The Royal Kennel Club - Crufts 2027 Show Interviews and Highlights

Freya Rooke, from Loughborough,  with the rescue dog Buddy, who helped her through university, dealing with autism.

LASSIE COME HOME: ICONIC BREED ON THE BRINK OF BEING DECLARED AT RISK

·       One of Britain’s most iconic breeds could be at risk of extinction as its numbers tumble to historic lows

·       Meanwhile it’s bad news for many other British breeds, with more declared vulnerable than ever before

·       Organisers hope that Crufts will raise the profile of ‘disappearing dogs’ and urges puppy buyers to consider all 222 breeds to find the right one for them

The Rough Collie, one of Britain’s most recognisable breeds, faces an uncertain future following a steep decline in the breed’s popularity to record their lowest numbers in over 75 years.  The breed is now close to being classed as ‘at risk’ by The Kennel Club, which monitors breeds with declining numbers in the UK. 

The breed is best known for the iconic titular role of Lassie, which began as a novel in the 1940s, and led to a raft of eponymous films, television series, radio programs, animation and comic books. The character is also one of very few animals to have been awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.  

At the height of the breed’s popularity in 1979, four years after the long-running television series had ended, there were over 8,000 annual puppy registrations, placing them in the top 10 breeds in the UK. However it was a very different story last year, with less than 500 Rough Collie puppies births, a 25 per cent decrease since 2021, and a steep 94 per cent decline since their heyday. 

This is the lowest recorded number for the breed since the 1940s, and if the decline continues, they will be placed on The Kennel Club’s ‘At Watch’ list, which monitors breeds with between 300-450 puppy registrations a year. Those with less than 300 puppy births annually are recorded on the organisation’s Vulnerable Native Breed list – devised to highlight those British and Irish native breeds which could be at risk of disappearing from our streets and parks.

Carole Smedley,Chairperson of the Rough Collie Breed Council who has owned the breed for over 50 years,said: “We are very concerned to see this wonderful and majestic breed fall in popularity. I’ve spent my life surrounded by Rough Collies who have enjoyed long, healthy lives and I can confirm their friendly, happy temperament,  but each year their popularity is decreasing. Of course, no breed will suit everyone, but for the right owner, who can provide the right space and environment, they have so much love to give and they adore children. 

“It is such a shame that some of our most native historic and recognisable breeds are continuing to drop in popularity, and we hope that more people will become aware of the range of breeds out there and responsibly select the right one for them.” 

In 2022, there were more vulnerable breeds recorded than ever before, as both the shaggy-coated Bearded Collie and the distinctive Miniature Bull Terrier were placed on the list after seeing their numbers tumble, while the Bedlington Terrier, Bullmastiff, Irish Terrier, Norfolk Terrier, and Parson Russell Terrier were added to the ‘At Watch List’. There are now 34 vulnerable native breeds, and a further eight classed as ‘At Watch’.  

It is a similarly worrying outlook for a number of other previously popular British breeds, including the Yorkshire Terrier, once the number one breed in the UK during the 1970s but has since seen its popularity wane, recording just 495 puppy births last year. The Kennel Club’s campaign to Save the Forgotten Breeds aims to remind people about the large number of British and Irish native breeds, particularly those that are seeing a decline in numbers and face a real danger of disappearing altogether. The campaign has previously seen breeds such as the Pembroke Welsh Corgi bounce back from the brink of

MILTON KEYNES RESCUE DOG NAMED AS FINALIST IN CRUFTS HERO AWARDS

A local rescue dog who was passed through multiple homes and deemed ‘naughty and neurotic’, but has gone on to become a life-saving medical detection dog, has been announced as a finalist in the prestigious Kennel Club Hero Dog Award. 

Launching the world’s biggest celebration of dogs, Crufts, today (Wednesday 22 February), The Kennel Club and broadcaster Kay Burley announced the five hero dogs that will compete in the public vote for the award, with the winner being announced at Crufts 2023.

10-year-old Asher, who has today been named as finalist in the Rescue Dog Hero category of The Kennel Club award, was taken on by the Medical Detection Dogs charity as a rescue, having been rehomed multiple times by the age of three. He was deemed ‘naughty’ and ‘neurotic’,  but it was soon realised he just needed to be busy. Asher happily found a home, and a life-saving job, with Dr Claire Guest, founder of Medical Detection Dogs, which uses the amazing power of the dog’s nose to detect human diseases.  

Asher is now one of the most experienced members of the Bio Detection team at the organisation – which is helping scientists and medics develop faster and cheaper ways to detect diseases – and has played a huge part in helping to prove that dogs can detect the odour of disease and be a fast, accurate and non-invasive method of diagnosis for some of the world's biggest killers, including Parkinson’s disease, malaria and Covid-19.

Kay Burley, speaking as an ambassador of The Kennel Club Hero Dog Award ahead of the unveiling of this year’s five finalists at Green Park, London, today, said: “These five special dogs are not only heroes to their owners but also to the rest of us. They make a huge difference every day by providing love, companionship and dedication, and protecting the nation and saving lives. 

“No one can deny the remarkable impact dogs have, from the joy they bring each day, to being by our side during the hardest times and showing extraordinary loyalty and bravery. The Kennel Club Hero Dog Award is a celebration of this unique bond we share with dogs and their heroic feats – please vote for your four-legged hero and celebrate these five inspirational dogs.”

The annual Kennel Club Hero Dog Award celebrates the unique relationships people have with their dogs and the important role man’s best friend plays throughout our lives and in society. Judges from The Kennel Club, the UK’s largest dog welfare organisation, selected the five inspiring finalists to go forward for the public vote, with the winner being announced by Kay in the Resorts World Arena at Birmingham NEC on the final day of Crufts, the world’s greatest dog show, on Sunday 12 March. 

These five canine heroes are just some of the dogs having their day at Crufts and being celebrated at the show for the ways in which they change our lives. The award this year is also honouring those dogs involved with the search and rescue mission in Turkey and Syria after the horrific earthquake, and is calling out to those UK organisations who have coordinated the heroic teams so they can be recognised at Crufts.

The winner of The Kennel Club Hero Dog Award will receive £5,000 from The Kennel Club Charitable Trust for the dog charity of their choice, with the other finalists receiving a £1,000 donation to their chosen canine charity. 

LOCAL DOG NAMED AS FINALIST IN CRUFTS HERO AWARDS

A Springer Spaniel who has spent hundreds of nights camping out with his teenage owner to raise money for rescue dogs and an organisation helping Ukrainian dogs and owners has been announced as a finalist in the prestigious Kennel Club Hero Dog Award. 

Launching the world’s biggest celebration of dogs, Crufts, today (Wednesday 22 February), The Kennel Club and broadcaster Kay Burley announced the five hero dogs that will compete in the public vote for the award, with the winner being announced at Crufts 2023.

9-year-old Bertie, named as the finalist in the Child’s Champion category of The Kennel Club award, and his 13-year-old owner, Ashley Owens, from Welwyn Garden City, have spent over 650 nights camping out in a tent as part of their ‘sleep out to help out’ fundraising campaign.  

The duo are sleeping under the stars to raise £30,000 to help a volunteer-run charity, Paws2Rescue, who are on the Ukraine border, helping find refuge for pets and owners and providing essential supplies to the sheltering Ukrainians. The charity also provides sanctuary to stray dogs, and are building a site with a play area, shelter and vet clinic where ongoing minor treatments and neutering will be carried out, to reduce the hundreds of thousands of stray dogs sleeping under the stars – just like Ashley is. 

Bertie gives Ashley a reason every night to continue his challenge; at times when Ashley has felt low or wavering, Bertie is there to support him through, and when temperatures dropped to the minus’, he kept Ashley warm. 

Kay Burley, speaking as an ambassador of The Kennel Club Hero Dog Award ahead of the unveiling of this year’s five finalists at Green Park, London, today, said: “These five special dogs are not only heroes to their owners but also to the rest of us. They make a huge difference every day by providing love, companionship and dedication, and protecting the nation and saving lives. 

“No one can deny the remarkable impact dogs have, from the joy they bring each day, to being by our side during the hardest times and showing extraordinary loyalty and bravery. The Kennel Club Hero Dog Award is a celebration of this unique bond we share with dogs and their heroic feats – please vote for your four-legged hero and celebrate these five inspirational dogs.”

The annual Kennel Club Hero Dog Award celebrates the unique relationships people have with their dogs and the important role man’s best friend plays throughout our lives and in society. Judges from The Kennel Club, the UK’s largest dog welfare organisation, selected the five inspiring finalists to go forward for the public vote, with the winner being announced by Kay in the Resorts World Arena at Birmingham NEC on the final day of Crufts, the world’s greatest dog show, on Sunday 12 March. 

These five canine heroes are just some of the dogs having their day at Crufts and being celebrated at the show for the ways in which they change our lives. The award this year is also honouring those dogs involved with the search and rescue mission in Turkey and Syria after the horrific earthquake, and is calling out to those UK organisations who have coordinated the heroic teams so they can be recognised at Crufts.

The winner of The Kennel Club Hero Dog Award will receive £5,000 from The Kennel Club Charitable Trust for the dog charity of their choice, with the other finalists receiving a £1,000 donation to their chosen canine charity. 

LIFE-CHANGING SWANSEA DOG NAMED AS FINALIST IN CRUFTS HERO AWARDS

A Labrador from Swansea who has seen her owners through the hardest times, including supporting the youngest family member who has leukaemia,has been announced as a finalist in the prestigious Kennel Club Hero Dog Award. 

Launching the world’s biggest celebration of dogs, Crufts, today (Wednesday 22 February), The Kennel Club and broadcaster Kay Burley announced the five hero dogs that will compete in the public vote for the award, with the winner being announced at Crufts 2023.

Two-year-old Beauty the Labrador, named as the finalist in the Best Friends category of The Kennel Club award, has helped her owners after the youngest member of the family, Lily, aged 11, was diagnosed with leukaemia, and her dad, Wayne, suffered worsening epilepsy seizures.  

Beauty is the only member of the family who can make Lily laugh when she is undergoing weekly chemotherapy, or taking steroids which can really impact her mood. And when Wayne’s epilepsy worsened with the pressure and stress of the situation with Lily, Beauty has been able can sense what is happening and barks to alert Wayne and the family before the onset of a seizure. On numerous occasions she has even put herself in the way, to break his fall, which have meant fewer hospital visits for stitches or head injuries, and less stress and worry during what is already a difficult time for the whole family.

Kay Burley, speaking as an ambassador of The Kennel Club Hero Dog Award ahead of the unveiling of this year’s five finalists at Green Park, London, today, said: “These five special dogs are not only heroes to their owners but also to the rest of us. They make a huge difference every day by providing love, companionship and dedication, and protecting the nation and saving lives. 

“No one can deny the remarkable impact dogs have, from the joy they bring each day, to being by our side during the hardest times and showing extraordinary loyalty and bravery. The Kennel Club Hero Dog Award is a celebration of this unique bond we share with dogs and their heroic feats – please vote for your four-legged hero and celebrate these five inspirational dogs.”

The annual Kennel Club Hero Dog Award celebrates the unique relationships people have with their dogs and the important role man’s best friend plays throughout our lives and in society. Judges from The Kennel Club, the UK’s largest dog welfare organisation, selected the five inspiring finalists to go forward for the public vote, with the winner being announced by Kay in the Resorts World Arena at Birmingham NEC on the final day of Crufts, the world’s greatest dog show, on Sunday 12 March. 

These five canine heroes are just some of the dogs having their day at Crufts and being celebrated at the show for the ways in which they change our lives. The award this year is also honouring those dogs involved with the search and rescue mission in Turkey and Syria after the horrific earthquake, and is calling out to those UK organisations who have coordinated the heroic teams so they can be recognised at Crufts.

The winner of The Kennel Club Hero Dog Award will receive £5,000 from The Kennel Club Charitable Trust for the dog charity of their choice, with the other finalists receiving a £1,000 donation to their chosen canine charity. 

LOCAL LIFE-CHANGING DOG NAMED AS FINALIST IN CRUFTS HERO AWARDS

An assistance dog from Warwickshire who helps his young owner to overcome debilitating pain and isolation has been announced as a finalist in the prestigious Kennel Club Hero Dog Award. 

Launching the world’s biggest celebration of dogs, Crufts, today (Wednesday 22 February), The Kennel Club and broadcaster Kay Burley announced the five hero dogs that will compete in the public vote for the award, with the winner being announced at Crufts 2023.

Three-year-old Albert, named as the finalist in the Hero Support Dog category of The Kennel Club award, has helped his young owner overcome chronic, debilitating pain – and the isolation of living with an invisible illness – to become a high-flying lawyer, after being matched with her by the charity Dogs for Good. 

24-year-old Jemima has suffered from debilitating health conditions and chronic pain, which cannot be treated with surgery, since she was 16. Rapid and overwhelming changes to her life meant that her dream of going to University was no longer viable and she became isolated from friends who were now living the life she'd hoped to be able to experience herself. She had no independence and her invisible illness made her world feel small. 

Having been matched with Albert by Dogs for Good, a Banbury-based charity who train dogs to help people affected by disability, dementia, autism, and other conditions, has made a huge difference to Jemima’s everyday life, restoring her independence and enabling her to thrive – both professionally and personally. With Albert by her side, Jemima’s professional life is flourishing and she is now training to be a solicitor at a top global law firm, where Albert is the star of the office. 

Kay Burley, speaking as an ambassador of The Kennel Club Hero Dog Award ahead of the unveiling of this year’s five finalists at Green Park, London, today, said: “These five special dogs are not only heroes to their owners but also to the rest of us. They make a huge difference every day by providing love, companionship and dedication, and protecting the nation and saving lives. 

“No one can deny the remarkable impact dogs have, from the joy they bring each day, to being by our side during the hardest times and showing extraordinary loyalty and bravery. The Kennel Club Hero Dog Award is a celebration of this unique bond we share with dogs and their heroic feats – please vote for your four-legged hero and celebrate these five inspirational dogs.”

The annual Kennel Club Hero Dog Award celebrates the unique relationships people have with their dogs and the important role man’s best friend plays throughout our lives and in society. Judges from The Kennel Club, the UK’s largest dog welfare organisation, selected the five inspiring finalists to go forward for the public vote, with the winner being announced by Kay in the Resorts World Arena at Birmingham NEC on the final day of Crufts, the world’s greatest dog show, on Sunday 12 March. 

These five canine heroes are just some of the dogs having their day at Crufts and being celebrated at the show for the ways in which they change our lives. The award this year is also honouring those dogs involved with the search and rescue mission in Turkey and Syria after the horrific earthquake. These heroic teams will be specially recognised at Crufts for their bravery and dedication.  

The winner of The Kennel Club Hero Dog Award will receive £5,000 from The Kennel Club Charitable Trust for the dog charity of their choice, with the other finalists receiving a £1,000 donation to their chosen canine charity. 

GLOUCESTERSHIRE POLICE DOG NAMED AS FINALIST IN CRUFTS HERO AWARDS

A local retired police dog who has kept the nation safe from criminals – finding weapons, drugs and cash throughout her eight-year long career – has been announced as a finalist in the prestigious Kennel Club Hero Dog Award. 

Launching the world’s biggest celebration of dogs, Crufts, today (Wednesday 22 February), The Kennel Club and broadcaster Kay Burley announced the five hero dogs that will compete in the public vote for the award, with the winner being announced at Crufts 2023.

9-year-old Stella, named as the finalist in the Extraordinary Life of a Working Dog category of The Kennel Club award, has just retired from Gloucestershire police after serving eight and a half years as a police drugs, cash and firearms recovery dog.  

Despite her sad start to life, as an RSPCA rescue dog, Stella overcame the odds to become the first Staffordshire Bull Terrier Police Dog in the UK in 2014. In her working career, alongside her owner PC Claire Todd, Stella has found weapons and thousands of pounds worth of drugs and cash, making her a true canine hero, working to keep the nation safe. Outside of her vital work in with the police bringing criminals to justice, she has also helped people overcome their fear of dogs during school and community talks. 

Kay Burley, speaking as an ambassador of The Kennel Club Hero Dog Award ahead of the unveiling of this year’s five finalists at Green Park, London, today, said: “These five special dogs are not only heroes to their owners but also to the rest of us. They make a huge difference every day by providing love, companionship and dedication, and protecting the nation and saving lives. 

“No one can deny the remarkable impact dogs have, from the joy they bring each day, to being by our side during the hardest times and showing extraordinary loyalty and bravery. The Kennel Club Hero Dog Award is a celebration of this unique bond we share with dogs and their heroic feats – please vote for your four-legged hero and celebrate these five inspirational dogs.”

The annual Kennel Club Hero Dog Award celebrates the unique relationships people have with their dogs and the important role man’s best friend plays throughout our lives and in society. Judges from The Kennel Club, the UK’s largest dog welfare organisation, selected the five inspiring finalists to go forward for the public vote, with the winner being announced by Kay in the Resorts World Arena at Birmingham NEC on the final day of Crufts, the world’s greatest dog show, on Sunday 12 March. 

These five canine heroes are just some of the dogs having their day at Crufts and being celebrated at the show for the ways in which they change our lives. The award this year is also honouring those dogs involved with the search and rescue mission in Turkey and Syria after the horrific earthquake, and is calling out to those UK organisations who have coordinated the heroic teams so they can be recognised at Crufts.

The winner of The Kennel Club Hero Dog Award will receive £5,000 from The Kennel Club Charitable Trust for the dog charity of their choice, with the other finalists receiving a £1,000 donation to their chosen canine charity. 

Mark Beazley - The Kennel Club Chief Executive - Be Puppy Wise 2022

Katy Swan - Be Puppywise 2022

Rachel Atkinson - Be Puppywise 2022