High-resolution images to follow shortly. George, a Smooth Fox Terrier, has been crowned Best in Show at the Vulnerable Native Breeds Show, a show celebrating Britain and Ireland’s Vulnerable native breeds.
Ch Ubble Du Manoir Saint Adrien at Byzantine (Imp Fra), known at home as George, and his owner Jane Peakin took the top honour at The Kennel Club Building in Stoneleigh, Warwickshire, on Saturday 15 August, after winning under Best in Show judge Miss Lucy Mottram.
The win shines a spotlight on one of the UK’s least common native breeds, with just nine Smooth Fox Terrier litters registered in the first half of 2026. Despite being relatively unknown, the breed has attracted some famous owners over the years, including fashion designer Tom Ford and Queen Victoria, who have both owned several.
More than 422 dogs representing all 39 vulnerable British and Irish native breeds competed at the show. These breeds are officially recognised by the RKC as vulnerable, with fewer than 300 litters registered each year. The unique show celebrates and raises awareness of these rare and historic breeds.
Best in Show winner Jane Peakin, from Ashford, Kent, said: “I’m absolutely delighted to win Best in Show but doing it at this particular show holds a particular significance for me personally, as all the breeds I have been involved with in more than 40 years of showing dogs; Mastiffs, Miniature Bull Terriers and Smooth Fox Terriers, are now on the Vulnerable native breeds list. The Smooth Fox Terrier is a wonderful breed, and I’m thrilled to see it recognised on a day dedicated to our vulnerable native breeds.”
The Smooth Fox Terrier is one of the 39 native breeds identified by the Royal Kennel Club as vulnerable due to low registration numbers. In 2025, 92 litters were registered, more than double the 45 registered in 2024.
Reserve Best in Show
Reserve Best in Show was awarded to Paddy (Kebulak Mr Marvellous), a Kerry Blue Terrier owned by Miss J J Pretty and Mr A Potts from Ashbourne, Derbyshire.
The Kerry Blue Terrier remains one of Britain and Ireland’s lesser-known native breeds, with just 57 litters registered in 2025, down from 77 in 2024.
Best Puppy in Show
Hunter (Silkcroft Play On Repeat), a Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier owned by Mr C W and Mrs C L Satherley from Tamworth, Staffordshire, was named Best Puppy in Show after impressing judge Darren Clarke.
Just 92 Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier litters were registered with the Royal Kennel Club in 2025, down from 130 in 2024.
Reserve Best Puppy in Show was awarded to Verumamicus Lord Falcor of Brakemill, a Skye Terrier owned by Mrs J A Curtis from Bewdley, Worcestershire.
The Skye Terrier had just 45 litters registered in 2025, compared with 71 in 2024.
Best Veteran in Show
Best Veteran in Show went to Ottaryx Quinevere VW, an Otterhound owned by Mr D and Mrs S Porter from Poulton-le-Fylde, Lancashire, after impressing judge Gareth Brown.
The Otterhound is one of the UK’s most vulnerable native breeds, with only three litters registered in 2026 ahead of the show. Just 10 litters were registered in 2025, down from 42 in 2024 and representing a 75% decline from the 40 registered in 2016.
Reserve Best Veteran in Show was awarded to Ch Lavauxs Bahamian Chris, a Skye Terrier owned by Mrs R Heath from Shrewsbury, Shropshire.
Jacky Cutler, Secretary of the Vulnerable Native Breed Show, said: “It was wonderful to see all 39 Vulnerable Native Breeds represented at this year’s show. The breeds crowned Best in Show, Best Puppy and Best Veteran had just 194 registrations between them in 2025, highlighting just how vulnerable some of these historic breeds are. We hope the show encourages more people to discover them and helps secure their future for generations to come.”
This year, some of the largest entries included 22 Cardigan Welsh Corgis, 21 King Charles Spaniels and 19 Otterhounds.
For more information about Vulnerable Native Breeds and the Royal Kennel Club’s work to protect their future, visit: Vulnerable native breeds | The Royal Kennel Club.