Crufts 2026 Spotlight: Student Ellie and Winnie the Border Terrier Steal the Show!

One of our A1 students, Ellie, had an incredible experience earlier this month as she competed at Crufts alongside her furry companion, Winnie. Known as the world’s largest international dog show, Crufts took place from Thursday 5 March to Sunday 8 March at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham. Ellie and Winnie stepped into the spotlight on Friday 6 March, an exciting day dedicated to Border Terrier judging.

Winnie is a Border Terrier who’s full of personality! Ellie describes her as one of a kind – super obedient, really caring, and amazingly intuitive, always seeming to know exactly how Ellie is feeling. Winnie also goes by the show name ‘Cupids Bat Out Of Hell’, which perfectly matches her unique look, as Winnie has a white, heart-shaped marking on her chest, making her truly one of a kind.

Friday 6 March, was a busy day for the pair as Winnie was entered in two Border Terrier categories: the female Puppy Class and the female Junior Class. Despite Winnie’s outstanding showing, unfortunately, she did not place at Crufts 2026. The competition was tough, with over 20 international dogs competing, but for Ellie, the experience meant everything. “I really enjoyed experiencing the atmosphere and having my mum by my side, with my family watching,” she said.

Ellie’s passion for competing runs in the family. Her grandmother has always enjoyed Crufts and even competed there, and her mother has been by Ellie’s side every step of the way. Ellie has always loved Border Terriers, so she bred Winnie with the show ring in mind. Winnie’s dad is also a show dog, giving her strong roots in the world of competitions.

Over the past 8 to 9 months, Ellie and Winnie have been dedicated to training, building their skills and confidence together. They’ve taken part in Ringcraft classes, which are smaller practice competitions, as well as Open Shows. While these don’t qualify them for Crufts, they’ve been vital in helping Ellie and Winnie gain experience and prepare for the big stage. Ellie and Winnie are looking forward to an exciting summer, hoping to compete at The Royal Windsor Championship Dog Show and The Blackpool & District Canine Society Championship Dog Show which are both Crufts qualifiers.

Ellie is excited to hopefully pursue a future in veterinary, turning her love for dogs into a rewarding career where her passions and ambitions come together perfectly.