A Celebration of Charles Cruft – the Man Who Made Dog Shows
Photo credit: onEdition
by Kerry Rushby
In the world of showdogs, the anticipation of the Crufts figures are on everyone’s mind early February. The Kennel Club announced that the show has 21,866 dogs making 24,462 entries for this year. Total breed entries can be found here – http://www.fossedata.co.uk/downloads/pdf/CRUFT_MAR_16PDF.pdf
It’s an exciting time of year for the sport of dogs as we soon see the annual Westminster Dog Show take place, bringing together America’s top dogs and elite handlers and collecting the World’s best breeders and equally talented judges who will point at their winner for the show this year.
On the back of Westminster is, of course, Crufts. In 2016, the Kennel Club in the UK will celebrate the show’s 125th year. It was a sporting dog man named Charles Cruft who we all owe our gratitude to for creating what will always be the World’s Greatest Dog Show, Crufts.
Born in 1852, Charles Cruft became involved in dogs as a young man when a career with a dog biscuit manufacturer, Spratts, took his fancy. He quickly became the general manager of the company, and in 1878 Cruft was asked to run a dog show in France called Exposition Universelle. Over four years, Charles Cruft successfully ran a dog show in London, and the first ever show dedicated to his name, Crufts, was held in 1891. During his lifetime, Charles Cruft had a personal involvement with several breed clubs including Schipperkes, Pugs and Borzois. Adding to his career achievements, Charles Cruft had also been offered the job of becoming Secretary of the Dutch Kennel Club. He also accepted the opportunity to run dog shows for Scottish Kennel Club.
The ever-increasing interest of the ‘Terrier Show’ that Charles Cruft organized became so popular that other breeds were also invited to participate. The first show was held at the Agricultural Hall in Islington. Charles designed his own label for Crufts, incorporating a Saint Bernard head with a collar and crown.
As the show reached its golden jubilee year in 1936, a record 10,000 dogs were entered for Crufts. Royals such as Queen Victoria and King Edward VII entered. Alexander III of Russia sent eighteen Borzois to the show, from the breed’s country of origin, to participate in what was known then as the World’s largest dog show.
A private man who wanted the media focus solely on his dog show, Charles Cruft fell ill in1938 after running his 45th Crufts show. Charles Cruft died later that year after suffering a heart attack on September 10th.
It was thought by many that the show would continue to be run by his wife, Emma, with the help of his secretary of the dog show organization, Miss Harrington. However, the show was held in 1939 and Mrs. Cruft then sold the show to the UK Kennel Club.
Cruft’s did not proceed under the guidance of the Kennel Club until 1948 as World War II interrupted the show. In 1974 it was rebranded and the apostrophe was taken out, re-naming the show Crufts.
As we approach the shows 125th year, the figures have been released from the Kennel Club.
Almost 22,000 dogs have entered. Of that number, 3,396 dogs will be competing from overseas. 47 countries represent the overseas entries with a first time entry from countries such as Venezuela, Peru and Philippines.
Two new breeds gain their own classes this year, Lagotto Romagnolo and Cirneco Dell’Etna, both judged by Carla Molinari from Portugal.
It’s interesting to see that there has been a rise of 40% in breeds such as Pointer, Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, Samoyed and the high profile breed, Basset Hound.
Gaining the highest entry in all breeds is, of course, from the Gundog Group, with Labrador Retrievers leading the charge with an entry of 588. Two judges will judge the breed making it a worthy win for whoever takes home the Crufts Best of Breed ribbon for this year.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels top the Toy group, gaining an entry of 322, while Bulldogs, a high profile breed which will have a vet check prior to group participation, have gained an entry of 245. Boxers top the Working group with 236 entries, while Border Collies top the Pastoral (Herding) group with an entry of 359. In Terriers, a British breed, Staffordshire Bull Terriers gained a huge entry of 410 dogs and topping the Hound group once again are Whippets which have gained an entry of 397.
It is believed that the breeds mentioned above will have early start judging times, but the information is still to be announced on this.
Chairman of Crufts, Mr. Gerald King said, “We are delighted that entries to Crufts’ 125th anniversary show remain strong and steady. We feel honoured to welcome dogs from such a wide variety of breeds, representing all corners of the globe. The fact that people travel far and wide to enter this prestigious event is testament to the place it continues to hold in people’s hearts and we intend to keep going from strength to strength. We thank everybody who has entered the show and look forward to welcoming all the dogs and their owners who make Crufts such a wonderful event, whether it is those who have been loyally returning year after year or those who are experiencing the show for the first time.”
Whilst I personally appreciate the American handling of all show dogs in the USA, the Kennel Club has announced in their rules, the following: “Handling – Exhibitors must not pick up dogs by their tails and leads when lifting them. This is not acceptable. Exhibitors should note that such practice would constitute harsh handling and reports of such practice will be referred to the Committee under Kennel Club Show Regulation F11.”
Pointing the finger and shaking the hand of the handler who will win Best in Show at this years Crufts is north west UK resident Derek Smith. Mr. Smith is a retired breeder of Rough Collies and an avid judge of all breeds in the UK. He will render the decision of which dog is best on the evening of March 13th.
For those of you who are unable to attend Crufts at the NEC in Birmingham, UK, you will find online links to view the show through the official Kennel Club website – www.crufts.org.uk
Online results of breed results can be found here – www.fossedata.co.uk/crufts
Let the greatest dog show in the World commence. May the best dog win!
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Posted by chesliepickett
on Feb 3 2016. Filed under Current Articles, Featured.
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