 at the NEC Birmingham. Viewers can follow all the action and highlights on Channel 4 and More4, and for further information and tickets visit
The Independent
06-03-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Channel 4 reaches new agreement to cover Crufts until 2029
Channel 4 has announced it will continue to broadcast the Crufts dog show until 2029. The new agreement, covering 2026 to 2029, extends the broadcaster's relationship with the famous dog show to almost two decades, having first aired coverage in 2010. The show, which is celebrating its 75th year of being broadcast, began on Thursday. Channel 4's coverage is hosted by Clare Balding, who is joined by regular Crufts reporter Radzi Chinyanganya and two new presenters, Paralympian swimmer Ellie Simmonds and former professional rugby player Ed Jackson. The broadcast will include events such as flyball, agility, heelwork to music, The Kennel Club Hero Dog Award and the best in show – Crufts' top honour. More than 200 pedigree breeds from 51 different counties will compete for the title, according to Channel 4, which will be awarded live on the channel on March 9. Last year, an Australian shepherd named Viking from Solihull, Birmingham, beat 24,000 dogs from around the world to win best in show. Channel 4's head of sports, Pete Andrews, said: 'Crufts is a truly unique event and has a very special place in the hearts of Channel 4 viewers and we're delighted that Channel 4 will continue our relationship with The Kennel Club and the producers of our Crufts coverage, Sunset+Vine.' Jannine Edgar, chief executive of The Kennel Club, said: 'We have enjoyed fantastic coverage with Channel 4 over the last 15 years and are delighted to continue our partnership for the next four years. 'Channel 4 has provided The Kennel Club with more airtime for Crufts than ever before, helping us to show the important role dogs play in our lives.' Crufts takes place over four days and has been held at the National Exhibition Centre (NEC), Birmingham since 1991. It was first televised in 1950 by the BBC and was live-streamed in 2009 after the broadcaster dropped the show. Organiser of Crufts, The Kennel Club, is a UK organisation devoted to dog health, welfare and training. Viewers will be able to watch Crufts on Channel 4, More4 and on Channel 4 streaming from March 6 to 9.
BBC News
05-03-2025
- General
- BBC News
Crufts: The history of the dog show in pictures
The world's most famous dog show is back, with pooches expected from all over the of canines take part in Crufts every March, with owners hoping to win the ultimate title Best in Show, which comes with a cash prize and a show, which is returning to its usual home at the NEC in Birmingham on Thursday, takes place over four days with more than 150,000 visitors expected. Overseas entries have hit an all time high this year, with nearly 500 dogs from France alone. But how did the show all start? Named after its founder Charles Cruft, the dog show took place for the first time in 1891 at the Royal Agricultural Hall in Islington, where more than 2,000 dogs were Cruft was an ambitious man who left college to sell "dog cakes" - food filled with meat, wheat and vegetables - having no desire to join the family jewellery business. He was soon promoted to a travelling salesman, working with sporting kennels before later managing a terrier dog show in five decades later, Crufts celebrated its golden jubilee five years early in 1936, after breaking the 10,000 entries mark for the first Mr Cruft dying two years later, his wife took over to ensure the dogs would keep on running with their prize-winning displays. In the 1950s, Crufts became an obedience championship show for the first time, and working sheepdogs were entered, becoming the first crossbreeds to this time, the show had moved to a new venue at Olympia and proved to be an immediate success, with 84 breeds entered. Two decades later, the show took place with subdued lighting during 1972's Winter of Discontent, a period of widespread strikes, economic turmoil and regular power aim was to ensure every visitor could "forget the troubles of the world", a commentator said. In 1991, Crufts' centenary show moved venues again, this time to the NEC in Birmingham - the first time the show had moved from London, and where it has stayed ever show has now been extended to four days to accommodate further increases in the number of dogs and spectators. In 2003, the show was attended by 21,000 top pedigree dogs competing for Best in Show prowess. An Australian shepherd called Viking was crowned best in show at the 2024 show, beating 24,000 dogs from around the co-owned by Melanie Raymond, John Shaw and Kerry Kirtley, was also the winner of the pastoral group at the Raymond, a third generation dog breeder who lives just three miles from the NEC, said: "We all dream of winning best in show at Crufts." Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
