Betty, a three-year-old, Norfolk Terrier/Whippet cross from Wem, Shropshire, owned by eleven-year-old Ollie Irwin, has been named the winner of the ‘Prettiest Bitch’ 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 2026.
The Scruffts heat, the second of six to be held this year, took place at The West Midlands Showground, Shrewsbury as part of the Shropshire County Agricultural 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 2026. The overall winners of the semi-final will then have the chance to compete in the final, also at Crufts 2026.
Speaking of their win, Ollie’s dad Lee said: “We’re absolutely overwhelmed and ecstatic with the result. Qualifying for Crufts is a dream come true, and we’re incredibly proud of everything Betty and Ollie have achieved. It’s truly a fantastic feeling.”
The Scruffts Family Crossbreed Dog of the Year competition, exclusively supported by pet food makers James Wellbeloved, 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 Mandy Kent 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 Crufts 2026, which will be held at the NEC Birmingham next March, where the judges will be making the difficult decision of choosing the Scruffts Family Crossbreed Dog of the Year.
Throughout the year, heats of the popular Scruffts contest, which is exclusively supported by pet food makers James Wellbeloved, are taking place at events around the country in search of crossbreeds with that extra special something.
The four class winners from each heat will receive delicious goodies from James Wellbeloved, the sponsor of Scruffts, and 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 at Shropshire County Agricultural Show 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.”
For more information on the Scruffts Family Crossbreed Dog of the Year competition, please visit crufts.org.uk/scruffts.
Betty and Ollie Irwin.
Picture credit Alan Doyle and The Kennel Club.
