Bruin the Clumber Spaniel Wins Best in Show at Crufts 2026

Crufts crowned Vanitonia Soloist, known in the ring as Bruin, Best in Show at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham, with judge Tamas Jakkel selecting the four-year-old Clumber spaniel on Sunday 8 March 2026 after the dog had won the Gundog group earlier in the show. Bruin beat the winners of six other groups and, according to coverage of the event, prevailed against around 18,000 dogs that competed across the four-day Crufts event.

The victory is historic for the breed: this marks the first time a Clumber spaniel has taken Best in Show at Crufts since 1991. Reserve dog was Meghan, a four-year-old petit basset griffon vendeen from Croatia who earlier secured the Hound group and was named reserve dog on the final day at the NEC.

Handler Lee Cox, described in an event image caption as owner and handler, reacted with a mix of awe and affection after the win. “It’s just amazing, I mean, what can I say? I can’t believe it. Thank you so much," Cox said. He added, “It’s just wonderful for this breed. You know, it’s just a… for the first time in my life, I’m speechless.” On Bruin’s temperament and bond with Cox, he said, “He’s just, he’s a dog of a lifetime, he really, really is. He’s very, very special. I absolutely adore him. And he adores me.” Cox offered a lighter moment when he joked, “I think he wants to eat your microphone,” and earlier had called Bruin a “walking cartoon character in a fluffy white coat,” describing him as “Bit of a diva, a bit like me really, likes his own way, very chilled, but will never, ever let me down. Never lets me down.”

Jannine Edgar, chief executive of the Royal Kennel Club, praised the winners and the field in a statement: “Congratulations to Bruin and Lee for closing this year’s competition with a truly outstanding win and for taking home the prestigious best in show title. Their connection and skill in the ring have shone throughout, making them thoroughly deserving champions. We also extend our congratulations to all the finalists. Each dog, handler and owner should feel extremely proud of reaching such an iconic final. Crufts continues to be adored by dog lovers worldwide, and it has been wonderful to welcome so many competitors from around the globe this year. We’ve celebrated the extraordinary bond between dogs and their handlers across every competition and activity. [...] Thank you to everyone involved for helping make Crufts the remarkable event that it is.”

Photographers captured Bruin and Cox on the final day at the NEC; an image from the show carries credit to Joe Giddens/PA. With Bruin’s win closing out the four-day Crufts 2026, the Clumber spaniel’s achievement now sits alongside the show’s long history and will be a touchstone for breed fans and handlers across the year.