Today is the start of the world’s biggest and best dog event, Crufts! The event runs from the March 9-12 this year and fans of the series are actually excited for its return.
This family friendly event, which celebrated 125 years back in 2016, is packed full of exciting dog shows, shopping and of-course plenty of dogs to see!
The History of Crufts
Crufts is named after it’s founder Charles Cruft, born June 1852. As a young man after college, Charles decided he didn’t want to go into the family jewellery business and took an apprenticeship as an office boy – which subsequently led to him becoming a travelling salesman.
Through this Charles made contacts with large estates and sporting kennels, which led to his next career with Spratts where he travelled to Europe and was chosen to organise events such as the canine section of the Paris Exhibition.
When in England in 1886 Charles took up the management of the Allied Terrier Club Show at the Royal Aquarium, Westminster. This soon led to the first Crufts show being booked into the Royal Agricultural Hall in Islington, where there was 2,437 entries and 36 different breeds.
Some of poignant dates
1918–1920 – Cruft’s is held off due to First World War.
1936 – Charles Cruft celebrates his Golden Jubilee five years early, breaking the 10,000 entries mark.
1938 – Charles Cruft dies. His widow, Emma Cruft takes over the running of the show.
1942-7 –The show is put on hold due to the Second World War.
1950 – BBC televises Crufts for the first time.
1955 – Cruft’s becomes an Obedience Championship Show. Working Sheepdogs are entered, becoming the first crossbreeds to compete at Cruft’s. Crossbreed dogs are now a central part of the show, taking part in a wide range of competitions including agility.
1961 – Entries break the 15,000 mark for the first time
1979 – The show moves to Earls Court as the increasing number of entries had the show outgrowing its former venue at Olympia
1982 –The show is extended to three days due to the increasing entries and spectators.
2016 – Crufts celebrates 125 years.
– credit Crufts
Events
There is a huge variety of events that take place across the three-day event. Arguably the best event is Best In Show, which this year will take place on the Sunday, the last day of the event.
Last year’s winner was Marie Burns, the proud owner of Devon a West Highland White Terrier. A full list of previous winners can be found here on the event’s official website
Some other key events include the Inter Regional Rally Competition and Crufts 2017 Terrier & Hound, Gundog and the Obedience Championships. Crufts will be available to watch on Channel 4 and More4 and will also be streamed across Crufts official YouTube channel – so you won’t miss out.
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