Crufts 2022: Dogs and owners enjoy big day out as show returns
Tails were wagged and treats were given as dogs and dog lovers alike descended on the world's largest celebration of man's best friend.
The first day of Crufts 2022 saw thousands of people return to the popular dog show for the first time in two years, following the 2021 event being cancelled due to Covid-19 restrictions.
The five halls flowed throughout the day with people and dogs taking time to chat with exhibitors selling grooming kits, high-tech dog cages, healthy food and a large range of other exhibits, with show deals on offer for people looking to buy gifts for their pets.
The Main Arena was the centre for competition during the day, with agility sessions showcasing the dogs who could run, jump and swerve through obstacles and freestyle heelwork to music competitions.
Each hall had different shows and dog exhibitions dotted around, with dog owners young and old displaying their dogs talents, coats and abilities, overseen by a panel of judges from Crufts organisers The Kennel Club.
Jessica Rapinett was preparing to take her rescue dog Bailey into the Main Arena to compete in the agility competition and said she was excited to see Bailey competing.
The 22-year-old from Stafford said: "I'm so excited, as Crufts is the goal for everyone who competes in agility.
"We've worked hard with Bailey since we rescued her when she was a year old and doing this helps to build up an amazing partnership, plus I had always loved watching agility.
"It's our third time here and it's still just as daunting to walk through the doors, but we fancy our chances."
Morgan Looker and her labradoodle Rolly had competed in agility in the Young Kennel Club arena and the 15-year-old, from Albrighton, who was cheered on by her mother Vicky and brother Ewan, said the whole experience of competing had been amazing.
She said: "I've always been a fan of Crufts and had the chance to compete two years ago, but it's just been an amazing opportunity to come back and compete.
"He did a clear round and did really well, listening to every word, and that's what makes this for me, the whole partnership between me and the dog and the friendship we have."
Caitlin Cooke and her border collie River were also competing in the same category and the 19-year-old from Essington said it was just as good for her to be there as it was for River.
She said: "He's more of a therapy dog for me and he is always around when I'm stressed and he just loves all of this.
"We were both a bit nervous about it, but he did really well and it just all flew by for me and Crufts is just the most amazing thing to be part of."
This included competitions for young members of the Kennel Club, Breed and Obedience judging and a display of good citizen dog training and the stars of the West Midlands Police dog division.
Police officers were showing off some of the dogs they look after, including Pc Sue Cheek, who works as an operational dog handler and instructor with her dog, Trev, saying it was a great opportunity to meet the public.
She said: "It's fabulous to be able to come and meet the public as we have got the same interest in dogs and we can show what we do together and how we can use our dogs to make progress within the police force and serving the public.
"Trev is seven-years-old and is an explosives search dog and we do a lot of public work with the Commonwealth Games, so we're going to be very busy to ensure it runs smoothly, but he's been in operation for six years and we've already done so much."
Pc Paul Hopley was on hand to speak to people and let them know about his dog, PD Stark, who was given the Thin Blue Paw Outstanding Bravery award after being hit 20 times by a machete while chasing a burglar in Birmingham.
He said: "It's a privilege to be here as it gives us the opportunity to show off what we do, how good our dogs are, the level of training that they have and just interact with the public to see a personal side of us.
"Stark has made a full recovery and and was back operational after six weeks, even doing his firearms support dogs training, so we managed his injuries in a training environment and he's back out on the streets with, I'm pleased to say, no side effects."
For Young Kennel Club judge Ryan Hennessy, the move from being a competitor to being a judge was a big one and one he felt honoured to have been given.
He said: "I was meant to be a judge last year, but it was cancelled, so it's been a long wait for me and the fact it's here now and we have so many people here makes it extra special.
"It's that big and it's very nerve-wracking for us as well as the competitors as the NEC is the home of Crufts and it's just an amazing honour to be here to judge the competition."
The show runs until Sunday. To find out more about Crufts, visit crufts.org.uk
Crufts in numbers
20,000 – dogs expected at Crufts across the four days of the show
222 – different breeds of dogs can compete for the prestigious Best in Show title
3 – breeds will be making history at Crufts 2022. The Hungarian Pumi will have its own classes for the first time; the Smooth Faced Pyrenean Sheepdog will make their debut at the show; and the historic Harrier will be making its first appearance in the Crufts breed ring since 1898!
150 – Around 150 breeds will be represented in the Discover Dogs area of the show, where visitors can meet and greet their favourite breeds and find out which ones might be a good match for their lifestyle
1891 – The year Crufts began
118th – This year is the 118th year of Crufts (that’s 826 years for our furry, fourlegged friends)
1,843 – The number of dogs from overseas entered into the show this year
5,000 – The number of people volunteering at Crufts 2022 from stewards to breed experts
83 – The number of years the Best in Show prize has been awarded.
7 – The number of times a Cocker Spaniel has won Best in Show – more than any other breed. This is followed by the Irish Setter, Standard Poodle and Welsh Terrier which have won on four occasions each
25 – The number of acres of the NEC in Birmingham that Crufts covers. This includes five halls, and the Crufts Best in Show Arena
4 – The number of venues in which Crufts has been held over the years
9 years 7 months – the oldest dog to win Best in Show, which was a Flat Coated Retriever in 2011
38 – The total number of countries with dogs entered into Crufts this year
1 – The number of dogs that have pooped live on TV in the main arena at Crufts during Best in Show!
