A beard-soaked drinker, bin-raiding enthusiast and self-declared “professional eater” is now chasing national glory after being named among the UK’s scruffiest dogs.
Bertie, a five-year-old Miniature Schnauzer, has been shortlisted as a finalist in a nationwide competition launched by holiday park provider Away Resorts to celebrate dogs of all shapes, sizes and levels of scruffiness.
The inaugural ‘Scruffs’ contest was introduced to coincide with Crufts, attracting hundreds of entries from across the country.
Six finalists have been selected by a judging panel that includes Ted, the celebrity dog from Mortimer and Whitehouse Gone Fishing, alongside Away Resorts chief executive and co-founder Carl Castledine, also known as Simon Growl.
The finalists are now competing in a public vote across the company’s social media channels, with the winner set to be crowned the UK’s scruffiest dog 2026.
The victorious dog will receive the title along with a staycation from Away Resorts, while runners-up will be given prizes.
Bertie’s owner, Liz Thompson, said: “Five year old Bertie is professionally hungry, a hopeless sausage catcher, bin-raiding connoisseur, recycling-day fanatic, beard-soaked drinker, Mini Schnauzer with a massive heart.
“He’d make the most perfectly imperfect Scruffs champion.”
The other finalists include Billy the Sprocker Spaniel from East Cowes, Isle of Wight, Tipi the Border Collie from Bransgore, Dorset, Mr Bogangles the Chinese Crested from Chesterfield, Derbyshire, Simba the Cockapoo from Dudley, West Midlands, and Sid, a Saluki mixed breed from Luton, Bedfordshire.
Hannah Evans, senior barketing manager at Away Resorts, said: “While we love Crufts, we wanted to do something a bit more inclusive, especially for the dogs at the scruffier end of the spectrum, by rewarding the UK’s most perfectly imperfect pooches, just for being themselves.
“Head to our social media channels now to vote for your Scruffy champion.
“Beyond the competition, we’re on a wider mission to create the UK’s most dog friendly holiday parks.
“Our accommodation options are fully geared up, we have an activity pawgramme designed to keep your dogs busy on their holidays, plus dog menus available in our restaurants and bars and all our parks are also all surrounded by epic dog walks.”
Away Resorts is offering free stays for dogs from May 1 to June 30, 2026. More information on dog-friendly holidays is available at www.awayresorts.co.uk/holidays/dog-friendly-holidays/
