Crufts 2025: Meet the brave three-legged police dog behind this year’s hero award
Five extraordinary dogs were announced as finalists for a prestigious national award for Crufts 2025. The annual Kennel Club Hero Dog Award, backed by The Kennel Club Charitable Trust, honours the unique bonds between humans and their dogs, and the vital role our four-legged friends play in our lives and society.
Judges from The Kennel Club, one of the UK’s leading dog welfare organisations, handpicked the five inspiring finalists for the public vote. The winner was revealed in the bp pulse LIVE arena at the Birmingham NEC and on Channel 4 on Sunday 9 March, the final day of Crufts, the world’s biggest celebration of dogs.
These heroic hounds are just a few of the dogs who will be acknowledged for the difference they make. The victor of The Kennel Club Hero Dog Award, crowned on the last day of Crufts (9 March), will receive £5,000 from The Kennel Club Charitable Trust for the dog charity of their choice, while the other finalists will each receive a £1,000 donation to their chosen canine charity.
This year’s winner was former police dog Baloo who suffered life-changing injuries and had to have a leg amputated after being struck by a suspect’s car back in October 2018. Post-retirement, Baloo’s new chapter began with Mandy Chapman, a former police dog handler.
Mandy started taking Baloo to the Essex police force team affected by the incident for visits, which turned out to be remarkably beneficial for everyone’s mental health. This inspired the ‘Oscar Kilo’ well-being and trauma support dogs service through contact with the College of Policing team, and now the country boasts over 250 of these therapeutic dogs.
“It’s phenomenal what Baloo has achieved in her life, after such a trauma and serious injuries,” Mandy expressed with pride. “Her disability hasn’t stopped her – in the last six years she’s changed lives and spread smiles every day. I’m just so proud of her.”
The other finalists in the category included a pooch called Sharwood. Sharwood, an eight-year-old Gordon Setter from Eaton Bray, Bedfordshire, is a record-breaking blood donor dog, having given over 40 donations—22.5kg of blood—for critically ill or injured pets in need.
“I’m absolutely delighted that Sharwood is the record holder for the number of donations given to Pet Blood Bank,” his proud owner, Sue Mitchell, beamed. “He’s actually saved the lives of over 168 other dogs – I think he’s amazing.”
Sizzle, a Dachshund who suffers from haemophilia, has been one of the lucky recipients of Sharwood’s life-saving blood.
“No words can express the relief an owner feels being told there are vital blood products available,” explains Sizzle’s grateful owner, Emma Gray. “Without Sharwood and his lovely owner Sue, our dog Sizzle would simply not be here today.”
A heartwarming tale unfolded in 2024 as Louis, an English Setter-cross and his owner Nick Johnson, from Wiltshire, kicked off an inspiring trek along over 3,000 miles of England’s coastline to honour Nick’s late wife Lisa, who lost her battle to ovarian cancer.
“The idea for the walk really came about two days before Lisa passed away,” Nick recalled. “She said ‘what are you going to do when I’m gone?’ and I thought about it, and said ‘I’m going to take our dog, and I’m going to walk around our country, to raise awareness for Ovarian Cancer Action, and to honour you.'”
Nick and Louis powered through tough weather and rough terrains for more than seven months. Their dedication to the cause led to over £60,000 in donations, funding a specialized cancer researcher named for Lisa.
Through every step, rescue dog Louis proved to be Nick’s rock, offering boundless love and support.
“I’m extremely proud of what Louis and I have achieved for the charity and for ourselves,” Nick shared, reflecting on their journey. “I couldn’t envisage my life without him – I don’t really know who rescued who.”
At just four weeks old, Tilly and her three siblings were heartlessly abandoned in a plastic washing basket on a roundabout. Thankfully, they were saved by the heroes at New Hope Animal Rescue and lovingly hand-reared in a foster home until they were ready for adoption.
In less than a year, Tilly’s life transformed dramatically – at nine months, she aced the temperament test to become a Pets as Therapy dog. Now, she’s a regular visitor at care homes, schools, colleges, and even prisons, offering comfort alongside her owner Emily Washington from Strood, Kent.
Tilly hasn’t just been a beacon of hope for others; she’s been Emily’s rock through a tough spinal surgery recovery. She’s trained to warn Emily of impending migraines and high anxiety levels, and even helps curb stress-related behaviours.
“Tilly has overcome everything life has thrown at her,” Emily proudly shares. “She absolutely shows that rescue dogs can go on to do amazing things. From a dumped puppy to a therapy and assistance dog, she deserves the recognition for what she has done for so many people.”
Pomeranian Rosa has been a little superhero for eight-year-old Rozalyn Merrett, who bravely takes on the role of young carer for her brother, Rory. Rory lives with severe autism, profound learning disabilities, and complex needs.
As Rozalyn tries to balance her own childhood, she’s faced increased anxiety and sleep issues, but Rosa has been an invaluable source of support through it all.
“Rozalyn was a shadow of herself,” recalled Abby, Rozalyn’s mum. “She was quite anxious, she didn’t want to go to school, which wasn’t like her, and we had to have tests for sickness as she couldn’t keep food down.”
But everything changed when Rosa joined their home in Retford, Nottinghamshire.
More than just a furry friend, Rosa has been a lifeline for Rozalyn, acting as her devoted ‘doggie carer’, bringing her comfort, support, and a newfound sense of freedom. “Since getting Rosa, it’s like I’ve got my little girl back,” Abby shared with evident joy.
“She’s more outgoing, confident and happy. Rosa brings Rozalyn’s childhood back.
“Rosa is so special,” Rozalyn says with a smile. “With Rory, I could never cope, but Rosa’s helped me. I still get worried sometimes, but I feel happy with her.”
Bill Lambert from Crufts praised the bond between humans and their canine companions: “This award is an opportunity to celebrate our unsung canine heroes—those dogs that quietly go about changing people’s lives in their own unique and special way, those who keep us safe in society and show extraordinary courage, and those best friends who are by our sides through it all.
“These five finalists go to show exactly why dogs are known as ‘man’s best friend’, and we urge the public to vote and show their support for these extraordinary dogs and their unwavering loyalty, companionship and bravery.”
He continues, “These five finalists go to show exactly why dogs are known as ‘man’s best friend’, and we urge the public to vote and show their support for these extraordinary dogs and their unwavering loyalty, companionship and bravery.”
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