Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ

Giant Schnauzer, Ch Jafrak Philippe Olivier has been chosen as Crufts' Best in Show for 2008. Known as Philip to his friends and family, he was competing for Best in Show for the third time.

Best in Show 08: Jafrak Philippe Olivier

Philip, the winner of the Working Group,Μύis owned by Mr and Mrs Cullen from St Leonards-on-Sea in East Sussex.

In Reserve (second place) was the winner of the Pastoral Group, Samoyed, Ch Vandreem Imperial Hermioni By Berezniki JW ShCM, owned by Mrs L Bobrowski from Chobham in Surrey.

Six year old Philip was handled at Crufts by Kevin Cullen. "Philip is a real happy go lucky dog - he's a wonderful pet and a brilliant show dog" said Kevin.

Best in Show 08: Jafrak Philippe Olivier

Speaking about winning Best in Show to Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Crufts' Clare Balding, Kevin said: "I can't believe it. What a fantastic feeling. To be here for the third time and to actually get it - a dream."

The Giant Schnauzer was selected to be Crufts Best in Show by judge Clare Coxall. She said: "[Philip] came out of that arch there and he came in... as though he owned it."

Clare knew Philip was a winner when she laid her hands on him: "He's got muscles on top of muscles. He's in ace order. Fantastic top athletical condition. And he has a pair of the jettest black eyes. He sold himself to me and he knew he was doing it."

Philip and Kevin receive a Β£100 prize, a replica trophy and a prestigious place in dog show history.

Hound Group winner 2008

Top dogs at Crufts 2008

Over four days, March 6 - 9 2008, thousands of dogs in seven different pedigree dog groups were shown and judged at Crufts dog show. Once the Best in Breed were selected in the NEC's halls, Best in Group winners were then judged in the main arena.

Toy and Utility Groups were shown in the arena at the NEC on Thursday, Gundogs on Friday, Working and Pastoral on Saturday and Terrier and Hounds were shown on Sunday.

Terrier Group winner 2008

The Best in Group winners went on to compete in the grand finale on Sunday evening, for the prestigious Best in Show title. Clare Coxall was the Crufts 2008 Best in Show judge. As a competitor, Mrs Coxall won Best in Show in 1966 with a Toy Poodle.

Philip's competition

Philip, shown in the Working Group, was selected to be Best in Show ahead of dogs from six other groups. Those dogs were:

Terrier Group - Sunday 9 March 2008

Am Ch Caraway Celebrate Life was judged to be the winner of the Terrier Group.

Winner of the Pastoral Group 2008

Hound Group - Sunday 9 March 2008

Beagle - Ch Dialynne Maximus was judged to be the winner of the Hound Group. 'Max' is owned and handled by Melanie Spavin, from Solihull in the West Midlands.

Max was chosen ahead of the Basset Griffon Vendeen (grand) owned and handled by Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Crufts presenter Jessica Holm. However Jessica's dog Ch Holmchappell Petite Priere did win Best of Bread.

Jessica said she felt honoured to have won a place in the Hound Group short-list, commenting: "I will never forget this night, it's fantastic".

Winner of the Gundog Group, Crufts 2008

Working Group - Saturday 8 March 2008

Judge Stuart Mallard chose Giant Schnauzer, Ch Jafrak Philippe Olivier as the winner of the Working Group on Saturday. The Giant Schnauzer is owned by Mr & Mrs Cullen from St Leonards-on-Sea in East Sussex.

Pastoral Group - Saturday 8 March 2008

Judge Zena Thorn-Andrews chose the winner of the Pastoral Group. She selected the Samoyed, Ch Vandreem Imperial Hermioni By Berezniki JW ShCM, owned by Mrs L Bobrowski from Chobham in Surrey.

Toy Group winner 2008

Gundog Group - Friday 7 March 2008

The Gundog Group was won by the Spaniel (American Cocker) Sh Ch/Am Ch San Jo’s Born To Party owned by Mrs M and Miss M Boardman.

Toy Group - Thursday 6 March 2008

Toy Group was won by the Chihuahua (smooth coat) Gibeltarik Happy Go Lucky owned by Mrs J Requena MBE.

Utility Group - Thursday 6 March 2008

Utility Group was won by the Japanese Shiba Inu Ch Janeryls In The Line Of Fire JW owned by Mrs J Bannister.

Utility Group winner 2008

More information

There's more information about the show at the Kennel Club's official Crufts website: www.crufts.org.uk.

Last year's Best In Show

Araki Fabulous Willy was awarded the Kennel Club's prestigious Crufts Best in Show title in 2007.

The Tibetan terrier, pet-name Willy, is owned by John Shaw and Neil Smith, from Gloucester. According to Neil, after his Crufts win:

"Willy then became a media personality for a week and he seemed to love it. He is now however retired from the show ring and lives at home with me and his daughter 'Dizzy'. He does make the odd celebrity appearance at local fairs and fetes."