Fantastic South Show Fun Dog Show Draws Crowd of Canine Stars
The GSPCA was delighted to be part of this year's South Show, held at the St Martin's Community Centre and surrounding field, where hundreds of visitors and many four-legged friends enjoyed a wonderful day of community spirit, entertainment and fundraising.
Alongside the GSPCA stall, the charity once again organised and ran the popular Fun Dog Show, which saw a fantastic entry of dogs of all ages, breeds and backgrounds taking part in six fun classes before the finalists competed for the coveted Best in Show Rosette and the Forest Stores Trophy.
With the warm weather forecast, the GSPCA reduced the number of classes to help ensure the welfare of all dogs attending. More than a dozen GSPCA gazebos were erected around the field, including a central judging area where all classes took place in the shade. Water buckets were also positioned throughout the site to ensure dogs could remain hydrated and comfortable throughout the day.
The charity would like to thank all those who supported the event, including the many stallholders, exhibitors and visitors. Special thanks go to Guide Dogs Guernsey and the many organisations who helped make the day such a success.
The GSPCA would also like to give a special mention to the Guernsey and Alderney Light Blue Freemason Club, whose members not only attended with a stand promoting Freemasonry in Guernsey but also provided invaluable assistance throughout the day with setting up, helping on the GSPCA stall and packing everything away at the end of the event.
Judging the Show
The show was judged by Steve Byrne, GSPCA Manager, assisted by Isaac, Bear and Josh from St Martin's Primary School, who met each dog and helped shortlist the winners in each class before the final decisions were made.
It is worth noting that although some dogs shared names with members of the judging team, Isaac and Bear from the judging panel were not related to any dogs entered in the competition and were different individuals entirely.
Dog Show Results
Best Puppy
1st - Star, 6-month-old Sheltie, owned by Neve Benstead
2nd - Jet, 17-month-old English Springer Spaniel, shown by Ava and Margo
3rd - Ace, 17-month-old English Springer Spaniel, shown by Jemma
Fabulous Fellas & Lovely Ladies
A total of 13 dogs entered this class and every participant received a rosette.
1st - Millie, a Sprocker over 7 years old owned by Jay
2nd – Roxy, a 2 year-old Husky owned by Lisa
3rd - Frank, 2½-year-old Dachshund, owned by Ava and brother
4th – Molly, 10-year-old Cocker Spaniel, owned by Isla
5th - Lilly, 2-year-old Boston Terrier, owned by Arthur
Best Rescue
1st - Clark, 12-year-old Cocker Spaniel, owned by Rebecca
Waggiest Bum & Happiest Handler
1st - Pebbles, 12-year-old Cavachon, owned by Isaac
2nd - Frank
3rd - Molly
4th - Alice, 7-year-old Shih-tzu, owned by Chantel
5th - Roxy
Golden Oldies (Over 7 Years)
1st - Clark
2nd - Pebbles
3rd - Molly
4th - Lillie
5th - Bear, 7-year-old Border Collie, owned by Billy
Best Trick
1st - Molly
2nd - Clark
3rd - Millie
Best in Show Finalists
The class winners progressed through to the Best in Show championship:
- Pebbles
- Clark
- Millie
- Molly
- Star
After careful deliberation by the judges:
Best in Show 2026
Star, 6-month-old Sheltie owned by Neve Benstead
Reserve Best in Show
Pebbles, 12-year-old Cavachon owned by Isaac
Star received the GSPCA Best in Show Rosette together with the Forest Stores Trophy.
Thank You from the GSPCA
Steve Byrne, GSPCA Manager, said:
"The South Show was a wonderful community event and it was fantastic to see so many people and dogs enjoying the day. Due to the warm weather we reduced the number of classes and focused heavily on welfare, providing plenty of shade with more than a dozen gazebos as well as water stations around the field. I would like to thank everyone who entered their dogs, donated to the GSPCA, volunteered their time and helped make the day so enjoyable. A special thank you goes to Isaac, Bear and Josh for their help with judging, to all of our supporters and stallholders, and particularly to the Guernsey and Alderney Light Blue Freemason Club whose members were an enormous help throughout the day. Most of all, thank you to the wonderful dogs who stole the show and made judging such a difficult task."
Words from the Winner
Neve Benstead, owner of Best in Show winner Star, said:
"We were absolutely delighted and very surprised when Star was announced as Best in Show. She's still only six months old and loved meeting all the other dogs and people at the event. We'd like to thank the GSPCA for organising such a fun day and the judges for choosing Star. Winning the Forest Stores Trophy was a lovely bonus and we'll have some very special memories from the South Show."
Coming Up Next
The GSPCA's busy show season continues with attendance at the:
- West Show this week
- North Show next week
The charity's next Fun Dog Show is planned for the GSPCA Animal Welfare Seafront Sunday next spring, where dog lovers and their canine companions will once again be invited to take part in a day of fun, fundraising and animal welfare awareness.
Check out more on the #GSPCABiggestBuildAppeal – https://www.gspca.org.gg/page/gspcabiggestbuildappeal
To donate to our work and the other animals in our care https://giving.gg/donate/charity/2/Guernsey-Society-for-the-Prevention-of-Cruelty-to-Animals-(GSPCA)
To see animals looking for new homes
https://www.gspca.org.gg/animals
To see our youtube channel and lots of videos please visit https://www.youtube.com/@TheGuernseySPCA
To see events, ways to support and animals in need please see our latest blog https://www.gspca.org.gg/blog
Upcoming events
- Summer Guided Tours July/August 2026 to be confirmed
- West Show 19th-20th August 2026
- North Show 26th-27th August 2026
- International Dog Day 26th August 2026
- World Animal Month October 2026
- World Animal Day 4th October 2026
- Feral Cat Day 16th October 2026
- National cat Day 29th October 2026
- Halt Term Spooky Tours October 2026 to be confirmed
- Dog First Aid Course 6.30pm - 8.45pm Thursday 12th November 2026 Ref – Dog12/11
- Cat First Aid Course 6.30pm - 8.45pm Thursday 26th November 2026 Ref – Cat26/11
- Possible Christmas Themed Animal Discovery Trail November/December 2026 to be confirmed with possible Ball
- World Wildlife Conservation Day 4th December 2026
- Festive Tours December/January 2026/7 to be confirmed
- Sidneys Sponsored Events - Grease and Dirty Dancing Saturday 10th April 2027
Steve continued “There are many ways to support the work of the GSPCA.”
“Our BIGGEST BUILD is now underway and we are desperately looking for support and to help in anyway please do get in touch and check out this link https://www.gspca.org.gg/blog/gspca-biggestbuild-begins-demolition-underway-%E2%80%93-buying-brick-sponsorship-can-you-help .”
“To become an Angel Pen Pal Sponsor donating each month to help the hundreds of animals in our care which you can do by downloading this form - http://www.gspca.org.gg/sites/default/files/Angel%20sponsor%20form%20special%202018%20new.pdf or to become a Corporate Angel Pen Pal form for your business to sponsor animals in our care each year please click here http://www.gspca.org.gg/sites/default/files/Corporate%20Angel%20Pen%20Pal%20sponsor%20formnew.pdf .”
“To think of helping animals and our work in your legacy or will please check out https://www.gspca.org.gg/about/gifts-wills-and-funding .”
“For those from those want to give CSR time and skills to those wanting to help sponsor or support something from our Wish List at the GSPCA http://www.gspca.org.gg/about/our-plans-wish-list .”
“If your group or business would like to find out about spending a day at the Shelter please go to -
http://www.gspca.org.gg/about/corporate-and-group-days “
“For other ways your business can help us here at the GSPCA please go to -
http://www.gspca.org.gg/about/how-your-business-can-help-gspca-corporate-sponsorship “
“If you would like to volunteer then to find out more details here -
http://www.gspca.org.gg/about/volunteers or to complete the volunteer application form please check out https://service.sheltermanager.com/asmservice?account=gspca&method=online_form_html&formid=14 .”
"We also have vacancies at the GSPCA and to find out more please visit https://www.gspca.org.gg/about/vacancies ."
"For lots of ways to support our work please visit https://www.gspca.org.gg/page/gspca-celebrating-150-years ."
“To visit our facebook page check out this link please click here .”
“To visit our x page please click here .”
“Thank you for your support.”
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