The names of the dogs which will compete in the final of the Royal Kennel Club Vulnerable British and Irish Native Breeds Final at Crufts 2026 have been announced.
The competition is the only one of its kind in the UK, raising awareness of Britain and Ireland’s vulnerable native dog breeds and recognising those breeders and owners dedicated to ensuring their continued survival. In 2025, 39 breeds fell into this category, having generated 300 or fewer puppy registrations in the UK in the previous year.
The competition continues to prove very popular and at Crufts 2025, two-year-old Irish Wolfhound (Ch Caredig Mafioso), owned by Debbie Tebbutt, and handled by husband Roger Tebbutt, was chosen as the winner of the grand final, judged by Graham Hill.
The 2026 final at Crufts will be judged by Dr Ron James who is approved to award Challenge Certificates to more than 75 breeds across five groups. The finalists will parade at 17.40pm in the bp pulse LIVE arena on Friday 6 March at the NEC in Birmingham. Pre-judging will take place in hall 1, ring 8 from 2.30pm.
In order to qualify for the final, a dog must have won Best of Breed at the group championship show designated by the Royal Kennel Club as the breed’s qualifying show. In a small number of instances, the Best of Breed winner’s owner has advised that they are unable to compete in the final; in which case, the Best Opposite Sex in Breed winner has been invited to compete in their place to ensure that all breeds are represented and supported.
The following competitors qualifying for the final are listed below:
Bullmastiff, Ch/Ir Ch Joybull Mister Bossman, Mr C S & Mrs S J Roberts
Mastiff , Ch Hallberd Finbar, Mrs S & Mr D Burgoine & Miss D M Nicholas
Bearded Collie, Ch Farmarens Imperial Highness At Orora JW (Imp Swe), Mrs B G Harcourt-Brown
Collie (Smooth), Koczkodan Sweet Dreams Of Lizoni, Miss A C Richardson
Lancashire Heeler, Ch Taigwynion Johnny’s Boy At Swanndale, Mrs J Swann
Old English Sheepdog, Ch Griland Texas Ranger, Mrs A Rogala
Welsh Corgi (Cardigan), Ch Joseter Morgan Plus Four, Mr P Clifton
Bedlington Terrier, Ch Silverkinn Skyfall Of Topaz, Mrs T & Mr R Pedersen
Bull Terrier (Miniature), Ch Topasbully Yaroslava, Mr R Martin
Dandie Dinmont Terrier, Ch Cloverwood Happy Daze, Mrs J Tinsley
Fox Terrier (Smooth), Dan Ch Kajsenborg's Fox Off To Nisyros (Imp Dnk), Messrs D M C Anderson & I Watt
Glen Of Imaal Terrier, Ch Boudivella Osca VW ShCEx, Miss A Hannington
Irish Terrier, Ch Taggiasca, Ms A Tureen
Kerry Blue Terrier, Ch Catachgorm Checkmate By Dogazza (A.I.), Ms E J Somers
Lakeland Terrier, It Ch Under Pressure Foxhouse (Imp Mlt), Mr W Schembri & Mr W Browne-Cole & Ms C Davani
Manchester Terrier, Ch Talanors Typically Elite, Mr C & Mrs G Knight
Norwich Terrier, Elantiz Verde, Ms S Gretton & Mr I Bell
Sealyham Terrier, Ch Zippor Sleepy Sapphireson At Letara, Mrs C C Bell
Skye Terrier, Ch Lavaux Bahamian Chris, Mrs R A Heath
Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier, Eblanahalls Gold Limerence JW, Mrs L Norkett Lui
Welsh Terrier, Cunnings Xanadu, Giuseppe Avveduti & Nataliya Sarycheva
Bloodhound, Ch Farlap Qui Martha (A.I.) , Miss S Clark & Mrs L Hayden
Deerhound, Ch Fritzens Zareef At Wolfscastle (Imp Deu), Mr K Owen & Miss Z Brodie
Foxhound, Barlow Desmond, Mr D Carroll
Greyhound, Sobers Geraldine, Mrs Bitte Ahrens Primavera & Mr Pierluigi Primavera
Harrier, Ross Demon For Evforce, Miss A Agache
Irish Wolfhound, Ch Caredig Mafioso, Mrs D E Tebbutt
Otterhound, Ch Teckelgarth Ingot, Miss M Lerego & Dr D Salt & Professor M Stringer
English Toy Terrier, Ch Nasabe Play The Game JW ShCEx OSW, Mrs H J Haffenden & Mr J Wood
King Charles Spaniel, Ch Headra's Jim Beam, Mr R Baker & Mrs M Kendall
English Setter, Severnsett Gold Sovereign, Mrs P M & Mr N A Darley
Gordon Setter, Am/Int Ch/Sh Ch Carnoustie Let Game Begin (A.I.) (Imp Aus), Mr J Newton & Mesdames R Cornum & S Timmerman
Irish Red And White Setter, Sh Ch Carrick Shadow Dog With Alanea (Imp Pol), Mrs A Tattersall & Mr J & Mrs D Jones
Retriever (Curly Coated), Sh Ch Ravenho Up Town Girl For Brightmeadow JW, Mr J & Mrs M B Stephens
Spaniel (Clumber), Sh Ch Tweedsmuir She's So Sheek, Mr P M & Mrs H D Monaghan
Spaniel (Field), Elgert Into The Unknown, Ms G Osborn
Spaniel (Irish Water), Sh Ch Stanegate Stage Debut ShCEx (A.I.), Mr P & Mrs L A Bradley
Spaniel (Sussex), Sovaroma Beekeeper, Mrs V Bennett
Spaniel (Welsh Springer), Sh Ch Heniveruce King Of Brewers For Aprilflash ShCEx, Miss C J Gaylor & Mr I Robertson
Tom Mather, Crufts Chairman, said: “The Royal Kennel Club Vulnerable British and Irish Native Breeds final always gains a lot of interest at Crufts. We hope that visitors will support the finalists either in pre-judging on Friday afternoon or in the main arena at 5.40pm as many of these lesser known breeds could be the perfect fit for certain owner’s lifestyles.
“I’d also urge visitors who may be interested in acquiring one of these breeds to also spend time in the Discover Dogs area of Crufts in hall 3 where the dogs can be met at close quarters. Meeting the breeders in this way is always a great way to find out if a breed is suitable for a family’s own lifestyle.”
For more information on the Vulnerable British and Irish Breeds, please visit
royalkennelclub.org.uk/vulnerablebreeds.
The following breeds are eligible to compete: Bearded Collie, Bedlington Terrier, Bloodhound, Bullmastiff, 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 Red & White Setter, Irish Terrier, Irish Wolfhound, Kerry Blue Terrier, King Charles Spaniel, Lakeland Terrier, Lancashire Heeler, Manchester Terrier, Mastiff, Norwich Terrier, Old English Sheepdog, 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), Welsh Terrier