Scruffts, sponsored by James Wellbeloved, is the nation’s favourite crossbreed competition and is a great way to enjoy time with your dog and family! While the emphasis is on fun, Scruffts also seeks to stress important messages relating to responsible dog ownership.
Find out everything you need to know below about eligibility, competing and entering a Scruffts heat.
Eligibility for entry
- Scruffts is a competition for crossbreed dogs only. (As of 1 April 2016, The Kennel Club has recognised the Jack Russell Terrier as a pedigree breed. Therefore Jack Russell Terriers who are fully registered with The Kennel Club will not be eligible for Scruffts)
- Dogs must be over 6 months of age to enter a Scruffts class
- 1st place winners in each class are eligible for the semi final at Crufts
- Dogs over 12 years of age who wish to enter the class golden oldie will be subject to the show organisers’ discretion
- Under the law docked dogs are not permitted to enter Scruffts
- Scruffts rosettes will be awarded to 1st, 2nd and 3rd places in each class. However, in the event of a 1st place winner not being able to attend the final, or having already qualified, then 2nd place winners will be invited to attend in their place
- Classes may be restricted to 40 per class, dependent on show organisers/ring programmes or other factors, including the weather
- It is Crufts regulation that dyed dogs are not permitted to compete at the show, therefore any dyed dogs entering any Scruffts heats would not be able to proceed further in the competition
No dog present in the Scruffts competition should ever have been subject to a Court Control Order or a Contingent Destruction Order under the Dogs Act 1871 or the 1991 Dangerous Dogs Act. The dog owner may be required to assist The Kennel Club in verification of this aspect from time to time.
How to enter heats 2023
Payment will be taken on the day of the event with entry being £2 per class*. Due to restrictions, we will only be accepting 40 dogs per class.
Classes
- Most Handsome Crossbreed Dog (6 months – 8 years)
- Prettiest Crossbreed Bitch (6 months – 8 years)
- Golden Oldie Crossbreed (8+ years)
- GCDS Crossbreed Class (for entrants that have a GCDS certificate at any level)
*This does not cover entry to the event itself. Please see event websites below for entry information.
Finalists from heats in 2023
The following have qualified for the Scruffts finals at Crufts 2024 by gaining first place in their class at their heat.
Owner | Dog | Class | Qualified |
Liz Smith | Fergus | Most Handsome Dog | Newbury Showground |
Loren Esling | Lola | Prettiest Bitch | Newbury Showground |
Sarah Searby | Tully | Golden Oldie | Newbury Showground |
Sammi Pickett | Rocky | Good Citizen Dog Scheme | Newbury Showground |
Tom Bryans | Ziggy | Most Handsome Dog | Newark Showground |
Kim Everson | Mimi | Prettiest Bitch | Newark Showground |
Claire Whitehead | Diesel | Golden Oldie | Newark Showground |
Jenni Collins | Zara | Good Citizen Dog Scheme | Newark Showground |
Graham | Duke | Most Handsome Dog | Hylands Park |
Charlotte Hartnell | Gypsy | Prettiest Bitch | Hylands Park |
Jaylee Prince | Toto | Golden Oldie | Hylands Park |
Gemma Varga | Tabitha | Good Citizen Dog Scheme | Hylands Park |
Samantha Macdonald | Bane | Most Handsome Dog | Trentham Gardens |
Catherine Dolan | Violet | Prettiest Bitch | Trentham Gardens |
Tracey Ison | Scout | Golden Oldie | Trentham Gardens |
Georgia Hatton | Hoddy | Good Citizen Dog Scheme | Trentham Gardens |
Eve Norton | Buck | Most Handsome Dog | Detling Showground |
Carol Ashby | Dove | Prettiest Bitch | Detling Showground |
Romayne Goymer | Rufus | Golden Oldie | Detling Showground |
Lyn Freeman | Marnie | Good Citizen Dog Scheme | Detling Showground |
Samantha Sibbald | William | Most Handsome Dog | Royal Higlands Showground |
Adele Davidson | Asha | Prettiest Bitch | Royal Higlands Showground |
Alison Shields | Sparky | Golden Oldie | Royal Higlands Showground |
Maureen Taylor | Basher | Good Citizen Dog Scheme | Royal Higlands Showground |
2023 heats for finals being held at Crufts 2024
Heats are held throughout the year around the country, in search of crossbreeds with that extra special something. They’re supported by pet food makers James Wellbeloved.
Show and Location | Date, Registration from and Judging starts |
Newbury - All About Dogs Shows Newbury Showground, Hermitage, Thatcham, RG18 9QZ |
16 April 2023 11am 12:30pm |
Newark Showground, Newark, Notts, NG24 2NY |
23 April 2023 11am 12:30pm |
Hylands Park - All About Dogs Shows Hylands Park, Greenbury Way, Chelmsford, Essex, CM2 8FS |
30 April 2023 11am 12:30pm |
The Big Bark In The Park - A Doggy Day Out Trentham Estate, Stone Rd, Trentham, Stoke-on-Trent ST4 8JG |
21 May 2023 11am 12:30pm |
The Kent Showground, Delting, Kent, ME14 3JF |
17 September 2023 11am 12:30pm |
Scottish Kennel Club Championship Show The Royal Highland Showground, Ingliston, Edinburgh, EH28 8NB |
1 October 2023 11am 12:30pm |
Hot weather
- If your dog looks like they’re struggling in the heat, head to the nearest shaded area (this includes our marquee) and alert a member of the show organiser team. Owners should be aware of the signs of heat stress and how to keep your dog cool. Some dogs are more prone than others (e.g. those with short, flat faces, overweight, old or young dogs, as well as those with thick coats)
- Be aware of the signs of overheating in dogs, which include panting, disorientation, excessive thirst, dark gums, vomiting, diarrhoea and losing consciousness
- In the event that the events team and the trainers feel the conditions are not conducive to dogs’ welfare, we reserve the right to cancel the event at short notice
Contact us
If you have any queries, please call the Scruffts hotline number (01296 318540), which is open from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. Alternatively, please email scruffts@thekennelclub.org.uk.