Crufts Dog Show

Crufts Dog Show 
Crufts is named after its founder Charles Cruft. The first Crufts show in that name was booked into the Royal Agricultural Hall, Islington in 1891. 1948 was the first show under the Kennel Club auspices. Held at Olympia, it proved an immediate success with both exhibitors and the public. Since then Crufts has increased in stature year by year.

In 1979 it was decided to change the venue from Olympia to Earls Court as the increasing entries had the show bursting at the seams. In 1982 the show ran for three days and in 1987 for four days to accommodate the increasing numbers of dogs and spectators. 1991 saw the Crufts Centenary Show being held at the Birmingham National Exhibition Centre, this being the first time the show had moved from London. On http://www.the-kennel-club.org.uk you can read more about the history of Crufts Dog Show.

1930
A dog named Khami was Best Rhodesian Ridgeback dog by winning third in Open Dog Class för Foreign Dogs (Beaten by a Saluki and A Finnish Spitz). Did not compete with the best Rhodesian Ridgeback bitch to find Best of Breed. Revel was Best Rhodesian Ridgeback bitch by winning second in the Open Bitch Class för Foreigh Dogs (Beaten by a Finnish Spitz). Did not compete with the best Rhodesian Ridgeback dog to find Best of Breed.

1931 and 1932
No Rhodesian Ridgeback was entered.

1933
Rhodian Rogue (imported from Kenya) was best dog by winning first in the Open Dog Class for Any Other Variety Not Otherwise Scheduled, also Best Dog of all the entries in the classes for Any other Variety Not Otherwise Scheduled. Did not compete with the best bitch to find Best of Breed. Rhodian Rachel (imported from Kenya) was best bitchby winning second in the Open Bitch Class for Any Other Variety Not Otherwise Scheduled (beaten by a “Northern Tibetan Hunting Dog”). Did not compete with the best dog to find Best of Breed.

1934-1935
No Rhodesian Ridgeback was entered.

1936
Skipper was best dog by winning fourth in the Mixed Sex Open Class for Any Variety for which Challenge Certificates are not offered (beaten by a Smooth Coat Chihuahua, a Pyrenean Mountain Dog and a Shih Tzu, but still Best of Breed. No Rhodesian Ridgeback bitch was entered.

1937
Mr Smith’s Umbani of the Heightfinder (Lobenguela x Kali, bred by Mrs L Hamilton in 1933) was best dog (from the Rhodesian Ridgeback Classes, where there were five entries). Also Best of Breed. Best bitch was Leona from the Rhodesian Ridgeback Classes. I have not been able to find any photo of Umbani but only of his littermates.

1938
No Rhodesian Ridgeback was entered.

1939
Sandra of the Safari was best bitch by winning second in the Mixed Sex Open Class for Any Variety for which challenge certificates are not offered (beaten by a Basenji, but still Best of Breed).

1950-1952
9 ridgebacks were shown in 1950 in “any other variety class” and it was not until 1951 that the breed had its own classes. Mrs Patten´s Marsian Viking (by Leo of Dimbula ex Desia Leona) was BOB in 1951 and 1952. Viking gained eight first prizes and he was three times best of breed while under 25 months of age During the 50’s around 50 ridgebacks were registrered yearly and increased during the 60’s to around 100.

1953 and 1955
The breed got CC:s for the first time this in 1954, but the show was cancelled due to an electrical conflict and it was first the year after that GB Ch Maiduba of Manscross got the first Crufts CC (his fourth). Owned and bred by Dr and Mrs Mackenzie. Maidubas sire was Just of Banba, brought to England in 1947 by Queen Elizabeth, while she still was a princess. Dam was Manscross Bridget of Hub.
BOS in 1955 was GB Ch Manscross Simbawa Sheba. Maiduba was born 7 September 1950 and first ever Rhodesian Ridgeback Champion i Britain. Gained his title July 3, 1954. Winner of 8 CC:s.

1956
BOB was GB Ch Melantho of Manscross, bred by Dr & Mrs MacKenzie. Born January 3rd, 1954 by Murlin of Manscross out of Ch Merrilll of Manscross. Owned by Mrs C. Hick and the Foundation bitch of Mrs Hick’s Owlsmoor kennels. Mandy was the first Ridgeback to gain The Junior Warrant title.
BOS was Ch Maiduba of Manscross.

1957
BOB GB Ch Maiduba of Manscross
BOS Nefertiti of Thebes

1958
BOB Lutoto of Owlsmoor
BOS GB Ch Maiduba of Manscross

1959
BOB this year was GB Ch Mentamery Marandella. Bred by  Mrs W Hayes, born 26th of September 1954. By Ch Machemba of Manscross out of Ch Melantho Of Manscross. BOS was Ch Machemba of Manscross. Marandella is here pictured with her owner Wyn Hayes.

And as a puppy

1960
BOB GB Ch Hunter of Owlsmoor
BOS GB Ch Trefonen Elgeyo
One of the most consistent winners during the sixties was GB Ch Hunter of Owlsmoor (GB Ch Machemba of Mascross x GB Ch Melantho of Manscross), who won 16 CC, four at Crufts. Bred and owned by Mrs Cicely Hick. His dam (granddaughter to Just of Banba) was BOB at Crufts 1956. She was also a younger sister to GB Ch Manscross Simbawa Sheba (Murlin of Manscross x GB Ch Merill of Manscross), the first champion bitch in Britain. Sheba was bred by Miss G E Macquisten.

1961
BOB GB Ch Lutoto of Owlsmoor
BOS GB Ch Hunter of Owlsmoor

1962
GB Ch Hunter of Owlsmoor
BOS Farina of Footpath

1963
Best of breed was GB Ch Trefonen Nandi, born January 19th, 1961 (by Trefonen Elburgon ex Trefonen Lenana). Bred and owned by Miss J.S. Dumville-Lees.
BOS GB Ch Ruanda of Owlsmoor

1964
BOB GB Ch Gezina of Owlsmoor
BOS GB Ch Hunter of Owlsmoor

1965
BOB GB Ch Mingo of Manscross, JW. Born May 23, 1962 by Int Ch Ben Hur of Thornbury ex Marsy of Manscross, bred by Dr & Mrs Mackenzie. Owned by Mrs E.R. Baily, Footpath Kennels. Multiple CC Winner.
BOS GB Ch Kazembe of Bizweni

1966
BOB GB Ch Bunkeya of Bizweni, JW, (by GB Ch Ruanda of Owlsmoor ex GB Ch Mentamery Malomba) won the CC in 1966, 1970 and 1971. Bred by Mrs Isobel Field and owned by Mr and Mrs H Jackson, Aldonnels Kennel. Bunkeya won in total 15 CC:s. BOS GB Ch Ikoma of Owlsmoor

1967
BOB Ch Janak Jay. Bred by Mr J. Selby, owned by Mrs E. Webster. Born January 17th, 1965. BOS was GB Ch Madi of Owlsmoor JW, born March 23rd, 1965 (by GB Ch Hunter of Owlsmoor ex Bantu of Owlsmoor). Bred and owned by Mrs C. Hick. 1968
BOB GB Ch Fundu of Footpath
BOS Kazembe of Bizweni

1969
BOB GB Ch Cashazi of Mattridge
BOS GB Ch Ironsy Idol

1970
BOB Aldonnels Ahadi
BOS GB Ch Bunkeya of Bizweni

1971
GB Ch Bunkeya of Bizweni
BG Ch Finisterre of Footpath

1972
BOB GB Ch Farjeon of Footpath
BOS GB Ch Hoghtonvale Zodi

1973
BOB GB Ch Shambadene’s Dalyngreye of Geden. Bred by Mrs Wilkinson, owned by Mrs S. Tyler. Born August 21st, 1969 (by Ch Trefonen Tavetor of Binshire ex Sheba of Dudwell)
BOS GB Ch Footpath Fireguard JW. Born March 15th, 1972. Bred and owned by Mrs Baily and MRs Southall.

1974
BOB Ch Zuri Kubwa Wazat
BOS GB Ch Ridinghills Juliana. Bred and owned by Mrs Peck. Born February 26th, 1972 by Ridinghills Dazee ex Ridinghills Collette.
A Ridgeback was among the last six in the group for the first time. Mr. Dixon´s GB Ch Zuri Kubwa Wazat,  “Handsome” (by US Ch Rolling’s M’Cola Ekundi ex Can Ch Sooki of Owlsmoor) won three CC at Crufts. Bred by Mr J Wilson, owned by Mr Alex Dixon. Mrs W Hayes, the breed judge in 1974, gave him this critique: “He came, he saw, he conquered, his colour is clear rich red, the loveliest expression of all, the head is well modelled, the neck strong, clean and reachy, perfectly proportioned body carrying just the right amount of substance, wonderful muscle on hindquarters which he used to advantage when moving.” Handsome won in total 9 CC:s and was the winner of Cicely Hick Memorial Trophy in 1974.

1975
BOB GB Ch Zuri Kubwa Wazat
BOS GB Ch Matabelle M’Kangazi
One of the most consistent winners through the years was Handsome´s daughter GB Ch Matabelle M’Kangazi, JW ex Matabelle Maiden. In total she won 17 CC:s.
Born 17 May 1973, bred and owned by Mrs S Simper

1976
BOB GB Ch Matabelle M’Kangazi
BOS GB Ch Zuri Kubwa Wazat

1977
BOB GB Ch Footpath Freetrader of Janak
BOS GB Ch Janak Saara

1978
BOB GB Ch Eilack Saul, bred and owned by Mr & Mrs J. Selby. Born July 12th, 1973 by Rafters Moby ex Eureka of Eilack
BOS GB Ch Rhosaf Gwinya

1979
BOB GB Ch Rhosaf Gwinya
BOS GB Ch M’Bona’s Shiraa of Mirengo, Bred by Mr & Mrs Walker.
Owned by Mr & Mrs Williams. Born April 12th, 1972. Winner of 14 CCs

1980
GB Ch Rejan Chanzuki
GB Ch Caldas Con Carla JW, bred and owned by Mrs J. Grimwood.
Born August 4th, 1976 by GB Ch Janak Piedt ex Footpath Firecracker of Caldas

1981
BOB GB Ch Rhosaf Elijah of Eilack
BOS GB Ch Aginkort Sungirl of Aldonnels, born December 8th, 1978.
Bred by Mr C. A’Court and owned by Mrs & Mrs H. Jackson

1982
BOB GB Ch Matabelle Nyoni JW. Bred by Mrs A. Jones. Owned by Mrs S. Simper.
Born April 7th, 1980. By Ch Matabelle Chipembere ex Nordostufial Nyota.
3 CCs, 7 RCCs. Winner of the Hacker Cup for most consistent Winner 1981 and 1982.
BOS GB Ch Umtali M’Toto

1983
BOB GB Ch Rooinek Jason of Janak
BOS GB Ch Aldonnels Ajojo of Gavenda

1984
BOB GB Ch Mirengo’s Mandambo
BOS GB Ch M’Sombuluko of Mirengo and Sansilver
GB Ch Mirengo Mandambo (Simba of Stirlingshire x Mirengo’s Mandara) was Reserv in the Group in 1984, when he won his 21st CC. Bred and owned by Mrs Ann Woodrow. The group-judge Leonard Pagliero said about him “Handsome and outstanding, he has a noble head with a strong, flat, broad, skull and kind expression, a beautiful body of great strength, and movement that indicated to me that as a working hound he could cover the ground with tremendous activity and endurance”

1985
BOB GB Ch Gunthaite Gambo
BOS GB Ch Aldonnels Ajojo of Gavenda

1986
BOB GB Ch Umtali Katanga
BOS GB Ch Janak Jinza

1987
BOB GB Ch Ulundi Ushumba of Eilack
BOS GB Ch Diamondridge Uzuri of Asante
GB Ch Ulundi Ushumba of Eilack was imported from South Africa and went BOB at Crufts three times and was Top Ridgeback in 1987 and 1989. Breed by Mrs Janet Murray, owned by Mr Jack Selby. Harry Jordan judged him 1990 and wrote:
“So very true to type, stands aloof as he should do, so well constructed all through.
I only wish he had a better handler (younger) who would show his paces to better advantage. I tried hard to knock him for this, but type does not come any better”

1988
BOB GB Ch Umtali Katanga
BOS GB Ch Janak Keeta

1989
BOB GB Ch Ulundi Ushumba of Eilack
BOS GB Ch Matabelle Mahogany

1990
BOB GB Ch Ulundi Ushumba of Eilack
BOS Umtali Marula

1991
Crufts Centenary Show in 1991 was judged by Mrs Sue Simper and her BOB was GB Ch Sansilver Samuru, born 14 March 1989  (GB Ch Umtali Katanga x GB Ch M’sombuluko of Mirengo and Sansilver). Bred and owned by Mr & Mrs D. J. Seaman
BOS Matabelle Mayfair

1992
BOB Zejak Zebu
BOS Mursil Huntsmaster of Barca

1993
BOB GB Ch Umtali Habwana
BOS Matabelle Mayfair

1994
BOB Trendsetter Mtoko
BOS Tosiend of Rejan

1995
BOB GB Ch Mirengo’s Manika
BOS GB Ch Sansilver Samuru

1996
BOB GB Ch Tukela Shona
BOS Tukela Muluku

1997
BOB GB Ch Mangwe Llesha
BOS GB Ch Hespa Huenda

1998
BOB GB Ch Mangwe Llesha
BOS GB Ch Tukela Shona

1999
BOB GB Ch Mangwe Llesha

2000
BOB GB Ch Vizara Shemesh of Shabani
BOS GB Ch Mangwe Limited Edition

2001
BOB Fr/Int Ch Vizara Dazi Yardena
BOS Nedege Shaka of Eilack

2002
BOB Rex Ventors Farrah at Nyassa
BOS Nyuki Kallikubanah Out of Monduri

2003
BOB Ch Jockular Jamal Aquamarin
BOS Nyuki Kilifi’s Home With Monduri

2004
BOB Htimsa Abeo Holly
BOS Mirengos Muko Mako

2005
BOB GB Ch Rex Ventors Farrah at Nyassa
BOS Umhlandla Luwamba

2006
BOB GB Ch Veldtkammer Lady Done A Bunk JW
BOS N’GAi Zamu of Ginba’s Hero

2007
BOB Veldtkammer Dew to More Duo JW
BOS  GB Ch Veldtkammer Lady Done A Bunk JW

2008
BOB Veldtkammer Lady Done A Bunk JW
BOS Ch Kimani’s Aires Above The Ground

2009
BOB Veldtkammer Lady Done A Bunk JW
BOS Walamadengie Chieftain

2010
BOB Multi/Int Ch Aresvuma Zulu Zaka
BOS Multi Int Ch Rekaylahn Blaze JW Sh CM

2011
BOB Ch Villagedogs Hottopic
BOS Trendsetter Lusitu

2012
BOB Faahac Faabu
BOS Sonstraal She’s a Devil Woman JW SHCM

2013
BOB Jimannis Jiggy Jiggy
BOS CH/NL/LUX/INTCh Paerdecroon Baron Borg WJW’10, NJK’10

2014
BOB Ch Jockular Lord Leonti At Tsjakka (Imp Ned) JW
BOS CRO Ch Sabayuma Bandari Jalia

BOB 2014

2015
BOB Ch Kinabula Bin There Done That, 4th in Group
BOS CIB NL BE DK CH Villagedogs Ka Makana NLJCH BEJCH

 2015_RHO_BOB

2016
BOB Ch Kinabula Bin There Done That, 3rd of Group
BOS Villagedogs O’Red October

2017
BOB Mirengo’s Mangula
BOS Mutoko’s Lledwenau Lowri, JW

2018
BOB ITA/SLO/INT/DAN Ch Harmakhis Wisdom Aurora Fosca
BOS SLO/CRO/RO/BG Ch Noby Z Korycanskych Skal

2019
BOB CH/ICH Bloxer Leo of Tailor Made
BOS Ch Shingwidsi Tshadi Rose

2020
BOB GER/CH AT/CH NL/CH SLO/CH SK/INT CH Ndoki Highlander, JWW’17, Reserve Best In Group
BOS Ch Diamondridge Roll The Dice For Royalridge, JW

2022
BOB Swiss Sh Ch Savuti Chitonga Yara by George
BOS Saadani Show Off

2023
BOB Ch Rottzridge I Am Wrath
BOSShingwidsi Tshedisa Light

More results can be found here