Bopper, a Scottish Terrier from Gettysburg, Pennsylvania in the United States won the Terrier Group title at Crufts 2018 today (Friday 9th March), qualifying for a place in the Best in Show final on Sunday.
Bopper (Am. Ch. McVan’s Big Bopper at Beameups), aged 3, will return to the Genting Arena at the NEC in Birmingham for a place in the final at the world’s greatest dog show, Crufts, with his handler Rebecca Cross who co-owns the terrier with Vandra Huber and Dorene Cross.
The Best of Group winner is one of 3,623 competitors that has come from overseas to compete at Crufts this year. Dogs from 49 countries are competing for the Best in Show title, including entries from Bahrain, Kazakhstan and Peru for the first time.
People around Britain and the world will be watching to see which dog is crowned Best in Show on Sunday as the final is shown live on Channel 4 and streamed on the official Crufts YouTube Channel - www.youtube.com/crufts.
Almost 21,000 dogs are competing over the four days for one of just seven places in the Crufts final and a chance to win the most celebrated title in the world of dogs.
Speaking after her win, Rebecca said: “This is absolutely unbelievable. To come back to Crufts with Bopper, who is related to Knopa the dog I won with previously, I’m not sure how much better it can get. I was shocked when the judge walked towards me, I was ready to be going home.
“Bopper is an amazing dog who loves to chew my feet, but there isn’t a mean bone in his body. I have other dogs to show too but now I’m going to start thinking about Sunday.”
Caroline Kisko, Kennel Club Secretary, said: “We are delighted to see Bopper chosen as the Terrier Group winner today. Bopper and Rebecca should be very proud of reaching the prestigious Best in Show final – it is an incredible achievement and one that not many get to experience in their lifetime, yet Rebecca has now managed to achieve this twice.
“It’s only day two of four and the final is looking very exciting. We want to wish Bopper and Rebecca the best of luck in the ring – we are sure that all of America will be cheering them on.”
For more information, visit www.crufts.org.uk. The results for Crufts 2018 can be found online at www.press.fossedata.co.uk. For free downloadable images from Crufts 2018, please go to www.Flick.media/crufts_2018/