Crufts Winner Clyde: ‘Gentle giant’ Labrador from Wales Steals the Show and the Northesk Memorial Trophy
Under the bright lights of the NEC arena, a yellow Labrador bounded into view with an easy, purposeful gait and a tail that wagged like a metronome — and in that moment Trieymoedd Snipes Whisper Clyde became a crufts winner on Gundog Day. Handlers, keepers and a crowd that had gathered for the BASC gamekeeper classes watched as Clyde moved with athleticism and calm temperament that set him apart.
Who is the Crufts Winner from BASC’s gamekeeper classes?
Trieymoedd Snipes Whisper Clyde is a four and a half year-old yellow Labrador from Wales, owned by gamekeeper Harry Lewis and Amber Williams. Clyde took the Northesk Memorial Trophy and the title of Best in Gamekeeper Classes during Crufts 2026, held earlier today, 8 March, during Gundog Day at the NEC in Birmingham. Amber Williams, who handled Clyde in the ring, described him as a “gentle giant” whose combination of breed type, athleticism and temperament drew the judges’ attention.
Amber Williams said: “I can’t believe it. He is just brilliant, both in the shooting field and in the show ring. He just loves doing what he’s doing. ” She added: “He has had a fabulous season and has been out nearly every day. He has spent 60-plus days picking up, he absolutely loves it. We have had an amazing day. “
What does Clyde’s win reveal about working gundogs and their handlers?
The BASC gamekeeper classes are designed to showcase gundogs that are active in the field across a season, and Clyde’s victory underscores the relationship between a handler and a working dog. Glynn Evans, BASC’s head of game and wildlife management, highlighted the standard and purpose of the classes: “The standard of dogs in the gamekeeper classes this year was excellent. These are working dogs that spend the season in the field, and Crufts gives keepers and handlers the chance to show the quality of those dogs to a wider audience. “
Evans emphasized the human dimension underpinning the competition: “What stands out is the partnership between handler and dog. That relationship, built through training and work on the shoot, is what these classes are all about. ” The Marquess of Hamilton, BASC president, presented the trophy and noted the day’s success in celebrating dogs with proven ability and correct breed type: “We’ve had a fantastic day at Crufts today and crowned a truly wonderful overall winner of BASC’s gamekeeper classes. He’s a superb looking dog who really knows what he’s doing and is clearly from great stock. “
How large is Crufts this year and what else is on show at the NEC?
Crufts 2026 has drawn a large international field and an array of competitions beyond the gamekeeper classes. Organisers expect 18, 698 entries at the NEC this year, with more than 200 pedigree breeds represented and 4, 299 entries from outside the UK. Events running across the halls include agility contests, freestyle heelwork to music and flyball, and there is a display by the West Midlands Police Dog team. The main competition continues through the weekend, with the Best in Show winner due to be crowned on Sunday evening. Last year, a four-year-old whippet named Miuccia from Venice won Best in Show, the first time a dog from Italy took that top prize.
The scale of the event and the variety of classes offer working handlers a platform to bring field-bred dogs into a public arena, connecting rural practice with a wider audience and giving working dogs moments of recognition alongside the show ring spotlight.
Back in the ring where the morning began, Amber Williams lifted Clyde’s head toward the crowd and let the applause fill the space between field and stage — a quiet testament to seasons spent together and the work that made him a crufts winner.
