Peri and River sail to success at Crufts
A Welsh springer spaniel has been crowned overall winner of the BASC gamekeepers’ classes on Gundog Day at Crufts 2023.
- - Features
- - Features
For the love of dogs
Terry Behan reflects on his first ever visit to Crufts, and the ability of gundogs to bridge the divide between those who shoot and those who don’t.
To me, dogs are among life’s greatest gifts. Their loyalty is unwavering, their companionship constant and their presence a source of joy.
My affection for dogs should come as no surprise; I was raised in a home where they were not merely pets, but part of the fabric of family life. From lurchers and terriers to English Springer Spaniels and the occasional crossbreed, there was always a dog nearby, always a wagging tail at the door, always a steadfast companion at one’s side.
When I was young, my father was a gamekeeper. He often told me that he could not do his job without his dog. At the time, I remember thinking, really? It was only later, in the years when he no longer had a dog beside him, that I truly understood what he meant.
I watched his passion for shooting begin to fade, not because his love for the countryside had diminished, but because something vital was missing. “It’s just not the same,” he would say. And it was true. Without his dog, the team was incomplete.
Not just an accessory
Now, having dogs of my own, I understand that feeling more deeply than ever. I hate being in the field without my dog by my side. On the occasions when I have gone without one, I have enjoyed it far less. A good dog brings something irreplaceable: purpose, partnership and a quiet understanding that cannot be replicated.
In the shooting field, a dog is not an accessory. It is a companion, a colleague and, very often, the very soul of the day.
Gundogs and gamekeepers have gone hand in hand for generations. Their relationship is woven into the history of game shooting itself.
More than that, dogs are one of the great unifiers. Much like food, they have a remarkable ability to bring people together, to soften perceptions and to bridge the divide between those who shoot and those who do not.
United by a love of dogs
I saw this for myself recently when I visited Crufts for the first time on Gundog Day. The eight halls of the NEC were filled from wall to wall with every imaginable thing connected to dogs. It was an extraordinary sight.
Yet what impressed me most was not the scale of the event, nor even the variety of breeds on display, but the atmosphere. For the most part, every dog was under control. There was no conflict, no chaos, and not a hint of hostility between owners or dogs.
Instead, there was unbridled happiness. Everyone involved looked genuinely delighted to be there, sharing the occasion with their dogs.
The scene was uplifting. People of all ages, from all walks of life, united by their love of dogs. Families watched proudly, competitors congratulated one another and the affection between people and their dog was plain to see.
Immaculate show attire, beautifully groomed dogs, beaming faces, cheers, laughter and photographs. It was not simply an event, but a celebration.
I asked a member of the BASC team what the event meant to him, and his answer stayed with me. He said he loved seeing people dressed in their tweeds, laughing and cuddling their dogs, and cheering each other on.
He added that for those who had never encountered a gamekeeper, occasions like this might prompt a moment of realisation: these shooting people are normal. They love their dogs. They remind us of family, of tradition, of grandfathers, mothers and fathers, and of values that are timeless. That struck a chord with me. It reminded me instantly of my own father, and of all his dogs meant to him.
The power of a dog
Crufts demonstrates something profoundly important: dogs transcend difference. Regardless of breed, background or opinion, people love dogs. Whether one shoots or not becomes secondary in their presence. In a time when the shooting community faces increasing challenge and scrutiny, that matters.
Dogs may well be one of the keys to opening hearts, changing minds and inviting new audiences to see our world in a different light. The positive visibility generated by Crufts, with BASC at the forefront representing the shooting community, is a genuine triumph.
Through simple conversations about dogs, barriers may have been lowered without anyone even realising it. Hearts may have softened. Minds may have changed.
And perhaps that is the quiet power of dogs: not only to enrich our lives, but to bring people together in ways few other things can.
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Terry Behan
Terry Behan is BASC’s deputy director of shooting and operations. The son of a gamekeeper, Terry is a lifelong shooter. He is passionate about working his springer spaniels, as well as pigeon shooting and deer management. In addition, Terry is a chartered surveyor and housing practitioner.
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