The Royal Kennel Club (RKC) welcomed some of the UK's most promising young dogs and handlers to The Kennel Club Building at Stoneleigh, Warwickshire, on Saturday 3 October, for the Junior Warrant Semi-Finals and the Junior Handling Association (JHA) UK Junior Handler of the Year Competition.
The annual event brought together talented exhibitors from across the country and the competition is available to watch via the RKC’s Dog Showing and Crufts Exhibitors News | Royal Kennel Club Facebook page.
The Junior Warrant competition saw 94 qualified young dogs take part for a coveted place in the Junior Warrant Final, which will take place at Crufts on Thursday 4 March 2027 and will be judged by Espen Engh (Norway).
The three JW semi-final heats were judged by Kevin Young, Evan Ryan and Caroline Friend-Rees. The following 12 dogs secured their place at Crufts:
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Miniature Schnauzer, Ch Penbro Carbon Copy JW, Misses R & L Woods
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French Bulldog, Ch Olijah Coming For You JW, Miss O Timms
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Basset Hound, Ch Reveros Power of Love JW, Mrs R & Mr S Sutton
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Bearded Collie, Ch Kiltondale Miley Cyrus JW, Mr G & Mrs L Peirson
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Weimaraner, Sh Ch Rivertone Wicked for Sharnphilly JW, Mrs S Dyer & Mrs S Oddie
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French Bulldog, Ch Olijah Going In Deep JW, Miss O Timms
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Miniature Schnauzer, Ch Wellingley Won For The Road JW, Mr T B Braithwaite
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Norfolk Terrier, Ch Watercroft Stitch In Time JW, Mrs R Gee
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Whippet, Ch Crème Anglaise’s Entourage with Silkridge JW (Imp NLD), Mrs C Perkins & Mr K Van Der Schaaf
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Bullmastiff, Ch Crimlisk Spicy Shiraz of Copperfield JW, Mrs A & Mr W Warren
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Bearded Collie, Talraz Drumbeat for Lyngem JW, Mrs L & Mr A & Master G Burgon
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Pomeranian, Ch Sueacres Catch A Dream JW, Ms S A Smith
The event also featured the prestigious Junior Handling Association (JHA) UK Junior Handler of the Year competition, which recognises exceptional young handlers from across the country. Finalists qualified through the National Group Championship shows and represented a range of age groups and disciplines.
Judged by former winner Sara Robertson, the competition culminated in the selection of six finalists before the overall UK Junior Handler of the Year 2026 was announced.
Winner: Amelia Patterson, Siberian Husky
Runner-up: Alexis Kirkwood-Emery, Dachshund (Wire-haired)
3rd: Kaitlyn Collier, Parson Russell Terrier
4th: Layla Duncan, Tibetan Spaniel
5th: Livia Boryc, Samoyed
6th: Konan Maver, Hungarian Vizsla
Amelia who is 15 years old and from Newcastle will fly the flag for the United Kingdom at the Joe Cartledge Memorial International Junior Handling Final at Crufts on Friday 5 March 2027 and at the World Dog Show in Austria in May 2027. Megan Slack, representing the UK, won the International Junior Handling final at Crufts in 2026 and went on to Runner-up in the Junior Handling final at the World Dog Show in Bologna (June 2026).
Charlotte McNamara, Chief Canine Wellbeing and Engagements Officer, Royal Kennel Club, said: "Congratulations to all of the competitors who took part in this year's Junior Warrant Semi-Finals and JHA UK Junior Handler of the Year competition. The quality of both the dogs and handlers was outstanding, reflecting the hard work, dedication and enthusiasm of exhibitors across the country. These competitions are a wonderful showcase for emerging talent within our canine community, and it is encouraging to see so many people continuing to support and participate in them. We wish our 12 Junior Warrant finalists every success at Crufts 2027 and congratulate Amelia Patterson on her well-deserved achievement as UK Junior Handler of the Year."