Dark Angel crowned Crufts gamekeeping winner

A flat coated retriever from Devon was crowned overall winner of BASC’s gamekeeper classes on Gundog Day at this year’s Crufts in Birmingham.

The Northesk Memorial Trophy, and the title of the Best in Gamekeeping Class, went to Ronevorg Dark Angel At Lussac known as Barney and owned by gamekeeper Sue May. Barney was shown by Sue’s friend and training partner, Helen Ford.

Following a day of intense competition across the working dog classes, the event culminated with a final show in the main arena where the top dogs owned by gamekeepers went head-to-head. After the final round of judging it was four-year-old Barney who triumphed.

Sue said: “No words, just tears. I’m so chuffed! We can’t wait for the shooting season but he will spend the summer doing working tests and showing. He’s truly a versatile flat coat – he does it all.”

Barney, Sue and Helen were presented with their trophy by Caroline Bedell executive director of conservation for the British Association of Shooting and Conservation (BASC). Caroline said: “The dedication and skill displayed by both the dogs and their handlers were truly inspiring. The gamekeeper’s classes at Crufts highlight the vital role working gundogs play in conservation and gamekeeping.”

Elsewhere in the working dog events, the Gundog Group was won by cocker spaniel Zheridons Blanche known as Suzie, co-owned by Mr David Todd and Mr MD Rahman.

The winner of best in show was Miuccia the whippet who beat over 18, 000 dogs from around the world to claim Crufts top award at the NEC.

Four-year-old Miuccia is from Venice and is owned by Giovanni Liguori. This is the first time a dog from Italy has scooped the top prize at Crufts.

Other notable winners included Lola, a one-year-old whippet-saluki-collie cross owned by Bex Hall, from Banbury in Oxfordshire, who won the Scruffts Family Crossbreed of the Year title.

Author and terrier expert, John Glover told ST: “It was refreshing to see dogs still considered as genuine working breeds doing well at this year’s Crufts.

“I was very pleased to see a whippet take the top honours as it’s a breed that I have a long relationship with. My friends and I work with whippets throughout the year for rough pigeon shooting, vermin control and deer stalking and although my soft spot is for working and racing lines in particular, this is great news for whippets in general.

“Everyone should go to Crufts, it’s an eye opener and as a dog person I would thoroughly recommend it.”