The UK’s original Truffle Dog Championships were founded in 2008 by the late Marion Dean, a true pioneer of British truffle hunting. Working with her Lagotto Romagnolo, Mufti, Marion created an event that brought together dogs and handlers from across the country to celebrate the unique partnership and skill behind truffle detection.

Fourteen years later, the spark was reignited during an episode of the Truffle Forager podcast, when host Ben Sweet spoke with James Feaver of the English Truffle Company—winner of that very first contest with his black Labrador, Bramble. The conversation ignited renewed interest, and by 2022 the Championships had been brought back to life.

But it didn’t stop there. Inspired by the revival, the vision expanded into something more—a celebration not just of truffle dogs, but of the entire truffle culture in the UK. The result was the creation of The UK Truffle Festival, blending dogs, truffles, food, and education into a vibrant, one-day countryside experience.

Supported by a growing network of dog lovers, foragers, scientists, growers, chefs, and enthusiasts, the Championships and the Festival continue to evolve—bringing people together to share knowledge, raise standards, and honour the roots of truffling in the UK.