Baloo, a retired police dog, has tonight (Sunday 9 March) been announced as the winner of The Kennel Club Hero Dog Award competition at Crufts 2025.
Eight-year-old Baloo was a finalist in the Extraordinary Working Dog category with her owner, Mandy Chapman.
In October 2018, while on duty, police dog Baloo was hit by a suspect’s car fleeing a crime scene, resulting in life-changing injuries and, devastatingly, amputation of one of her legs.
Baloo retired with Mandy Chapman, a former police dog handler, and as she recovered, Mandy took her to see the team at Essex police force who were impacted by the incident. These visits soon became a regular occurrence as it became clear how beneficial they were for the mental health of officers and staff alike.
Baloo and Mandy were introduced to the College of Policing team who provide well-being and mental health support, which led to the introduction of the ‘Oscar Kilo’ wellbeing and trauma support dogs service – and there are now over 250 of these dogs nationwide.
Meanwhile, the duo’s volunteering has extended even further, and, alongside police stations, the pair now also visit schools, care homes, Guides and Scout groups and thousands of other community groups.
Baloo was one of five hero dog finalists shortlisted for The Kennel Club Hero Dog Award competition in February. The finalists shared their unique stories of the impact that each dog has made on their life, and the nation cast almost 120,000 votes in under a month. The winner was announced in the bp pulse LIVE arena at the NEC in Birmingham on the final day of the world’s greatest dog show, Crufts, by campaigner Josephine Hamilton OBE and Paralympian, Ellie Simmonds OBE.
Proud Mandy and Baloo were presented with their award and a cheque for £5,000 from The Kennel Club Charitable Trust for their dog charity of choice – Essex Retired Police Dog Fund. The four other finalists also received £1,000 for their chosen dog charity for making it to the prestigious final.
Speaking about Baloo’s award, Mandy said: “She is an amazing dog through and through. Despite her disability and the terrible injuries she sustained, she has come through it all so well and finds joy in life, as well as giving joy in life, every single day.
“You can see the difference she makes to people when she goes to see them. She proves that however hard things get, you can get through it. She is super soppy and sharing her is so rewarding, I love every second of it.
“I can see why this competition goes to public vote because who on earth could choose but thank you to each and every person who has voted for her.”
Helen Kerfoot, Crufts Show Manager, said: “We congratulate Baloo, our newly crowned winner of The Kennel Club Hero Dog Award. What Baloo has achieved, the courage she has shown, and the support she now gives others is extraordinary. Mandy and Baloo’s incredible bond and the work they do together is inspiring.
“We were honoured to celebrate each of our finalists – the companionship these heroic dogs provide to their owners and their contribution in society is remarkable. We thank our finalists for sharing their stories with us – they are all winners and demonstrate exactly why dogs are known as ‘man’s best friend.”
The five dogs which made the 2025 final were selected by a panel of judges from The Kennel Club, where they were chosen for the lifetime of love and loyalty they give to their owners and for the remarkable difference they make in society.
To find out more about the award, visit Crufts website.
Nominations will open for the 2026 award in the Autumn.
Crufts took place from 6 – 9 March 2025 at the NEC, Birmingham. For more information and results from the show, click here.