A Gateshead couple have spoken of their joy after being crowned winners of the coveted Kennel Club Breeders’ Competition at Crufts last Friday (11 March).
Stuart and Carole Pearson who are from Leam Lane, alongside handler Scarlett Burnside (from Northern Ireland) won the ultimate breeder’s title with their team of Dalmatians, in front of a packed Resorts World Arena at Birmingham's NEC. The team also topped 39 other breeders, who all qualified for the final.
Their collective team of Kelevra dogs comprised of Kelevra What a Guy JW, Kelevra Mind Your Nebula, and Int Multi Ch & Ch Kelevra Classic Cliché JW ShCM.
Read more: Who won Best in Show at Crufts 2022? All the winners from this year's show
The competition, sponsored by Agria Pet Insurance, involved teams which accrued points at group and general championship shows in 2021. Points were compiled by Our Dogs - who published a regular leader board within their newspaper.
The judge of the final, Dr Ron James, selected Stuart and Carole’s team of Dalmatians for the prize as the breeders with the best overall quality evident in their dogs. Each team comprised three or four dogs of one breed, all bred by the same breeder or breeding partnership.
Speaking about the win, Stuart, 43, said: “We started out in 2009 and have been working towards this for years. Everything suddenly clicked and they have won everything, and now Crufts! It has been Carole’s dream to stand here on the green baize at Crufts as a winner.”
He continued: "We aren't prolific breeders, we've had seven litters of Dalmatians - so obviously compared to some kennels we don't have the numbers coming through. It was an achievement to be able to get there and do this."
He added: "To win it overall, normally I'm not stuck for words but I was speechless. There was a lot of good dogs in there It's the most dogs you'll see in the ring at one time at any show at the UK, there was around 139 dogs in there at once. It was quite a spectacle and it was an amazing achievement."
Reserve best breeder was awarded to Claire and Darren Baldock, from Essex, with their team of Newfoundlands which they breed under the Gunnersnewfs kennel name.
Crufts Show Manager, Vanessa McAlpine, added: “We are very pleased for Stuart and Carole on their excellent achievement.
"Stuart and Carole are very talented breeders who put the time and effort into developing sound breeding practices to produce healthy and happy dogs for the show ring.
"Their dogs are testament to their hard work and dedication to the breed.”
The breeders who qualified for the 2022 final at Crufts:
Mrs C & Mr D Baldock, Gunnersnewfs Newfoundlands
Ms R Bailey, Akna Canadian Eskimo Dogs
Miss T, Mr A & Mrs L Douglas, Talard Australian Shepherds
Mrs P MacLellan, Debruix Groenendael Belgian Shepherd Dogs
Ms A Walters, Goytre Border Collies
Mr S & Mrs L Naylor, Skaijak Polish Lowland Sheepdogs
Miss L Holmes, Lisjovia Pyrenean Mountain Dogs
Ms L Paterson, Eriksfjord Swedish Vallhunds
Mrs C Bamsey, Holbam Irish Terriers
Ms H Turner & Miss A MacDonald, Locheil Jack Russell Terriers
Mr C & Mrs G Knight, Talanors Manchester Terriers
Mrs R Gee, Watercroft Norfolk Terriers
Mr & Mrs S Newport, Digaden Parson Russell Terriers
Mrs V Norton, Divadell Scottish Terriers
Mrs L Lui, Eblanahalls Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers
Mr & Mrs R Foote & Miss E McAulay, Erylan Petits Bassets Griffons Vendeens
Mrs J & Miss R Cumberland, Mumysami Miniature Smooth Haired Dachshunds
Miss R Lucas & Mr C Dargonne, Packway Deerhounds
Mr K Alexander, Kansenji Rhodesian Ridgebacks
Mr S & Mrs C Pearson, Kelevra Dalmatians
Miss H Jansson, Fridlyckans Eurasiers
Ms K Andrew, Claran Mittel German Spitz
Mrs C Best-Rawlings, Trixwood Japanese Shiba Inu
Mrs K Watson-Todd, Karocolin Miniature Poodles
Ms A McDonald, Balgay Tibetan Spaniels
Mrs J & Mr S Scott, Cukoton Cotons de Tulear
Mr G Urquhart, Blackpark Maltese
Mrs R Wilkinson, Keljantzi's Miniature Pinschers
Mrs A Cawthera-Purdy, Lireva Pomeranians
Mrs K Storey, Rhodenash Pugs
Mr S & Mrs K Challis, Vizslanya Hungarian Vizslas
Mr G & Mrs C Sutherland, Carnlochan Hungarian Vizslas
Ms C O'Neill, Tenshilling Pointers
Mrs J Campbell, Ronevorg Flat Coated Retrievers
Miss C Smith, Flyenpyg Labrador Retrievers
Miss D Anstead, Riverwatcher Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers
Mrs T & Miss Westwood, Eusanit Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers
Mr P & Mrs J Fielder, Cretshengan Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers
Ms A Chandler, Chanangel Welsh Springer Spaniels
Miss J MacLaine & Mr R Dickson, Greyspirit Weimaraners
To find out more about The Kennel Club Breeders’ Competition, please click here, or alternatively email breedshows@thekennelclub.org.uk.
