Scruffts, the competition that gives crossbreed dogs the opportunity to compete in the main arena at Crufts, is looking for local top dogs as it comes to the Great North Dog Walk at the Leas in South Shields, Tyne and Wear on Sunday 4th June.
Dogs and owners competing at the heat are hoping to make it through to the class semi-finals, held at Eukanuba Discover Dogs at ExCeL London on 21st and 22nd October, and from there six lucky crossbreed dogs will qualify for Crufts 2018.
All crossbreeds and mixed breed dogs in the area are invited to take part in the Scruffts Family Crossbreed Dog of the Year competition, sponsored by James Wellbeloved, where all shapes, sizes and ages of dog are welcome (as long as they are over six months).
Each dog entered in the competition will have a few minutes to dazzle the judges in one or more of the six competition categories: Most Handsome Crossbreed Dog, Prettiest Crossbreed Bitch, Child’s Best Friend, Golden Oldie Crossbreed, Best Crossbreed Rescue and the Good Citizen Dog Scheme class. For entry criteria for each class, visit www.scruffts.org.uk.
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
- Well behaved
Caroline Kisko, Secretary of the Kennel Club, which organises the competition, said: “Following another successful year we are pleased to welcome back our favourite crossbreed competition. Scruffts is an excellent way to recognise the love, companionship and often heroic stories of our nation’s crossbreed dogs. Not only are the heats a fantastic day out for all the family, but they are also a brilliant way to socialise your dog with others in your area. The heats also raise money for the Kennel Club Charitable Trust, which supports a wide variety of work ranging from research into canine diseases to welfare issues; all making positive differences within the world of dogs.
“We are looking forward to seeing the wonderful crossbreeds in Tyne and Wear and the surrounding areas in action and want to wish all who enter the very best of luck.”
The Great North Dog Walk is an internationally recognised event which holds the world record as the largest dog walk ever held in 2011, which had 22,742 dogs.
The event is in aid of Cash 4 Kids and will be held on Sunday 4th June 2017 at the Leas, South Shields. The annual event was founded Tony Carlisle, a former local teacher, in 1990 and despite a series of health issues he is continuing his work on the event, raising as much money as possible for charitable causes. Tony was named as UK Fundraiser of the Year by the International Fund for Animal Welfare for the second year running in 2015.
Registration for the competition starts from 10am and the competition begins at 1pm. Entering a dog into Scruffts costs just £2 per class and all entry money will be split between the Kennel Club Charitable Trust and Cash 4 Kids. There is no need to enter in advance, just simply turn up on the day.
James Wellbeloved is the sponsor of the competition for the eighth year running, meaning that the winners of each heat will receive delicious James Wellbeloved goodies for their dog.
Alison Sudbury, Marketing Director for sponsors James Wellbeloved said: “Scruffts is a truly wonderful competition; a real celebration of the family crossbreed dogs of the UK. Every year we see some incredible dogs with their dedicated owners; we love to hear their stories and see the fantastic bond between them. On behalf of James Wellbeloved, we’d like to wish everyone who enters the very best of luck on their Scruffts journey. We can’t wait to see what the crossbreed dogs of Tyne and Wear have to offer.”
Read more information on the Scruffts Family Crossbreed Dog of the Year competition. Read further information about the Great North Dog Walk.