SHOW NEWS

Former Eastenders star to judge Scruffts in Newark

Scruffts, the competition that gives crossbreed dogs the opportunity to compete in the main arena at Crufts, is looking for local top dogs as it comes to the All About Dogs show at the Newark Showground, Nottinghamshire on 21^st April 2019.

All crossbreeds and mixed breed dogs in the area are invited to take part in the Scruffts Family Crossbreed Dog of the Year competition, exclusively supported by pet food makers James Wellbeloved, where all shapes, sizes and ages of dog are welcome (as long as they are over six months).

Judging the hopeful competitors on the day will be Danny-Boy Hatchard, known for his role as Lee Carter in EastEnders, who will be selecting the successful dogs and owners from each category to qualify for the semi-finals at Crufts 2020. The overall winners of the semi-finals will have the chance to compete in the final, also at Crufts 2020.

Each dog entered in the competition will have a few minutes to wow the judges in one or more of the four competition categories: Most Handsome Crossbreed Dog, Prettiest Crossbreed Bitch, Golden Oldie Crossbreed and the Good Citizen Dog Scheme class.  For entry criteria for each class, visit www.scruffts.org.uk.  

When choosing the winner and runners-up for each class, the judge ensures that the dog has the following qualities:

• Good character
• Good health
• Good personality
• Good temperament with people and other dogs

Registration starts from 10.30am on Sunday 21^st with judging from 12.30pm. Entering a dog into Scruffts costs just £2 per class and there is no need to enter in advance, just simply turn up on the day.

This year’s final saw Percy, a Pointer cross, and owner, Amanda Bell from Sheffield, South Yorkshire crowned winners, earning Percy the title of Scruffts Family Crossbreed Dog of the Year at the world’s greatest dog show, Crufts in March. Percy was given a second chance at life after Amanda and her father, Michael, found him in a very bad way on a street in Cyprus. Having been shot multiple times, unable to stand, suffering with failing kidneys and weighing only 9 kilos, Amanda and Michael arranged for Percy to travel to the UK. Despite his chances of survival looking uncertain, Percy recovered well and the family built up his trust and bonded with him, helping him to achieve his Kennel Club Good Citizen Scheme Bronze award and, of course, win the final at Crufts.

For more information on the Scruffts Family Crossbreed Dog of the Year competition, please visit www.crufts.org.uk/content/whats-on/scruffts/.