Vulnerable Breeds Competition Heading to Crufts Again

The Kennel Club has announced that its Vulnerable British & Irish Breeds Competition will take place once again this year, culminating in a grand final at Crufts 2017.

To raise awareness of vulnerable British & Irish breeds, and to recognise those who are dedicated to their survival and prosperity, the Kennel Club created the competition in 2015. Its inaugural year was met with great enthusiasm by exhibitors and saw the top scoring winner from each vulnerable breed invited to attend the first grand final, held at Crufts 2016.

The competition, which is sponsored by Eukanuba and run in conjunction with media partner Our Dogs, is open to all vulnerable breeds competing at Open and Championship Shows, and dogs that are on the Kennel Club’s vulnerable breeds list are able to collect points for awards at these shows. Points can be claimed for Best of Breed or Best Any Variety Not Separately Classified (AVNSC) and also for Group placings at Championship shows.

The aim is for dogs to collect the highest number of points in their breed in a calendar year. At the end of the year, the top scoring dog from each breed will be invited to compete in the grand final.

Exhibitors should record their Best of Breed/Group wins on the Vulnerable British and Irish Breeds Competition claim form/book for points gained from January to December 2016, and then submit this to the Kennel Club for verification at the end of the year (points will be awarded for Championship and specific Open Show wins).

Points may be claimed retrospectively this year (from shows held on or after 1stJanuary 2016) and exhibitors can also submit updates to Our Dogs which will publish monthly leader boards.

Caroline Kisko, Kennel Club Secretary, said: “The Kennel Club has been delighted with the response to the competition so far and is pleased that we are able to give these vulnerable breeds the recognition that they deserve.

“The Kennel Club would encourage show societies to work with breed clubs of vulnerable native breeds so that these clubs can inspire their membership to enter the classes and take part in the competition. Crufts is a wonderful showcase for pedigree dogs and the perfect chance to show the world just how special the rare British and Irish native breeds really are.”

To take part, exhibitors need to download a Kennel Club British & Irish Breeds Competition claim form from the Kennel Club website.

At the end of the year, the completed form must be submitted to the Breed Shows Team at breedshows@thekennelclub.org.uk and the Crufts finalists will be notified by the Kennel Club.

Competitors can track their success on the official leader board, which is published in the monthly competition feature in Our Dogs. Anyone taking part is reminded to regularly log their points with Our Dogs by submitting the completed points tracker form either by email (pam@ourdogs.co.uk) or at the Our Dogs stand at General and Group Championship Shows.

How points are awarded:

Single Breed Open shows and All Breed/Group Open shows:

Best of Breed/Best in AVNSC Classes: 1 point

Championship Shows

Best of Breed/Best in AVNSC Classes: 1 point

Group Winner: 4 points

2nd Place in Group: 3 points

3rd Place in Group: 2 points

4th Place in Group:1 point

Vulnerable British and Irish Breeds 2016:

Bloodhound, Cardigan Welsh Corgis, Clumber Spaniels, Curly Coated Retrievers, Dandie Dinmont Terriers, Deerhounds, English Setters, English Toy Terriers (Black and Tan), Field Spaniels, Glen of Imaal Terriers, Gordon Setters, Irish Red & White Setters, Irish Terriers, Irish Water Spaniels, Irish Wolfhounds, Kerry Blue Terriers, King Charles Spaniels, Lakeland Terriers, Lancashire Heelers, Manchester Terriers, Mastiffs, Miniature Bull Terriers, Norwich Terriers, Otterhounds, Sealyham Terriers, Skye Terriers, Smooth Collies, Smooth Fox Terriers, and Sussex Spaniels.

Posted by chesliepickett on Jun 14 2016. Filed under World News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.