Crossbreed Pascha and owner Alisha gear up for dream Crufts appearance

Pascha, a seven-year-old Cocker Spaniel/Poodle cross from Oldham, owned by Alisha Dadamo, has been named the winner of the ‘Good Citizen Dog Training scheme’ class in a regional heat for Scruffts, the annual crossbreed competition run by The Kennel Club.

The pair will now go on to compete in the semi-final stages hosted at the world’s most famous dog show, Crufts, in March 2026.

The Scruffts heat, the first of six to be held this year, took place at Newark Showground as part of the All About Dogs Show.

The competition attracted crossbreeds and their owners from all over the region, but just four have made it through to the next stage, earning them a place in the semi-final stages at Crufts 2026.

The overall winners of the semi-final will then have the chance to compete in the final, also at Crufts 2026.

Speaking of their win, Alisha said: “After a difficult start to Pascha’s life, it's taken us years to get her to a place where she feels confident, and I would never have thought she would be able to qualify for Crufts!”

The Scruffts Family Crossbreed Dog of the Year competition, exclusively supported by pet food makers James Wellbeloved, is open to all crossbreeds and mixed breed dogs, of all shapes, sizes and age (as long as they are over six months).

Judging the competitors on the day was Lisa Bassett who had the tough decision of choosing just one winner for each of the four classes: Most Handsome Crossbreed Dog, Prettiest Crossbreed Bitch, Golden Oldie Crossbreed and the Good Citizen Dog Training scheme class.

All dogs competing were judged against the following qualities:

Good character

Good health

Good personality

Good temperament with people and other dogs

The four class winners are now preparing to compete at Crufts 2026, which will be held at the NEC Birmingham next March, where the judges will be making the difficult decision of choosing the Scruffts Family Crossbreed Dog of the Year.

Throughout the year, heats of the popular Scruffts contest, which is exclusively supported by pet food makers James Wellbeloved, are taking place at events around the country in search of crossbreeds with that extra special something.

The four class winners from each heat will receive delicious goodies from James Wellbeloved, the sponsor of Scruffts, and ultimately the four category finalists at next year’s Scruffts Grand Final will each win a year’s supply of James Wellbeloved food for their dog!

Sonja Hartomo, European Brand Manager, said: “Congratulations to our four outstanding semi-finalists who have secured their places at Crufts next year.

"It was a brilliant day at Newark, and we were thoroughly impressed by everyone who took part.

"At James Wellbeloved, we’re incredibly proud to be the exclusive supporter of Scruffts, and we can’t wait to see how our semi-finalists get on at Crufts."

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