 | | Willy the winner |
It took four days of expert judging to create a short-list of seven special 'Best of Group' dogs from the 20,000 pampered canines competing at Crufts 2007. In front of an audience of 6,600 at the NEC in Birmingham and millions at home in front of their TVs, judge Mrs Zena Thorne-Andrews considered the top seven dogs. After putting each dog through its paces she chose Tibetan terrier Araki Fabulous Willy - awarding him the Kennel Club's prestigious Crufts Best in Show title.
 | | Ch Travella Show Stopper |
The terrier, pet-name Willy, is owned by John Shaw and Neil Smith. Earlier on Sunday evening, in Crufts' new Arena, Willy was chosen as best of the Utility Group. ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Crufts presenter Clare Balding was pleased by Willy's win. "I got quite emotional actually" she told ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Crufts colleague Ben Fogle, "I just about held it together - [Willy's] the grandfather of my dog Archie!"
 | | Divines Marc Of Friendship At Delcost |
Reserve Best in Show went to wire fox terrier Ch Travella Show Stopper (pet-name Peggy), owned by S. Browne-Cole and W. P Allen. The Best of Group results Best in Show Willy was picked above six other dogs that were judged Best of Group at Crufts 2007. Those dogs are... Toy & Utility groups: Sunday 11th of March Maltese Divines Marc Of Friendship At Delcost, owned by Mrs C. R Gillies, was chosen as best of the Toy group.
 | | Ch Marksbury Wistful, and owner |
Tibetan terrier Araki Fabulous Willy, owned by Mr J. Smith and Mr N. Shaw, was chosen as best of the Utility group. Terrier & Hound groups: Saturday 10th of March Fox terrier (wire) Ch Travella Show Stopper, owned by S. Browne-Cole and W. P Allen, was chosen as best of the Terrier group on Saturday evening. Bloodhound Ch Marksbury Wistful, owned by Mrs S. M Emrys-Jones, was chosen as best of the Hound group. Working & Pastoral groups: Friday 9th of March
 | | Ch Pattishawl Preview |
Working group, Best Of Group: Judge Stephen Hall chose Champion Alaskan malamute 'Giving A New Royal Star De Jungla Negra', owned by G. Biagiotti and handled by Monica Kubiac from Italy. Pastoral group, Best Of Group: Judge Stuart Mallard chose Ch Pattishawl Preview, a Bearded collie owned by Mr and Mrs May from Wymington in Bedfordshire. Gundog group: Thursday 8th of March
 | | Giving A New Royal Star De Jungla Negra |
Almanza Far and Flyg, a flat coated retriever champion, owned by Miss Jonna Sanden from Oslo, Norway, was chosen as the best of the Gundog group by judge Moray Armstrong. Friends for Life winner Friends for Life recognises and celebrates the difference that dogs can make to their owners lives, be it through bravery, support or companionship. Six special dogs and their owners were short-listed. By public vote, the winners of Friends for Life 2007 are Tony Higbed and Molly. At Crufts 2007
 | | Almanza Far and Flyg, with owner |
It's the world's largest dog show and a truly international event. Dogs from all over the globe competed to be 'Best In Show' at Crufts 2007. In the Arena For the first time, Crufts took over the NEC's Arena in 2007. With seating for 6000 people it was used to showcase a new dog display programme and the ever-popular Best In Show.
 | | Tony Higbed (right) and Molly |
The NEC's Pavilion One was used exclusively for obedience competitions including the keenly fought Obedience World Cup. The popular Discover Dogs section, in Halls 3/3a, was larger than ever in 2007 - with more than 190 different breeds for prospective owners to meet and greet.Ìý Approximately 500 trade stands catered for dogs (and their owners) wishes and whims. Mrs Gourtorbe and Harry
 | | Mrs Gourtorbe and Harry |
"I come for the atmosphere – because you’re surrounded by beautiful pedigree dogs with people who have gone to a lot of trouble and a lot of work to qualify to get here and it’s just the esteem of the whole place – it’s just lovely." said Mrs Gourtorbe, from Upperwood kennels, who'd been showing her dog 'Harry' on Thursday. “I got third with the young dog. He was up against good quality dogs – I was quite happy with my placing because he’s young and immature. He behaved himself and I managed to run round the ring with him. He showed my off very well!
 | | Magic - YKC agility dog of the year |
“I’ll come back every year. It’s such a big family event. That’s one of the main things at Crufts, I've been attending for about 35 years. "I’ve judged English setters at Crufts and the standard is higher than it was – the whole layout is higher than it was. It’s an amazing, lovely show." By Ciarán Ryan | 
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