Shropshire dog wins popular Crufts crossbreed competition

Questa, a five-year-old Golden Retriever/Labrador cross, owned by Hazel French from Highley, Shropshire, has won the Scruffts Family Crossbreed of the Year title at the world’s greatest dog show, Crufts, on Saturday 12 March.

Questa was one of four crossbreed finalists in the national Scruffts competition, which is exclusively supported by pet food makers James Wellbeloved. Hundreds of dogs competed in qualifying heats around the country, with 24 dogs and their owners making it through to the semi-finals, which also took place at Crufts earlier on Saturday.

Questa is Hazel's assistance dog who helps with everything. Together, they take part in Kennel Club Rally and they have started to complete in Heelwork to Music too! In their hometown Highley, Questa also helps to pick up rubbish from the village, and is well known by everyone there. Together, Questa and Hazel are a heroic duo, who also raise money for canine partners, over £7,000 to date.

Thrilled owner Hazel said of Questa's win: “I think Questa is an extra special dog. The way she always keeps an eye on me and is always there for me is wonderful! I got Questa as an assistance dog when she was 16 months old. I suffer with severe brittle asthma and osteoporosis and needed help around the home. Thanks to her I have now got a lot of friends in the doggy fraternity! She has given me a new lease of life. She will be getting extra treats tonight for all her hard work! I am very proud of her.”

Jenny Cambell, entrepreneur, judged the four finalists, alongside Mark Beazley, Cheif Executive of The Kennel Club, looking for qualities such as good character, health and temperament with people and other dogs.

The Scruffts Family Crossbreed of the Year competition is run by The Kennel Club, which organises Crufts, and caters exclusively for crossbreed dogs: dogs whose parents are of two different breeds, or a mixture of several breeds.

The four finalists were:
  • Most Handsome Crossbreed Dog: Sir Duke the Romanian rescue, owned by Clare Gallacher from Osgathorpe, Leicestershire
  • Good Citizen Dog Scheme: Questa the Golden Retriever and Labrador cross, owned by Hazel French from Highley, Shropshire
  • Golden Oldie: Teddy owned by Louise Jacobs from Colchester, Essex
  • Prettiest Crossbreed Bitch: Edith the Saluki Greyhound and Whippet cross, owned by Michael Clement from Horley, Surrey

As well as the Scruffts Crossbreed Family Dog of the Year title, Questa, received a year’s supply of healthy hypo-allergenic dog food from James Wellbeloved.

James Wellbeloved European brand manager, Sonja Hartomo said: "Huge congratulations to Questa and Hazel on becoming Scruffts champions. James Wellbeloved is very proud to be exclusive supporters of this wonderful competition which celebrates the nation’s most fabulous crossbreed dogs.

“The bond between the pair was clear to see and we hope they enjoy every moment of being a Scruffts champion.”

To enter one of the 2022 heats, please visit the Crufts website to find one near you over on the Crufts website.