Fun Dog Show 2025: A Champion Occasion

Tim Stride
Jul 1
4 min read

The weather gods were kind to the Friends of Foots Cray Meadows (FFCM) with the rain and winds, forecast so ominously earlier in the week, staying away long enough for the annual Fun Dog Show to turn out ‘just champion’.

The event on Saturday June 7, held alongside the Information Centre in the far corner of Foots Cray Meadows close to Rectory Lane, witnessed some 150 local people enjoying an exciting community day . . . along, of course, with their furry friends.

MP for Old Bexley and Sidcup, Louie French, opened the show, which ran from 11am until 3pm. Bexley's mayor Cllr Christine Catterall also attending the occasion with her consort Dave Curtois and both joined in the festivities. With the Fun Dog Show itself, there were 11 categories for which we had 78 entrants.

All the winners plus runners-up were decided by experienced judge Karen Grindrod and photographed by Sarah Scott. The first three in each category received not just a rosette but a wonderful goodie bag so diligently and artistically put together by FFCM committee member Margaret Dodd.

There was on show an array of more than 20 breeds, including everything from a Bedlington/whippet cross to a most well-behaved XL bully. The first, second and third prizes were supplied by Albany Pet Stop with the finale ‘Best in Show’ trophy being sponsored by the White Cross Inn.

Category Winners

Cutest Pup (12 weeks to 1 year old)

Sponsored by Village Estates, Sidcup

Winner

Milo, 12 weeks, a mini dachshund owned by Ryan

Second

Mauve, 9 months, a pomeranian owned by Rogers

Third

Boycie, 6 months, a weimaraner owned by Thompson

Prettiest Young Lady (1-6 years old)

Winner

Winnie, 2 years, a Bedlington/whippet owned by Miranda

Second

Betsey, 3 years, a border terrier owned by Oliver

Third

Poppy, 1 year, a cocker spaniel owned by Crabtree

Most Handsome dog (1-6 years old)

Winner

Ernie, 17 months, a British bulldog owned by Whelan

Second

Ringo, 4 years, a boxer owned by George

Third

Ziggy, 2 1⁄2 years, a Staffordshire terrier owned by Kloret

Waggiest tail

Winner

Lotie, 5 years, a German pointer owned by Lesley

Second

Tanji, 2 years, a cavapoo owned by Faye

Third

Monty, 2 years, a springer spaniel owned by Padden

Best Junior Handler (under-16s who train their dog)

Winner

Clare with her 4-year-old German shepherd cross Anthea

Second

Elsie with her 2-year-old cavapoo Peanut

Third

Sophie with her 4-year-old spaniel Oatie

Prettiest Senior Lady (7 years onwards)

Winner

Rose, 10 years, a dachshund owned by Osbourne

Second

Lilt, 15 years, a pomeranian owned by Fisher

Third

Sriana, 81⁄2 years, a German shepherd owned by Ellen

Most Handsome Senior Dog (7yrs onwards)

Winner

Baxter, 13 years, a Cairn terrier owned by Paula

Second

Scoobie, 11 years, a mini schnauzer owned by Abbey

Third

Bobbin, 10 years, a lurcher owned by Miranda

Best Trick (Dog with a trick)

Winner

Reggie, 4 1⁄2 years, a rottweiler owned by Ian Dvan

Second

Speckle, 2 years, a Jack Russell owned by Leane

Third

Anthena, 4 years, a German shepherd cross owned by Clare

Fancy Dress (Dogs and owners)

Winner

Loki, 2 years, a cockapoo owned by Sinead

Second

Winnie, 2 years, a Bedlington/whippet owned by Miranda

Third

Winnie, 3 years, a French bulldog owned by Lacet

Odd Couple (Do you and your dog look odd together?)

Winner

Toby, 7 years, a cocker spaniel owned by Reynolds

Second

Milo, 12 weeks, a mini dachshund owned by Allcott

Third

Roxie, 2 years, an XL bully owned by Byrna

All winners of classes were automatically entered into the “Best in Show” class, which was eventually won by two-year-old Loki, a cockapoo owned by Sinead, a family effort with her children representing characters from Frozen, with Loki dressed as Sven, the reindeer.

Additional events included Hunt the Sausage as well as the ever-popular Straw Bale Jumping run by Clare Turner and Riya Pamnani with the invaluable help of young Mya Parmar, who wrote a wonderful report of her day.

The latter event was won by Sinead’s lively cockapoo Loki.

Click to view a gallery of all the category prize winners at the bottom of this article.

More About the Event

Stalls included Jen’s Bakes, for those wanting to sample some amazing cakes; The Gourmet Sausage Maker, with Rebecca and Nick providing a full range of sausages and other meats, hot and cold; plus Lottie’s Bakery, which offered homemade dog treats and food made from 100% human grade fresh ingredients or tailor made to your dog’s specific needs.

There was also White Princess Ice Cream plus Cuzzi’s Burger Van additionally doing tea/coffee and soft drinks.

Other stall successes were the Tilby Pooch Boutique, with an amazing collection of stylish coats for your dog and local gardener Rob Laing, who helped inform people all about the plants you need. Major sponsor Albany Pet Stop’s Lesa was unfortunately unable to provide a stall this year.

Bexley Council’s Andrea Cornwall was available to answer your questions about recycling in the borough while Louise Chalkley revealed details of the Children’s University from her stall.

The Grand Raffle proved a hit with 11 people winning the 13 prizes kindly donated by local people and businesses, not least Booker’s, Tesco and Morrisons.

The police sent along three officers who provided an important presence in chatting to the locals and answering questions.

Everyone who attended appeared to have a thoroughly great time, which is a massive tribute to the amazing work of the FFCM Fun Dog Show committee spear-headed by Steve Brown.

He mustered a band of around 20 volunteers and diligently conformed to all health and safety requests put forward by Bexley Council. An exhausting but worthwhile occasion.