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“Gentle giant” Clyde steals the show at Crufts
Image: Nigel Kirby Photography
A yellow Labrador from Wales shone on Gundog Day to take top honours in BASC’s gamekeeper classes at Crufts 2026.
The Northesk Memorial Trophy and the title of Best in Gamekeeper Classes was awarded to Tricymoedd Snipes Whisper Clyde, owned by gamekeeper Harry Lewis and Amber Williams, capping an outstanding day of competition across BASC classes at Crufts 2026.
Held earlier today, 8 March, during Gundog Day at the NEC in Birmingham, the gamekeeper classes highlight gundogs that work regularly on shoots during the season. The classes give keepers and handlers the chance to show dogs that combine correct breed type with proven ability in the field.
After the class winners were selected earlier in the day, the top dogs owned by gamekeepers went through to the main arena to compete for the overall award.
Four and a half-year-old Clyde, who handler Amber describes as a “gentle giant”, caught the judges’ attention with his athleticism, type and temperament.
Speaking after the presentation, Amber said: “I can’t believe it. He is just brilliant, both in the shooting field and in the show ring. He just loves doing what he’s doing.
“He has had a fabulous season and has been out nearly every day. He has spent 60-plus days picking up, he absolutely loves it. We have had an amazing day.”
Today’s win was another step forward for the pair, who come second in this class last year.
The trophy was presented by BASC president The Marquess of Hamilton. He said: “We’ve had a fantastic day at Crufts today and crowned a truly wonderful overall winner of BASC’s gamekeeper classes. He’s a superb looking dog who really knows what he’s doing and is clearly from great stock.”
Glynn Evans, BASC’s head of game and wildlife management, said: “The standard of dogs in the gamekeeper classes this year was excellent. These are working dogs that spend the season in the field, and Crufts gives keepers and handlers the chance to show the quality of those dogs to a wider audience.
“What stands out is the partnership between handler and dog. That relationship, built through training and work on the shoot, is what these classes are all about.”
BASC at Crufts
BASC organises the gamekeeper rings at Crufts each year. The classes are a long-standing part of Gundog Day and highlight the close working partnership between gundogs and those who train and handle them.
Entry is restricted to dogs that have worked regularly during the shooting season. This ensures the competition reflects genuine working ability as well as breed standard.
Crufts, held annually at the NEC Birmingham, is widely regarded as the world’s greatest dog show and attracts thousands of visitors from across the UK and overseas.
Congratulations to Amber Williams, Harry Lewis and Clyde, and to all those who competed in this year’s gamekeeper and working gundog classes.
A huge thank you also Skinner’s for their support of BASC’s classes at Crufts.
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