Crufts Best In Show 2013 – Jilly, the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen

Photo by Lisa Croft-Elliott

Press Release -

Four momentous days of Crufts culminated in an exciting final as Jilly (Ch Soletrader Peak A Boo) a Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen was named as the 2013 Crufts champion this evening.

Jilly, 3, and breeder and handler Gavin Robertson, a Kennel Club Assured Breeder from Wallingford, Oxfordshire, were awarded the prestigious Crufts Best In Show trophy in front of thousands who turned up to the NEC Arena in Birmingham and millions more watching live on Channel 4 and online around the world.

It was Jilly’s second time at a Crufts Best in Show final after narrowly missing out on the title in 2011 when she was awarded Reserve Best in Show.

Clare Balding presented the final on Channel 4 which saw seven dogs compete for the Best in Show title at Crufts 2013 from over 20,000 who took part over the course of the four day event. Best in Show judge, Geoff Corish, faced a difficult decision choosing between the seven different breeds; the Skye Terrier, Tibetan Terrier, King Charles Spaniel, Labrador Retriever, Bernese Mountain Dog, Australian Shepherd and Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen.

Jilly’s breeder, Gavin, who as a Kennel Club Assured Breeder follows the high standards set by the scheme to ensure that all of his dogs have the best chance of a happy and healthy life said: “I can’t express how I feel, it’s like a wave of emotion. It hasn’t sunk in and I am sure it won’t for quite some time.

“We could only dream of this; Crufts is the best dog show in the world and something everyone aspires to. Jilly is genuinely a once in a lifetime, she is full of character and an absolute pleasure, just such a great dog.”

The Reserve Best In Show title was won by Romeo, a Labrador Retriever, owned by Franco Barberi from Cesara, Italy.

Caroline Kisko, Kennel Club Secretary, said: “We give our congratulations to Jilly who has taken the prestigious Best In Show award with her breeder and handler Gavin Robertson and owners Sara Robertson and Wendy Doherty.

“This year Crufts has been such a great show, with dogs and their handlers showing their fantastic relationships across a range of dog sports and competitions from agility to the dog heroes competition, Friends for Life, to Best in Show. Tonight was a fantastic end to Crufts 2013 – both Jilly and Gavin fully deserved their place, as they were a delight to watch and we are sure that Jilly will be thoroughly spoiled when she gets home. Well done to them and all of the fantastic finalists.”

For more information visit www.crufts.org.uk

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