Crufts announces huge shake-up for 2025 series after ‘shameful’ animal cruelty backlash from Channel 4 viewers
CRUFTS has announced a huge shake-up to its competition next year after animal cruelty backlash from fans.
Dubbed the world's most prestigious dog show, it's back with Clare Balding once again at the helm.
But as the three-day event continues in Birmingham, fans of the competition accused show bosses of animal cruelty.
Channel 4 viewers had slammed Crufts for being 'cruel' to the 24,000 participating dogs.
They also claimed The Kennel Club - the organisers of the event - aren't doing enough to stamp out bad breeding practices.
After defending its practices in a lengthy statement to The Sun, Crufts has now changed its policies for next year.
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We can reveal the show will require Pugs, Bulldogs and French Bulldogs to undergo a breathing assessment before being deemed fit to compete.
The additional screening step comes as the three breeds are prone to health issues such a breathing problems.
Previously defending the show to The Sun, a spokesperson for Crufts said: "Crufts is a unique platform to educate the tens of thousands of visitors and viewers on Channel 4 with a raft of information and advice about responsibly breeding, buying and owning a dog, and we have important rules in place to ensure we prioritise health in the show ring.
"The Breed Standards the dogs are judged to, are simply an overall description of a dog, from their general temperament to exercise and grooming needs – and this helps owners to pick a suitable pet for their lifestyle, but every Breed Standard makes it absolutely clear that health should always be a priority. Judges, using these Breed Standards, are looking for general fitness, healthy coats, good teeth and to ensure that any exaggerated features causing visible health issues are not rewarded. This is supported by vet checks for all dogs before Group judging, and for some breed winners, to ensure there are no visible signs of health concerns on the day of competition.
"We want the good practice we promote in the show ring to spread further afield and Crufts is a great platform to raise awareness of the many resources we have developed - from DNA tests for diseases, to breathing, hip, eye and elbow assessments - which can help buyers find the healthiest puppies."
They added: "The vast majority of owners show their pets with great care but if we are made aware of any inappropriate handling, we will deal with it immediately via our disciplinary processes
"Competitors are constantly reminded of our regulations, and are given direction from The Kennel Club regarding the handling of dogs whilst in the show ring."
It's not the first time the competition has been dogged by controversies over the years - from 'KGB style' poisonings to abuse allegations and even fraud.
It wasn't a great year for Crufts in 2015, when one of its handlers was blasted with cruelty claims.
The Best in Show winner Rebecca Cross sparked outrage when she picked up her black Scottish terrier Knopa by the tail.
Viewers raged after she lifted the champion pooch off the podium "like a coffee pot".
Around 190,000 people signed online petitions calling for Rebecca to be stripped of her prestigious title for alleged animal cruelty.
