Shropshire Star
Close

In Pictures: Pawsitively fetching display as dogs arrive for day one at Crufts

Owners from all over the globe are assembling with breeds of all shapes and sizes for the world-famous dog show.

By contributor PA Reporters
Published
Supporting image for story: In Pictures: Pawsitively fetching display as dogs arrive for day one at Crufts
Miro, a Polish lowland sheepdog, was raring to go (Jacob King/PA)

Thousands of pooches will put their best paw forward this weekend as breeds of all shapes and sizes arrive in Birmingham for Crufts 2026.

The world’s greatest celebration of dogs is set to welcome more than 18,000 furry friends, showcasing the very best of dog breeding, training and handling.

A Dachshund walking along a pavement
A Dachshund arriving on the first day of the Crufts Dog Show (Jacob King/PA)
A dog resting on top of a man, who is lying back
It is tiring work for owners and their pups, as Pete Anderton catches a brief snooze with his Hungarian puli Tilly before the action starts (Jacob King/PA)
Dog in pushchair with sign that says 'I have arthritis please be kind'
Dog owners and dog lovers flock from around the world to attend (Jacob King/PA)

The Kennel Club says that more than 4,500 entries to the show come from overseas, with owners bringing dogs from as far as Peru and New Zealand in the hopes of landing the coveted best in show.

Last year, Miuccia, a four-year-old whippet from Venice, Italy, came out on top to land the top award.

A dog with its nose close to the hand of a woman who is holding some food
Performing for the masses is hungry work for the dogs, who will take part in events showcasing agility, obedience and breed quality across the three-day weekend (Jacob King/PA)
A small dog wearing an animal print jumper, walking outside
The competition runs over three days, with best in show crowned on Sunday (Jacob King/PA)
The heads of three Boxer dogs, sticking out from different parts of a green partition
Boxers on the first day of the Crufts Dog Show (Jacob King/PA)
A fluffy dog having its hair brushed
Brushing up on style: A Shetland sheepdog will be among hundreds of dogs getting pampered to perfection (Jacob King/PA)

Day one will showcase the best working and pastoral pups, as well as displays of obedience, heelwork to music and energetic flyball races.

West Midlands Police will also display the best work of its dog unit, which has been preparing for the show for weeks.

A police dog sitting, looking at its handler who is holding treats
Casper, a 15-month-old Malinois, is among the dogs from West Midlands Police Dog Training Centre in Coventry (Fabio De Paola Media Assignments/PA)
A husky dog with its mouth open, with another in the background looking on
Siberian huskies are one of the most popular breeds this weekend, with more than 150 individual dogs entered to compete (Jacob King/PA)
A Dogue de Bordeaux panting, while sitting under a yellow rosette
A Dogue de Bordeaux has its eyes on the prize (Jacob King/PA)
A black Hungarian puli dog, walking outside with some of its hair in hair bands
With more than 200 different breeds, including Hungarian pulis, animal lovers can meet and pet dogs of all shapes, sizes, and personalities (Jacob King/PA)

The three-day competition runs from March 5 until March 8 at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham.

Dog fans at home can enjoy 17-and-a-half hours of Crufts coverage from the comfort of their sofa, as the competition’s best bits will be shown on Channel 4 and More4.