See the cream of the crop!
Held annually in the United Kingdom, Crufts is billed as the world’s largest dog show. Every year, the event brings together thousands of talented pooches who compete in agility, obedience, flyball and heelwork. The show dates back to the 1800’s, meaning we’ve seen plenty of adorable and incredible Crufts winners through the years. Let’s take a look back at some of the most memorable pet winners of the last century.
2014: Ricky
We kick things off with 2014’s winner, Ricky the standard poodle. With his oh-so-fabulous bouffant teased up high, Ricky wowed the judges to beat out more than 20,000 other dogs for the title of best in show.
1952: Ch. Noways Chuckles
Mr. Chuckles set many precedents at Crufts; not only is he the youngest Best in Show winner, he’s also the only bulldog ever to have taken the title. We can see why, with such a memorable mug! Our hats are off to you, Chuck!
2003: Yakee a Dangerous Liasion, a.k.a Danny
Danny the Pekingese not only has a great show name and a great head of hair, he has quite the controversial story! Following Danny’s Crufts win, an anonymous informant wrote a letter accusing his owners of having him undergo cosmetic surgery, which is illegal in dog showing. Turns out Danny did have surgery, but it was a medical procedure to correct a health condition. He retained his title.
1938 & 1939: Exquisite Model of Ware
Taking the title two years in a row, this pretty cocker spaniel came from a long line of prestigious pups. Her father was named Reserve Best in Show at Crufts the year she was born, and her breeder, H. S. Lloyd, was known as the “grandmaster” of dogmen.
1968: Champion Fanhill Faun
What a beautiful specimen of the Dalmatian breed! Champion Fanhill Faun became famous for this picture, which is still popular among dog lovers today as a poster and photographic print.
2005: Coco
Coco the Norfolk Terrier is the all-time top winning dog of her breed in the U.S. She won Best of Breed at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show four years in a row, along with Best in Show in more than 60 shows around the world. Most notably, Coco stole our hearts when she hopped into the championship cup to pose for pictures following her win at Crufts.
1991: Sh. Ch. Raycroft Socialite
Crufts 1991 was the 100th anniversary show, and it drew the largest number of competitors to date. Sh. Ch. Raycroft Socialite, a Clumber Spaniel, beat out some 22,900 opponents to take home the title. The dog’s owner continues to show other award winning Clumbers to this day.
Who will take home the top title this year? Watch Crufts 2015 on March 5th-8th to find out!
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