Steve Taylor 0:00

Now we all think our dogs are special, but some seem to go the extra mile and become worthy of greater recognition. The search is underway for the UK's most inspiring canine, as Crufts has opened nominations for the 2027 Hero Dog Awards. Joining me is Janine Edgar, Chief Executive of the Royal Cannel Club. Janine, what makes a hero dog? What kinds of dogs and stories are you looking for?

Jannine Edgar 0:28

Well, Steve, um, the Hero Dog Awards are a really wonderful part of Crufts. And what it does is it shines a real light on dogs whose courage, loyalty, and unwavering devotion have made a real impact. What we're looking for is dogs that have shown bravery on the front line, support or assistance dogs, or even just a companion dog whose bond has been life-changing.

Steve Taylor 0:52

Dogs do have that impact on humans, don't they? That unconditional love that they give us makes them heroes to all of us, but they they do make a big impact on the lives of us humans, don't they, Janine?

Jannine Edgar 1:03

They absolutely do. And for me, this is what makes this award so special, because we are able to showcase how these dogs make a real difference every day. Um, everyone who has a dog, myself included, we all think our dogs are heroes, and rightfully so. But the stories behind these awards are really inspiring for the dogs at the heart of them, whether they're uh securing arrests of dangerous criminals, empowering people with disabilities, or simply offering unconditional love when it's most needed, it's just a another average day for these dogs, and for me, this is about really celebrating who they are.

Steve Taylor 1:42

Absolutely. Give me some examples of of what's been in the Hero Dog Awards in the past. I mean, what sort of sort of stories have you been enjoying previously?

Jannine Edgar 1:52

So last year we had a winner, Logan, and his dog Asher. They were a shining example of a bond that humans have with their dogs. Asher was a very calm presence, and the companion with Logan made a huge difference to his life. Logan has cerebral palsy and mitochondrial disease. So that bond and what Asher was able to do for him was absolutely life-changing.

Steve Taylor 2:19

There was, I think, a story of a dog that was a digital detection dog working with the police force.

Jannine Edgar 2:25

Yes, uh, that dog was called Tweed, and it was PC Martin King that handles Tweed. We also had Sue and her dog Shawood, and he's a record-breaking blood donor-saving dog.

Steve Taylor 2:39

That's a cracking story in itself. Now, now the the people who are nominated, the finalists, get to have their moment in the spotlight, don't they? Because they will be invited to Crufts to that big arena.

Jannine Edgar 2:50

Yes. Um, so this year we have changed the process a little bit. So rather than asking people to enter specific categories, this year's search is open to any dog with an extraordinary story. We'll have five finalists that will be chosen. We'll also have an overall winner that will be voted on by the public. And the public's champion will also be with us at Crufs. We also have five additional entrants that will receive an honourable mention in recognition of their stories.

Steve Taylor 3:19

And it's not just the recognition, there are actually some donations for chosen charities available.

Jannine Edgar 3:25

Yes, as part of the nomination process, we've asked entrants to suggest a charity that's close to their heart. Each of the five finalists will receive a thousand pounds donation for their chosen charity. The People's Champion will receive an additional two thousand donation for their charity, and those who get an honourable mention will receive £100 for their chosen charity.

Steve Taylor 3:47

These can be any dogs, Janine, can't they? Not just the the pedigree dogs that that show at Crust. This is open to all dogs across the country.

Jannine Edgar 3:55

Yes, absolutely. Regardless of your breed or type of dog, they can be nominated. So the nominations are currently open. They close on the 31st of October. So we really encourage people to get their nominations in as soon as possible.

Steve Taylor 4:09

I know, Janine, that Crufts has positioned itself obviously as being for all dogs, not just pedigree dogs. Is therefore the Hero Dog Awards an important part of taking the love of dogs and the whole understanding about what dogs do for us to a wider audience?

Jannine Edgar 4:26

Absolutely. This is about celebrating dogs of all breeds, backgrounds, abilities. Um, as you quite rightly mention, we have pedigree dogs that are shown during crofts, but we also have a number of other types of dogs that take part in things like agility and flyball. So this is just another lens that we get to see as many dogs as possible.

Steve Taylor 4:46

So you mentioned your dog that's your hero. What's your dog? What's it called?

Jannine Edgar 4:51

I have two dogs. I have Tulip, and she is 15. She's actually a crossbreed. I rescued her when I lived in South Africa. So she came across with me, and actually, she was my very, very first dog. So if I hadn't have got tulip, I wouldn't be in the job that I am in today. And um, you say that you rescue a dog, but actually I think they rescue you. Um, and that's very true in Tulip's case. And I also have a two and a half-year-old Jack Russell called Mitch.

Steve Taylor 5:19

Obviously, you can't enter because you're you're part of the kennel club, but if you were going to nominate your dogs, why would they be your heroes?

Jannine Edgar 5:27

I think it's the unconditional love piece. They are my heroes every day from that piece. I think one of the things that really struck me about Tulip is I very sadly lost my mum seven years ago, and she knew immediately that my father was very sad. And from the moment my mum passed away, Tulip decided she was going to sleep with Dad and really look after him, but she's been an absolute support to him from a mental health perspective. So I think if uh if I was going to give the award it would go to Tulip.

Steve Taylor 5:57

I think Tulip has has won your Hero Dog Award.

Jannine Edgar 6:01

Indeed, she has every day.

Steve Taylor 6:03

It's fair to say we all have a hero dog that we could nominate, I'm sure. Crufts is coming up in March. What are the dates for Crufts at the NEC for next year?

Jannine Edgar 6:11

It's the 4th to the 7th of March, held at the NEC in Birmingham.

Steve Taylor 6:15

When do uh tickets go on sale for Crufts?

Jannine Edgar 6:18

They go on sale mid-November. So get your tickets soon.

Steve Taylor 6:21

Absolutely. So if you've got a hero dog that you think deserves to be nominated for the Crufts Hero Dog Awards for 2027, there is lots of information, I'm sure, Janine, on the website.

Jannine Edgar 6:31

Yes, there is. Please go and have a look. We'd uh love to hear all your amazing stories about those fantastic dogs.

Steve Taylor 6:37

Fantastic. Janine Edgar, Chief Executive of the Royal Cannel Club. Thank you very much.

Jannine Edgar 6:42

Thank you very much.