Crufts: The history of the dog show in pictures

The world’s most famous dog show is back, with pooches expected from all over the globe.

Thousands of canines take part in Crufts every March, with owners hoping to win the ultimate title Best in Show, which comes with a cash prize and a trophy.

The show, which is returning to its usual home at the NEC in Birmingham on Thursday, takes place over four days with more than 150,000 visitors expected.

Overseas entries have hit an all time high this year, with nearly 500 dogs from France alone. But how did the show all start?

Named after its founder Charles Cruft, the dog show took place for the first time in 1891 at the Royal Agricultural Hall in Islington, where more than 2,000 dogs were entered.

Mr Cruft was an ambitious man who left college to sell “dog cakes” – food filled with meat, wheat and vegetables – having no desire to join the family jewellery business.

He was soon promoted to a travelling salesman, working with sporting kennels before later managing a terrier dog show in Westminster.

Nearly five decades later, Crufts celebrated its golden jubilee five years early in 1936, after breaking the 10,000 entries mark for the first time.

Despite Mr Cruft dying two years later, his wife took over to ensure the dogs would keep on running with their prize-winning displays.

In the 1950s, Crufts became an obedience championship show for the first time, and working sheepdogs were entered, becoming the first crossbreeds to compete.

By this time, the show had moved to a new venue at Olympia and proved to be an immediate success, with 84 breeds entered.

Two decades later, the show took place with subdued lighting during 1972’s Winter of Discontent, a period of widespread strikes, economic turmoil and regular power cuts.

Its aim was to ensure every visitor could “forget the troubles of the world”, a commentator said.

In 1991, Crufts’ centenary show moved venues again, this time to the NEC in Birmingham – the first time the show had moved from London, and where it has stayed ever since.

The show has now been extended to four days to accommodate further increases in the number of dogs and spectators.

In 2003, the show was attended by 21,000 top pedigree dogs competing for Best in Show prowess.

An Australian shepherd called Viking was crowned best in show at the 2024 show, beating 24,000 dogs from around the world.

Viking, co-owned by Melanie Raymond, John Shaw and Kerry Kirtley, was also the winner of the pastoral group at the show.

Ms Raymond, a third generation dog breeder who lives just three miles from the NEC, said: “We all dream of winning best in show at Crufts.”