1/10/2024
Best in Show: By the numbers
With the curtains drawn on the world's greatest dog show for another year, we thought it might be a good time to reflect on the legacy of our beloved event! Since its inception in 1891 Crufts, run by The Kennel Club, has displayed excellence in the world of dogs. And, at the very heart of Crufts, lies the crowning moment: the announcement of the Best in Show winner, taking place from 1928. This year's winning breed has taken the title once before, back in 2006. That got us thinking about which breed is the most successful at Crufts. Who has taken home the lion's share of this most famous of canine cups?
The group with the most, Best in Show (BIS) wins is the Gundog group, claiming an impressive 30.6% of Best in Show victories. This versatile group, originally trained for retrieving and hunting game, is divided into four categories: Retrievers, Spaniels, Hunt/Point/Retrieve, Pointers, and Setters. The Cocker Spaniel takes the lead with seven Best in Show titles, followed by the Irish Setter, which matches any winner from any other group with an impressive four titles. Not to be outdone, the English Setter, Flat Coated Retriever, and the Labrador Retriever have all added to the success of the Gundog group, each winning three times.
Not far behind is the Terrier group, holding 24.7% of Best in Show wins. These brave dogs were originally bred for hunting vermin and have been immortalized in media with much-loved characters like Toto from The Wizard of Oz and Snowy, the steadfast companion of Tintin. The Welsh Terrier leads the group with four wins, closely followed by the West Highland Terrier and the Wire Fox Terrier, both of which have claimed Best in Show three times.
Rounding out the podium, we have the Utility group with 15.3% of wins. This diverse group includes breeds like the Poodle, Dalmatian, and Tibetan Terrier. Most breeds in this group have been bred for a specific function not included in the sporting and working categories. The Poodle is king of the hill here with the Standard Poodle claiming four Best in Show wins and the Toy Poodle being awarded two, the same number as the Lhasa Apso.
However, let us be reminded that every breed, from the smallest 'Toy' to the largest 'Working', plays a unique role in our lives and deserves our respect and admiration. Their unwavering loyalty, intelligence, and companionship remind us of the bond between humans and dogs.
In fact, as we mentioned at the top of this piece, the Crufts 2024 Best in Show Winner hailed from the Pastoral group (now holding 8.2% of Best in Show wins) - indicating that past returns are no guarantee of future results, and this really is anyone's title for the taking. Bring on Crufts 2025.
