Gromit is the new ‘Good Citizen’ of Crufts

Aardman back Gromit’s new ‘appointment’ with Crufts branded merchandise

Bristol, 4 March 2008. Aardman Animations’ popular character Gromit, the good-looking, intelligent half of the Oscar^®-winning duo Wallace and Gromit, is to become the new face of the Kennel Club’s Good Citizen Dog Scheme - the largest dog training programme in the UK.

This new and exciting collaboration between the Kennel Club and Aardman was announced today at Crufts 2008.

Caroline Kisko, Secretary to the Kennel Club said, "Gromit is the nation’s favourite dog and it’s very exciting for the Kennel Club to have such a star as the new face of the Kennel Club Good Citizen Dog Scheme. The Good Citizen Dog Scheme promotes responsible dog ownership through a training scheme where both dogs and owners take part. Nearly 200,000 dogs have now passed through the programme. As anyone who has ever seen a Wallace and Gromit film will know, Gromit is the ideal good citizen! He is the most responsible dog of all, a role model not only for dogs, but also for their owners to follow!"

Sean Clarke, Head of Marketing and Licensing at Aardman added: "Wallace and Gromit are a British Institution, and Gromit has become a much loved and iconic character, it was a natural next step for us to join forces with another British Institution of the Kennel Club as Gromit is the perfect fit for their Good Citizen Dog Scheme. Gromit epitomizes everything the Scheme stands for, well behaved, well trained dogs and is an example to all owners and dogs to achieve".

To compliment the new relationship Aardman will introduce a new line of co branded merchandise, mugs, fridge magnets, key rings and polo-shirts/fleeces will be exclusively available at this years Crufts. More merchandise, including co branded dog accessories, will be available later this year.

A Matter of Loaf and Death (formerly Trouble At’ Mill), a half-hour TV special for BBC One, is the new Wallace and Gromit adventure currently in production at Aardmans’s Bristol studios. Production started in January, with delivery expected in autumn ’08.

A Matter of Loaf and Death is directed Nick Park and is co written by Park and Bob Baker, Baker co-wrote both The Wrong Trousers and A Close Shave.

For more information please visit the Kennel Club and Crufts websites at www.thekennelclub.org.uk/ and www.crufts.org.uk/