The Kennel Club has announced that the Junior Warrant semi-finals and the National Junior Handler of the Year finals will be taking place on Saturday 18 October 2025 at The Kennel Club Building, Stoneleigh, Warwickshire.
The Kennel Club Junior Warrant Winner of the Year competition began in 1998 and sees Junior Warrant winners compete for the coveted title of 'The Kennel Club Junior Warrant Winner of the Year' award. The competition is for dogs between the ages of 6 – 18 months who have qualified for a Junior Warrant within 1 June 2024 and 31 May 2025.
Heats for the Junior Warrant Competition
Qualifying heats for the Junior Warrant Winner of the Year competition will take place at designated open shows hosted by general canine societies across the UK between May - August 2025. These heats offer young dogs the opportunity to compete for a place in the prestigious semi-finals, with the final being held at Crufts 2026. The first heat took place earlier this month, officially launching this year’s competition. Exhibitors are encouraged to check the list of upcoming qualifying shows and ensure they meet the eligibility criteria ahead of entry.
Date Society
03.05.25 Colne Nelson & District Canine Society
17.06.25 Cheshire Agricultural Society
02.07.25 Boston & District Canine Society
06.07.25 Falkirk & District Canine Society
12.07.25 Durham County Canine Association
12.07.25 South Yorkshire Hound Society
13.07.25 Evesham & District Canine Society
13.07.25 Bakewell Agricultural & Horticultural Society
16.07.25 Thame & Oxfordshire County Canine Society
20.07.25 Rhyl Canine Society
20.07.25 York Canine Association
05.08.25 Otley Canine Society
08.08.25 Bournemouth Canine Association
09.08.25 Sedgefield & District Agricultural & Horticultural Society
20.08.25 Scunthorpe Canine Association
24.08.25 Horley & District Show Society
25.08.25 Leicester City Canine Society
27.08.25 Norfolk & Norwich Canine Society
13.09.25 Exeter & County Canine Society
Please note that from 2025, a £10 entry fee per dog will be required for participation in the Junior Warrant competition semi-final. This fee has been introduced to help support the continued running and development of the competition.
The National Junior Handler of the Year final, organised by the Junior Handling Association, has been running since the 1970s and is one of the most hotly contested junior handling finals in the country, with the semi-final heats having taken place since December 2024 at group championship shows. The winners of these heats will take part in the final on 18 October, with the overall winner going on to represent the UK at the Joe Cartledge Memorial International Junior Handling competition final at Crufts 2026.
For further information on how to take part in Junior Handling, please visit the Junior Handling Association’s Facebook page: ‘Junior Handling Association’.