Crufts 2026: a golden weekend for gundogs

Historic Crufts win for a Clumber spaniel

Gundogs made history at Crufts 2026. A Clumber spaniel won the coveted Best in Show award for the first time in 35 years, while a yellow Labrador with more than 60 days picking up behind him took home top honours from the BASC gamekeeper classes.

Bruin (Sh Ch Vanitonia Soloist), a four-year-old from Somerset owned, bred and handled by Lee Cox, won the Gundog Group before going all the way in Sunday evening’s final at the NEC, Birmingham, judged by Tamás Jakkel of Hungary. 

One of 18,600 dogs competing across four days, Bruin beat six other group winners to take the title. Mr Cox called him “the dog of a lifetime”, though conceded he was something of a diva. “He likes his own way,” he said, “but he’ll never ever let me down.” The final was broadcast live on Channel 4.

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Gamekeeper classes crown working Labrador

The BASC gamekeeper classes, restricted to dogs with a full season’s work behind them, had their own champion. Clyde (Tricymoedd Snipes Whisper), a four-year-old yellow Labrador from Wales owned by gamekeeper Harry Lewis and handled by Amber Williams, took the Northesk Memorial Trophy. The judges said they had been won over by his athleticism, type and temperament.

“He is just brilliant, both in the shooting field and in the show ring,” said Ms Williams. “He had a fabulous season and was out nearly every day. He absolutely loves it.”

The trophy was presented by BASC president the Marquess of Hamilton, who said: “We’ve had a fantastic day at Crufts today and crowned a truly wonderful overall winner of BASC’s gamekeeper classes. He’s a superb looking dog who really knows what he’s doing and is clearly from great stock.”

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The Shooting Times Trophy

Elsewhere in the gamekeeper classes, the Shooting Times Trophy for best English springer spaniel went to beat keeper Aaron Pickard and his six-year-old liver-and-white springer Archer (Cuandor Roe and Co) – the third time the pair has won the award. 

Mr Pickard, who keeps at Ballinacor Estate in County Wicklow, was direct about what the dog means to him. “You can’t do your job without one,” he told Gundog Journal. “You need a good, reliable dog. Archer does everything. It’s an honour to be here today, and to win this again – well, it’s a bit special.”

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Success for young handler

Eight-year-old Nancy Unwin took the Best Young Handler Under 14 title with three-year-old Finn (Cleestangate Shadow of Nanclodie). The secret of her success? “Treats and Finn’s favourite dummies,” she told Gundog Journal.

Glynn Evans, BASC’s head of game and wildlife management, remarked that the quality of entries had been high throughout. “What stands out is the partnership between handler and dog. That relationship, built through training and work on the shoot, is what these classes are all about,” he said.