The Jack Russell Terrier makes its debut at Crufts 2017

Photo credit: onEdition

Yesterday saw the first day of Crufts 2017, and it was also a historic day for one little breed. The Jack Russell Terrier made its debut in the show ring after it was recognised by the Kennel Club last year.

Many excited little terriers gathered in the show ring for The Best of Breed, judged by Stuart Plane, with 97 entries representing 17 different countries. Best of Breed and Best Bitch went to Mrs M Marinelli’s Ch Granlasco Simply A Beauty.

As well as watching from the side, owners photographed their Jack Russells watching from home to show their support.

The show ring hasn’t gone to this inquisitive, often mischievous, breed’s head. Flying the flag for the breed in agility, where Jack Russell have been welcome to compete for years, was Milo of D’Mischief, who became the first winner in the main arena on the first day of Crufts 2017. Milo scooped first place in Agility – Kennel Club Novice Cup Final (Jumping) with a time of 42.043 seconds – almost eight seconds faster than his opponents.

His owner, Sarah Mclean had this to say, “To be one of the first to win at Crufts 2017 feels amazing, it is something I never expected. Milo is a young dog of only two years old, and he has been hard work to train. He used to be very slow and unmotivated, so it has taken a while to motivate him to do Agility.

“To qualify for the Novice Cup at Crufts Milo had to qualify at the Kennel Club International Agility Festival back in August 2016; only eight out of over 100 dogs qualified for the Final held at Crufts. Milo is the first male JRT to be registered as a pedigree dog via the unverified route.”

Sarah adds, “I won’t be swapping to the show ring, Milo loves to run too much, and absolutely loves Agility now.”

Watch Milo in action:

Milo the Jack Russell becomes one of the first winners at #Crufts 2017, with this run in the Kennel Club Novice Cup Jumping Final! pic.twitter.com/lDhYThSX1o

— The Kennel Club (@KCLovesDogs) March 9, 2017