Bruin the Clumber spaniel is topped Crufts Best in Show winner at emotional closing evening of iconic canine competitors
A Clumber spaniel has been crowned Best in Show at Crufts this year.
Four-year-old ‘diva’, Bruin, beat thousands of dogs from around the world over the past four days to claim the show’s top honour in Birmingham on Sunday.
Bruin, handled by Lee Cox, was the winner of the Gundog group earlier in the show. It is the first time a Clumber spaniel has won Best in Show since 1991.
The spaniel was chosen by judge Tamas Jakkel, beating the winners of six other groups to bag the trophy.
Mr Cox said: ‘It’s just amazing, I mean, what can I say? I can’t believe it. Thank you so much.
‘It’s just wonderful for this breed… for the first time in my life, I’m speechless.’
He added: ‘He’s just, he’s a dog of a lifetime, he really, really is. He’s very, very special. I absolutely adore him. And he adores me.’
Mr Cox then joked that ‘I think he wants to eat your microphone’, before adding ‘he’s just wonderful’.
Clumber spaniel Bruin with his handler Lee Cox pictured with the Crufts trophy
Mr Cox described four-year-old Bruin as a ‘walking cartoon character in a fluffy white coat’
A poodle wearing ski goggles poses for a picture at Crufts
An Irish Setter in its sparkly blue costume on the final day of the competition
Asked what his character is like, Mr Cox said: ‘Bit of a diva, a bit like me really, likes his own way, very chilled, but will never, ever let me down. Never lets me down.’
Earlier he described Bruin as a ‘walking cartoon character in a fluffy white coat’.
Mr Cox will receive a trophy replica and £200 in cash for winning this year’s competition.
After Claudia Winkleman handed Mr Cox the trophy, the Traitors presenter said: ‘The atmosphere, when he came out. They loved all the dogs, but this one – they loved!’
Bruin beat 18,000 other dogs to be crowned king of Crufts in Birmingham last night.
A four-year-old petit basset griffon vendeen named Meghan, from Croatia – who earlier won the Hound group – was named reserve dog.
Jannine Edgar, chief executive of the Royal Kennel Club, said: ‘Congratulations to Bruin and Lee for closing this year’s competition with a truly outstanding win and for taking home the prestigious Best in Show title.
‘Their connection and skill in the ring have shone throughout, making them thoroughly deserving champions.
What do YOU think of this year’s Crufts winner? Was Bruin a paw-fect champion?
Pictured: Pastoral Group winner Hazel, a Welsh corgi, is judged during the Best in Show competition on the final day of Crufts
An American Cocker Spaniel is judged in the Gundog Group on the final day
Dalmatians wait to be judged beside their chums
Pictured: Hound Group winner Meghan, a petit basset griffon vendeen
Pictured: Toy Group winner Dublin, a cavalier King Charles spaniel
Pictured: Utility Group winner Spencer, a miniature schnauzer
‘We also extend our congratulations to all the finalists. Each dog, handler and owner should feel extremely proud of reaching such an iconic final.
‘Crufts continues to be adored by dog lovers worldwide, and it has been wonderful to welcome so many competitors from around the globe this year.
‘We’ve celebrated the extraordinary bond between dogs and their handlers across every competition and activity.
‘Thank you to everyone involved for helping make Crufts the remarkable event that it is.’
