Canine society 'proud' after holding successful Crufts 2025 qualifier

Carlisle and District Canine Society, which has been running dog-related events since 1943, held its latest show on Saturday, April 20 at Greenland Equestrian Centre.

Greenland Equestrian Centre began steadily filling with dogs and owners from 8am (Image: Matthew O'Hara/NQ)The Premier Open Show was attended by over 1,400 dog owners with 864 dogs competing for places at Crufts 2025 and prize money in the stakes classes. 

Dogs of all shapes and sizes featured in the show with many owners picking up rosettes for their prized pooches, however, in the end, it was the Belgian Shepherd that was crowned 'best in show' with a Dobermann named 'reserve best in show'

The 'best in show' Belgian Shepherd. (Image: Matthew O'Hara/NQ)Pamela MacLellan, Carlisle and District Canine Society's secretary played a key role in organising and running the show alongside her fellow committee members, and after the event had concluded she was on hand to thank everyone in attendance for their 'amazing' feedback.

She said: "It was amazing, there is a lot of hard work that goes into it and we have had some wonderful feedback with people commenting on how amazing the job we have done is and that makes it all worthwhile.

"There are also people who have qualified for Crufts which is great, so went home happy I hope."

The 'reserve best in show' Dobermann (Image: Matthew O'Hara/NQ)The success of the Premier Open Show served as more evidence of the local and national demand for northern dog shows with owners travelling from every corner of the country to compete.

"We have had people come from as far as Ireland and Northern Ireland and in the UK as far as Shropshire," Pam said.

"We actually had 731 breed classes in attendance at the event so it takes a lot of organising but the breeds generally we have something like 100 plus breeds that we cater for because we are such a large show and there is a demand for it.

A judge at the Premier Open Show inspects a competitor (Image: Matthew O'Hara/NQ)"We are now officially the biggest Premier Open Show in the North West of England so we are really proud as a committee.

"We have worked so hard to get this growing again, especially when all the other shows are shrinking due to the economic decline."

Pam also previewed a number of events coming up at Carlisle and District Canine Society, including a members-only show in July and a dog law seminar which she is encouraging the public to attend.

She said: "We have got the limited show which is limited to members in July and then we have seminars which we will be throwing open to the general public, with one of them being on dog law. 

"We will also be doing more work with Eden Valley Hospice and there is a plethora of other events coming up so we will be very busy for the next twelve months I think."