Crufts 2025
8th March 2025
Crufts 2025: A Proud Moment
Finally, the much-anticipated day arrived, and we set off for Crufts. With George, Henry, and William all having qualified, I felt they each deserved their moment on the iconic green carpet—a true testament to their achievement.
George
First into the ring was George. Since he hadn't competed much in 2024, his qualification for Crufts 2025 came from his status as an FCI International Champion. In previous years, he had qualified through European shows.
At seven years old, George was already eligible for the veteran class in the UK, whereas in Europe, he would have needed to be eight. His debut in the veteran class came just days before his eighth birthday, and now that he is officially eight, he will continue competing as a veteran throughout 2025.
George stepped into the ring with confidence, showing beautifully—he hadn’t forgotten a thing! He performed exceptionally well, and I was immensely proud of him.
William
Next up was William. Having secured his qualification in Geneva, Switzerland, in 2024, he was now making his Crufts debut. I entered him in the Yearling Class, as he had been showing exceptionally well. Since he had just turned 18 months old on March 7th, he was eligible for either the Junior or Yearling class. In hindsight, Junior might have been the better choice, but I was thrilled with his performance.
William was calm, poised, and moved like a dream—his natural charisma and "look at me" attitude truly shone through. He still has some growing and maturing to do, needing to fill out his impressive frame, but once he does, he will be absolutely stunning.
Henry
Last into the ring was Henry. Having qualified at five different shows in 2024—and as an FCI International Champion—he had more than earned his place at Crufts. I entered him in the Open Class, as he is already a champion in Switzerland, Austria, and Germany, with numerous CACIBs to his name.
Henry had previously competed at Crufts as a Junior in 2022, so he was familiar with the green carpet. However, the grand occasion unsettled him slightly, particularly after waiting all day for his turn. Still, he entered the ring in true Henry style, giving his best and looking fantastic among some incredibly strong competition. Once again, I couldn't have been prouder.
Beyond the Ring
Outside the ring, my boys handled themselves brilliantly. They were benched between two females—a challenge for any male, especially those unfamiliar with the UK benching system. Positioned in a busy thoroughfare, they attracted plenty of public attention, which was lovely but meant Henry occasionally needed some quiet time in his crate to settle down.
It was a joy to watch them soak up the attention—posing for photos, receiving gentle strokes from passersby, and being cuddled by excited children. We were also delighted to answer plenty of questions about the breed and their breeders, a topic that fills us with pride.
There is truly nothing like the atmosphere of Crufts. Simply being part of it is both an honour and an achievement, and I couldn’t be more proud of my boys for rising to the occasion.