Crufts Results 2026: Clumber Spaniel Bruin Wins Best in Show Title
Bruin, a four-year-old Clumber Spaniel handled by Lee Cox, won Best in Show at Crufts 2026 at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham. Updated Sunday at 5: 12 p. m. ET, the result gives the breed a landmark victory and caps a multi-day competition that drew an estimated 18, 600 dogs.
Crufts Results 2026: Group Winners and Reserve Dog
Judge Tamas Jakkel selected Bruin from the seven group winners to claim the show’s top honor. The reserve Best in Show went to Meghan, a petit basset griffon vendéen from Croatia, after earlier winning the Hound group. Organizers judged finalists on health, structure, movement, and temperament.
- Best in Show: Bruin — Clumber Spaniel (handled by Lee Cox), Gundog group winner
- Reserve Best in Show: Meghan — petit basset griffon vendéen (Hound group), from Croatia
- Working group: Viking — Tibetan mastiff
- Pastoral group: Hazel — Welsh corgi
- Toy group: Dublin — Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
- Veteran competition: Freddie — Lakeland Terrier
Event organizers estimated 18, 600 entries this year, with dogs traveling from around the United Kingdom and the world to compete across breed and performance disciplines. The Best in Show lineup featured one dog from each of the seven groups — Working, Pastoral, Terrier, Hound, Toy, Utility, and Gundog — before narrowing to the final two for the trophy.
Lee Cox and Bruin’s Path Through the Gundog Group
Handled by Lee Cox of Somerset, Bruin first secured the Gundog group before advancing to the final. Cox called Bruin “a dog of a lifetime” and described him as “very chilled” yet utterly reliable in the ring. He also joked the Clumber Spaniel is “a bit of a diva, ” underscoring the dog’s personality as crowds cheered the win.
The victory marks the first time since 1991 that a Clumber Spaniel has taken Best in Show at Crufts, restoring the breed to the competition’s summit after more than three decades. Over four days, Bruin outperformed more than 18, 000 dogs to reach the final round and ultimately claim the title under Jakkel’s decision.
Royal Kennel Club chief executive Jannine Edgar praised the pairing, stating the connection between Bruin and Cox “shone throughout, ” and congratulated all finalists for reaching the iconic stage. The Best in Show moment capped the week’s crescendo under the NEC lights and punctuated a field that included international contenders across multiple disciplines.
NEC Birmingham Schedule and Ring Highlights
The show ran at Birmingham’s NEC from Thursday through Sunday, concluding with the Best in Show presentation. Beyond breed judging, crowds watched agility, obedience, flyball, and heelwork to music, alongside a display by the West Midlands Police Dog team. The breadth of activity underscored Crufts’ scope as one of the world’s largest dog shows.
Organizers outlined daily timings in advance, including events scheduled to run until 8: 05 p. m. local time (4: 05 p. m. ET) each day, with the Best in Show announcement set for 8: 30 p. m. local time (4: 30 p. m. ET) on Sunday. Across the halls, handlers navigated precision routines while dogs demonstrated responsiveness, control, and athleticism before judges and spectators.
This year’s crufts results 2026 also highlighted a strong bench of group winners. Viking, a Tibetan mastiff, emerged from the Working group; Hazel, a Welsh corgi, topped the Pastoral group; and Dublin, a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, led the Toy group. In a separate ring, Freddie the Lakeland Terrier captured the veteran dog competition, adding another celebrated moment to the schedule.
For breed enthusiasts, the win resonates beyond the green carpet. Bruin’s title, decided on conformation criteria that included movement and temperament, is a significant milestone for Clumber Spaniels and the wider Gundog community. With spectators filling the NEC stands across multiple days, the final showcased the depth of quality drawn to Birmingham.
With the trophy awarded and the applause still ringing, the show’s centerpiece event was scheduled for 8: 30 p. m. local time (4: 30 p. m. ET) Sunday, when the Best in Show winner was formally presented. Full crufts results 2026 for groups and featured competitions were tied to the show’s program concluding Sunday evening.
