The world’s most famous dog show set to be better than ever.

 

Thursday 7th March: Gundog
Friday 8th March: Working and Pastoral
Saturday 9th March: Terrier and Hound
Sunday 10th March: Toy and Utility

 

The show is also set to be better than ever, with over 200 pedigree dog breeds in contention for the famous Best in Show trophy, which will be awarded live on Channel 4 on the evening of Sunday 10th March.

 

The number of breeds competing at Crufts continues to grow, adding to the diversity of the event, with the inclusion of three new breeds – the Russian Toy (34 dogs entered), White Swiss Shepherd Dog (18) and Black and Tan Coonhound (12), all of which will compete in the Imported Breed Register classes at Crufts for the first time.

 

In total, more than 20,000 dogs will be competing for just seven places in the show’s finale, representing each of the individual groups. The highest number of dogs in a single breed set to compete in each group is as follows:

 

• Working: Boxer – 199
• Pastoral: Border Collie – 330
• Terrier: Staffordshire Bull Terrier – 350
• Hound: Whippet – 416
• Toy: Cavalier King Charles Spaniel – 305
• Utility: Bulldog – 233
• Gundog: Golden Retriever – 537

 

This year has seen an increase of 50 per cent or more in the entries for the Australian Shepherd, Lowchen, Japanese Spitz and Pharaoh Hound compared with 2018.

 

As well as the breed class judging which leads to Best in Show, visitors will be able to watch some of the world’s finest dogs and handlers in action across a range of disciplines including agility, obedience, heelwork to music and flyball.

 

 

 

The Obedience Championship for Dogs will take place on Saturday 9th March, with the Obedience Championship for Bitches on the Sunday. The Agility Championships will also take place on the Sunday.

 

Other highlights of a busy programme taking place in the Resorts World Arena are the Kennel Club Friends For Life competition, which celebrates those dogs in our lives that provide lifetime service, support, love and devotion, and the final of the nation’s favourite crossbreed competition, Scruffts.

 

Tom Mather, Crufts Chairman, said: “Crufts offers something for everyone and this year looks like being no exception. Visitors to the show will be able to see dogs and their handlers taking part in a variety of activities and displays and we would urge anyone looking to buy a puppy to visit the ever-popular Discover Dogs area where they will be able to meet the breeds up close.

 

“We feel honoured to welcome dogs from a wider variety of breeds than ever before, representing all corners of the globe. The fact that people travel far and wide to enter this prestigious event proves that it really is the world’s greatest dog show.

 

“With Crufts also hosting the Eukanuba World Challenge for the second time in three years, it is a fantastic opportunity to have the entire dog world in one place celebrating the most successful and famous dog show in the world. This will throw the spotlight on the magnificence of pedigree dogs and enhance the partnership the Kennel Club has with Eukanuba, supported by the FCI.

 

“We thank everybody who has entered the show and look forward to welcoming all the dogs and their owners, who make Crufts such a wonderful event, whether it is those who have been loyally returning year after year or those who are experiencing the show for the first time.”