Entertainment Businessman. He was noted for founding the British renowned annual “Crufts Dog Shows”. Born in Sussex, England, he first became involved with dogs when he began to work at the Spratt's Company, a manufacturer of dog biscuits in the early 1870s. Rising to the position of general manager for Spratt's, he traveled across Europe to expand the biscuit business and was invited to many dog shows. He took offers to run shows including an offer to become Secretary of the Dutch Kennel Club, ran a section of the dog shows, plus co-founded and became club secretary of the Schipperke Club of Brussels, Belgium. In 1886, he opened a show at Westminster, London, England, which featured terriers and by 1890, the shows added several other breeds of dogs. The expansion of breeds led to the creation of his first mixed breads show in 1891 titled, "Cruft's Greatest Dog Show". The popularity grew so large that by 1914, it became an annual event and was recognized as the largest dog show in the world with over 10,000 dog entries in 1936. After running his 45th Crufts Show in 1938, he fell ill and died of a heart attack at age 86 in London, England.
Entertainment Businessman. He was noted for founding the British renowned annual “Crufts Dog Shows”. Born in Sussex, England, he first became involved with dogs when he began to work at the Spratt's Company, a manufacturer of dog biscuits in the early 1870s. Rising to the position of general manager for Spratt's, he traveled across Europe to expand the biscuit business and was invited to many dog shows. He took offers to run shows including an offer to become Secretary of the Dutch Kennel Club, ran a section of the dog shows, plus co-founded and became club secretary of the Schipperke Club of Brussels, Belgium. In 1886, he opened a show at Westminster, London, England, which featured terriers and by 1890, the shows added several other breeds of dogs. The expansion of breeds led to the creation of his first mixed breads show in 1891 titled, "Cruft's Greatest Dog Show". The popularity grew so large that by 1914, it became an annual event and was recognized as the largest dog show in the world with over 10,000 dog entries in 1936. After running his 45th Crufts Show in 1938, he fell ill and died of a heart attack at age 86 in London, England.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
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