Have a beaters’ day to remember
BASC’s Julia Newman shares her top tips for enjoying your beaters’ day this year, a highlight in the shooting calendar for all involved.
Entries open for BASC’s working dog classes at Crufts 2026
Entries are open for BASC’s working dog classes at Crufts 2026, which take place in the gamekeepers’ rings on Gundog Day, Sunday 8 March 2026.
The gamekeepers’ rings offer a chance for working gundogs to show the steadiness and training instilled in the field. Classes include breed-specific sections for gamekeepers’ dogs, dedicated working dog classes and a team event for dogs and handlers from the same shoot.
The young handler section is always a highlight. It gives junior competitors the chance to experience the unmatched atmosphere of Crufts, while demonstrating their skills in presenting their dogs to the judges.
Every dog taking part must have worked during the shooting season, a unique feature of the classes which ensures they reflect genuine field experience. Check out the full programme for 2026 Gundog Day.
Glynn Evans, BASC’s head of game and wildlife management, said: “Crufts continues to be an outstanding platform for celebrating working gundogs. A highlight in BASC’s calendar each year, it also gives the wider public a chance to see the unique attributes of working gundogs in their prime.”
BASC working gundog classes at Crufts 2026 are open to gundogs that have worked in the field throughout the season. Please note that docked dogs are not permitted to be exhibited at Crufts.
Full details on eligibility, classes and how to enter can be found here.
Images by: Nigel Kirby
Share
What’s in your kennel?
BASC staff members own – or have owned – a variety of gundog breeds. We asked a handful of them about their dogs’ quirks and characters…
BASC Women in Shooting: a summer of growth
This summer has been a landmark season for BASC Women in Shooting, bringing together record-breaking events and promising an exciting future.