Dog owners have showed off their adorable pooches in Birmingham today as they prepare to compete at Crufts 2022.
The world’s biggest dog show starts today at the National Exhibition Centre and will see canines from across the country compete in agility and obedience to be named best in show.
Among the early arrivals was Susan Reilly who stuck up a very cute pose with her Pyrenean Mountain Dog called Boris outside the NEC.
The giant dog – who is more than 6ft tall and adorably had a neckerchief with ‘Boris Bear’ embroidered on it – towered over his owner as he stood up on his back legs to hug her.
Susan Reilly and her Pyrenean Mountain Dog called Boris during the first day of the Crufts Dog Show at the Birmingham National Exhibition Centre
Pairs of dogs appeared to be the fashion of the day, with one woman spotted walking two Miniature Poodles in leopard print pyjamas
Twice as nice! Sweet bearded collies were also spotted entering the exhibition centre
Keeping his feet warm! One adorable pooch wore little rainboots to protect himself from the Birmingham weather
Two Samoyeds looked adorable in a cage as they got ready to compete for Best in Show
Best in Jow! A Newfoundland named Joe is walked into the first day of the Crufts Dog Show
Elsewhere, a woman was spotted walking in with two Saint Bernard Dogs who sported fetching black leg warmers covered in multicoloured paw prints
It’s gonna be great! A great dane is walked into the first day of the Crufts Dog Show
Windswept and wonderful! A bearded collie is walked into the first day of the Crufts Dog Show
Elsewhere, a woman was spotted walking in with two Saint Bernard Dogs who sported fetching black leg warmers covered in multicoloured paw prints.
Sweet bearded collies were also spotted entering the exhibition centre, while one dog owner carried her Old English Sheepdog in a crate into the Birmingham arena.
Pairs of dogs appeared to be the fashion of the day, with one woman spotted walking two Miniature Poodles in leopard print pyjamas.
The show returns this year after being cancelled in 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Double trouble! Bearded Collies are blown by the wind as they arrive for the first day of the Crufts Dog Show
Old English sheepdogs are wheeled in a crate into the first day of the Crufts Dog Show
Relaxing before the competition! Old English sheepdogs are wheeled in a crate into the first day of the international event
A Komondor arrives in a cage on the first day of Crufts and looks ready to spring into action
An Old English Sheepdog chews a bone as they sport adorable leg warmers ahead of the show
A couple of dogue de bordeaux are walked into the first day of the Crufts Dog Show
A Hungarian puli inside a crate is taken into the first day of the Crufts at the NEC
The Kennel Club said it decided to cancel the event set for July 15-18 because of the ‘ongoing uncertainty due to the Covid-19 pandemic’ and concerns about the safety of the thousands of participants had prompted the decision.
The Kennel Club said it took the decision ‘with deep regret’, but that it was looking ‘extremely unlikely’ that overseas judges and exhibitors would be able to attend ‘in light of recent announcements and the emergence of a third wave of coronavirus in Europe.’
It is the first time the annual event has been cancelled since 1954.
The dog show was one of the last major public events to go ahead in Britain in early March 2020, as fears over virus cases mounted.
Ready for action! A salivating rottweiler is walked into the first day of Crufts 2022
A woman holds a shih tzu, on the first day of the Crufts Dog Show at the Birmingham National Exhibition Centre
Susan Reilly and her Pyrenean Mountain Dog called Boris during the first day of the Crufts Dog Show
Baby on board! A very sweet small dog arrives in a pram arrives on the first day of the Crufts
A Shih Tzu named King Ellis is carried by his owner Betty as they head to compete in the midlands
Owners brought their dogs in caters, leads and prams as thousands gathered at the NEC
The competition, which will culminate with the prestigious Best In Show being awarded on Sunday evening. A bearded collie is walked into the first day of the Crufts
The show, first held in 1891, has been cancelled three times before: for World War I, World War II and due to strike action by electricians in 1954.
The competition, which will culminate with the prestigious Best In Show being awarded on Sunday evening.
There are more than 16,000 dogs from from 39 countries competing at the dog show.
This year’s TV coverage will again be hosted by Clare Balding, Sophie Morgan, and Radzi Chinyanganya.
