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Dogs smarten up as crowds flock to Crufts

EPA A bloodhound sits with its owner on day one of the Crufts Dog Show. The dog stares into the camera while a man with his back to us has his arm, in a blue shirt, in front of the dog.EPA
PA Media An English Bull Terrier arrives with it's owner on the first day. The dog has white fur with a black patch of fur over its left eye. It wears a red and black dog coat which covers most of its skin.PA Media
Who are you looking at? This bloodhound was taking time out at the show
Bring on the English bull terriers - here's one, arriving on day one

Crowds have started to flock to Crufts as the world's most famous dog show opened at the NEC in Birmingham on Thursday.

More than 20,000 dogs from across the world, covering more than 200 breeds, are expected to appear over the four days.

The event, organised by The Kennel Club, culminates on Sunday with the best in show competition.

Last year, an Australian shepherd named Viking, from Solihull, took home the coveted title.

Crufts is celebrating its 75th year and has been at the NEC since 1991.

About 150,000 people are expected to attend this year

As well as the best in breed and best in show titles, it includes events such as flyball, agility, heelwork to music and the Hero Dog Award.

The five-canine shortlist, revealed in February, includes a blood donor dog who gave more than 40 times to other pets and a police dog who was seriously injured in the line of duty.

PA Media A West Highland White Terrier on the first day of the Crufts Dog Show at the National Exhibition Centre (NEC) in Birmingham. The dog has white fur and its mouth open, appearing to yawn. A person's arm can be seen, wearing a flower-design top.PA Media
Easy now, you will set us off yawning - this West Highland terrier looked to be in need of this lie down
Reuters A woman pushes a pram containing dogs as they arrive on the first day of the Crufts dog show in Birmingham . The dogs have white fur and dark eyes and sit in a pram which is metal rimmed with black material making the basket.Reuters
"They told me we would arrive in style" - and in a way, you have, being pushed in on a pram here

This year's Crufts will also feature displays from West Midlands Police, including its newest puppy recruits.

A new breed, the Polish Hunting Dog, has also been added to the 2025 line-up for the first time.

Paralympian Ellie Simmonds, from Aldridge, has joined the presenting line-up for Channel 4 and More 4 and officially launched the event earlier this week.

PA Media A dog wearing a black and white bow-tie looks up to the right as we see its handles leg just in shot. The dog has brown fur.PA Media
"It is going to be me, right?" Crufts will climax on Sunday when one dog is named Best in Show
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