Man About Town - Crufts

Beartown Voice - April 2025.

By Mark Edwardson

Cast your mind back a few issues of Beartown Voice and you might recall a very handsome young fellow who goes by the name of Milo. If you can picture him with long hair and an even longer back propped up by some of the shortest legs in the canine world you've won my appreciation for being a regular reader. Yes, Milo is a Skye terrier and as such is amongst the rarest of dog breeds in Britain. Now he's also a star of Crufts having been chosen as a finalist in the "Native Vulnerable Breeds" category.

I caught up with Milo and his owner, Julie on their return to Congleton. Julie, as you might expect, was bouncing like the Andrex puppy. "It was almost surreal! I was buzzing!", she gushed. "It's like being chosen for the Olympics. Crufts is the most prestigious competition in the world. You have to be invited and qualify. The Kennel Club treated our category with such care and respect it was an honour to be there."

Julie admits she felt like the underdog. She says there was an air of canine camaraderie amongst the competitors. Milo, however, had an ace tucked inside his collar as Julie divulged, "He's a drop-eared Skye terrier and I knew he was the rarest in the ring. There are more pandas in the world than drop-eared Skye terriers."

Preparation for the show was immense. Julie says it started last May when Milo received the call-up. Since then he's been groomed to within an inch of his life. He might have been enjoying the attention but Julie has been feeling the stress for both. "The pressure I put on myself was massive. I wanted to do well and showcase the Skye terriers. Then Claire Balding came around to see Milo before he went on Channel Four as part of their TV coverage. It's a good job I knew all the answers to her questions. More importantly, Milo behaved!"

To be nominated as a finalist at Crufts is a massive honour for dog and owner. Many entrants were veterans of Crufts and other elite dog shows. Milo, unfortunately, didn't take the top prize which when to an Irish Wolfhound. This was Milo's debut so bagging a finalist's rosette was all the more reason to celebrate. "It doesn't matter what anyone else thinks of your dog', Julie said. "We were there and I am really proud of the special bond I have with Milo and he has with me. If I don't ever get to do it again I'm happy with what we achieved for us and the breed."

A bit like Conleton Town's recent cup success, after the big show and the TV appearance it's back down to earth and the hard work of local shows. However, I really don't believe it's the last the world of elite dog shows has heard from Julie and Milo.

In other news, I'd like to say a heartfelt "thank you" for all the good wishes I received after last month's article. I'm on the mend and I'll be back around town very soon.

All information accurate as of April 2025.