Crufts 2024: World’s most prestigious dog show kicks off as pooches and their owners make a very stylish arrival on day one of the competition
The most prestigious canine competition in the world has kicked off in Birmingham – featuring some very stylish looks from pooches and their owners.
Day one of Crufts 2024 saw pets from all around the world arrive to compete in categories such as agility and obedience, with the world-class Best In Show title to be awarded on Sunday.
One Pyrenean mountain dog showed off some impressive balance and prowess as she was seen excitedly measuring up to give kisses to her owner Claire while standing on her hind legs.
Elsewhere two adorable Collies walked alongside each other as one sported a colourful jacket adorned with dragon wings.
Other pooches sported sweet patterned ponchos while others had their fur and ears decorated into intricate stylings – seemingly in preparation to look their best for the revered event.
Some pets preferred to be transported in rather than walk – ranging from a tiny, fluffy black and white dog being wheeled in a pink baby carriage to a bulldog patiently sitting in a shopping cart.
The most prestigious canine competition in the world has kicked off in Birmingham – featuring some very stylish looks from pooches and their owners
Fabulous accessories adorned some of the dogs, with pooches wearing sparkly pink headscarves, jumpers and onesies.
Snaps showing the arrivals feature a cohort of very excited canines with their grinning owners, as the competition kicks off.
Crufts, which has been running since 1891 and is currently organised by The Kennel Club, is considered the most prestigious canine competition in the world.
This year’s pampered pooches include Dougal – an adorable 10-year-old Yorkshire Terrier and member of the Good Citizen display team, who looked unbelievably cute as he posed among spring daffodils at the photocall at the National Exhibition Centre earlier this week.
Dougal looked tiny as he posed with Irish Wolfhound Killoughery Rockefella, aged two, as the pair made an adorable big and small duo with Dougal managing to stand between his legs.
And poodle Ruben put on a magnificent display as he jumped over a bar, showing a display of impressive agility.
The arrivals are just a few of more than 24,000 dogs heading to Birmingham ahead of this year’s competition.
The show is traditionally split into four main categories: gundog, working and pastoral, terrier and hound, and utility and toy.
Day one of Crufts 2024 saw pets from all around the world arrive to compete in categories such as agility and obedience, with the world-class Best In Show title to be awarded on Sunday
Elsewhere two adorable Collies walked alongside each other as one sported a colourful jacket adorned with dragon wings
One group of greyhounds sported some very glamorous matching ensembles in Birmingham today
Some pets preferred to be transported in rather than walk – ranging from a tiny, fluffy black and white dog being wheeled in a pink baby carriage – to a bulldog patiently sitting in a shopping cart
One hound made a tentatively nervous approach to today’s event at the National Exhibition Centre
This poodle very glamorously looked away from the camera as they arrived for day one of Crufts
Pictured: A standard poodle is groomed by their owner during the first day of the Crufts Dog Show
A poodle is groomed at the national exhibition centre in Birmingham at today’s exciting canine event
A toy poodle pictured getting its fur camera-ready as owners groom their pets on day one of Crufts
People observe a showring with their Vizsla during the first day of the Crufts Dog Show in Birmingham
Pictured: A very pleased poodle playing with a soft toy during the first day of the Crufts Dog Show
Pictured: A very stylish poodle preps for the competition on day one of the celebrated Crufts show
The dogs enjoyed some grooming as day one of the Crufts show kicked off in Birmingham earlier
A very well-groomed poodle was pictured enjoying the Crufts dog show in Birmingham on day one of the event
Pictured: A very animated Poodle seen in the showring during the first day of the Crufts Dog Show
Two adorable Yorkshire Terriers fixing up their tresses with chic bows during today’s show in Birmingham
Pictured: A Bichon Frise is groomed during the first day of the Crufts Dog Show at the National Exhibition Centre
The Crufts show saw some very excited pets getting their coats trimmed and perfectly styled for today
Pictured: Bianca – a Miniature Poodle – being groomed by her owner for today’s Crufts festivities
The Crufts dog show saw an animated cohort of pooches getting groomed on day one of the competition
A Yorkshire terrier takes to the parade ring during crufts at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham today
Pictured: A Yorkshire terrier being grromed before entering the show ring during day one of Crufts
This Poodle enjoyed being groomed before entering the judging ring at the National Exhibition Centre
An owner and dogs wait for judging during Crufts on day one of the celebrated canine event kicking off today
Pictured: An English Bulldog walking in the showring during the first day of the Crufts Dog Show
A cohort of English Bulldogs explored the showroom during day one of the Crufts Dog Show in Birmingham
Pictured: A handler with their Pekingese eyeing up the competition during the first day of the Crufts Dog Show
Fabulous accessories adorned some of the dogs, with pooches wearing sparkly pink headscarves, jumpers and onesies
One fluffy white dog put on a stylish display with a glittering pink headscarf and hair tie while arriving
This was pooch was more than ready for their close-up as they showed their accessories off for the camera
One Pyrenean mountain dog showed off some impressive balance and prowess as she was seen excitedly measuring up to give kisses to her owner Claire while standing on her hind legs
The dogs ranged in everything from build, fur colour and breed but all had one thing in common – an incredible sense of style
Pictured: A very stylish cohort of dogs and owners arriving on the first day of the Crufts Dog Show
The National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham was filled to the brim with adorable dogs ready to compete
The event has brought pets and owners from all over the world to compete in the prestigious event
Dogs sported the best and coziest in canine fashion as they arrived at the revered event, ready for action
This Basset Hound appeared apprehensive at their owner arrived at the competition in Birmingham today
Molly, a 12-year-old Pekingese fixed the camera with a very sweet smile as she enjoyed today’s outing
Pictured: An owner arriving with her Deerhound called Tam and Italian Greyhound called Reuben
Reuben excitedly stood on their hind legs as Tam patiently and stoically watched on at the event
This Chow Chow dog appeared to be excited for the day’s events as they followed their owner in
This white pug showed off its incredible sense of style with a black and pink knitted sweater vest
When the competition began in 1891 it was founded by Charles Cruft, a dog biscuit salesman.
Mr Cruft had had previous experience with dog shows, having been involved with the canine section at the Paris exhibition in 1889.
When he brought the show to the UK two years later at the Albert Hall in Islington, it was considered a resounding success.
After 2,500 submissions were received, the appetite for the competition among the general public was clear.
This bulldog looked to be leisurely enjoying its ride to the event as day one of Crufts has officially kicked off
One pooch appeared to be very relaxed as they were wheeled into the competition for today’s event
Snaps showing the arrivals feature a cohort of very excited canines with their grinning owners, as the competition kicks off
Crufts , which has been running since 1891 and is currently organised by The Kennel Club, is considered the most prestigious canine competition in the world
The arrivals are just a few of more than 24,000 dogs heading to Birmingham ahead of this year’s competition
The show is traditionally split into four main categories: gundog, working and pastoral, terrier and hound, and utility and toy
When the competition first began in 1891 it was founded by Charles Cruft, a dog biscuit salesman
Mr Cruft had had previous experience with dog shows, having been involved with the canine section at the Paris exhibition in 1889
Dog lover Queen Victoria even entered her pooches in several categories, with the royal dogs picking up three awards.
For more than a century, Crufts has remained the most prestigious dog competition in the world.
This year’s competition will begin on Thursday March 7 and conclude on Mother’s Day, Sunday March 10.
Last month, the Kennel Club, which runs Crufts, revealed the finalists of its annual Kennel Club Hero Dog Award.
When he brought the show to the UK two years later at the Albert Hall in Islington, it was considered a resounding success
After 2,500 submissions were received, the appetite for the competition among the general public was clear
Pictured: Visitors and exhibitors arriving for the first day of Crufts Dog Show at the National Exhibition Centre
These dogs sported some adorable purple onesies as they stepped into the Dog Show earlier today
More than 24,000 dogs from 220 different breeds take part in Crufts 2024 with hundreds of the most agile and athletic dogs competing in different competitions including agility and flyball and, new for this year, Hoopers – a low-impact and inclusive activity for dogs and owners
The celebrated event culminates in the Best in Show 2024 trophy, which will be awarded on Sunday night
This cohort of very chic bedazzled Italian Greyhounds looked ready for action as they arrive for the event
Pictured: One fluffy white dog made a confident stride as it arrived for the first day of the competition
The pooch appeared to have kicked off preparations with special bands in their hair and ears today
From a Golden Retriever who has helped her owner overcome chronic illness to a Belgian Malinois who saved lives in the aftermath of Turkey’s earthquake, these dogs have all earned the title of hero.
But, only one can be crowned as the UK’s number one hero hound.
So, as the public vote for the winner opens, MailOnline met with the finalists and their owners to learn more about these intrepid pups.
The winner of the Kennel Club Hero Dog award will be chosen by public vote which opens from today until 4pm Sunday March 10.
You can head to the Kennel Club website to vote for your favourite.