Crufts, the world famous dog shows, kicks off today with stylish pooches and their owners converging in Birmingham over the next four days.
Day one will see pets from across the world arrive to compete in categories such as agility and obedience, with the world-class Best In Show title to be awarded on Sunday.
Organised by The Kennel Club, the show has been running since 1891 and is considered among most prestigious canine competitions in the world.
Live updates below
Welcome to day one of Crufts in Birmingham – watch live
Hello and welcome to MailOnline’s live coverage as Crufts, the world famous dog shows, kicks off in Birmingham.
Over the next four days many stylish pooches and their owners will descend on the West Midlands to compete in a range of categories such as agility and obedience.
Organised by The Kennel Club, the show has been running since 1891 and is considered among most prestigious canine competitions in the world.
Stick with us throughout the day as we bring you the latest updates from the NEC Arena with all the best pictures plus results from the show.
Crufts’s youngest star
Six-year-old Freddie Osborne in action as he becomes the youngest ever entrant at the dog show, alongisde his eight-year-old ‘best friend’ Penny, a fox terrier.
Pictures: Groomers in high demand as dogs compete for best in show
Dog groomers will have their work cut out over the next four days as pets line up at Crufts for a makeover ahead of the competition.
Here’s a few examples from day one of pooches being given a helping hand to look their absolute best.
Spot the difference
Channel 4 to show Crufts until 2029
Channel 4 has announced it will continue to broadcast the Crufts dog show until 2029.
The new agreement, covering 2026 to 2029, extends the broadcaster’s relationship with the famous dog show to almost two decades, having first aired coverage in 2010.
The show, which is celebrating its 75th year of being broadcast, began on Thursday.
Channel 4’s coverage is hosted by Clare Balding, who is joined by regular Crufts reporter Radzi Chinyanganya and two new presenters, Paralympian swimmer Ellie Simmonds (pictured) and former professional rugby player Ed Jackson.
Channel 4’s head of sports, Pete Andrews, said:
Crufts is a truly unique event and has a very special place in the hearts of Channel 4 viewers and we’re delighted that Channel 4 will continue our relationship with The Kennel Club and the producers of our Crufts coverage, Sunset+Vine.
It was first televised in 1950 by the BBC and was live-streamed in 2009 after the broadcaster dropped the show.
Another cup for Cocker Spaniels?
Cocker Spaniels have had the most success at Crufts.
They have won the sought after Best in Show title on seven occasions, three more times than any other breed.
Only four dogs have claimed the award multiple times, three of which were English Cocker Spaniels.
However, an English cocker hasn’t picked up the title since 1996.
An American Cocker Spaniel, named Afterglow Miami Ink, won in 2017.
Ruff day at the office
A pair of pets have arrived in style as their owner pushes them into the National Exhibition Centre in a pram.
It’s certainly not a dog’s life for some!
Plenty of pampered pooches
Pampered pooches are out in force in Solihull today, including one Afghan Hound sporting an impressive head of hair.
Crufts Novice Cup Final winners
The winners of the Crufts Novice Cup Final have just been announced.
The dogs are judged on their agility and jumping ability.
There are four different categories based on their size.
Small: Devongem Juniper, owned by Sarah Paterson
Medium: Breckmarsh Repeat After Me at Hornspike, owned by Liz Naylor
Intermediate: Infinity Runners Cuba’n Sunrise, owned by Kirsty Armistead
Large: Play with Madness Mai Thai, Harriet Harding
Watch: Well heeled dogs take centre stage on day one at Crufts
Here’s a clip we can show you from today’s heelwork to music competition.
Dogs are judged on their obedience by displaying understanding and knowledge of training commands in an impressive choreographed routine.
Simba, a Border Collie from Reading, was the youngest competitor in the final, aged three.
He performed to an Arabian music medley with owner Olga Jones.
Simba holds five Guinness World Records, including for most clothes hung on a washing line by a dog in one minute.
Crufts’s youngest contestant spotted
Crufts’s youngest entrant Freddie Osborne is just six, two years younger than his pet Penny.
He has been allowed the day off school to compete and was spotted arriving this morning
Read more about him below.
Ulti-mutt prize
The ulti-mutt prize is the ‘Best in Show’ award, handed out on the last day.
The winner receives a £100 cash prize and a replica of the Crufts Keddall Memorial Trophy.
Last year it was won by an Australian shepherd, named Viking, owned by Melanie Raymond, John Shaw and Kerry Kirtley.
Popular pooches
Last year Crufts attracted 24,000 dogs and over 155,000 visitors from across the world.
Around 8.7million viewers watched it globally.
More Merry Mutts
More merry mutts are arriving as day one of Crufts gets underway. While some are keeping a more traditional look, others are sporting distinctive dyes
Wonderful from Wispa
Careless Wispa has won the intermediate Novice Cup Final after a faultless display. The mistake free mutt is owned by Brian McDougall
Pictures: Dapper dogs arrive with plenty of style
We’ve already noticed plenty of style and flair as dogs pitch up at the NEC Arena for the start of Crufts.
Colourful outfits and snazzy fashion accessories appear par for the course with the class of 2025.
We’ll continue to bring you the most eye-catching images throughout the day.
‘The greatest time of year’: Joyous dog lovers celebrate start of Crufts
A quick glance on social media shows there’s plenty of people excited as Crufts kicks off for another year.
Many dog lovers across the country will be hoping to catch the action from the NEC Arena over the coming days.
Here’s what some are saying:
Terriers and Hounds to be judged on opening day – main arena schedule
Day one of Crufts is also known as ‘Terrier and Hound’ day with events taking place throughout the evening in a jam-packed schedule.
17:00 – Agility Championships – Large/Intermediate Final
17:40 – Junior Warrant Competition Final
18:00 – Breeders Competition Final
18:25 – Group judging (Terrier) and presentation
19:15 – Group judging (Hound) and presentation
20:05 – Programme Ends
Will Crufts be televised?
More than 19 hours of Crufts is set to be broadcast over the show’s four days on Channel 4 and More 4.
It will include Sunday’s Best in Show competition which will be shown live in the evening.
Here are the times you can catch it from your sofa:
7pm to 9pm: Channel 4 Crufts 2025: Best in Show live.
Pictures: Dogs descend on West Midlands to be crowned best in show
Here are some pictures of dogs making their arrival at the NEC Arena in Birmingham for four days of Crufts competitions.
According to The Kennel Club, more than 24,000 dogs will head to crufts between today and Sunday.
In addition to breed class judging, visitors and those watching from home can catch some of the finest dogs and handlers in action across a range of disciplines including agility, obedience and heelwork to music.
