North Yorkshire woman crowned UK's best dog breeder at Crufts
A woman from Goole, North Yorkshire has won The Kennel Club Breeders' Competition final at Crufts, the world's greatest dog show, on Friday 8 March.
Cathy Thompson-Morgan won the ultimate breeder title, in front of a packed Resorts World Arena at the NEC, alongside her team of Belleville Portuguese Water Dogs. The team beat 42 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 2023. The competition is fully supported throughout the year by Our Dogs, the weekly canine newspaper, including the compilation of results.
The judge of the final, Sharon Pinkerton, selected Cathy Thompson-Morgan's team of Portuguese Water Dogs as the dogs with the best overall quality. Each team comprised three or four dogs of one breed, all bred by the same breeder or breeding partnership.
Speaking about the win, Cathy said: "I can't believe it. I was just happy to be shortlisted but to win it is amazing."
Reserve best breeder was awarded to Heidi Parsons, from Leicestershire with their team of Rhodesian Ridgebacks which she breeds under the Priorpark kennel name.
Helen Kerfoot, Crufts Show Manager, said: "Many congratulations to Cathy and her team of Belleville Portuguese Water Dogs for this prestigious achievement. Cathy 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 Cathy and her Belleville Portuguese Water Dogs on winning this prestigious title. The Breeders' competition has truly become the jewel in the showing world. It was wonderful to see all the different teams competing at qualifying championship shows throughout the year and 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-exhibitors or email breedshows@thekennelclub.org.uk.
The following breeders qualified for the 2024 final at Crufts:
Utility
Lhasa Apso, Mr T and Mrs Poole (Domensa)
Miniature Schnauzer, Misses RL and LM Woods (Penbro)
Tibetan Spaniel, Mrs A McDonald (Balgay)
Tibetan Spaniel, Mrs P Smith (Torfness)
Xoloitzcuintle, Mrs H Wright (Sangrereal)
Toys
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Mr AM & Mrs CA Rhodes (Calonlan)
Coton De Tulear, Mrs J & Mr S Scott (Cukoton)
Italian Greyhound, Mrs JB Amsel (Artmeis)
Pomeranian, Mrs AL Cawthera-Purdy (Lireva)
Pug, Mrs K Storey (Rhodenash)
Gundog
Bracco Italiano, Mrs L Bowley (Gunsyn)
German Shorthaired Pointer, Mrs ZM Sielski (Orchidstar)
German Wirehaired Pointer, Mr PF & Mrs M McCullough (Kimmax)
Hungarian Vizsla, Mr S & Mrs KM Challis (Vizslanya)
Pointer, Ms CJ O'Neill (Tenshilling)
Retriever (Chesapeake Bay), Miss K Watts (Oakmarsh)
Retriever (Curly Coated), Mrs AL & Dr MJ Moskowitz (Ravenho)
Retriever (Flat Coated), Mrs JB Campbell (Ronevorg)
Retriever (Labrador), Mrs CM Smith (Flyenpyg)
Retriever (Nova Scotia Duck Tolling), Mrs T & Miss S Westwood (Eusanit)
Spaniel (Irish Water), Mrs JL Carruthers (Stanegate)
Spaniel (Welsh Springer), Mrs AR Chandler (Chanangel)
Working
Alaskan Malamute, Mrs S and Miss L Perfitt (Samjoe)
Canadian Eskimo Dog, Ms RE Bailey (Akna)
Canadian Eskimo Dog, Miss SM Atkins (Qimugta)
Newfoundland, Mrs C & Mr D Baldock (Gunnersnewfs)
Portuguese Water Dog, Mrs CS Thompson-Morgan (Belleville)
Siberian Husky, Miss AV Bryson (Inukshuk)
Pastoral
Bearded Collie, Mrs L and Mr N Bevis (Beabeardies)
Bearded Collie, Mrs RL Salter (Irisaddition)
Briard, Mrs C Foster (Fostebrie)
Catalan Sheepdog, Mrs TJ & Mrs AM Fieldsend (Starwell)
Terrier
Irish Terrier, Mrs CM Bamsey (Holbam)
Manchester Terrier, Mr C & Mrs G Knight (Talanors)
Scottish Terrier, Mrs VR Norton (Divadell)
Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier, Mr CW & Mrs CL Satherley (Silkcroft)
Hound
Basset Griffon Vendeen (Petit), Mr R & Mrs G Foote & Miss E McAuley (Erylan)
Dachshund (Miniature Smooth Haired), Miss R & Mrs J Cumberland (Mumysami)
Greyhound, Mrs B & Mr P Primavera (Sobers)
Harrier, Miss C Farrah (Henissy)
Irish Wolfhound, Miss W Heather (Whiteorchard)
Rhodesian Ridgeback, Mrs H Parsons (Priorpark)
Whippet, Mrs K Williams (Tigsisle)
Crufts took place from 7 - 10 March 2024 at the NEC, Birmingham. For more information and results from the show, visit crufts.org.uk.
