Calling all Oxfordshire crossbreeds to compete for the chance to qualify for Crufts 2020

Scruffts, the competition that gives crossbreed dogs the opportunity to compete in the main arena at Crufts, is looking for local top dogs as it comes to Countryfile Live at Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire on 3rd and 4th August 2019.

All crossbreeds and mixed breed dogs in the area are invited to take part in the Scruffts Family Crossbreed Dog of the Year competition, exclusively supported by pet food makers James Wellbeloved, where all shapes, sizes and ages of dog are welcome (as long as they are over six months). The successful dogs and owners from each category will qualify for the semi-finals at Crufts 2020. The overall winners of the semi-finals will have the chance to compete in the final, also at Crufts 2020.

Each dog entered in the competition will have time to wow the judges in one or more of the four competition categories: Most Handsome Crossbreed Dog, Prettiest Crossbreed Bitch, Golden Oldie Crossbreed and the Good Citizen Dog Scheme (GCDS) class.  To find out more about the entry criteria for each class, visit www.scruffts.org.uk.  

When choosing the winner and runners-up for each class, the judges ensure that the dog has the following qualities:

  • Good character
  • Good health
  • Good personality
  • Good temperament with people and other dogs

Registration starts from 11.00am on both days, with judging from 12.45pm. Saturday will see the Most Handsome Crossbreed Dog and Golden Oldie classes, with Sunday hosting the Prettiest Bitch and Good Citizen Dog Scheme classes. Entering a dog into Scruffts costs £2 per class and there is no need to enter in advance, just simply purchase an entry ticket to Countryfile Live and turn up on the day.

This year’s Crufts final saw Percy, a Pointer cross, and owner, Amanda Bell from Sheffield, crowned winners, earning Percy the title of Scruffts Family Crossbreed Dog of the Year. Percy was given a second chance at life after Amanda and her father, Michael, found him on a street in Cyprus. Having been shot multiple times, unable to stand, suffering with failing kidneys and weighing only nine kilos, Amanda and Michael arranged for Percy to travel to the UK. Despite his chances of survival looking uncertain, Percy recovered well and the family built up his trust and bonded with him, helping him to achieve his Kennel Club Good Citizen Scheme Bronze award and, of course, win the final at Crufts.

James Wellbeloved is celebrating ten years as the sponsor of Scruffts. To mark this, every entrant will receive James Wellbeloved treats. The four heat winners will receive more delicious goodies and ultimately, the four category finalists at next year’s Scruffts Grand Final will each win a year’s supply of James Wellbeloved food for their dog.

Arthur Renault, Marketing Manager for James Wellbeloved said: “Scruffts is a fantastic family competition that is a real celebration of the nation’s crossbreed dogs. Every year we meet wonderful inspirational dogs and their owners and we’re looking forward to meeting more amazing dogs throughout this year’s competition.

“James Wellbeloved is very proud to exclusively support Scruffts and we can’t wait to see what the crossbreed dogs of Oxfordshire have to offer.”

For more information on the Scruffts Family Crossbreed Dog of the Year competition, please visit www.crufts.org.uk/content/whats-on/scruffts/. For further information about Countryfile Live visit https://www.countryfilelive.com/blenheim-palace.