Crufts
Dog show | |
Headquarters | Birmingham, England |
---|---|
Location |
|
Official language | English |
Website | www |
Crufts is an international dog show held annually in the United Kingdom, held since 1891, and organised by The Kennel Club. It is the largest show of its kind in the world.[1]
Crufts is primarily a championship
Crufts comprises a number of separate competitions. The main competition is for the Best in Show award, which is hotly contested by dogs and their owners from throughout the world.
The Kennel Club was criticised on the BBC programme Pedigree Dogs Exposed for allowing breed standards, judging standards and breeding practices which are said to compromise the health of purebred dogs. The programme led various sponsors to withdraw. The BBC dropped Crufts 2009 from their coverage after being unable to agree to terms with The Kennel Club, with Channel 4 broadcasting the event since 2010.[3]
History
Crufts was named after its founder,
With the close of the 19th century, entries had risen to over 3,000,
The show was again interrupted, by the
The first Obedience Championships were held in 1955, the same year working
By 1979, the show had to move to
At the Centenary celebrations in 1991 Crufts was officially recognised by the Guinness Book of Records as the world's largest dog show, with 22,973 dogs being exhibited in conformation classes that year. Including agility and other events, it is estimated that an average 28,000 dogs take part in Crufts each year, with an estimated 160,000 human visitors attending the show.[5] Crufts was formerly televised by the BBC; this ended after the 2008 event (see "Criticism") and the 2009 event was only shown via the Internet. Since 2010 the show has been broadcast on the commercial channels Channel 4 and More4, attracting over 4.5 million viewers.[5][3]
In 2021, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, Crufts was first postponed, then cancelled for the first time since the electricians' strike of 1954.[12]
The show was held on 10–13 March 2022, 9–12 March 2023, and 7-10 March 2024.
The show will be held on 6-9 March 2025.
Competing for Best in Show
Crufts is not an open competition; dogs must have qualified during the previous year. There are a number of ways of qualifying for the breed classes at Crufts, but dogs typically qualify by obtaining first, second or third place in the relevant class at a Kennel Club-affiliated Championship show where Challenge Certificates are awarded, or by achieving Best in Show, Reserve Best in Show or Best Puppy in Show at a Kennel Club-affiliated Open or General show. Dogs can become qualified for life upon attaining their Kennel Club Stud Book Number.[13][14]
Dogs begin by competing against others of the same breed, split by gender, age and previous class wins. These classes include Veteran, Special Puppy, Special Junior, Yearling, Post Graduate, Mid Limit, Limit, and Open. Each is awarded once for dogs and once for bitches. The dog and bitch class winners then compete again for the Dog and Bitch Challenge Certificate (CC). The two CC winners then go head-to-head to determine the Best of Breed.[6]
After the best of each breed has been chosen, they then compete against the others in their
Best in Show winners receive a replica of the solid silver Keddall Memorial Trophy, and a small cash prize of £200.[15]
As of 2016 the English Cocker Spaniel had been the most successful breed at Crufts, awarded Best In Show seven times,[5][3] and the Gundog Group is the most successful group, having produced twenty-three Best In Show winners.[3]
Best in Show winners (since 2006)
Year | Breed | Kennel Club Name | Group |
---|---|---|---|
2024 | Australian Shepherd | Ch Brighttouch Drift The Line Through Dialynne[16] | Pastoral |
2023 | Lagotto Romagnolo | Kan Trace Very Cheeky Chic | Gundog |
2022 | Retriever (flat coated) | Almanza Backseat Driver | Gundog |
2020 | Wire-haired Dachshund | Ch Silvae Trademark | Hound |
2019 | Papillon | Akc/Se/Hr/Pl/Fr Ch Planet Waves Forever Young Daydream Believers | Toy |
2018 | Whippet | Ch Collooney Tartan Tease | Hound |
2017 | American Cocker Spaniel | Sh Ch Afterglow Miami Ink | Gundog |
2016 | West Highland White Terrier | Ch Burneze Geordie Girl | Terrier |
2015 | Scottish Terrier | Rus/Blr/Ukr/Cro/Lit/Lat/Est/Balt/Slo/Pl/Am Ch McVan's To Russia With Love | Terrier |
2014 | Poodle (Standard) | Ch/Am Ch Afterglow Maverick Sabre | Utility |
2013 | Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen | Ch Soletrader Peek A Boo | Hound |
2012 | Lhasa Apso | Ch Zentarr Elizabeth | Utility |
2011 | Retriever (Flat-Coated)
|
Sh Ch Vbos The Kentuckian | Gundog |
2010 | Hungarian Vizsla
|
Sh Ch/Aust Ch Hungargunn Bear It'n Mind | Gundog |
2009 | Sealyham Terrier | Am/Can/Su Efbe's Hidalgo At Goodspice | Terrier |
2008 | Giant Schnauzer | Ch Jafrak Philippe Olivier | Working |
2007 | Tibetan Terrier | Ch & Am Ch Araki Fabulous Willy | Utility |
2006 | Australian Shepherd | Am Ch Caitland Isle Take A Chance | Pastoral |
Other competitions
Crufts hosts a range of other competitions, including agility, obedience and flyball.
Agility is a fast-paced timed competition in which dogs manoeuvre, under guidance from their handlers, through, over, and around various obstacles. Any mistake made is penalised by adding faults to their score. Dogs must qualify during the preceding year to compete in individual or team events, although representative handlers and dogs from England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland are invited to compete in the International competitions.
Obedience, held in the ‘Obedience Ring’ requires dogs to obey a set of commands given by their handlers, including off-lead heelwork at different paces, distance control, retrieve, send away, stays and scent discrimination. Dogs qualify by being successful at shows during the preceding year to compete in the Dog and Bitch UK Obedience Championships, UK Inter-Regional Team Competition and the crowd's favourite, the Obedience World Cup. The prizes are awarded to the most obedient dog according to the judges. Obreedience is a group version of the activity in which team of four dogs of the same breed compete against other teams in being the most obedient.
Flyball is a relay-style race. Two teams of four dogs compete against each other in a knock-out competition. Each dog jumps a series of four hurdles, and then steps on a box, which is rigged to release a ball. The dog must then return the ball to the start of the course to tag one of its team, who then repeats this process until all the dogs have finished. Teams must qualify during the preceding year.
Crufts also holds both freestyle and heelwork to music competitions, consisting of a choreographed routine, comprising elements of obedience, set to music.
The
The
Crufts hosts the World Champion Junior Handling competition in which National Best Junior Handler winners from around the globe compete. The first World title competition, held in 1984, was judged by Ger Pederson. The winner of this premiere competition was US representative Tracie Laliberte who had won Westminster Kennel Club in 1983. A unique feature of this first competition was the requirement of switching dogs mid-way through the competition.
Other attractions
Crufts regularly attracts over 160,000 visitors to the NEC and more than 155,000 people visited Crufts in 2020.[citation needed] While the main purpose of the event is the search for the best dog in the show, many trade stands sell a wide range of dog-related merchandise or advertise dog-related charities. Many exhibitors include interactive displays in their stands and demonstration of their product and work, i.e. demonstration of canine first aid.
There is also a section known as
Crufts also holds special shows and demonstrations, where specially trained dogs perform in front of an arena audience, including Police Dogs, Royal Air Force Dogs and Medical Detection Dogs.
Crossbreeds
As the Kennel Club also registers crossbreeds, Crufts also hosts many competitions and displays for crossbreeds. They mainly compete in agility, obedience and heelwork to music competitions.[17][18] The popularity of Crufts and the interest of dog owners who do not own purebreeds convinced the Kennel Club to hold Scruffts, a show similar to Crufts for crossbreed dogs.[5] Scruffts regularly attracts hundreds of entries and dozens of finalists compete for the top prize in a final at Crufts.
Criticism
The Kennel Club was criticised on the August 2008 BBC programme Pedigree Dogs Exposed for allowing breed standards, judging standards and breeding practices which are said to compromise the health of purebred dogs.
The Kennel Club has introduced a new health plan, breed standards for every breed went under review, and show judges were required to choose only healthy dogs. It has also requested regulatory powers from the Government, which would allow the club to take actions against breeders who do not comply with health standards.[25] New breed standards for 209 dog breeds were announced in January 2009, and became effective immediately, but with breeders allowed until June to object. The new standards were said to "not include anything that could in any way be interpreted as encouraging features that might prevent a dog from breathing, walking and seeing freely". "This will help to prevent the practice of exaggeration, where features that are perceived to be desirable, such as a short muzzle or loose skin, are made more prominent by breeders, and which can have detrimental effects on a dog’s health."[26]
RSPCA report
In February 2009, the results of an independent scientific report commissioned by the RSPCA concluded that "exaggerated physical features and inherited diseases cause serious welfare problems in pedigree dogs".[27] Quoting Arman (2007),[28] the report states that "Society and sections of the veterinary profession have become 'desensitised to the welfare issues to such an extent that the production of anatomically deformed dogs is neither shocking, nor considered abnormal'". It also states that "Breeding practices and efforts by breed societies and kennel clubs, to date, have been ineffective at protecting the welfare of many breeds of domestic dog" and that "changes in breeding and selection practices are urgently required".[29] The Kennel Club states that the report "fails totally to recognise the real steady progress and advance of scientific knowledge that has already been made in the area of pedigree dog health".[30]
In culture
Poppy Holman's play A Dog's Tale, based on Crufts, was commissioned as one of Mikron Theatre Company's two 2020 productions,[31] was delayed by COVID-19, and premiered in Leeds on 5 June 2021.[32]
See also
- Breed groups (dog)
- Catwalk Dogs
- Cultural icon
- List of cultural icons of England
- Supreme Cat Show
- World Dog Show
References
- ^ "Crufts, the worlds biggest dog show | CEVA Logistics". www.cevalogistics.com. Retrieved 11 May 2021.
- ^ Sayce, Rebecca. "Crufts 2020: Inspirational dogs and their owners up for Friends For Life award". www.expressandstar.com. Retrieved 11 May 2021.
- ^ a b c d Astley, Chris (9 February 2017). "A Brief History of Crufts". julius-k9.co.uk.
- ^ "A history of the biggest dog show on Earth". www.petguard.co.uk. Retrieved 11 May 2021.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Hogan, Michael (8 March 2019). "10 things you didn't know about Crufts". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on 1 October 2017.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "A History of Crufts - Vet Medic Pharmacy". www.vet-medic.com. Archived from the original on 29 September 2017. Retrieved 28 September 2017.
- ^ "The Story of Charles Cruft: 125 Years On". crufts.org.uk. Retrieved 28 September 2017.
- ^ Bentley, David (7 March 2017). "Crufts 2017 tickets including Best In Show grand finale". Birmingham Mail. Archived from the original on 29 September 2017. Retrieved 28 September 2017.
- ^ ISBN 9781847979940.
- ^ UK, Mantrailing (14 February 2020). "Why is Crufts called Crufts?". MantrailingUK. Retrieved 11 May 2021.
- ^ "Crufts. The Premier Dog Show in the World | No8 Waterloo Street". Retrieved 11 May 2021.
- ^ "Kennel Club statement | Crufts 2021". www.crufts.org.uk. Retrieved 26 March 2021.
- ^ "Crufts: Qualifications". crufts.org.uk. Retrieved 28 September 2017.
- ^ "How Can My Dog Compete?". www.greatdogs.co.uk. Retrieved 28 September 2017.
- ^ Phillips, Chloe (28 February 2024). "Exact prize money Crufts winners get for Best in Show". Liverpool Echo.
- ^ "Crufts 2024 - Results". 10 March 2024. Retrieved 10 March 2024.
- ^ "Activity Register". www.thekennelclub.org.uk. Archived from the original on 29 September 2017. Retrieved 28 September 2017.
- ^ "Crufts welcomes Scruffts". www.crufts.org.uk. Retrieved 28 September 2017.
- ^ "Pedigree dogs plagued by disease". BBC News. 19 August 2008. Archived from the original on 18 September 2008. Retrieved 15 October 2008.
- ^ Statement[permanent dead link] RSPCA, 19 August 2008
- ^ "KC chairman hits back". Dog World. 28 August 2008. Archived from the original on 20 December 2009. Retrieved 31 December 2009.
- ^ Irving, Ronnie (8 August 2008). "Statement about the forthcoming BBC programme 'Pedigree Dogs Exposed' – BBC1, Tuesday 19th August, 9pm". The Kennel Club. Archived from the original on 15 April 2009.
- ^ Lawless, Jill (18 September 2008). "Kennel club bites back after exposé on show dogs". The Star. Toronto. Retrieved 27 March 2010.
- ^ "Kennel Club to Lodge a Complaint to Ofcom regarding BBC Programme and Reviews its BBC Contract - the Kennel Club". Archived from the original on 21 February 2009. Retrieved 15 October 2008.
- ^ Kennel Club changes breeding rules to end cruelty Archived 29 April 2011 at the Wayback Machine Times Online
- ^ Valerie Elliott (14 January 2009). "Healthier new bulldog will lose its Churchillian jowl". The Times. London. Archived from the original on 16 January 2009. Retrieved 14 January 2009.
New breeding standards for 209 dog species have been brought into immediate force after the furore over breeding practices shown on a BBC One documentary, Pedigree Dogs Exposed, last summer. Breeders have until the end of June to lodge any objections
- Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Archived from the originalon 31 July 2009.
- PMID 17966340.
- Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Archived from the originalon 19 August 2009. Retrieved 31 December 2009.
- ^ "Kennel Club Response to RSPCA Survey". The Kennel Club. 9 February 2009. Archived from the original on 24 May 2009. Retrieved 31 December 2009.
- ^ "A Dog's Tale". Shows. Mikron Theatre Company. Retrieved 10 December 2019.
- ^ Bridge, Gemma (7 June 2021). "A Dog's Tale – Mikron Theatre Company". Leeds Living. Retrieved 10 June 2021.