Jack Russell Terrier hailed nation's most obedient breed after winning 'Obreedience' final at Crufts

A team of Jack Russell Terriers won the Obreedience competition at the world's greatest dog show, Crufts on Thursday 7 March.

The Jack Russell Terrier team, named The Russellers, proved themselves more obedient than the nine other breed teams that made it to the final at Crufts, held at the NEC in Birmingham. The other finalists were as follows:

The Cool Cockers – Cocker Spaniels 

The Woodcockers – Cocker Spaniels 

The LabraPaws – Labrador Retrievers 

The Golden Acorns – Golden Retrievers 

The Wagtails – Cavalier King Charles Spaniels 

Manchesters Reunited – Manchester Terriers 

Stafford Stars – Staffordshire Bull Terriers 

Shepherd's Delight – German Shepherd Dogs 

The Clumberjacks – Clumber Spaniels 

Obreedience, an exciting team obedience competition, was introduced at Crufts in 2014 as a special display event. Now in its tenth year as an official competition, Obreedience continues to grow and entertain the crowds that come along to support their favourite breeds.

The winning team members were:

Louise Dexter with Izzy (Our Own Little Izzy Whizz) from Nuneaton, Warwickshire

Harry Friswell with Cookie (Everyone Loves a Cookie) from Nuneaton, Warwickshire

Kirsty Stuart with Ghost (Fedsig's Blithe Spirit) from Chelsfield, Kent

Anne Shuker with Scally (Scally's Skullduggery Swag) from Derbyshire

The team reserves were Sian Rees with Mable (Little Miss Tiny Temper) from Droitwich, Worcestershire and Ffion Roe with Barney (Barnes Wallis Bouncing Boy) from Newmarket, Suffolk.

The team's captain Julia Bodsworth, from Kingsbury, Warwickshire, said of the team win: "As soon as the Jack Russell was announced as a Kennel Club recognised breed in 2016, we began entering heats, qualifying for the final in our first year. This year was our seventh appearance in the Crufts final and, as team captain, I am absolutely over the moon with the result, our super little dogs were amazing. We hope we have shown that Jack Russells are very capable little dogs."

Deputy team captain, Sian Rees, from Droitwich, Worcestershire, added: "I still can't believe they actually did it. We, as a whole team, have worked so hard towards this day, but the team were absolutely amazing, they pulled out all the stops. I'm so proud of them all. This rosette has such significance for me and will be a strong reminder of what we have achieved over our time with The Russellers."

Helen Kerfoot, Crufts Show Manager, said: "Well done to all the owners and dogs of The Russellers team on an impressive win at Crufts! The team displayed a remarkable example of highly trained, obedient dogs and the bond between each dog and their owner was evident.  

"The Obreedience competition is a wonderful display that proves any breed, given the right training and socialisation, and of course patience from their human counterparts, can do well in competitive obedience. We wish the best of luck to all the breeds competing in Obreedience at the heats being held throughout 2024." 

Each Obreedience team comprised four handlers and dogs who took part in two rounds.  The first was a heelwork round completed as a group, with the dogs being assessed on their ability to complete different moves whilst remaining synchronised with their teammates. The second round featured four set exercises and each member needed to successfully complete one of the four different exercises. Points were deducted for any faults and the team with the most points won. The exercises were a retrieve (handler's own article), a send to bed, stop the dog, and scent over articles.

For further details about Obreedience, please visit The Kennel Club website thekennelclub.org.uk/obreedience.

Crufts took place from 7 - 10 March 2024 at the NEC, Birmingham. For more information and results from the show, visit crufts.org.uk.