The first day of Crufts 2023 has taken place at the NEC in Birmingham, naming the winner of the gundogs category. During the day a winner was chosen for each of the various breeds - including retrievers, setters, spaniels and pointers - and those best in breeds then competed against each other for a group winner to be selected.
Gundogs are one of seven groups in Crufts. The others are Working, Pastoral, Terrier, Hound, Utility and Toy dogs. All seven group winners go forward to the Best in Show on March 12.
More than 24,000 dogs are attending Crufts this year, enjoying a range of competitions and displays over the four-day event, including over 3,000 dogs from 48 different countries who are competing in the breed judging that leads up to the Best in Show title.
Leading the field with the most entries for Crufts 2023 is the labrador, with 537 dogs hoping to be crowned Best in Show 2023. This is just ahead of the golden retriever (491) and the whippet (400).
READ MORE: Crufts 2023 live updates - today's schedule, travel latest and when to watch on TV
Crufts 2023 Day 1 Gundog group judging - winner and runners upToday's results for the gundog finals have now been announced. They are as follows:
Winner: Lagotto Romagnolo - Am Gch Kan Trace Very Cheeky Chic (Mrs S & Mr A Zdunic Sinkovic & Lucin) - known as Orca, from Croatia
Reserve: Labrador Retriever - Sh Ch Lapema Masquerade at Sandylands (Mr E & Mrs E Casey & Jayes)
Third: Gordon Setter - Ch/int/ger Vdh Ch Amscot Love Is in The Air JW Ww 18‘ ‘21 (Mrs J Collins-Pitman)
Fourth: Irish Water Spaniel - Sh Ch Curlyco My Hot Rockstar (Mr J Hackett)
Other finalists on the shortlist:
Irish Setter - Sh Ch Riverbrue Gloriana (Mr B A Crocker)
Chesapeake Bay Retriever - Sh Ch Arnac Bay Hebe Wgc ShCEx Ew22 (Mrs C & J Mayhew & Middleton)
Spanish Water Dog - Multi Ch Kilimanjaro del Majaceite (Mr J.c. Menacho Ruiz)
What were the Crufts 2022 gundog results?Gundogs were judged on the fourth and final day in 2022. These were the results last year.
Winner: Retriever (Flat Coated): Almanza Backseat Driver (Ms R & Mr P Ulin & Oware), known as Baxer - who went on to win Best in Show 2022
Reserve: Irish Setter: Gwendariff Come Fly with Me (Mrs D Stewart-Ritchie)
Third: Hungarian Vizsla: Layways Van Winkle JW (Miss E J Miles)
Fourth: Spaniel (Cocker): Coedcernyw Calendar Girl JW (Mr I & Mrs S Hillier)
REMAINING FINALISTS
Brittany: Bonapartist Pickpocket (Mrs L & Mrs J Graham & Yarrow)
Pointer: Joneva Born to Thrill (Mr S J Layton)
Retriever (Curly Coated): Bling Bling Aatami Omena (Mrs A & Miss A Tostmann)
Weimaraner: Gunalt Hendricks (Messrs D R & G A Alcorn & Ingram)
The number of breeds competing at Crufts continues to grow, with the Bavarian Mountain Hound making history and having its own class for the first time, with six of these dogs hoping to take the title.
As well as the individual breed classes which lead to Best in Show, visitors can watch some of the world’s fastest and smartest dogs in action with agility and obedience championships, and enjoy canine relay in the flyball competitions.
The Kennel Club Hero Dog Award celebrates five special dogs who provide lifetime service to society and support, love and devotion to their owners - you can see the finalists and find out how to vote here
The final of crossbreed competition Scruffts will also be taking place during the show. Meanwhile, the Discover Dogs area showcases hundreds of different breeds for would-be owners to meet close-up and find out more about.
Vanessa McAlpine, Crufts Show Manager, said: "Every dog has its day at Crufts and we look forward to welcoming dogs, owners and visitors from all over.
“The event really does offer something for all dog lovers, from meeting and greeting the vast and diverse range of wonderful breeds there are, including some of the more unusual that are not often seen in streets and parks across the country, through to getting closer to the action with exciting canine competitions and the dog show aspect, with the prestigious Best in Show finale."
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