First-timer wins keepers’ classes at Crufts 2024

A four-year-old labrador retriever competing at his first Crufts headed BASC’s gamekeepers’ classes. Owned by Emma Bamford and her gamekeeper husband Nathan, Tweed (Nithvalley Tweed at Foxhope) beat five other finalists to claim the Northesk Memorial Trophy, awarded to the top individual dogs owned by keepers.

Emma told ST: “To put into words what it’s like to win anything with your dog is difficult, let alone win at Crufts in the main arena against some amazing advocates of working dog breeds. This was Tweed’s first show, and I hoped his personality and temperament would mean he would find it fun around the crowds and fun he did find it. What a show-off.”

Hendricks, a weimaraner from South Lanarkshire, won the gundog group title. Hendricks (Sh Ch Gunalt Hendricks), who turned five last week, was previously named the best puppy at Crufts in 2020. 

He and his co-owner David Alcorn were presented with their trophy by the Defra Secretary Steve Barclay at Birmingham’s NEC. 

David, who co-owns Hendricks with Gavin Ingram, said: “It’s a huge field of competition and Hendricks is relatively young dog so I’m not sure when this will sink in. He’s a great dog to live with and very chilled out. He loves showing and loves the big events.”