Five-year-old Basenji cross and owner from Outwell to head to Crufts 2026

A dog and its owner from Outwell are heading to Crufts next year to compete in the semi-finals.

Zuri, a five-year-old Basenji cross owned by Phillip Parks, was recently named the winner of the ‘Prettiest Crossbreed’ class in a regional heat for Scruffts, the annual crossbreed competition run by The Kennel Club.

The pair will now go on to compete in the semi-final stages hosted at the world’s most famous dog show, Crufts, in March next year.

The Scruffts heat, the first of six to be held this year, took place at Newark Showground as part of the All About Dogs Show.

The competition attracted crossbreeds and their owners from all over the region, but just four have made it through to the next stage, earning them a place in the semi-final stages at Crufts.

The overall winners of the semi-final will then have the chance to compete in the final, also at Crufts next year.

Speaking after their win, Phillip said: “We are so surprised and over the moon. We never thought our little rescue street dog would be going to Scruffts.”

The Scruffts Family Crossbreed Dog of the Year competition is open to all crossbreeds and mixed breed dogs, of all shapes, sizes, and age – as long as they are over six months.

Judging the competitors on the day was Lisa Bassett, who had the tough decision of choosing just one winner for each of the four classes - Most Handsome Crossbreed Dog, Prettiest Crossbreed Bitch, Golden Oldie Crossbreed and the Good Citizen Dog Training scheme class.

All dogs competing were judged against the following qualities:

• Good character

• Good health

• Good personality

• Good temperament with people and other dogs

The four class winners are now preparing to compete at next year's Crufts show, which will be held at the NEC Birmingham, where the judges will be making the difficult decision of choosing the Scruffts Family Crossbreed Dog of the Year.

Ultimately, the four category finalists at next year’s Scruffts grand final will each win a year’s supply of James Wellbeloved food for their dog.

Sonja Hartomo, European brand manager, said: “Congratulations to our four outstanding semi-finalists who have secured their places at Crufts next year.

“It was a brilliant day in Newark, and we were thoroughly impressed by everyone who took part.

“At James Wellbeloved, we’re incredibly proud to be the exclusive supporter of Scruffts, and we can’t wait to see how our semi-finalists get on at Crufts.”