Last year’s Crufts, which was due to be held in July, was canceled due to the global pandemic – but is back in March, with thousands of dogs, owners and spectators heading to Birmingham.
Here’s what’s going to happen over the four days of the event, culminating in the crowning of this year’s Best in Show, and how to get along.
When is Crufts?
After being postponed last year due to Covid-19, this year’s Crufts – the 131st – takes place from March 10-13 at the NEC Birmingham.
There will be full coverage of all four days of Crufts on Channel 4 and More4, as has been the case since 2010.
Organized and hosted by the Kennel Club, it is the largest show of its kind in the world, with over 20,000 dogs expected.
Can I buy tickets?
Tickets are still available for most sessions at Crufts and are available on the event website.
Prices range from £14 for a concession (children 9-15, seniors and students) and £20 for an adult, to £165 for a VIP tour.
Children under 9 enjoy free entry.
What is the program ?
The following is a timeline of everything happening at this year’s event in the main arena.
There’s also action in the Young Kennel Club Ring, obedience competitions, individual breed judging, canine activities and the Good Citizen Dog Training Scheme.
Meanwhile, there will be over 500 trade stalls offering information, products and advice on all things dog.
Thursday March 10 – Work and Pastoral
8:45 am: Agility Kennel Club British open final (Jumping)
9:40 a.m.: Small/medium agility championship
10:45 a.m.: East Anglian Staffordshire Bull Terrier Show Team
11:15 am: Freestyle competition from heel to music
1:10 p.m.: Agility Kennel Club British open final (Agility)
2:05 p.m.: Small/medium agility championships
3:15 p.m.: Flyball team quarter-finals
3.55pm: West Midlands Police display
4:25 p.m.: Freestyle heelwork to music competition winner
5:15 p.m.: Final of the small/medium agility championship
6:00 p.m.: Collective judgment (work) and presentation
6:50 p.m.: Collective judgment (pastoral) and presentation
Friday March 11 – Terrier and Dog
9:00 a.m.: Agility Crufts medium ABC and intermediate/large novice ABC final (jumping)
9:40 a.m.: Agility Crufts single heat small/medium/intermediate/large (jump)
10:35 am: Exhibition of the Good Citizen Dog Scheme
11:05 a.m.: Heel to music competition
1:05 p.m.: Rescue dog agility
1:35 p.m.: Agility Crufts single heat small/medium/intermediate/large (agility)
2:30 p.m.: Agility Crufts medium ABC and intermediate/large novice ABC final (agility)
3:10 p.m.: Flyball team quarter-finals
3:50 p.m.: Vulnerable breed competition
4:20 p.m.: Winner of the Heelwork to music contest
4:45 p.m.: Agility Crufts single final small/medium/intermediate/large (agility)
5:30 p.m.: Final of the breeders’ competition
6:10 p.m.: Group judging (Terrier) and presentation, plus presentation of the painting to the winner of Crufts 2020 Best in Show
7:00 p.m.: Group judging (Hound) and presentation
Saturday March 12 – Utility and Toy
8:45 am: Crufts international invitation big jump
9:30 a.m.: Scruffts semi-final
10:30 a.m.: 40th anniversary of hearing dogs
10:50 a.m.: Search and rescue on the plain
11:20 a.m.: Southern Golden Retriever Demonstration Team
11:40 am: Display of medical detection dogs
12:30 p.m.: International tailgating competition with freestyle music
1.55pm: West Midlands Police display
2:25 p.m.: Agility wide international invitation (agility)
3:10 p.m.: Young Kennel Club Agility Dog of the Year Final
3:55 p.m.: Flyball team semi-finals (including Young Kennel Club Flyball)
5:15 p.m.: Agility international invitation to the agility grand finale
6:00 p.m.: Heelwork to music freestyle international winner
6:20 p.m.: Demonstration of the champion (dog) and the reserve (dog) of obedience
6:45 p.m.: Collective judgment (usefulness) and presentation
7:35 p.m.: Collective judgment (toy) and presentation
Sunday March 13 – Gundog
8:45 a.m.: Intermediate/large agility championship
9:50 a.m.: Good Citizen Dog Scheme exhibit
10:10 a.m.: Search and rescue on the plain
10:40 a.m.: Heels to music
10:45 a.m.: Display of canine activities
11:15 a.m.: Southern Golden Retriever Demonstration Team
12:00 p.m.: Intermediate/large agility championship
1:25 p.m.: Flyball team final
3:00 p.m.: Doors open to ticket holders
Intermediate/Grand Final Agility Championship
Young Kennel Club finals and stakes presentation
Game warden competition final
Group judging (Gundog) and presentation
Presentation of the award for operational and humanitarian action of the police canine team of the year
Presentation of the award for operational and humanitarian action of the police canine team of the year
Best in Show and presentation
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