Heats for the Royal Kennel Club Vulnerable British and Irish Native Breeds competition have begun to take place and, as in previous years, will culminate in a grand final at Crufts 2027.
The Royal Kennel Club launched the competition in 2015 to raise awareness of vulnerable British and Irish native breeds, as well as recognising those people who are dedicated to their survival and prosperity. In 2026, there are 38 breeds that fall into this category, having generated 300 or fewer puppy registrations in the UK in the previous year. Since last year, the Irish Terrier and Old English Sheepdog have moved from the list of vulnerable breeds to the ‘At Watch’ list.
The competition continues to be popular at Crufts and in March 2026 a three-year-old Irish Wolfhound (Ch Caredig Mafioso), repeated his overall win from Crufts 2025. Tozie, owned by Debbie Tebbutt, and handled by husband Roger Tebbutt, was chosen as the Crufts 2026 winner, judged by Dr Ron James.
As in 2025, only the Best of Breed winners at designated championship shows this year will qualify for the final and the competition is open to all vulnerable British and Irish native breeds competing at the following championship shows:
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28 March 2026, United Kingdom Toydog Society
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4 April 2026, National Terrier Club
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11 July 2026, National Working and Pastoral Breeds Society
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18 July 2026, Hound Association
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2 August 2026, National Gundog Association
Dogs who win Best of Breed at the above shows and are on the Royal Kennel Club’s Vulnerable British and Irish breeds list will qualify for the competition and will be invited to compete in the grand final at Crufts 2027. In cases where the Best of Breed winner is unable to compete in the final, the Best Opposite Sex winner will be invited.
Tom Mather, Crufts Chairman said: “The Vulnerable British and Irish Breeds competition final is a very important event at Crufts as it’s a wonderful way to highlight just how special these vulnerable breeds are. We must support these lesser-known breeds as they could be the perfect fit for certain owner’s lifestyles but are being overlooked in favour of other breeds that might not be, simply because they are not as well-known.
“Good luck to those exhibitors competing with their vulnerable native breeds at the national group championship shows over the coming months.”
To find out more about the competition and vulnerable breeds, see royalkennelclub.com/vulnerablebreeds
All Crufts 2027 finalists will be contacted by the Royal Kennel Club in December 2026.
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 Wolfhound, Kerry Blue Terrier, King Charles Spaniel, Lakeland Terrier, Lancashire Heeler, Manchester Terrier, Mastiff, Norwich Terrier, 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.
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26 March 2026
Notes to editors
If you’d like any further information, please email press.office@royalkennelclub.com
The Royal Kennel Club
The Royal Kennel Club (RKC) is the UK’s leading organisation dedicated to the health, wellbeing, and happiness of all dogs. Granted the Royal prefix by His Majesty King Charles III in 2025, the RKC builds on over 150 years of heritage to champion responsible ownership and ensure every dog leads a healthy, fulfilling life.
As a profit-for-purpose organisation, the Royal Kennel Club reinvests in dog health, research, and education, extending its expertise beyond pedigree breeds to benefit every dog in the UK. It maintains the country’s largest registration database for both pedigree and crossbreed dogs, alongside Petlog, one of the UK’s biggest microchip reunification services, and runs the Kennel Club Good Citizen Dog Training scheme, the nation’s most extensive dog training programme.
The RKC licenses and supports a wide range of dog activities and shows, including the world-famous Crufts, now evolving into a year-round community celebrating dogs and their owners. Through the Kennel Club Charitable Trust, the organisation funds vital research into canine health and wellbeing, supports breed rescue organisations across the UK, and works with partners such as the British Veterinary Association to run national health screening schemes.
With a mission to promote responsible ownership and celebrate every dog, the Royal Kennel Club continues to evolve, combining heritage with innovation to create a healthier, happier future for dogs and the people who love them.