For dog lovers in the UK, there is no bigger dog show than the Crufts Dog Show. It is an annual event that is conducted at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham. Organized and hosted by the Kennel Club, the show is held over 4 days and draws crowds from all over the UK and the world. Over the years, the show has established its name as one of the finest dog shows in the world. With a history that goes all the way back to 1891, it is also one of the most reputed dog shows around. These days, the show has evolved to include more aspects than the championship that forms its central attraction. It features a trade show that offer the best in canine products and feature sessions and seminars conducted by reputed dog breeders. These sessions are invaluable in generating awareness on nurturing and breeding dogs. Apart from the trade show, the Crufts dog show has increased in its size and scope to include many new aspects of canine life as it is today.
A Celebration of Canine Life
The key attraction for dog owners and dog lovers remains the dog show. Crufts does not allow for open participation unlike other dog shows. The Kennel Club conducts regular championship shows all over the UK throughout the year. The Crufts dog show is only open for dogs that have successfully competed in one of these regional championship shows and earned a Challenge Certificate. This ensures a measure of quality among the entries in the dog show. The competition is hierarchically structured. The Kennel Club splits the competing dogs by breed and group. Each breed is classified under one of seven groups defined by the club. The championship begins with dogs competing with other competitors of the same breed, and progressively making their way up to competing with others of the same group, before being recognized as the best dogs in their respective groups. The seven “Best In Group” dogs are chosen as the finalists to compete for the “Best in Show” award. The dogs are evaluated by an elite panel of judges for their breed, health and general skill and fitness. The standards are determined by the Kennel Club and charted out in their Kennel Club Breed Standard. With the unique tests for the seven groups and the lap of honor of the finalists, the Crufts dog show is packed with entertainment and always ends in a nail-biting conclusion.
Unique Awards
The Crufts Dog Show championship has a range of awards apart from the much coveted “Best in Show” award. The Kennel Club recognizes the value of dogs in all spheres of human life. With this in mind, they offer a “Friends for Life” award that is gifted to dogs who have braved adversity in their line of service and proven their mettle. The latest Crufts dog show in 2013 featured stalwarts like a dog who had saved the lives of two soldiers in Afghanistan and another who had facilitated more than 400 arrests in his career as a police dog. The Kennel Club also recognizes the unique role played by good breeders in determining the health and pedigree of dogs. The Breeder’s competition highlights the value of good breeding practices and creates awareness about the importance of proper health care and nurturing for dogs among dog lovers. With its holistic focus on every sphere of canine life, the Crufts dog show is more than just a championship and an annual award. It is a celebration of dogs and dog lovers all over the world.
