26/06/2026
The following statement has been issued by the Officers and Committee of Windsor Dog Show:
The past 48 hours have undoubtedly been the most challenging that the Windsor Dog Show Committee has ever had to endure.
The decision to cancel the Windsor Dog Show in its entirety was one of the hardest decisions we have ever faced. It was not taken lightly, nor was it made without exhausting every possible option. Ultimately, the welfare of our exhibitors, visitors, officials, volunteers and, above all, our dogs had to come first.
Following the success of last year’s Show, which finally saw the Society return to profit after a number of difficult years, we entered 2026 with renewed optimism. We had invested heavily in improving the exhibitor experience, increasing facilities, expanding the trade stand village and introducing a number of new initiatives, all with the aim of delivering the best Windsor Dog Show possible.
We have always been honest and transparent about the Society’s financial position. Whilst last year’s success marked the beginning of rebuilding the Society, it was only the first step. Unfortunately, we do not have cancellation insurance in place, and the financial consequences of cancelling the Show are significant.
As many of you will have seen, the Show had already been built. Marquees had been erected, rings prepared, infrastructure installed and suppliers had fulfilled their contractual obligations. Sadly, that means we too remain contractually committed to meeting many of those costs, despite the event not taking place. This has created a substantial financial burden for the Society at a time when we are already facing significant challenges.
The reality is that we are now facing one of the greatest challenges in the Society’s history. We are working closely with the Royal Kennel Club and exploring every possible avenue to understand what options remain available and what this means for the long-term future of the Society.
There are also a number of lessons that we, as a Committee, must take from this experience. In particular, we acknowledge that our communication should have been better. Whilst decisions were changing rapidly and we were dealing with an unprecedented situation, we recognise that many exhibitors, trade stand holders, and those staying on the caravan site were left wanting clearer and more timely updates. For that, we sincerely apologise. We know the uncertainty caused frustration and inconvenience, and we are truly sorry. We will take time to reflect, learn and ensure we are better prepared should we ever face circumstances like this again.
This is not where any of us expected to be. The Committee, officers and volunteers have dedicated thousands of hours over the past year planning this event, only to have circumstances completely beyond our control bring everything to an abrupt halt.
The support we have received from exhibitors, judges, trade stand holders, volunteers, and the wider dog community over the past two days has been overwhelming. Every message, phone call and offer of help has reminded us just how much this Show means to so many people, and for that we are truly grateful.
The coming weeks will be critical. We will continue to be open and transparent as we work through the options available to us. Whatever the outcome, we want to thank everyone who has stood by us during what has been the most difficult period in the Society’s history.
