The 128th edition of the Crufts dog show is underway after opening its doors at The NEC in Birmingham. Since the event’s conception in 1891, champion dogs from around the world have awed audiences with their aerial skills, exquisite breeding and coiffed coats. A host of prizes are available to four-legged pooches this year, check out the details below. Anyone not able to get a day off work can catch a live stream of the show – find it below.
6.25pm update: Winner of Eukanuba World Challenge is Jimmy the Old English sheepdog
The winner of the Eukanuba World Challenge has been announced as Jimmy the Old English sheepdog from Belgium
4.45pm update: What is Scrufts?
Scrufts is the dog competition open to crossbreeds and is a more relaxed affair than its big brother.
This year’s competition saw more than 1,200 crossbreeds and their owners competing.
Six dogs and their owners have made it to the finals and will compete at the 2019 Crufts show for Scruffts Family Crossbreed Dog of the Year final next year. They are:
Most Handsome Crossbreed Dog: Teddy the Shih Tzu/Chihuahua cross, two, owned by Tara Ellison from Dagenham, east London
Good Citizen Dog Scheme: Maple the Golden Retriever/Poodle cross, four, owned by Nikki Davis from Hayle, Cornwall
Golden Oldie Crossbreed: Zak the Border Collie/Spaniel cross, 17, owned by Jazmine Green from Farnham, Surrey
Prettiest Crossbreed Bitch: Primrose the Lurcher, four, owned by Susan Herbert from Cirenchester, East Gloucestershire
Child’s Best Friend: Ernie the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel/Bichon Frise cross, two, owned by Elodie Baker, 11, from Thornbury, Gloucestershire
Best Crossbreed Rescue: Percy the Pointer cross, four, handled by Michael Bell and owned by Amanda Bell from Sheffield, South Yorkshire
4.19pm update: Who is the bookies’ favourite to win the Best in Show competition?
The gundog category is the current breed favourite to win at 11/8.
They have taken over the rosette for the category for the last two years.
In second place is the terrier category with odds of 7/4.
Betway’s Alan Alger said: “Punters have been wagging their tails and nodding their heads in favour of the gundog ahead of this year’s Crufts. They’ve shot straight to the top of the Best in Show betting and are as short as 11/8 to make it two wins in three years.
“Having won the top prize five times since the turn of the millennium, including in two of the last four years, you’ve got to keep a close eye on the terrier category at 7/4, while we think the toys will need a stroke of luck at 11/1 to win a first Keddall Memorial Trophy since 1998.”
4.05pm update: Facts and figures from this year’s event
Moe than 200 breeds hoping to land the main “best in show” award.
Last year’s overall winner was Tease, a whippet from Scotland.
Around 27,000 dogs are participating this year, up from the 21,000 dogs at last year’s competition.
The Black and Tan Coonhound, Russian Toy and White Swiss Shepherd are all competing at Crufts for the first time this year.
They are among the 220 different breeds that will be competing for a chance to win Best in Show.
3.55p update: What is happening now and for the rest of today?
The Gundogs are the first breeds on show for day one of Crufts.
These are the timings for the rest of day one:
4pm: West Midlands Police Display
4.30pm: Freestyle Heelwork to Music Competition Winner
4.35pm: BREAK
5pm: Eukanuba World Challenge finals opening
Junior Warrant Competition Final
Eukanuba World Challenge Final
YKC Agility Dog of the Year
Vulnerable Breeds Competition
Gamekeepers Competition
Gundog Display (Castlemans Gundogs – Philippa Williams)
Group Judging (Gundog Group) and Presentation
8.40pm: Programme Ends
3.48pm update: TV Schedule for Crufts
Thursday, March 7
1500-1600 – Channel 4 Crufts: The Daily Show
1830-2000 – More4 Crufts 2019
2000-2100 – Channel 4 Crufts 2019
Friday, March 8
1500-1600 – Channel 4 Crufts: The Daily Show
1830-1930 – More4 Crufts 2019
1930-2100 – Channel 4 Crufts 2019
Saturday, March 9
1600-1700 – Channel 4 Crufts: The Daily Show
1900-2100 – Channel 4 Crufts 2019
Sunday, March 10
1900-2100 – Channel 4 Crufts 2019: Best In Show Live