Dog lovers will be able to enjoy a fun-filled day out and discover some of Britain and Ireland’s vulnerable dog breeds later this month at the South of England Showground in West Sussex.
On 27 July, Tunbridge Wells and District Canine Society is celebrating its 140th year and is holding an all breed open dog show at the South of England Showground in Ardingly, Haywards Heath. Alongside 474 classes, the special anniversary show will also host a unique parade and four stakes classes dedicated to the 35 vulnerable native British and Irish breeds. The winner of each class will compete for best vulnerable native breed, who will receive a Kennel Club sponsored rosette and prize money.
Vulnerable native breeds are dog breeds of British and Irish origin that are considered to be vulnerable due to their declining registration numbers recording 300 or less per year. In 2024, 35 breeds fell into this category, having generated 300 or fewer puppy registrations in the UK in the previous year. For the first time, the Irish Terrier has now joined the list as a vulnerable breed having generated just 244 puppies last year.
Visitors are encouraged to come along to the family friendly dog show as there will also be live entertainment, trade stands, hog roast, coffee and food stands.
Show Secretary, Debbie Willett, said: “We need you to make our show a success, this is a dog show that you will not want to miss! We are delighted to work with breed clubs of vulnerable British and Irish native breeds so that their owners can be inspired and have every opportunity of taking part in our exciting competition and parade.
“We have some of the top British judges from around the UK, you can shop til you drop at the trade stands and enjoy some great food and drink, and we have entertainment too. It will be fun for all the family.”
For more details and how to enter your pedigree dog at the event, click here.
Online entries close on 14 July. If you’d like to come along to the show with your dog and watch, there is a charge of £1 per dog. Please see the Show Secretary on arrival.
To find out more about vulnerable breeds, visit our website.
The following breeds are eligible to compete in the Vulnerable Breed classes: Bearded Collie, Bloodhound, Bull Terrier (Miniature), Collie (Smooth), Dandie Dinmont Terrier, Deerhound, English Setter, English Toy Terrier (Black & Tan), Foxhound, Fox Terrier (Smooth), Glen of Imaal Terrier, Gordon Setter, Greyhound, Harrier, Irish Terrier, Irish Red & White Setter, Irish Wolfhound, Kerry Blue Terrier, King Charles Spaniel, Lakeland Terrier, Lancashire Heeler, Manchester Terrier, Mastiff, Norwich Terrier, Otterhound, Retriever (Curly Coated), Sealyham Terrier, Skye Terrier, Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier, Spaniel (Clumber), Spaniel (Field), Spaniel (Irish Water), Spaniel (Sussex), Spaniel (Welsh Springer), Welsh Corgi (Cardigan).