'Good Citizen' Ozzy the crossbreed dog will help put the Black Country on the map at Crufts 2026
The West Midlands will be represented at Crufts 2026 by a 'super sociable' four-legged friend.
Oswald, a one-year-old Golden Retriever/Poodle cross from Stourbridge, has been named the winner of the ‘Good Citizen Dog Training scheme’ class in a regional heat for Scruffts, the annual crossbreed competition run by The Kennel Club.
Along with owner Philippa Bailey, 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 in Shrewsbury as part of the Shropshire County Show and attracted crossbreeds and their owners from all over the region.
Only four have made it through to the next stage, earning them a place in the semi-final stages at Crufts 2026, while the overall winners of the semi-final will then have the chance to compete in the final, also at Crufts 2026.
Speaking after their win, Philippa said: “I’m proud of Ozzy and I’m excited to take him to Crufts. He’s super sociable so he’ll love it!”
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 old).
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 based on their character, health, personality and 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 contests 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 food for their dog.
James Wellbeloved European brand manager Sonja Hartomo 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, visit crufts.org.uk/scruffts.
