PREVIEW

The Kennel Club, organiser of Crufts has unveiled the five finalists shortlisted for the organisation’s Hero Dog Award 2025.

The awards allow the public to vote for the dog they believe deserves the title of the UK’s most heroic canine.

The finalists include, a record-breaking blood donor dog who has given over 40 donations to help critically ill pets; a police dog who suffered life-changing injuries in the line of duty but has since provided vital support to officers; a devoted companion who, alongside his grieving owner, walked the length of the English coastline for charity.

The other nominees are a rescue dog who overcame being abandoned at just four weeks old to become a life-changing therapy dog, and a Pomeranian who has transformed the life of a young carer, helping her regain her childhood.
The annual award, supported by The Kennel Club Charitable Trust, celebrates the vital role that dogs play in human lives and in wider society.
Judges from the leading dog welfare organisations, selected the five inspiring finalists.

The public vote opened today, with the winner set to be announced in the bp pulse LIVE arena at Birmingham’s NEC and broadcast on Channel 4 on Sunday 9 March, the final day of Crufts.

The 2025 Kennel Club Hero Dog Award finalists are Sharwood, an eight-year-old Gordon Setter from Bedfordshire, is a record-breaking blood donor dog, having donated more than 40 times – equating to 22.5kg of blood – to support critically ill or injured pets.

His owner, Sue Mitchell, expressed her pride: “Sharwood has saved the lives of over 168 other dogs – I think he’s amazing.”

One recipient of Sharwood’s donations is Sizzle, a Dachshund with haemophilia, requiring frequent blood transfusions. Sizzle’s owner, Emma Gray, said: “No words can express the relief of knowing vital blood is available. Without Sharwood and his lovely owner, Sue, our dog wouldn’t be here today.”

Then there is working dog Baloo, a police dog who suffered severe injuries in 2018 when struck by a suspect’s car while on duty, leading to the amputation of one of her legs.

Following her retirement, she was adopted by former police dog handler Mandy Chapman.

Baloo soon began visiting officers at Essex Police, providing emotional support. She later became a key figure in the ‘Oscar Kilo’ wellbeing and trauma support dogs programme, now comprising over 250 dogs nationwide.

Mandy said: “After such trauma, Baloo has gone on to change lives every day. I’m so proud of her.”

Then there are Nick Johnson and his English Setter-cross, Louis, who embarked on an extraordinary 3,000-mile walk around England’s coastline in memory of Nick’s late wife, Lisa, who died of ovarian cancer.

Nick recalled: “Lisa asked what I would do when she was gone. I told her I would walk around our country with our dog to raise awareness and honour her.”

Over seven months, the pair raised more than £60,000 for Ovarian Cancer Action. “I don’t know who rescued who,” Nick said. “Louis has been my rock.”

Rescue Dog Hero Tilly was abandoned as a four-week-old puppy along with three littermates in a plastic basket on a roundabout. Rescued by New Hope Animal Rescue, she was hand-reared in foster care before being adopted by Emily Washington from Kent.

Within a year, Tilly passed a temperament test to become a Pets as Therapy dog. She now regularly visits care homes, schools, and prisons, providing comfort and support.

Emily, who underwent spinal surgery, credits Tilly with helping her recovery: “She even alerts me to migraines and anxiety. From a dumped puppy to a therapy dog, she has changed so many lives.”

Meanwhile there’s also Rosa, a Pomeranian, who has been a lifeline for eight-year-old Rozalyn Merrett, a young carer for her brother Rory, who has severe autism and complex needs.
Rozalyn’s mother, Abby, explained: “Rozalyn became anxious and withdrawn. When we welcomed Rosa, everything changed.”

Rosa provides companionship and emotional support, helping Rozalyn regain confidence.

“Rosa has brought my little girl back,” said Abby.
Rozalyn added: “I was struggling, but Rosa has helped me. She makes me happy.”

Bill Lambert, spokesperson for Crufts, said: “These incredible finalists highlight why dogs are known as ‘man’s best friend’. They show extraordinary courage, loyalty, and companionship. We encourage the public to vote for their favourite hero dog.”

The winner of The Kennel Club Hero Dog Award will receive £5,000 for their chosen dog charity, while each runner-up will receive £1,000.

The public can watch the finalists’ stories and vote for their Hero Dog 2025 until 4pm on Sunday 9 March via the Crufts website.