Over 18,000 Dogs Compete at 135th Crufts

Birmingham's National Exhibition Centre has become a hub of canine excellence this weekend, as more than 18,000 dogs from over 200 breeds compete in the 135th edition of Crufts, the world's largest dog show. The four-day event, running from March 5 to 8, draws handlers and enthusiasts from across the globe, culminating in the prestigious Best in Show award on Sunday evening.

Organized by The Kennel Club and hosted at the NEC since 1991, Crufts traces its roots to 1891, when Charles Cruft staged the inaugural show in London with about 2,000 entries. Today, it features 36 rings across five halls, where dogs vie for Best of Breed titles to qualify for group finals in categories including working, pastoral, terrier, hound, toy, utility, and gundog. Judges evaluate finalists on movement, structure, temperament, and adherence to breed standards. The event also showcases non-competitive activities, such as agility courses, flyball races, heelwork to music, and grooming demonstrations, attracting around 150,000 visitors and up to eight million television viewers on Channel 4.

International participation reached a record high this year, with over 4,000 dogs traveling from countries...