Scruffts is coming to the North East!

CALLING ALL NORTH EAST CROSSBREEDS TO COMPETE FOR THE CHANCE TO QUALIFY FOR CRUFTS 2025

Scruffts, the competition that gives crossbreed dogs the opportunity to compete in the main arena at Crufts, is kicking off the search to find the nation’s top dog.

The Kennel Club invites all crossbreeds and mixed breed dogs to take part in the Scruffts 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).

The fourth of six heats will take place at Kirkley Hall in Newcastle, as part of the North East Dog Festival on Saturday 31 August, with registration starting from 11am, and judging from 12.30pm. Entering a dog into Scruffts costs £2 per class, not including entry to the overall show. There is no need to enter in advance, just simply turn up on the day.

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. Entry criteria for each class is available at crufts.org.uk/scruffts.

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

The 2024 final at Crufts in March saw Diesel, a 13-year-old Airedale Terrier/Labrador cross, and owner Claire Whitehead, from Derbyshire, crowned winners, earning Diesel the title of Scruffts Family Crossbreed Dog of the Year. Claire describes Diesel as a self-taught epilepsy detection dog, having learnt to bark when Claire’s friend, who has epilepsy, has a seizure and will also bring her a blanket to protect her.

Lucy Williams, PRO Business Marketing Manager for James Wellbeloved, said: “Scruffts celebrates the nation’s family crossbreed dogs and the loving bond they have with their owners. Over the years we have met some truly deserving winners, and so we are looking forward to meeting this year’s competitors and hearing their stories".

“James Wellbeloved are very proud to exclusively support Scruffts and we can’t wait to see what the crossbreed dogs of the North East have to offer.” The four heat winners will receive delicious goodies from James Wellbeloved, the sponsor of Scruffts and ultimately, the four category finalists at next year’s Scruffts grand final, held at Crufts 2025, will each win a year’s supply of James Wellbeloved food for their dog.

For more information on the Scruffts Family Crossbreed Dog of the Year competition, including upcoming heats, visit crufts.org.uk/scruffts .

To get tickets for this years North East Dog Festival visit www.northeastdogfestival.com/northeastdogfestivaltickets