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Aaron Morris

'I was speechless' - Gateshead couple speak out after they were crowned UK's best dog breeders at Crufts

A Gateshead couple have spoken of their joy after being crowned winners of the coveted Kennel Club Breeders’ Competition at Crufts last Friday (11 March).

Stuart and Carole Pearson who are from Leam Lane, alongside handler Scarlett Burnside (from Northern Ireland) won the ultimate breeder’s title with their team of Dalmatians, in front of a packed Resorts World Arena at Birmingham's NEC. The team also topped 39 other breeders, who all qualified for the final.

Their collective team of Kelevra dogs comprised of Kelevra What a Guy JW, Kelevra Mind Your Nebula, and Int Multi Ch & Ch Kelevra Classic Cliché JW ShCM.

Read more: Who won Best in Show at Crufts 2022? All the winners from this year's show

The competition, sponsored by Agria Pet Insurance, involved teams which accrued points at group and general championship shows in 2021. Points were compiled by Our Dogs - who published a regular leader board within their newspaper.

The judge of the final, Dr Ron James, selected Stuart and Carole’s team of Dalmatians for the prize as the breeders with the best overall quality evident in their dogs. Each team comprised three or four dogs of one breed, all bred by the same breeder or breeding partnership.

Speaking about the win, Stuart, 43, said: “We started out in 2009 and have been working towards this for years. Everything suddenly clicked and they have won everything, and now Crufts! It has been Carole’s dream to stand here on the green baize at Crufts as a winner.”

He continued: "We aren't prolific breeders, we've had seven litters of Dalmatians - so obviously compared to some kennels we don't have the numbers coming through. It was an achievement to be able to get there and do this."

He added: "To win it overall, normally I'm not stuck for words but I was speechless. There was a lot of good dogs in there It's the most dogs you'll see in the ring at one time at any show at the UK, there was around 139 dogs in there at once. It was quite a spectacle and it was an amazing achievement."

Reserve best breeder was awarded to Claire and Darren Baldock, from Essex, with their team of Newfoundlands which they breed under the Gunnersnewfs kennel name.

Crufts Show Manager, Vanessa McAlpine, added: “We are very pleased for Stuart and Carole on their excellent achievement.

"Stuart and Carole are very talented breeders who put the time and effort into developing sound breeding practices to produce healthy and happy dogs for the show ring.

"Their dogs are testament to their hard work and dedication to the breed.”

The breeders who qualified for the 2022 final at Crufts:

Mrs C & Mr D Baldock, Gunnersnewfs Newfoundlands

Ms R Bailey, Akna Canadian Eskimo Dogs

Miss T, Mr A & Mrs L Douglas, Talard Australian Shepherds

Mrs P MacLellan, Debruix Groenendael Belgian Shepherd Dogs

Ms A Walters, Goytre Border Collies

Mr S & Mrs L Naylor, Skaijak Polish Lowland Sheepdogs

Miss L Holmes, Lisjovia Pyrenean Mountain Dogs

Ms L Paterson, Eriksfjord Swedish Vallhunds

Mrs C Bamsey, Holbam Irish Terriers

Ms H Turner & Miss A MacDonald, Locheil Jack Russell Terriers

Mr C & Mrs G Knight, Talanors Manchester Terriers

Mrs R Gee, Watercroft Norfolk Terriers

Mr & Mrs S Newport, Digaden Parson Russell Terriers

Mrs V Norton, Divadell Scottish Terriers

Mrs L Lui, Eblanahalls Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers

Mr & Mrs R Foote & Miss E McAulay, Erylan Petits Bassets Griffons Vendeens

Mrs J & Miss R Cumberland, Mumysami Miniature Smooth Haired Dachshunds

Miss R Lucas & Mr C Dargonne, Packway Deerhounds

Mr K Alexander, Kansenji Rhodesian Ridgebacks

Mr S & Mrs C Pearson, Kelevra Dalmatians

Miss H Jansson, Fridlyckans Eurasiers

Ms K Andrew, Claran Mittel German Spitz

Mrs C Best-Rawlings, Trixwood Japanese Shiba Inu

Mrs K Watson-Todd, Karocolin Miniature Poodles

Ms A McDonald, Balgay Tibetan Spaniels

Mrs J & Mr S Scott, Cukoton Cotons de Tulear

Mr G Urquhart, Blackpark Maltese

Mrs R Wilkinson, Keljantzi's Miniature Pinschers

Mrs A Cawthera-Purdy, Lireva Pomeranians

Mrs K Storey, Rhodenash Pugs

Mr S & Mrs K Challis, Vizslanya Hungarian Vizslas

Mr G & Mrs C Sutherland, Carnlochan Hungarian Vizslas

Ms C O'Neill, Tenshilling Pointers

Mrs J Campbell, Ronevorg Flat Coated Retrievers

Miss C Smith, Flyenpyg Labrador Retrievers

Miss D Anstead, Riverwatcher Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers

Mrs T & Miss Westwood, Eusanit Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers

Mr P & Mrs J Fielder, Cretshengan Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers

Ms A Chandler, Chanangel Welsh Springer Spaniels

Miss J MacLaine & Mr R Dickson, Greyspirit Weimaraners

To find out more about The Kennel Club Breeders’ Competition, please click here, or alternatively email breedshows@thekennelclub.org.uk.

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