Couple from Durham crowned UK's best dog breeders at Crufts

A couple from Gateshead, Durham, won The Kennel Club Breeders’ Competition final at Crufts, the world’s greatest dog show, on Friday 11 March.

Stuart and Carole Pearson, alongside handler Scarlett Burnside, whose team of Kelevra dogs comprised of Kelevra What a Guy JW, Kelevra Mind Your Nebula and Int Multi Ch & Ch Kelevra Classic Cliché JW ShCM, won the ultimate breeder’s title with their team of Dalmatians in front of a packed Resorts World Arena at the NEC. The team beat 39 other breeders who qualified for the final.

The competition, sponsored by Agria Pet Insurance, involved teams which accrued points at group and general championship shows in 2021. Points were compiled by Our Dogs, who published a regular leader board within their newspaper.

The judge of the final, Dr Ron James, selected Stuart and Carole’s team of Dalmatians for the prize as the breeders with the best overall quality evident in their dogs. Each team comprised three or four dogs of one breed, all bred by the same breeder or breeding partnership.
Speaking about the win, Stuart said: “We started out in 2006 and have been working towards this for years. Everything suddenly clicked and they have won everything, and now Crufts!

“It has been Carole’s dream to stand here on the green baize at Crufts as a winner.”

Reserve best breeder was awarded to Claire and Darren Baldock, from Essex, with their team of Newfoundlands which they breed under the Gunnersnewfs kennel name.

Vanessa McAlpine, Crufts Show Manager, said: “We are very pleased for Stuart and Carole on their excellent achievement. Stuart and Carole are very talented breeders who put the time and effort into developing sound breeding practices to produce healthy and happy dogs for the show ring. Their dogs are testament to their hard work and dedication to the breed.”
To find out more about The Kennel Club Breeders’ Competition, please visit the Crufts website or email Breed Shows (The Kennel Club) .

The results of Crufts 2022 can be found online. Find free downloadable images from Crufts 2022.

The following breeders qualified for the 2022 final at Crufts:
  • Mrs C & Mr D Baldock, Gunnersnewfs Newfoundlands
  • Ms R Bailey, Akna Canadian Eskimo Dogs
  • Miss T, Mr A & Mrs L Douglas, Talard Australian Shepherds
  • Mrs P MacLellan, Debruix Groenendael Belgian Shepherd Dogs
  • Ms A Walters, Goytre Border Collies
  • Mr S & Mrs L Naylor, Skaijak Polish Lowland Sheepdogs
  • Miss L Holmes, Lisjovia Pyrenean Mountain Dogs
  • Ms L Paterson, Eriksfjord Swedish Vallhunds
  • Mrs C Bamsey, Holbam Irish Terriers
  • Ms H Turner & Miss A MacDonald, Locheil Jack Russell Terriers
  • Mr C & Mrs G Knight, Talanors Manchester Terriers
  • Mrs R Gee, Watercroft Norfolk Terriers
  • Mr & Mrs S Newport, Digaden Parson Russell Terriers
  • Mrs V Norton, Divadell Scottish Terriers
  • Mrs L Lui, Eblanahalls Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers
  • Mr & Mrs R Foote & Miss E McAulay, Erylan Petits Bassets Griffons Vendeens
  • Mrs J & Miss R Cumberland, Mumysami Miniature Smooth Haired Dachshunds
  • Miss R Lucas & Mr C Dargonne, Packway Deerhounds
  • Mr K Alexander, Kansenji Rhodesian Ridgebacks
  • Mr S & Mrs C Pearson, Kelevra Dalmatians
  • Miss H Jansson, Fridlyckans Eurasiers
  • Ms K Andrew, Claran Mittel German Spitz
  • Mrs C Best-Rawlings, Trixwood Japanese Shiba Inu
  • Mrs K Watson-Todd, Karocolin Miniature Poodles
  • Ms A McDonald, Balgay Tibetan Spaniels
  • Mrs J & Mr S Scott, Cukoton Cotons de Tulear
  • Mr G Urquhart, Blackpark Maltese
  • Mrs R Wilkinson, Keljantzi's Miniature Pinschers
  • Mrs A Cawthera-Purdy, Lireva Pomeranians
  • Mrs K Storey, Rhodenash Pugs
  • Mr S & Mrs K Challis, Vizslanya Hungarian Vizslas
  • Mr G & Mrs C Sutherland, Carnlochan Hungarian Vizslas
  • Ms C O'Neill, Tenshilling Pointers
  • Mrs J Campbell, Ronevorg Flat Coated Retrievers
  • Miss C Smith, Flyenpyg Labrador Retrievers
  • Miss D Anstead, Riverwatcher Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers
  • Mrs T & Miss Westwood, Eusanit Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers
  • Mr P & Mrs J Fielder, Cretshengan Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers
  • Ms A Chandler, Chanangel Welsh Springer Spaniels
  • Miss J MacLaine & Mr R Dickson, Greyspirit Weimaraners