A Stainton-based Welsh Springer Spaniel breeder is celebrating her best entry at Crufts in 28 years.
Thelma Ritchie is delighted with her successes as both owner and co-owner at this year’s Crufts, considered the largest and most prestigious dog show in the world.
Accolades for Thelma in the gun dog category included Best Bitch with Slapestones Diamond Mine JW; and Best of Breed with Renascent Bleaberry At Slapestones JW.
The best of breed winner is co-owned by Thelma and Linda Graham.
The Best Veteran Dog and Best Veteran in Breed, Slapestones Diamond Mine JW, is owned by Thelma Ritchie and Louise Buckler. Thelma and her daughter Dawn also had success taking the best puppy in breed title, and had worthy placings for other dogs: Second in limit dog with Archie, and second in puppy bitch with Ellie.
Thelma said: “Crufts 2025 was a day to remember. We have had Welsh Springer Spaniels since 1996 and exhibited at Crufts every year since 1998. It has been a lucky show for us but this year was on another level.
“We feel very proud of the Welsh Springer Spaniel owned by us and the ones we bred that did so well for their lovely owners.
“I have owned a best of breed at Crufts before and I bred a best of breed at Crufts before but we have never won as many top awards as this.
“There are four top awards, if you like, best dog, best bitch, best veteran and best puppy and we have won three out of the four of them so it is quite something for our small kennel.”
Thelma says she has been celebrating over the weekend, and that her successes stem from her love of the breed.
Welsh Springer Spaniels are known for their red and white colour, and are currently listed as a vulnerable breed.
After getting her first Springer in 1996, since then she has steadily grown her reputation as breeder for the distinctive dogs. She describes her spaniels as “intelligent dogs” and “great companions” and says she has made so many friends over the years traveling to shows around the country.
