Crufts judge follows in her dad's footsteps

20160311 Copyright onEdition 2016 Â©
Free for editorial use image, please credit: onEdition

Picture shows Judge Sue Mitchell on the second day of Crufts 2016, at the NEC Birmingham.

Crufts is the world's greatest dog show and this year will see around 22,000 healthy, happy dogs at the event, enjoying competing for the coveted 'Best in Show' title as well as the many other competitions that take place at the show, from Agility and Flyball to Eukanuba Friends for Life and Scruffts. Crufts 2016 runs from the 10th to the 13th March at the NEC, Birmingham.

Crufts is the perfect opportunity for dog lovers to find out even more about the range of schemes, activities and events that they can get involved in, to ensure that they and their dog have a long, healthy and fulfilling relationship from puppyhood, all the way through their lives!

For more information please contact the Press Office via: T: 020 7518 1008 / 1020
E: press.office@thekennelclub.org.uk

For additional images please visit: http://www.w-w-i.com/c — 20160311 Copyright onEdition 2016 Â© Free for editorial use image, please credit: onEdition Picture shows Judge Sue Mitchell on the second day of Crufts 2016, at the NEC Birmingham. Crufts is the world's greatest dog show and this year will see around 22,000 healthy, happy dogs at the event, enjoying competing for the coveted 'Best in Show' title as well as the many other competitions that take place at the show, from Agility and Flyball to Eukanuba Friends for Life and Scruffts. Crufts 2016 runs from the 10th to the 13th March at the NEC, Birmingham. Crufts is the perfect opportunity for dog lovers to find out even more about the range of schemes, activities and events that they can get involved in, to ensure that they and their dog have a long, healthy and fulfilling relationship from puppyhood, all the way through their lives! For more information please contact the Press Office via: T: 020 7518 1008 / 1020 E: [email protected] For additional images please visit: http://www.w-w-i.com/c

A dog breeder from Eaton Bray made sure it was a double celebration at this year's Crufts after being given the opportunity to judge at the 125th anniversary of the world's largest dog show.

Sue Mitchell, 64, adjudicated the Gordon Setter breed at Birmingham’s NEC last week, continuing the relationship her family has with Crufts,.

Few people can boast more experience than Sue and her father, with the latter’s initial appearance dating back more than 80 year.

“My father was an exhibitor at Crufts from around 1932 up until the start of the second World War,” said Mrs Mitchell.

“I came across all his prize cards and some photographs, and I was interested from then on. I’ve qualified with all of my dogs at Crufts since 1979, and this year I was amazed to have the honour of judging at the 125th show.

“He’s not here any longer but I think he’d be very proud of me doing this.”

Mrs Mitchell has had Gordon Setters since the 1970s, while also being a judge from the next decade. She also spent 24 years on the British Gordon Setter Club Committee, during which time she was also club president.

And it seems her Crufts judgement was well-balanced with her favourite, James, later going on to win the Best in Group award for the gundogs and earning a place in the Best in Show final from among 22,000 happy, healthy dogs.

“I judged the Gordon Setters, and we’ve had some very happy winners so it’s been a very enjoyable day,” she continued.

Having spent almost 40 years attending Crufts, Mrs Mitchell is pleased of the way the event has developed.

“Crufts is moving forwards all the time, there’s always new innovations, new breeds to see and I think it gives the public a great insight into what goes on. That’s one of the things that makes it well-respected around the world.”