Heats for The Kennel Club Vulnerable British and Irish Breeds competition have begun to take place and, as in previous years, will culminate in a grand final at Crufts 2026.
The Kennel Club launched the competition in 2015 to raise awareness of vulnerable British and Irish native breeds, as well as recognising those people who are dedicated to their survival and prosperity. In 2025, there are 39 that breeds fall into this category, having generated 300 or fewer puppy registrations in the UK in the previous year. Since last year, the Bedlington Terrier, Bullmastiff, Old English Sheepdog and Welsh Terrier have now joined the list as vulnerable breeds.
The competition continues to be popular at Crufts and in March 2025 a two-year-old Irish Wolfhound called Tozie (Ch Caredig Mafioso), owned by Debbie Tebbutt, and handled by husband Roger Tebbutt, was chosen as the winner, judged by Graham Hill.
As in 2024, only the Best of Breed winners at designated championship shows this year will qualify for the final and the competition is open to all vulnerable British and Irish breeds competing at the following championship shows:
- 29 March 2025, United Kingdom Toydog Society
- 5 April 2025, National Terrier Club
- 12 July 2025, National Working and Pastoral Breeds Society
- 19 July 2025, Hound Association
- 3 August 2025, National Gundog Association
Dogs who win Best of Breed at the above shows and are on The Kennel Club’s Vulnerable British and Irish breeds list will qualify for the competition and will be invited to compete in the grand final at Crufts 2026. In cases where the Best of Breed winner is unable to compete in the final, the Best Opposite Sex winner will be invited.
Tom Mather, Crufts Chairman said: “The Vulnerable British and Irish Breeds competition final is a very important event at Crufts as it’s a wonderful way to highlight just how special these vulnerable breeds are. We must support these lesser-known breeds as they could be the perfect fit for certain owner’s lifestyles but are being overlooked in favour of other breeds that might not be, simply because they are not as well-known.
“Congratulations to the winners who have qualified so far from both the UK Toy and National Terrier championship shows and good luck to those exhibitors competing with their vulnerable native breeds at National Working and Pastoral Breeds Society, Hound Association and National Gundog Association during the summer months.”
To find out more about the competition and vulnerable breeds, visit our website.
All Crufts 2025 finalists will be contacted by The Kennel Club in December 2025.
The following breeds are eligible to compete: Bearded Collie, Bedlington Terrier, Bloodhound, Bullmastiff, Bull Terrier (Miniature), Collie (Smooth), Dandie Dinmont Terrier, Deerhound, English Setter, English Toy Terrier (Black & Tan), Foxhound, Fox Terrier (Smooth), Glen of Imaal Terrier, Gordon Setter, Greyhound, Harrier, Irish Terrier, Irish Red & White Setter, Irish Wolfhound, Kerry Blue Terrier, King Charles Spaniel, Lakeland Terrier, Lancashire Heeler, Manchester Terrier, Mastiff, Norwich Terrier, Old English Sheepdog, Otterhound, Retriever (Curly Coated), Sealyham Terrier, Skye Terrier, Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier, Spaniel (Clumber), Spaniel (Field), Spaniel (Irish Water), Spaniel (Sussex), Spaniel (Welsh Springer), Welsh Corgi (Cardigan), Welsh Terrier.