With international entry at all time high
Crufts will welcome well over 24,000 dogs at the NEC Birmingham from 7-10 March taking part in a wide variety of competitions and displays. The entry is slightly up on last year, with 19,252 dogs entered into the breed, agility and obedience championship competitions, and includes more overseas dogs entered than ever before.
Crufts 2024 will see over 200 pedigree breeds in contention for Best in Show, which will be awarded live on Channel 4 on the evening of Sunday 10 March. There will be more than 15 hours of Crufts TV coverage, as all the four days action will be broadcast on Channel 4 and More4.
The show continues to maintain its international flavour and this year has attracted more overseas entries than ever before – 3,766 dogs – with the Netherlands leading the way with 382 dogs, just ahead of Germany (375), France (371) and Italy (330). Other countries to attract entries of 150 dogs or more are: Ireland (290), Poland (263), Belgium (242), Spain (193), Czech Republic (188) and Sweden (179).
For the first time at Crufts, the Kooikerhondje, Jack Russell Terrier and Lagotto Romagnolo have Challenge Certificate status. 42 Kooikerhondjes and 123 Jack Russell Terriers are entered for the 2024 show, while last year’s Best in Show, the Lagotto Romagnolo, has attracted an entry of 91 dogs.
Elsewhere, the Golden Retriever has drawn the largest entry for an individual breed from the whole show, with 538 dogs. This is just ahead of the Labrador Retriever (519) which held that distinction at Crufts last year.
The highest number of dogs in a single breed set to compete in each group is as follows:
• Utility: Dalmatian – 223
• Toy: Cavalier King Charles Spaniel – 278
• Gundog: Golden Retriever – 538
• Working: Newfoundland – 176
• Pastoral: Border Collie – 288
• Terrier: Staffordshire Bull Terrier – 364
• Hound: Whippet – 395
The following four breeds, in addition to those mentioned above, have exceeded an entry of 250 or more: Cocker Spaniel (421), Flat Coated Retriever (349), Irish Setter (262), and Rhodesian Ridgeback (251).
In contrast, the Belgian Shepherd Dog (Laekenois) and Foxhound has attracted 3 dogs each, while the Turkish Kangal Dog has 2 dogs entered, which highlights how the show is a true celebration of all dogs, from the well-known to the more unusual.
Channel 4 and More 4 who will be broadcasting the action over the show’s four days; the details of times and channels are as follows:
THURSDAY 7 MARCH:
1500-1600 – Channel 4
1830-1930 – More4
1930-2100 – Channel 4
FRIDAY 8 MARCH:
1500-1600 – Channel 4
1830-1930 - More4
1930-2030 – Channel 4
SATURDAY 9 MARCH:
1530-1800 – Channel 4
1900-2130 – Channel 4
SUNDAY 10 MARCH:
1600-1800 - Channel 4
1900-2100 - Channel 4 Crufts 2024: Best in Show live.
As well as the breed class judging, visitors will be able to watch some of the world’s finest dogs and handlers in action across a range of disciplines including agility, obedience, heelwork to music, flyball and for the first time, a hoopers display.
The Obedience Championships for dogs are on Saturday, with bitches on Sunday. In Agility, the Small and Medium Championships are on the Thursday while the Intermediate and Large Championships are on the Sunday.
Other highlights of a busy programme taking place in the Resorts World Arena are The Kennel Club Hero Dog Award, which celebrates those dogs in our lives that provide lifetime service, support, love and devotion, and the final of the nation’s favourite crossbreed competition, Scruffts.
Tom Mather, Crufts Chairman, said: “We are delighted that the show has attracted more dogs than last year and that Crufts has once again drawn a large overseas entry, proving its worldwide appeal.
“Crufts would not be Crufts without our exhibitors. We thank everybody who has entered the show and look forward to welcoming all dogs and their owners who make Crufts such a wonderful event, whether it is those who have been loyally returning year after year, or those who are experiencing the show for the first time.
“Crufts offers something for everyone and this year is no exception with particular interest in Kooikerhondjes, Jack Russell Terriers and Lagotto Romagnolo breeds who have Challenge Certificate status for the first time. The show is set to be a wonderful showcase of our much loved dogs, exciting canine activities and our fantastic and committed community.”
Click here to view a full list of entries in each breed.
For daily and Best in Show tickets, visit the Crufts website.
For details of TV coverage and live streaming from the show visit the how to watch Crufts page.