A basic final check of each Best of Breed will be undertaken in the collecting ring at Crufts by officials from the show management and vet teams.
The Crufts Committee is mindful that it has a duty of care to all dogs entered at the show and particularly those competing in the arena at Crufts, which is a very different experience to competing in the group at other general championship shows and can be overwhelming for both dog and handler.
Therefore to protect the welfare of the dog, all Best of Breeds will be requested to undergo a basic low-key observation to ensure each dog is ready to compete in the group. The observation will focus on obvious visible conditions which could compromise the dog’s performance in the group competition (KC Regulation F(1)15b refers).
Gerald King, Crufts Chairman, said: “For those who are preparing for competition in the collecting ring it is a very exciting and special time, so we want to be sure that both dog and handler are as ready as they can be to compete and that the dog is sound and not in distress in any way.
“The check will be basic and will simply involve the show official and vet team observing the dog move, to ensure that the dog and handler are both ready to enjoy themselves in the ring.”