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BASC at Crufts

The gamekeepers' ring at Crufts

BASC has a long history at Crufts and runs the renowned gamekeepers’ ring at the show, celebrating the best working gundogs in the country. Historically, this class was the backdrop to the Gamekeepers’ Association AGM and signalled the end of the shooting season. 

While the AGM no longer takes place at the show, the focal point in the calendar remains, and Crufts has become an important showcase for the breadth and quality of working gundogs in our sport.

Attracting a huge visitor and international broadcast audience, Crufts provides us with a fantastic opportunity to highlight and celebrate working gundogs to an audience who may not be aware of the great work they do.

As well as breed classes for working dogs and gamekeepers’ dogs, BASC classes include gamekeeper teams and working gundog teams, plus the ever-popular young handler classes where youngsters get their chance to show dogs that have worked throughout the season. 

Whether you’re competing or spectating, Crufts is the pinnacle of the dog show world, a fantastic day out and a wonderful opportunity to see our working gundogs in the spotlight.

Order of Judging

BASC Gamekeeper Rings 8 March Crufts 2026

*Please note the following may be subject to change*

Ring 35 - Order of judging 2026

Gamekeeper only and Young Handler classes

Start Time	Class No	Breed
9:00	3206	Any Variety Pointer, Setter, HPR for Gamekeepers
9:40	3209	English Springer Spaniel for Gamekeepers
9.50	3218	Any Other Variety Retriever for Gamekeepers
10:30	3212	Any Other Variety Sporting Spaniel for Gamekeepers
10:45	3222	Any Variety Gundog owned by a retired Gamekeeper
11.00	3215	Labrador Retriever for Gamekeepers
11:45	3225	Best Young Handler 14-18 years
12.20	3224	Best Young Handler under 14s
13.00	3221	BASC Regional Gamekeeper Team Competition
13.40	Lunch

Only winners of the classes marked in Green above go through to the grand final

Ring 25 - Order of judging 2026

Working gundog classes (Dogs)

Start Time	Class No	Breed
9:05	3216	Labrador retriever- Dog
	3216	Labrador retriever- Dog
10.55	3219	Any Other Variety Retriever – Dog
12.00	3210	English Springer Spaniel – Dog
12.20	3207	Any Variety Pointer, Setter, HPR – Dog
13.00		LUNCH
14:00	3213	Any Other Variety Sporting Spaniel – Dog
14.45	3223	BASC Regional Working Gundog Team

Ring 26 - Order of judging 2026

Working gundog classes (Bitches)

Start Time	Class No	Breed
9:00	3220	Any Other Variety Retriever – Bitch
10:05	3208	Any Variety Pointer, Setter, HPR – Bitch
11:20	3214	Any Other Variety Sporting Spaniel – Bitch
12.00	3211	English Springer Spaniel – Bitch
12:15		LUNCH
13:00	3217	Labrador Retriever- Bitch
	3217	Labrador Retriever- Bitch
14.45	3223	BASC Regional Working Gundog Team

Trophy presentation in ring 25 at 15.55

If any entrant requires assistance, please email gundogs@basc.org.uk

Or Call or text either 07753 896909 or 07825097699

Competing at Crufts

Entry to BASC’s classes at Crufts is restricted to gundogs that have worked on shoots on a regular basis throughout the season. Dogs entered in the gamekeeper (including working dogs) classes do not have to qualify for entry into a breed class.

If your dog was docked either in the UK or in a foreign country on or after 6 April 2007 it will not, under the law, be permitted to be shown at Crufts.

If you are interested in showing your working dog, there are training days and competitions held across the UK suitable for beginners right through to professional level, and it’s another great way of focusing your training with your gundog and meeting like-minded people. 

How are the dogs judged?

BASC’s classes are for working gundogs, and therefore they are judged differently from the breed classes you’ll see elsewhere at the show. 

Every dog is judged to the breed standard, but the judges also take into account attributes important to their role as a working dog such as conformation. Judging the dogs beyond their breed standard, taking into account these further considerations makes the Gamekeepers’ classes unique in their format.

The winners from each gamekeeper class will be judged again in the main ring to find the winner of the Best in Gamekeeper Classes. The overall winner is presented with the prestigious Northesk Memorial Trophy.

Find out more about Crufts here.

Meet the judges

Find out about more about our judges for BASC's working gundog classes at Crufts 2026.

FAQs

What are the gamekeeper rings at Crufts?

These rings are organised by BASC. Collectively known as the gamekeepers’ rings, we hold classes for working dogs that regularly work on shoots as well as classes restricted to working dogs owned by gamekeepers. These classes have a long history at Crufts, which was once the backdrop for the Gamekeepers’ Association AGM.

How do I enter?

Entries open on Tuesday 25 November. Entry is made through Fosse Data, details of which can be found on the Crufts webpage. You can either complete the online form or submit your entry by post.

The Schedule will provide information such as the number(s) of the class(es) you may wish to enter, provided you meet the criteria. As part of the form, there is a declaration that must be completed, either giving details of employment (for gamekeepers) or the details of the shoot you attend most frequently.

If you need any assistance with your application, please contact gundogs@basc.org.uk or telephone 01244 573019 in plenty of time before the deadlines.

What are the different classes and does my dog need to qualify for a breed class?

Dogs entered in the gamekeeper (including working gundog) classes do not need to qualify for entry into a breed class. However, they must be regularly worked in the shooting field, and owners are required to complete a declaration on the entry form to confirm this.

There are also breed classes for working dogs, restricted to those owned by gamekeepers.

In addition, there are team classes and classes for young handler classes (for handlers under 14 years, and those aged 14–18 years inclusive).

Who can enter the gamekeeper only classes?

The gamekeeper classes are strictly limited to gundog owners who are either currently employed or retired from a bona fide, paid position as a head, single-handed, beat, or under/apprentice keeper, river keeper, stalker, or an equivalent role under an alternative title (for example, estate warden or wildlife ranger).

Eligibility for retired gamekeepers extends to those who have completed a minimum of two seasons in such a role and have since left the profession due to retirement, ill health, career change, or another valid reason.

New for this year: To provide clarity and consistency: since there is no official retirement age and some gamekeepers may leave the profession for various reasons before taking up other roles, a minimum qualifying period of two seasons has now been introduced to define eligibility for retired gamekeepers.

Please note as a retired gamekeeper you may enter the breed specific gamekeeper classes OR the class specifically for retired gamekeepers but not both

Can I enter more than one dog in class?

Yes, but each dog must have a separate handler.

What happens on the day?

Taking part in Crufts, particularly for the first time, is a very exciting experience and there is no need to feel intimidated by the day. We have produced some specific advice for first time entrants. You can read this here.

My dog has a docked tail; can I compete at Crufts?

If your dog was docked either in the UK or in a foreign country on or after 6 April 2007 it will not, under the law, be permitted to be shown at Crufts.