The latest lifestyle, fashion and travel trends
The latest lifestyle, fashion and travel trends
If you’re a fan of dogs, there’s little doubt you’ll be excited about the return of Crufts.
A show dedicated to adorable pooches, every March they trot into a Birmingham arena to show off their skills and lap up the attention.
However, for those not in the know about Crufts (it’s only been running since 1891…) here’s everything you need to know:
What is Crufts?
Crufts is a celebration of all things canine. Mainly a conformation show, where dogs are judged according to how similar they are to their breed type, there’s also a huge trade show selling all the doggie paraphernalia you can imagine and some fun trick shows where the pups can show of their moves.
What is the history of Crufts?
Named after (and founded by) Charles Cruft – a man who worked at a dog biscuit factory and regularly travelled to dog events – the very first Crufts took place in 1886 with 600 entries and 57 classes.
By the close of the 19th century, entries amounded to 3,000 dogs and in 1991, the centenary year, it was recognised by the Guiness Book of Records as the world’s largest dog show.
Today, it’s estimated that 28,000 dogs take part in Crufts each year, with an estimated 160,000 visitors attending the show.
When is it this year?
This year Crufts will run from March 7 to 10 at The National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham. The first entry is 8.15am and the last is 6.30pm each day however Best In Show is from 4.45pm to 9pm.
What’s the schedule?
Day 1: Thursday March 7, 2019
Gundog
Day 2: Friday March 8, 2019
Working and Pastoral breeds
Day 3: Saturday March 9, 2019
Terrier and Hound breeds
Day 4: Sunday March 11, 2019
Utility and Toy breeds
Crufts through the years – In pictures
1/59 Click through our gallery to see more pictures of Crufts through the years
Getty Images
2/59 1930
A merry party of prize winning Sealyham Terriers from the Eastfield Kennels at Bristol , seen here at Crufts Dog Show
Getty Images
3/59 1935
‘Pennine Prima Donna’ a Pointer Bitch owned by Mr A Egglestone judged the best dog in Crufts Dog Show is drinking from one of the trophies
Getty Images
4/59 1935
Champion bloodhound Leo of Reynalton being cuddled by Dorothy Horder at the Crufts Dog Show. Leo has won Crufts six times
Getty Images
5/59 1938
A general view of judging in progress at Crufts Dog Show in the Royal Agricultural Hall, Islington, London
Getty Images
6/59 1939
Miss D Bush arriving with her Dalmatian at Islington for the Cruft’s Dog Show at the Royal Agricultural Hall, London
Getty Images
7/59 1953
A general view of Cruft’s Dog Show at Olympia during the judging on the first day
Getty Images
8/59 1963
A Basset hound on show at Cruft’s Dog Show at Olympia
Getty Images
9/59 Click through our gallery to see more pictures of Crufts through the years
Getty Images
10/59 1971
Five red smooth-haired dachshunds at Crufts
Evening Standard
11/59 1973
A 20 month old miniature poodle Miradel Cleo being groomed for her debut at Cruft’
Getty Images
12/59 1975
Eileen Snelling from Reading brings her Afghan Hound to the Crufts Dog Show at the Olympia Stadium
Getty Images
13/59 1979
A dog owner and his dog have a rest at Crufts dog show at Earl’s Court exhibition centre, London
Evening Standard
14/59 1982
Violet Wilkins with Susie her 13 month old Chihuahua real name Sanvi Lady Di at Crufts
Daily Mail
15/59 1985
Montravia poodle Tommy Gun and Afghan hound Alfie in full flight around the ring
Associated Newspapers
16/59 1997
A Welsh collie herds duck in the special event ring at Crufts
PA
17/59 2000
A good hair day for Tibby the Tibetan Terrier as he flies in to Crufts Dog show
PA
18/59 2000
Final brush up for ‘Lemiz Gavroche’, a Chinese Crested dog owned by Mr & Mrs Rowntree of Pontardawe near Swansea, who are competing on the first day of the world’s premier dog show Crufts
PA
19/59 2002
Nord Champion Topscore Contradiction from Norway with handler Michael Nilson after being named as Best in Show winner at Crufts in the NEC, Birmingham. The three-year-old standard poodle, who goes by the pet name King, is owned by Mr S and Mrs K Glenna, from Norway. It is the first time an overseas entrant won the accolade
PA
20/59 2003
Pekingese dog Ch Yakee A Dangerous Liason looks at the winner’s trophy after placing ‘Best In Show’ at Crufts dog show
Scott Barbour/Getty Images
21/59 2004
A Dalmatian barks as it is displayed during Crufts Dog Show
Getty Images
22/59 2004
Portuguese Podengo puppies are displayed for the media during the launch of the Crufts Dog Show in London
Getty Images
23/59 2004
A Smooth Coat Chihuahua is held by its owner as it is shown during Crufts Dog Show
Getty Images
24/59 2005
‘Pete’ the Pug competes at Crufts
Getty Images
25/59 2005
A Shih Tzu is groomed at Crufts, the world’s biggest dog show n Birmingham
AFP/Getty Images
26/59 2005
An Afghan hound has its fur groomed at during the terrier and hound competition at Crufts, the Worlds biggest Dog show in Birmingham
AFP/Getty Images
27/59 2005
‘Nico’ the Poodle yawns during the 102nd Crufts dog show
Getty Images
28/59 2005
A pair of Bassett hounds are walked during the terrier and hound competition at Crufts, the Worlds biggest Dog show in Birmingham
AFP/Getty Images
29/59 2006
An alert Collie dog owner waits to be called into the ring
Getty Images
30/59 2006
Samoyed dogs look for their owners around the dividers of their kennels during the opening day of Crufts in Birmingham
AFP/Getty Images
31/59 2006
A dog and his owner wait to be called into the ring
Getty Images
32/59 2007
Tibetan Terrier, Araki Fabulous Wiliy poses after being awarded the coveted “Best In Show” award at the end of Crufts International Dog Show
Getty Images
33/59 2008
Yorkshire Terriers sit proudly for the judges during Crufts
Getty Images
34/59 2008
Standard Poodle Beau has water sprayed on her by her groomer Lynne Land before going in the parade ring at Crufts
Getty Images
35/59 2009
A West Highland White Terrier is groomed before showing on the first day of Crufts
Getty Images
36/59 2010
A dog jumps up on his owner atCrufts
Getty Images
37/59 2011
A Komondor dog shakes as it is judged
Getty Images
38/59 2012
A Chinese Crested dog performs at Crufts
AFP/Getty Images
39/59 2013
A collie performs a jump during the agility competition
AFP/Getty Images
40/59 2014
A Coton de Tulear is shown in the judging ring on the Toy and Utility day of the Crufts dog show
Getty Images
41/59 2014
People and dogs arrive for the first day of Crufts dog show
AFP/Getty Images
42/59 2014
Dachshund hounds are judged in a show ring
Getty Images
43/59 2014
A Boxer dog looks out from its kennel
Getty Images
44/59 2015
A man uses a mobile phone to photograph a Hungarian Puli dog being shown at Crufts
AFP/Getty Images
45/59 2015
A Bearded Collie rests
Getty Images
46/59 2015
A Golden Retriever sticks its head out from the top of its storage box
Getty Images
47/59 2015
A Pomeranian is groomed
Getty Images
48/59 2015
A Corgi yawns
Getty Images
49/59 2015
A woman holds the tail of her Chihuahua on the fourth and final day of Crufts dog show
Getty Images
50/59 2016
A mastiff lays on the floor
Getty Images
51/59 2016
A dog competes in the agility competition
Getty Images
52/59 2016
A poodle is groomed by its owner
Getty Images
53/59 2016
Mable the Manchester Terrier arrives with her owner at Crufts
Getty Images
54/59 2016
A pair of samoyed dogs sit on a preparation table
Getty Images
55/59 2016
Three Eurasian dogs sit in their stalls on the first day of the Crufts dog show
AFP/Getty Images
56/59 2016
Burneze Geordie Girl wins Best In Show at Crufts Dog Show
Getty Images
57/59 2017
Crufts, Day One, Birmingham
Rex
58/59 2018
An owner pats her Great Dane on the first day of the Crufts dog show at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham
AFP/Getty Images
59/59 2018
Lola, a 4 year old St Bernard arrives with its owner on the first day of the Crufts dog show at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham, central England, on March 8, 2018
AFP/Getty Images
1/59 Click through our gallery to see more pictures of Crufts through the years
Getty Images
2/59 1930
A merry party of prize winning Sealyham Terriers from the Eastfield Kennels at Bristol , seen here at Crufts Dog Show
Getty Images
3/59 1935
‘Pennine Prima Donna’ a Pointer Bitch owned by Mr A Egglestone judged the best dog in Crufts Dog Show is drinking from one of the trophies
Getty Images
4/59 1935
Champion bloodhound Leo of Reynalton being cuddled by Dorothy Horder at the Crufts Dog Show. Leo has won Crufts six times
Getty Images
5/59 1938
A general view of judging in progress at Crufts Dog Show in the Royal Agricultural Hall, Islington, London
Getty Images
6/59 1939
Miss D Bush arriving with her Dalmatian at Islington for the Cruft’s Dog Show at the Royal Agricultural Hall, London
Getty Images
7/59 1953
A general view of Cruft’s Dog Show at Olympia during the judging on the first day
Getty Images
8/59 1963
A Basset hound on show at Cruft’s Dog Show at Olympia
Getty Images
9/59 Click through our gallery to see more pictures of Crufts through the years
Getty Images
10/59 1971
Five red smooth-haired dachshunds at Crufts
Evening Standard
11/59 1973
A 20 month old miniature poodle Miradel Cleo being groomed for her debut at Cruft’
Getty Images
12/59 1975
Eileen Snelling from Reading brings her Afghan Hound to the Crufts Dog Show at the Olympia Stadium
Getty Images
13/59 1979
A dog owner and his dog have a rest at Crufts dog show at Earl’s Court exhibition centre, London
Evening Standard
14/59 1982
Violet Wilkins with Susie her 13 month old Chihuahua real name Sanvi Lady Di at Crufts
Daily Mail
15/59 1985
Montravia poodle Tommy Gun and Afghan hound Alfie in full flight around the ring
Associated Newspapers
16/59 1997
A Welsh collie herds duck in the special event ring at Crufts
PA
17/59 2000
A good hair day for Tibby the Tibetan Terrier as he flies in to Crufts Dog show
PA
18/59 2000
Final brush up for ‘Lemiz Gavroche’, a Chinese Crested dog owned by Mr & Mrs Rowntree of Pontardawe near Swansea, who are competing on the first day of the world’s premier dog show Crufts
PA
19/59 2002
Nord Champion Topscore Contradiction from Norway with handler Michael Nilson after being named as Best in Show winner at Crufts in the NEC, Birmingham. The three-year-old standard poodle, who goes by the pet name King, is owned by Mr S and Mrs K Glenna, from Norway. It is the first time an overseas entrant won the accolade
PA
20/59 2003
Pekingese dog Ch Yakee A Dangerous Liason looks at the winner’s trophy after placing ‘Best In Show’ at Crufts dog show
Scott Barbour/Getty Images
21/59 2004
A Dalmatian barks as it is displayed during Crufts Dog Show
Getty Images
22/59 2004
Portuguese Podengo puppies are displayed for the media during the launch of the Crufts Dog Show in London
Getty Images
23/59 2004
A Smooth Coat Chihuahua is held by its owner as it is shown during Crufts Dog Show
Getty Images
24/59 2005
‘Pete’ the Pug competes at Crufts
Getty Images
25/59 2005
A Shih Tzu is groomed at Crufts, the world’s biggest dog show n Birmingham
AFP/Getty Images
26/59 2005
An Afghan hound has its fur groomed at during the terrier and hound competition at Crufts, the Worlds biggest Dog show in Birmingham
AFP/Getty Images
27/59 2005
‘Nico’ the Poodle yawns during the 102nd Crufts dog show
Getty Images
28/59 2005
A pair of Bassett hounds are walked during the terrier and hound competition at Crufts, the Worlds biggest Dog show in Birmingham
AFP/Getty Images
29/59 2006
An alert Collie dog owner waits to be called into the ring
Getty Images
30/59 2006
Samoyed dogs look for their owners around the dividers of their kennels during the opening day of Crufts in Birmingham
AFP/Getty Images
31/59 2006
A dog and his owner wait to be called into the ring
Getty Images
32/59 2007
Tibetan Terrier, Araki Fabulous Wiliy poses after being awarded the coveted “Best In Show” award at the end of Crufts International Dog Show
Getty Images
33/59 2008
Yorkshire Terriers sit proudly for the judges during Crufts
Getty Images
34/59 2008
Standard Poodle Beau has water sprayed on her by her groomer Lynne Land before going in the parade ring at Crufts
Getty Images
35/59 2009
A West Highland White Terrier is groomed before showing on the first day of Crufts
Getty Images
36/59 2010
A dog jumps up on his owner atCrufts
Getty Images
37/59 2011
A Komondor dog shakes as it is judged
Getty Images
38/59 2012
A Chinese Crested dog performs at Crufts
AFP/Getty Images
39/59 2013
A collie performs a jump during the agility competition
AFP/Getty Images
40/59 2014
A Coton de Tulear is shown in the judging ring on the Toy and Utility day of the Crufts dog show
Getty Images
41/59 2014
People and dogs arrive for the first day of Crufts dog show
AFP/Getty Images
42/59 2014
Dachshund hounds are judged in a show ring
Getty Images
43/59 2014
A Boxer dog looks out from its kennel
Getty Images
44/59 2015
A man uses a mobile phone to photograph a Hungarian Puli dog being shown at Crufts
AFP/Getty Images
45/59 2015
A Bearded Collie rests
Getty Images
46/59 2015
A Golden Retriever sticks its head out from the top of its storage box
Getty Images
47/59 2015
A Pomeranian is groomed
Getty Images
48/59 2015
A Corgi yawns
Getty Images
49/59 2015
A woman holds the tail of her Chihuahua on the fourth and final day of Crufts dog show
Getty Images
50/59 2016
A mastiff lays on the floor
Getty Images
51/59 2016
A dog competes in the agility competition
Getty Images
52/59 2016
A poodle is groomed by its owner
Getty Images
53/59 2016
Mable the Manchester Terrier arrives with her owner at Crufts
Getty Images
54/59 2016
A pair of samoyed dogs sit on a preparation table
Getty Images
55/59 2016
Three Eurasian dogs sit in their stalls on the first day of the Crufts dog show
AFP/Getty Images
56/59 2016
Burneze Geordie Girl wins Best In Show at Crufts Dog Show
Getty Images
57/59 2017
Crufts, Day One, Birmingham
Rex
58/59 2018
An owner pats her Great Dane on the first day of the Crufts dog show at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham
AFP/Getty Images
59/59 2018
Lola, a 4 year old St Bernard arrives with its owner on the first day of the Crufts dog show at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham, central England, on March 8, 2018
AFP/Getty Images
Are there still tickets on sale?
Yes, but they are now only available on the door.
Can I bring my dog?
Not unless they’ve been invited by The Kennels or they are an assistance dog.
Can I watch it even if I can’t attend?
Yes, the show will be livestreamed on YouTube and shown for 13 hours across the fours days on Channel 4 and More4 with a Daily Crufts Show recapping the day.
