Scruffts, the competition for crossbreed dogs 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 first of six heats will take place at Newark Showground, as part of the All About Dogs Show on Sunday 27 April, while the second heat will take place at the West Midlands Showground, as part of the Shropshire County Agricultural Show on Saturday 24 May. Registration for both will start 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 2025 final at Crufts last month saw Lola, a Whippet/Saluki/Collie cross, and owner Bex Hall, from Banbury, Oxfordshire, crowned winners by actress and radio presenter, Gemma Atkinson, earning Lola the title of Scruffts Family Crossbreed Dog of the Year. Bex credits Lola with being her rock through a traumatic birth experience and post-natal depression.
James Wellbeloved Brand Manager, Sonja Hartomo, said: “Scruffts is a fantastic competition that celebrates the nation’s family crossbreed dogs and the loving bond they have with their owners. Every year we meet some truly inspirational dogs and owners, 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 Midlands 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 2026, 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.