Dogs of all shapes and sizes have arrived at Birmingham‘s National Exhibition Centre this morning to compete in the Crufts finale.
The world’s most famous dog show has entered its final instalment for 2025 today, welcoming canines of all kinds to compete for the Working and Pastoral Day at the West Midlands arena.
Today’s event saw pooches arrive at the centre bright and early with a big day ahead of them, as their owners hope to snag one of today’s prizes.
Founded by Charles Cruft in the late 19th century and held annually in the Midlands city, Crufts culminates on Sunday with the coveted Best in Show prize.
A trio of Old English Sheepdogs with perfectly unruly hair increased the cuteness stakes as they arrived for the fourth and final day of Crufts 2025.
Following closely behind was a pooch called Ember, dressed to impress with an embroidered necktie and hot pink fleeces around its arms.
Ember wasn’t the only canine with style, and another furry friend arrived with blue and white polka dot shoes to ensure sparkling paws for the judges today.
Meanwhile, an adorable duo of Bergamesco dogs didn’t require fashion to make a statement, with their eye-catching long coats enough to capture everyone’s attention.
On Friday, owners and pets arrived at Crufts as the sun came up, with many dogs dressed for the cooler spring weather and, to save their legs for the long day ahead, being pushed along in doggy carriers.
There was plenty of colourful ensembles to be spied – with an array of eye-catching ‘fur-styles’ – including tiaras, bulldog clips and ponytails on display.
And there were also diamanté collars, onesies in a rainbow of colours, and plenty of leopard print on the Standard Poodles, Chihuahuas, and Dalmatians arriving for their big moment.
Amongst the four-legged attendees at the ‘toy and utility’ day, there was a quintet of whippets, sporting the colours of Ukraine and stylish boucle coats.
A grey poodle named ‘Drama’ brought the…drama, with an eye-catching double pony. And a trio of Italian Greyhounds looked molto chic in matching leopard print jackets.
Elsewhere, pet owners were spotted armed with scissors and products, offering their pooches a final trim or spritz before going in front of the judges.
Crufts brings more than 150,000 to Birmingham’s NEC, with almost 9 million set to tune in and watch on telly; the programme is airing in the UK on Channel 4.
Thursday saw gundogs take the stage to compete, with points awarded in different categories – YKC Agility Dog of the Year, Vulnerable Breeds Competition and Gamekeepers Competition – for agility, flyball, heelwork and displays.
The packed daily programme runs from 8:30am in the morning until after dark, with highlights including Agility singles finals, freestyle heelwork to music, vulnerable breeds final, and the group judging for utility and toy.
On Thursday, a six-year-old schoolboy made history when he became Crufts’ youngest entrant.
Freddie Osborne and his smooth fox terrier Penny competed alongside adults after qualifying for the world-famous dog show for the first time last year.
Adorable photos show how the pair have been inseparable since the day Freddie was born with Penny always faithfully by his side.
The youngster was given special permission to take the day off school so he could compete at Birmingham’s NEC on Thursday.
Freddie, from Bobbington, Staffordshire, said: ‘I love dog shows and I love Penny because she’s not just my dog, she’s my best friend.
‘I am really looking forward to being with her in the arena.
‘At home she likes to lick you, sit on your lap and cuddles. I like going for walks with her as they are fun and gets you fresh air.
‘But I like doing the dog shows and getting prizes and rosettes.’
His mother Kimberley, 34, added: ‘He was only two weeks old when he first came to Crufts with us and he has been going ever since.
‘He’s always helped us with our dogs but this will be the first time he has competed there.’
Freddie was just five when he and Penny qualified for Crufts at the Birmingham National.
He will have friends, family and fellow terrier owners cheering him on when he enters the arena at 1pm.
Veteran dog show judges Caroline Friend-Rees and Zena Thorn Andrews also provided feedback ahead of his big day.
Kimberly added: ‘He was given some great advice by veteran judges and best in class winners this weekend.
‘He was also taught the right etiquette needed to impress the judges at Crufts.
‘However, we went to the Fox Terrier Show in South Wales this weekend and it really was the perfect final preparations for Crufts.
‘He has got his game face on and Penny looks better than she ever has before.’
The Osbourne family breed smooth fox terriers under the kennel name Forgevale and are in partnership with Margaret Hughes from Ledbury, Herefordshire.
Kimberly said: ‘Sadly, they are on the native vulnerable breed list and endangered.
‘In the 1930s smooth fox terriers were classed as one of the most popular dogs but now they are endangered.
‘But they are so loving as a breed and really good with children so we really want to highlight that.’
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