A woman from Newark has won The Kennel Club Breeders’ Competition final at Crufts, the world’s greatest dog show, on Thursday 6 March.
Rachel Salter’s team of Bearded Collies won the ultimate breeder’s title in front of a packed bp pulse LIVE arena at the NEC, beating 39 other breeders who qualified for the final.
The competition, sponsored by Agria Pet Insurance, involved teams which accrued points at group and general championship shows in 2024. Points were compiled by Our Dogs, who published a regular leader board within their newspaper.
The judge of the final, Moray Armstrong, selected Irisaddition kennel 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, Rachel said: “It means everything, and this really is a family affair. Just to be shortlisted from 40 teams was amazing… we will have a party and cake and champagne.”
Reserve best breeder was awarded to Chris and Cheryl Satherley from Staffordshire, with their team of Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers which they breed under the name Silkcroft.
Helen Kerfoot, Crufts Show Manager, said: “Many congratulations to Rachel and her Bearded Collies for this prestigious achievement. Rachel is clearly a talented breeder who has put a lot of time and effort into developing sound breeding practices to produce healthy and happy dogs for the show ring. Her dogs are testament to her hard work and dedication to the breed.”
Sarah White, Breeder Channel Manager at Agria Pet Insurance, added: “Well done Rachel on winning this prestigious title. It takes such an incredible amount of dedication, care and passion to be among the UK’s most responsible and successful breeders, and the Breeders’ Competition truly showcases this. It was wonderful to see all the different teams competing at qualifying championship shows throughout the year – congratulations to everyone that made it to the final at Crufts.”
To find out more about the Kennel Club Breeders’ Competition, please visit crufts.org.uk/dog-
The following breeders qualified for the 2025 final at Crufts:
Terrier
Wire Fox Terrier, Mrs D & Mrs L Hughes and Ford (Alkinra)
Manchester Terrier, Mr C & Mrs G Knight (Talanors)
Norfolk Terrier, Mrs R Gee (Watercroft)
Scottish Terrier, Ms V Norton (Divadell)
Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier, Mrs C Satherley (Silkcroft)
Hound
Afghan Hound, Ms T & Mrs J Gosling & Mrs N Humphreys (Ayoubkhan)
Basenji, Ms S Dunsdon (Mawali)
Basset Griffon Vendeen, (Petit) Mr R & Mrs G Foote & Miss E McAulay (Erylan)
Dachshund (Miniature Smooth Haired), Mrs & Miss Cumberland (Mumysami)
Harrier, Ms C Farrar (Henissy)
Irish Wolfhound, Miss W Heather (Whiteorchard)
Whippet, Mrs K Williams (Tigsisle)
Toy
Coton De Tulear, Mrs J & Mr S Scott (Cukoton)
Italian Greyhound, Ms J Amsel (Artmeis)
Pomeranian, Mrs A Cawthera-Purdy (Lireva)
Pug, Ms J Dawson-Payne (Judamie)
Russian Toy, Ms S Harrison (Russiandream)
Utility
Miniature Schnauzer, Miss L & Mr J Parker & McDonald (Violis)
Poodle (Miniature), Mrs K Watson-Todd (Karocolin)
Tibetan Spaniel, Mrs A McDonald (Balgay)
Tibetan Spaniel, Mrs P Smith (Torfness)
Gundog
German Wirehaired Pointer, Mr & Mrs M McCoullogh (Kimmax)
Hungarian Vizsla, Mr S & Mrs K Challis (Vizslanya)
Hungarian Vizsla, Mr P Watson (Oakswarren)
Retriever (Chesapeake Bay), Mrs K Watts (Oakmarsh
Retriever (Curly Coated), Ms L Moskowitz (Ravenho)
Retriever (Flat Coated), Mrs J Campbell (Ronevorg)
Retriever (Labrador), Mrs C Smith (Flyenpyg)
Retriever (Nova Scotia Duck Tolling), Mrs T & Miss S Westwood (Eusanit)
Spaniel (Welsh Springer), Mrs A Chandler (Chanangel)
Working
Alaskan Malamute, Mrs S and Miss L Perfitt (Samjoe)
Canadian Eskimo Dog, Miss S Aktins (Qimugta)
Canadian Eskimo Dog, Ms R Bailey (Akna)
Mastiff, Mr S J & Mrs T J Coulman-Hole (Womlu)
Portuguese Water Dog, Mrs C S Thompson-Morgan & Mr E Morgan (Belleville)
Siberian Husky, Mrs K Hughes (Siberiadrift)
Siberian Husky, Miss A Bryson (Inukshuk)
Bearded Collie, Ms R Salter (Irisaddition)
Polish Lowland Sheepdog, Mrs L & Mr S Naylor (Skaijak)
Shetland Sheepdog, Miss K Robinson (Lavika)
Crufts takes place from 6 – 9 March 2025 at the NEC, Birmingham. For more information and results from the show, visit crufts.org.uk.
