Crufts 2025
Hamiltonstövare aren’t able to be shown at Westminster or the AKC National Championship because both shows refuse to welcome FSS breeds. That means that the closest thing we have is Crufts.
Crufts is the world’s largest dog show and it is held annually in Birmingham, UK. I would love to be able to show my dogs there but the KC refuses to give rare breeds a chance to qualify in the US in order to compete.
That means that we watch the live stream with bated breath as it is the largest audience that can see the breed at one time globally. Unfortunately, this year was an absolute disaster for the breed.
The presenters gave incorrect information about the breed and we have yet to hear any explanation as to why or an apology. The first presenter said that the breed was bred to hunt “deer, fox, and wild boar” which is so disgusting to hear as hunting deer for an adult Hamiltonstövare is immediate grounds for it to be not allowed to be bred to and is an instant disqualification in a hunting trials. Hunting wild boar with dogs in Sweden has never been something that was done. The FCI breed standard is very clear, the breed hunts hare and fox, never deer.
The next presenter, who is a licensed dog show judge, made up the breed history. He stated that Count Hamilton revived the breed from extinction, which is completely false. Count Hamilton founded the breed and first exhibited the breed at Sweden’s first ever dog show in 1886, the first 2 were named Pang and Stella. The breed was called “Swedish Hound” and then the name was changed to Hamiltonstövare to honor the breed’s founder.
The presenters could have said numerous other facts about the breed to engage people but instead they chose to give out misinformation.
The Hamiltonstövare is Sweden’s National dog breed and is a critical element of Swedish culture, it deserves dignity, respect, and people who can give out correct information to honor the breed.
Crufts and The Kennel Club - do better, give a public apology now