Vulnerable British and Irish Breeds competition returns with new format

Following the popularity of the Vulnerable British and Irish Breeds Competition in 2019, the Kennel Club has announced it will take place again this year with a new format.

In a move designed to broaden the scope of the competition and offer more opportunities to qualify, BOB winners from the Scottish Kennel Club (May), Welsh Kennel Club and Belfast championship shows will now be eligible to compete in the final, along with BOB winners from the usual selected group championship.

To raise awareness of vulnerable British and Irish breeds, and to recognise those people who are dedicated to their survival and prosperity, the Kennel Club created the competition in 2015.

It has already proved very popular and at last year’s Crufts, Jane Curtis took the title with her Skye Terrier, Ch Brakemill Barnum ShCM known at home as Barney.

Following a similar format as last year, the BOB winners at designated championship shows will qualify for the final. The competition is open to all vulnerable British and Irish breeds competing at the following group championship shows:

Toy – United Kingdom Toy Dog Society

Terrier – National Terrier Club

Working – National Working and Pastoral Breeds Society

Pastoral – National Working and Pastoral Breeds Society

Hound – Hound Association

Gundog – National Gundog Association

In addition to the above shows, BOB winners at the Scottish Kennel Club (May), Welsh Kennel Club and Belfast championship shows will now also qualify for the final.

Dogs of breeds which are on the Kennel Club’s vulnerable British and Irish breeds list who win BOB at the above shows will qualify for the competition and will be invited to compete in the grand final at Crufts 2021.

Vanessa McAlpine, Crufts Show Manager said: “The Vulnerable British and Irish Breeds Competition final is a very important event at Crufts. It is fantastic way to highlight the plight of these breeds and promote them as the wonderful dogs they are. Jane and Barney certainly did these breeds proud on the famous green carpet last year.

“We are delighted that dogs will now qualify from the Scottish KC, Welsh KC and Belfast shows, thus opening up the scope of the competition and giving exhibitors more opportunities to qualify. The final at Crufts is a great showcase for pedigree dogs and the perfect chance to show the world just how special the vulnerable British and Irish breeds really are.”

To find out more about the Kennel Club’s Vulnerable British and Irish Breeds initiative, you can visit –

All Crufts finalists in the competition will be notified by the Kennel Club in early 2021.