Meet the youngest Crufts 2025 entrant - aged six - and his beloved dog from Staffordshire
A six year-old boy from Staffordshire and his beloved dog have been given the seal of approval by the world's best breeders ahead of their debut at Crufts 2025
Six-year-old Freddie Osborne is the youngest entrant in this year's Crufts at the NEC and along with his smooth fox terrier Penny will be competing against adults on Thursday afternoon (March 6).
Freddie has been given the day off from Corbett Primary School, Bobbington, such is the magnitude of his achievement qualifying for the world-famous event.
Freddie and Penny could be one of the stars of the show on Terrier Day with Channel 4 producers already approaching mum Kimberley about a possible television interview.
Confident Freddie will have friends, family and fellow terrier owners cheering him on when he enters the arena at 1pm.
Kimberley said: "Their preparations have been brilliant. We were worried he had not seen Penny for a week before Wednesday and we were worried they would be too excited to perform at the level required."
Despite the dog breeding world being synonymous with fierce competition, several of the community's grandees have shown they have a soft spot for Freddie. Judges Caroline Friend-Rees and Zena Thorn Andrews both took time to critique the boy's performance and give him invaluable advice ahead of Thursday.
Kimberley said: "He was given some great advice by veteran judges and best in class winners this weekend. He was also taught the right etiquette needed to impress the judges at Crufts.
"However, we went to the Fox Terrier Show in South Wales this weekend and it really was the perfect final preparations for Crufts. He has got his game face on and Penny looks better than she ever has before."
Freddie said: "I love dog shows and I love Penny because she's not just my dog, she's my best friend. I am really looking forward to being with her in the arena."
When Freddie and Penny qualified for Crufts last year at the Birmingham National he was five and it was at the first time of asking.
The Osbourne family breed smooth fox terriers under the kennel name Forgevale and are in partnership with Margaret Hughes from Ledbury. She had helped take terriers from the farm to the most glittering dog-walks of the canine world.
Smooth fox terriers are an endangered rare breed which should give Freddie and Penny an edge in competition. The breed mix intelligence with a friendly temperament which is ideal for children.
However, Freddie has still had to put the hours in to ensure Penny obeys his every command so they can work together like a well-oiled machine.
To find out more about Crufts and the other competitions taking place, go to the Crufts website.
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