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Crufts 2025 Embroiled In Row Over Best In Show Winner As Fans Claim Favourite Was 'robbed'
Crufts has come under fire after announcing the 2025 winner of Best in Show as furious viewers say a fan favourite was 'robbed'.
The prestigious dog show held its four-day 2025 event at the NEC in Birmingham over the weekend, with more than 18,000 dogs travelling in from across the world to compete.
Four-year-old whippet, Miuccia, was crowned Best in Show winner at this year's event, while Tibetan Mastiff, Viking, was named runner-up.
Praised for her 'beautiful elegance', the female whippet, owned by Enrico De Gaspar, was chosen by judge Patsy Hollings, beating the winners of six other groups to bag the trophy.
She made history with her win as the first time an Italian dog has won best in show at Crufts, and the fourth time for a whippet.
Miuccia's handler, Giovanni Liguori, said: 'It's really a dream come true. I am truly overwhelmed. Miuccia performed her best. I absolutely adore her. She is the sweetest dog.'
Judge Patsy Hollings made the final decision of Best in Show, with a Miniature Schnauzer, Gundog, Spaniel (Cocker), Australian Shepherd and Jack Russell missing out on the coveted title.
But the announcement has since caused uproar among fans, who have blasted the 'shocking' decision on social media, claiming the judges 'robbed' Jack Russell, Ana, of the crown.
Crufts has come under fire after announcing the 2025 winner of Best in Show - but furious viewers have since blasted the decision, claiming a fan favourite was 'robbed' (stock image)
Four-year-old whippet, Miuccia (left), was crowned Best in Show winner at this year's event, while Tibetan Mastiff, Viking (right), was named runner-up (stock image)
The announcement has caused uproar among fans, who have blasted the 'shocking' decision on social media, claiming the judges 'robbed' Jack Russell, Ana (pictured), of the crown
The two-year-old pup, from Italy, stole the hearts of viewers after winning the Terrier Group title, qualifying for one of just seven places in the Best in Show final on Sunday.
Following the announcement of the winner, the show's narrator had even remarked: 'The Jack Russell was the public winner, but didn't make the podium this time.'
Taking to X, one furious fan wrote underneath a post uploaded to Crufts' account: 'JRT should have won it. Shocking decision.'
Another said: 'Shame it couldn't have been the whippet and that lovely little Jack Russell, both were sweeties.'
A third commented, 'I loved the little Jack Russell, she should have won,' while a fourth fumed, 'Should have been the Jack Russell. Absolutely a joke.'
One person alleged judges overlooked the breed for a second consecutive year, writing: '2nd year in a row the Jack Russell was robbed!'
Another fan wrote in agreement: 'Jack Russell dogs always get robbed in Crufts. Last year or this year should have been Best in Show for them.'
A third quipped: 'Haha the judge should have gone to Specsavers. The Jack Russell performed the best.'
Furious fans took to X to share their thoughts over the decision
It comes after Clare Balding couldn't hold back her laughter as she was barraged with cuddles by her canine co-host for this week's Crufts coverage.
The TV presenter, 54, dissolved into giggles as she welcomed English Cocker Spaniel Rueben on the Channel 4 sofa.
Before she could get her opening introductions out of the way, the playful pup started crawling all over the media personality.
'They're the most successful of all of the breeds,' she struggled to get out, as Reuben made himself comfortable on Clare's lap.
Crufts 2025: Best In Show Winner Crowned As Fans Fume 'runner Up Should've Won'
Let's take a look at some of Cruft's previous Best in Show winners.
2024
Viking, a three-year-old Australian Shepherd, won Best in Show in 2024. Representing the Pastoral Group, Viking stood out for his intelligence, agility, and stunning appearance.
Owned by Melanie Raymond, John Shaw, and Kerry Kirtley, Viking's win was the first for his breed since 2006, competing against 167 other Australian Shepherds in 2024.
2023
In 2023, Orca, a Lagotto Romagnolo from Croatia, made history as the first of her breed to win Best in Show.
At nearly five years old, Orca competed in the Gundog Group and impressed judges with her curly coat and lively spirit, owned by Sabina Zdunić Šinković and Ante Lucin.
2022
After a year-long break due to covid-19, Baxer, a six-year-old Flat Coated Retriever from Norway, won Best in Show in 2022.
Competing in the Gundog Group, Baxer's energy and elegance captured the judges' attention.
Owned by Ragnhild Ulin, and his co-owner and handler, Patrick Oware, Baxer triumphed over more than 3,800 Gundogs to take the top spot and was the third Flat-Coated Retriever to win Best in Show, the last being in 2011.
Crufts 2025 Results LIVE: Best In Show Winner Revealed, See Full Results
Hero Dog winner announcedRetired police dog Baloo has taken home the Hero Dog Award for 2025.
Baloo suffered life-changing injuries when she was hit by a car fleeing a crime scene in 2018.
The severity of her injuries led to her leg being amputated, but she now lives a happy life with former police dog handler Mandy Chapman.
Orca the lagotto romagnolo scooped Best In Show at Crufts 2023, making history as the first of its breed to win the award.
One of Orca's owners, Ante Lucin, said: "This is the first lagotto romagnolo to win at Crufts, so this is so great for the breed."
Crufts 2023 started on March 9, and ended on March 12.
The Best In Show competition is hugely popular and has been running since 1928.
It is split into seven different categories over the four day competition.
Stealing the spotlightAn adorable pooch has stolen the show and hearts of viewers as they showered a Channel 4 host in 'kisses' live on air.
Presenter Clare Balding was beginning a monologue when cocker spaniel Reuben pinned her to the couch in a hilarious live moment.
Read more about the sweet interaction here.
Who is Freddie Osborne?Freddie Osborne, a youngster from Bobbington, Staffordshire, has captured the spotlight as the youngest entrant in Crufts 2025 — and in the competition's entire history.
He's been given time off school to compete at the competition held at Birmingham's NEC.
His mum Kimberley said: "He was only two weeks old when he first came to Crufts with us and he has been going ever since.
"He's always helped us with our dogs but this will be the first time he has competed there."
Crufts respond to animal cruelty accusationsThis year, the show required breeds prone to health issues such as Pugs, Bulldogs and French Bulldogs would undergo a breathing assessment before being deemed fit to compete.
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."
Winner of Scruffs 2025 - a moment for the crossbreedsThis year, actress and radio presenter Gemma Atkinson had the unenviable task of judging this year's final.
"The walk through Crufts is incredible, I've seen so many dogs from golden retrievers to labs, to a massive poodle having it's haircut," she said. "It's massive, it's like the Olympics for dogs!
"I was nervous about judging because I just wanted to tell all the dogs that they're winners. It was really tough."
Atkinson picked a Lurcher Whippet Collie Cross, Lola, and owner Bex Hall as the winner, who came first in the Prettiest Bitch category.
"Coming first out of six in our category was pretty amazing but to then go on and win the whole of Scruffts is a dream come true," said Hall.
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