Tozie, an Irish Wolfhound, owned by Debbie Tebbutt, and handled by husband Roger Tebbutt, won the grand final of the Royal Kennel Club Vulnerable British and Irish Native Breeds competition at Crufts, on Friday 6 March for the second year in a row.
Three-year-old Tozie (Ch Caredig Mafioso), won the Vulnerable British and Irish Breeds competition in front of a packed bp pulse LIVE arena at the NEC in Birmingham.
The Royal Kennel Club Vulnerable British and Irish Breeds competition helps raise awareness of rare native breeds whose annual puppy registrations stand at fewer than 300, thus leaving them at risk of disappearing from the UK’s streets and parks.
The Irish Wolfhound is often described as a gentle giant due to its large size but calm nature.
Tozie was chosen by judge Dr Ron James as having the best overall quality evident from other dogs in the final.
The Vulnerable Breeds competition, which was open to all vulnerable breeds competing at designated championship shows, enabled dogs that are on the Royal Kennel Club’s vulnerable breeds list to qualify for the final at Crufts.
A Bullmastiff, Ch/Ir Ch Joybull Mister Bossman, owned by Mr C S & Mrs S J Roberts was named as Reserve Best Vulnerable Breed. Third place was the Gordon Setter, Am/Int Ch/SH Ch Carnoustie Let The Game Begin (AI) (Imp Aus) owned by Mr J Newton & Mesdames R Cornum & S Timmerman and fourth place was the Greyhound, Sobers Geraldine owned by Mrs B Ahrens & Mr P Primavera.
Jannine Edgar, Chief Executive of the Royal Kennel Club, said: ““Congratulations to Roger and Tozie on this securing fantastic achievement for a second time. We are grateful to everyone who qualified for this competition for their passion and dedication to their breeds. Their commitment is vital in helping ensure that vulnerable British and Irish breeds continue to thrive and remain a valued part of our society.”
The following dogs were entered in the 2026 final at Crufts:
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
More information about Vulnerable British and Irish Breeds is available at royalkennelclub.org.uk/vulnerablebreeds.
Crufts takes place from 5 - 8 March 2026 at the NEC, Birmingham. For more information and results from the show, visit Crufts website.