Crufts wrapped on Sunday with a Clumber Spaniel crowned Best in Show, triumphing over nearly 19,000 competitors. But beyond the coveted trophy, hundreds of other prizes were handed out over the four-day event, celebrating standout dogs across dozens of breeds and classes.
Ever wondered what it really takes to raise a Crufts contender? For one proud owner, whose Italian greyhounds took home two rosettes this year, it’s a true labour of love – requiring patience, dedication and no small investment of time and money.
At Crufts, the world’s largest dog show, each day focuses on a different breed groups. Dogs are judged in classes according to their age, sex and previous wins, before the very best progress to compete for top honours. On Saturday, 7 March, it was the turn of the Utility and Toy breeds to step into the ring.
Among those hoping to impress was John Athanasiou, who showed dogs with his husband, Jose Luis Centella Rodriguez. The pair entered three of their five Italian greyhounds, two of which – Gondolero and Hipolita – returned home with rosettes after placing first and third in their respective categories.
To the casual spectator, the judging process can seem surprisingly understated. With around 36 rings operating simultaneously, thousands of dogs are assessed each day. One by one, owners guide their dogs onto the green carpet, jogging a short circuit before lining up while judges carefully inspect each animal. But much of the day is spent waiting – exhibitors perched on camping chairs beside their dogs’ pens or wandering through the bustling halls until their moment in the spotlight arrives.
Behind the scenes, though, showing a dog at Crufts is not as simple as it may seem. “People think you can just enter your dog into it – you can't,” says John. Crufts isn’t an open-entry event; dogs must earn a qualification during the previous year at Kennel Club-affiliated competitions.
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“You need to go to these shows and get placed in some of them to be able to actually go into Crufts,” says John. “And you have to have a pedigree to be part of the Kennel Club. There are some real restrictions.”
John and Jose have been showing their dogs for five years now – a pastime that demands both time and money. “There are loads of competitions across the country, but most of them are actually out of London. So we have to travel around quite a lot. It's a hobby, but it's a lot of time involved,” John says.
And, unless you’re a breeder whose success in the ring boosts the value of their puppies, there’s little financial reward. “For us there's no money involved,” he adds. “In fact, it costs us an absolute fortune to go to these, because you have to get to these places, you stay overnight most of the time, and you have to pay to enter.”
Most of the real work, however, happens long before show day. Dogs are judged against detailed breed standards – from height and weight to coat condition, teeth and overall health. “They have to be the perfect example of that breed,” John explains. “They judge your dog on height, weight, teeth being clean – everything. It's a bit like a beauty show, but it's about health as well,” he says.
That means year-round care: the best dog food, grooming and training to ensure the dogs are in peak condition. “You've got to literally brush their teeth. They probably have it done more than we do,” John says, laughing.
Another challenge for show dogs is that they cannot be neutered, as it can alter both appearance and temperament. With five dogs of different sexes in the household, this requires careful management.
“You can imagine what that means,” says John. “It’s chaos.” The couple’s three female dogs come into season twice a year, each time lasting several weeks – meaning the dogs must be separated during those periods. “We’ve actually had to build another wall in the house,” he says.
So, is it all worth it? “My husband would say absolutely yes,” laughs John. “It’s not for the faint-hearted, but it's fun. I enjoy it because I get the satisfaction for him; it’s his passion.”
There’s one final quality every exhibitor needs, he adds: the ability to lose graciously. “You have to be good at losing. At the end of the day, all the dogs are amazing,” he says. “Sometimes you can really see why another dog has won. Other times… maybe I’m just being a typical parent.”
Wanda Sachs is the Multiplatform Writer for Country Living and House Beautiful, exploring the latest in gardening, wildlife and sustainable living alongside interiors and property. She is particularly interested in human-interest stories, the intersection of design and pop culture, and the evolving relationship between urban and rural life. Previously, she served as Associate Editor at The Berliner in Berlin, where she reported on culture and fashion. Wanda studied English and German at the Goethe University Frankfurt and Exeter University.
