Owners of vulnerable British and Irish dog breeds are reminded that entry to the Kennel Club’s dedicated Crufts competition closes at the end of the year.
To raise awareness of vulnerable native breeds, and to recognise those who are dedicated to their survival and prosperity, the Kennel Club created the Vulnerable British and Irish Breeds Competition in 2015. Its inaugural year was met with great enthusiasm by exhibitors and saw the top scoring winner from each vulnerable breed invited to attend the first grand final, held at Crufts 2016.
The final at Crufts 2017 will be held on Friday 10th March at the NEC in Birmingham.
The competition, which is sponsored by Eukanuba and run in conjunction with media partner Our Dogs, is open to dogs of all vulnerable breeds competing at open and championship shows, and dogs of breeds on the Kennel Club’s vulnerable breeds list are able to collect points for awards at these shows. Points can be claimed for Best of Breed or Best Any Variety Not Separately Classified (AVNSC) and also for group placings at championship shows.
Exhibitors should record their Best of Breed/Group wins on the Vulnerable British and Irish Breeds Competition claim form/book for points gained from January to December 2016, and then submit this to the Kennel Club for verification (points will be awarded for championship and specific open show wins).
Caroline Kisko, Kennel Club Secretary, said: “The Kennel Club has been delighted with the response to the competition so far and is pleased that we are able to give these vulnerable breeds the recognition that they deserve.
“Now that the deadline is approaching, we would remind owners of these breeds that they need to fill out a claim form if they wish to have the opportunity to compete on the famous green carpet. Crufts is a wonderful showcase for pedigree dogs and the perfect chance to show the world just how special the rare British and Irish native breeds really are.”
To take part, exhibitors need to download a Kennel Club British and Irish Breeds Competition claim form from the Kennel Club website.
The completed form must be submitted to the Breed Shows Team by 5th January 2017. The Crufts finalist for each breed will be notified by the Kennel Club.
How points are awarded:
Single breed open shows and all breed/group open shows:
Best of Breed/Best in AVNSC classes: 1 point
Championship shows
Best of Breed/Best in AVNSC classes: 1 point
Group winner: 4 points
2nd place in group: 3 points
3rd place in group: 2 points
4th place in group: 1 point
Vulnerable British and Irish Breeds 2016:
Bloodhound, Cardigan Welsh Corgis, Clumber Spaniels, Curly Coated Retrievers, Dandie Dinmont Terriers, Deerhounds, English Setters, English Toy Terriers (Black and Tan), Field Spaniels, Glen of Imaal Terriers, Gordon Setters, Irish Red & White Setters, Irish Terriers, Irish Water Spaniels, Irish Wolfhounds, Kerry Blue Terriers, King Charles Spaniels, Lakeland Terriers, Lancashire Heelers, Manchester Terriers, Mastiffs, Miniature Bull Terriers, Norwich Terriers, Otterhounds, Sealyham Terriers, Skye Terriers, Smooth Collies, Smooth Fox Terriers, and Sussex Spaniels.