Irish Wolfhound from Warrington wins place in Crufts final but misses out on best in show

UPDATED: PARIS, an Irish Wolfhound from Warrington and owner Chris Amoo, won the Hound group title at Crufts 2023 yesterday but missed out in the Best in Show final on Sunday evening.

The Irish Wolfhound, the biggest of all breeds, is also a Vulnerable Native breed, with fewer than 300 annual puppy registrations.

Paris (Ch Sade Paris), aged five, owned, handled and bred by singer-songwriter, Chris, returned to the Resorts World Arena at the NEC Birmingham on Sunday evening, along with six other dogs to compete for the coveted Best in Show title at Crufts.

On making the final seven, proud owner Chris said: “We bred Paris and he is a very special dog – the type of dog that is one in a million. We are so proud of him!
“When the judge points to you, you can’t really believe it and it only starts to sink in when you are doing your lap of honour. I won Best in Show here at Crufts 36 years ago, and I just can’t stop smiling!
“I’ve never lost my passion or enthusiasm for this hobby, after all these years – I don’t take holidays because for me, showing dogs, that is my pleasure.”
Vanessa McAlpine, Crufts Show Manager, said: “Many congratulations to Paris and Chris on winning the Hound group title. Earning a spot in the Best in Show final is an incredible achievement and the pair should be extremely proud of the hard work and wonderful bond they demonstrated this evening.
“Crufts celebrates healthy, happy dogs and recognises the special and unique relationship between dogs and their owners. Chris and Paris really demonstrated a close bond in the ring today and they showed great confidence.”

After four momentous days Crufts Best in Show winner was crowned as Orca (Am GCh Kan Trace Very Cheeky Chic), a Lagotto Romagnolo, who took home the coveted title.
In a packed Resorts World Arena at the Birmingham NEC, Orca, who is four years old, owned by Sabina Zdunić Šinković and Ante Lucin, and handled by Javier Gonzalez Mendikote, was cheered on as they were chosen by top judge, Stuart Mallard. The famous Best in Show trophy was presented by Crufts Show Manager, Vanessa McAlpine, who has been part of the Crufts and Kennel Club team for over 40 years, and will be retiring this year.
Orca’s win was captured live on Channel 4 in a programme hosted by Clare Balding, and watched online by millions of dog lovers. This is the first time the Lagotto Romagnolo has won Crufts. It is a lively and affectionate Italian breed, which is relatively new to the UK. They have a unique talent for truffle hunting, thanks to their acute sense of smell.
Over 19,000 dogs from around the world competed at the Birmingham NEC over the last four days for just seven places in the Crufts 2023 Best in Show final. The other six finalists were: Archie, a Dobermann; Blondie, an Old English Sheepdog; Blanca, a Wire Fox Terrier; Paris, an Irish Wolfhound; Jake, a Standard Poodle and Dublin, a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.
The Reserve Best in Show was won by the Old English Sheepdog, Blondie, who was handled, bred and co-owned by Matteo Autolitano, from Italy.

For more information and results from the show, visit crufts.org.uk