A MAN who has been showing dogs for more than 40 years felt like "Christmas had come early" when he received a letter...

...inviting him to be a judge at Crufts.

The international canine event held every year is the largest in the world and this will be Tom Graham's second time judging at it.

The 62-year-old from Askam received a letter in November inviting him to judge Sussex Spaniels in the 2019 event.

He said: "I have already judged Welsh Springer Spaniels in 2008 for Crufts with an entry of 200 and it was a very long but enjoyable day.

"This is something I am really looking forward to and it was a complete surprise."

To qualify to be a judge at Crufts at championship show level you have to have been judging dog shows for at least 14 years.

Mr Graham has been doing it for more than 30 years.

He has also owned 17 dogs that have become show champions.

Mr Graham said: "When I received the letter it was like Christmas had come early.

"It all started when I bought a pet Cocker Spaniel about 40 years ago and went to my first show at Whitehaven. We won a first in a class and then the rest is history as they say."


Tom Graham of Askam who will be judging Gundog entries at Crufts 2019. JON GRANGER When Mr Graham got the letter he had to keep the news quiet until it was officially confirmed by The Kennal Club, which was a few weeks later.

Mr Graham and his wife, Jane, who is also a dog show judge, own eight dogs: Two Sussex Spaniels, one German Shorthaired Pointer and five Welsh Springer Spaniels.

Together they have travelled the world judging dog shows.

Mr Graham said: "We have been to New Zealand, Australia, Sweden, Norway, Holland, Finland, Czech Republic and Jersey to judge."

When Mrs Graham heard the news about the invite to Crufts she was "delighted" for her husband.

She said: "I am very proud of him, it's quite an achievement to get a second invite.

"It would be great if one day I could follow in Tom's steps."

<u>Popular event started more than 120 years ago</u>

HERE are some interesting facts about Crufts:

  • Crufts is one of the largest dog events in the world. - The event was started in 1891 by Charles Cruft.
  • From 1918 until 1920 Crufts was not held due to the First World War.
  • In 1938 Charles Cruft dies. His widow, Emma Cruft takes over the running of the show.
  • Cruft’s was first televised by the BBC in 1950.
  • The death of King George VI on February 6 1952 threatens the possibility of the cancellation of Cruft’s for that year but the show is allowed to take place two days later.
  • Entries break the 15,000 mark for the first time in 1961.
  • In 1979 the show moves to Earls Court as the increasing number of entries had the show outgrowing its former venue at Olympia.
  • The show is extended in 1982 to three days to accommodate the increasing numbers of dogs and spectators.
  • In 1987 the show is extended to four days to accommodate further increases in the number of dogs and spectators.
  • Crufts is streamed online for the first time in 2009 and became the most watched channel on You Tube in the UK.
  • In 2014 Crufts was televised on Channel 4 across three nights for the first time ever.