The winner of the prestigious Best in Show winner at Crufts 2024 was confirmed on Sunday evening (March 10).
Thousands of dog lovers have attended the event at Birmingham's NEC over the last few days and the competition’s Best in Show winner was confirmed this year as Viking, the Australian Shepherd, with handler Melanie Raymond from Solihull.
Jack Russell Terrier, Zen, came in second place with his handlers Kao Miichi and Hiroshi Tsukuki.
The Best in Show event saw the seven finalists competing to win the big prize. The winners of the Gundog, Working, Pastoral, Terrier, Hound, Utility and Toy dogs categories were competing for the Best in Show title.
The winners of their categories and the finalists for this year’s Best in Show 2023, were:
- Utility: Dean and Abbie Cund from Birmingham won the Utility group with Elton, their French Bulldog.
- Toy Group: Asha Maria from Iceland with Rafa, a Papillon, won the Toy group
- Gundog: Hendricks, a Weimaraner from Biggar and his owner David Alcorn
- Pastoral: Viking, Ch Brighttouch Drift The Line Through Dialynne (Imp Rus), an Australian Shepherd
- Working: Kerry Rushby and Lee Studholme from Great Yarmouth with Neville a Leonberger
- Terrier: Kao Miichi and Hiroshi Tsukuki from Japan won with Zen, their Jack Russell Terrier
- Hound: Ch Forget-Me-Not V Tum-Tum's Vriendjes, Basset Griffon Vendeen
Here are some of the best photos of the winner and finalists from final day
1. Winner of Best in Show, the Australian Shepherd, "Viking" with handler Melanie Raymond and runner-up, the Jack Russell, "Zen" with handler Hiroshi Tsuyuki pose for photographs at the trophy presentation for the Best in Show event on the final day of the Crufts dog show at the National Exhibition Centre
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2. Zen (Ch Original Master's Voice Lovesong Monamour), a Jack Russell Terrier, aged nine, co-owned by Hiroshi Tsuyuki and Kao Michi from Japan wins Reserve Best In Show during Crufts 2024 at NEC Arena on on March 10, 2024 in Birmingham, England. Over 24,000 dogs from 220 different breeds take part in Crufts 2024 with hundreds of the most agile and athletic dogs competing in different competitions including agility and flyball and, new for this year, Hoopers - a low-impact and inclusive activity for dogs and owners. The event culminates in the Best in Show 2024 trophy, awarded on Sunday night
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3. Melanie Raymond and Viking (Ch Brighttouch Drift The Line Through Dialynne), an Australian Shepherd, aged three, co-owned by Melanie Raymond, John Shaw and Kerry Kirtley from Solihull, Birmingham win Best in Show during Crufts 2024 at NEC Arena on March 10, 2024 in Birmingham, England. Over 24,000 dogs from 220 different breeds take part in Crufts 2024 with hundreds of the most agile and athletic dogs competing in different competitions including agility and flyball and, new for this year, Hoopers - a low-impact and inclusive activity for dogs and owners. The event culminates in the Best in Show
Getty Images
4. Viking (Ch Brighttouch Drift The Line Through Dialynne), an Australian Shepherd, aged three, co-owned by Melanie Raymond, John Shaw and Kerry Kirtley from Solihull, Birmingham wins Best in Show during Crufts 2024 at NEC Arena on March 10, 2024 in Birmingham, England. Over 24,000 dogs from 220 different breeds take part in Crufts 2024 with hundreds of the most agile and athletic dogs competing in different competitions including agility and flyball and, new for this year, Hoopers - a low-impact and inclusive activity for dogs and owners. The event culminates in the Best in Show 2024 trophy, awarded on Sunday night
Getty Images