History
Crufts was named after its founder, Charles Cruft, who worked as general manager for aCompeting for Best in Show
Crufts is not an open competition; dogs must have qualified throughout the previous year. There are a number of ways of qualifying for the breed classes at Crufts, but most 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. Dogs compete in hierarchical fashion. 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. After the best of each breed has been chosen, they then compete against the others in theirBest in Show winners (since 2006)
Other competitions
Crufts hosts range of other competitions, including agility, obedience and flyball. Agility is a fast-paced timed competition in which dogs manoeuvre, with the guidance of their owners, through, over, and around different obstacles. Any mistake made by the dog is penalised by adding time to their result. 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 successfully obey set of commands given by their owners 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 most obedient.Other attractions
Crufts regularly attracts over 160,000 visitors to the NEC and more than 155,000 people visited Crufts in 2020. 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 Discover Dogs where visitors can see almost every breed recognised by the Kennel Club on view, and discuss each breed with knowledgeable owners. Crufts also holds special shows and demonstrations, where specially trained dogs perform in front of an arena audience, including Police Dogs, Royal Airforce Dogs and Medical Detection Dogs.Crossbreeds
As the Kennel Club also registersCriticism
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 programme led various sponsors such as Hill's Pet Nutrition,RSPCA report
In February 2009, the results of an independent scientific report commissioned by theIn culture
Poppy Holman's play ''A Dog's Tale'', based on Crufts, was commissioned as one of Mikron Theatre Company's two 2020 productions, was delayed by COVID-19, and premiered in Leeds on 5 June 2021.See also
*References
External links
*{{Official website, http://www.crufts.org.uk/