Saturday, 7 March 2026

Hairdryers, ribbons and glow-ups: How world's most pampered pooches get ready for their big moment at Crufts

 From last-minute trims and blow-dry sessions to perfectly placed ribbons and gravity-defying hairstyles, the world's most pampered pooches are being primed to perfection as they prepare to strut into the spotlight at Crufts.

Backstage at the world-famous dog show, Shih-tzus sport wacky topknots, poodles are fluffed and blow-dried into immaculate clouds of curls, and Yorkshire terriers sit patiently as their owners fuss over their silky coats.

The grooming frenzy is all part of the meticulous preparation for the prestigious competition, where every strand of fur is carefully combed, brushed and styled before the dogs take to the ring.

And the spectacle has even won over celebrities, with television favourite Claudia Winkleman declaring that hosting the event had been 'the best day of her life' - even better than her own wedding.

The Traitors presenter joined veteran host Clare Balding as part of Channel 4's live coverage, wandering the bustling arena to chat with proud owners and meet the canine contenders.

Crufts, held at Birmingham's NEC, brings together thousands of dogs from across the globe each year, with more than 150,000 visitors expected over the four-day celebration of all things canine.

From last minute trims an blow-dry sessions to perfectly placed ribbons and gravity defying hairstyles, the world's most pampered pooches are being primed to perfection as they prepare to strut into the spotlight at Crufts

From last minute trims an blow-dry sessions to perfectly placed ribbons and gravity defying hairstyles, the world's most pampered pooches are being primed to perfection as they prepare to strut into the spotlight at Crufts

Backstage at the world-famous dog show, Shih-tzus sport wacky topknots, poodles are fluffed and blow-dried into immaculate clouds of curls, and Yorkshire terriers sit patiently as their owners fuss over their silky coats

Backstage at the world-famous dog show, Shih-tzus sport wacky topknots, poodles are fluffed and blow-dried into immaculate clouds of curls, and Yorkshire terriers sit patiently as their owners fuss over their silky coats

The grooming frenzy is all part of the meticulous preparation for the prestigious competition, where every strand of fur is carefully combed, brushed and styled before the dogs take to the ring

The grooming frenzy is all part of the meticulous preparation for the prestigious competition, where every strand of fur is carefully combed, brushed and styled before the dogs take to the ring

A poodle wearing ski goggles poses for a picture at Crufts dog show in Birmingham

A poodle wearing ski goggles poses for a picture at Crufts dog show in Birmingham 

A woman grooms a Shih Tzu ahead of competition on day three Crufts

A woman grooms a Shih Tzu ahead of competition on day three Crufts 

And the spectacle has even won over celebrities, with television favorite, Claudia Winkleman declaring that hosting the event had been 'the best day of her life' - even better than her own wedding

And the spectacle has even won over celebrities, with television favorite, Claudia Winkleman declaring that hosting the event had been 'the best day of her life' - even better than her own wedding

A Miniature Poodle rests in a pen on day three of Crufts

A Miniature Poodle rests in a pen on day three of Crufts

A Poodle waits to be groomed on day three of Crufts

A Poodle waits to be groomed on day three of Crufts

This year's show features over 18,600 dogs

This year's show features over 18,600 dogs

A Shih Tzu resting before its big moment at Crufts

A Shih Tzu resting before its big moment at Crufts

A woman grooms a Shih Tzu ahead of competition on day three of Crufts

A woman grooms a Shih Tzu ahead of competition on day three of Crufts

A poodles wears pink wraps around its fur

A poodles wears pink wraps around its fur

A woman grooms a fluffy white Poodle on day three of Crufts dog show

A woman grooms a fluffy white Poodle on day three of Crufts dog show

A toy poodle is groomed by its handler

A toy poodle is groomed by its handler

Crufts, held at Birmingham's NEC, brings together thousands of dogs from across the globe each year, with more than 150,000 visitors expected over the four-day celebration of all things canine

Crufts, held at Birmingham's NEC, brings together thousands of dogs from across the globe each year, with more than 150,000 visitors expected over the four-day celebration of all things canine

A Shih Tzu rests its head on a pillow as it's groomed by its handler

A Shih Tzu rests its head on a pillow as it's groomed by its handler

A man holds a Bolognese on day three of Crufts dog show

A man holds a Bolognese on day three of Crufts dog show

A Women groom a Tibetan Spaniel

A Women groom a Tibetan Spaniel

A poodle being prepared for the show

 A poodle being prepared for the show

A Yorkshire terrier wears a red bow as it's groomed at Crufts

A Yorkshire terrier wears a red bow as it's groomed at Crufts

A pair of Shih Tzu dogs pose for a picture

A pair of Shih Tzu dogs pose for a picture

A Poodle waits to be groomed on day three of Crufts

A Poodle waits to be groomed on day three of Crufts

A poodle stands proudly before taking to the show ring

A poodle stands proudly before taking to the show ring


https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-15623967/Hairdryers-ribbons-glow-ups-worlds-pampered-pooches-ready-big-moment-Crufts.html



Thursday, 5 March 2026

It's a dog's life! Thousands of pedigree pooches from across the world arrive at Crufts in fight to be named best in show

 By LETTICE BROMOVSKY, NEWS REPORTER

Thousands of perfectly groomed pedigree pooches have descended on Birmingham today as the world-famous Crufts dog show gets underway.

More than 18,600 dogs from across the globe will parade through the halls of the National Exhibition Centre over the next four days, with proud owners hoping their pampered pets will claim the coveted Best in Show crown.

The massive event, held just outside Birmingham, opened its doors on Thursday and will run until Sunday evening when one lucky dog will be declared the ultimate champion.

But it's not just about good looks and glossy coats.

Throughout the competition, judges will assess dogs across a variety of breed groups including working, pastoral and terrier categories as they compete in the show rings.

Visitors will also be treated to a packed programme of crowd-pleasing displays and competitions designed to show off the intelligence and athleticism of the canine contestants.

The prestigious show has grown into one of the biggest events of its kind anywhere in the world, regularly drawing around 150,000 visitors through the doors during the four-day extravaganza.

And there will be plenty of star power on screens again this year as Crufts returns to Channel 4 with new presenter Claudia Winkleman making her debut. 

An Old English Sheepdog on the first day of the Crufts Dog Show at the National Exhibition Centre (NEC) in Birmingham

An Old English Sheepdog on the first day of the Crufts Dog Show at the National Exhibition Centre (NEC) in Birmingham

Old English Sheepdogs surround their owners as they rest before the event gets into full swing

Old English Sheepdogs surround their owners as they rest before the event gets into full swing 

A handler and their Pyrenean Mountain Dog pose for a photograph

A handler and their Pyrenean Mountain Dog pose for a photograph 

Pyrenean Mountain Dogs lie on the floor at the event getting some well deserved rest

Pyrenean Mountain Dogs lie on the floor at the event getting some well deserved rest 

An Old English Sheepdog is groomed ahead of judging on the first day of the Crufts dog show at the National Exhibition Centre

An Old English Sheepdog is groomed ahead of judging on the first day of the Crufts dog show at the National Exhibition Centre

Komondor dogs are judged on the first day of the Crufts dog show at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham

Komondor dogs are judged on the first day of the Crufts dog show at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham

Owners sit with their dogs waiting for the show to begin. The annual event is organised by the Kennel Club

Owners sit with their dogs waiting for the show to begin. The annual event is organised by the Kennel Club

A Dogue de Bordeaux on the first day of the Crufts Dog Show has won a rosette

A Dogue de Bordeaux on the first day of the Crufts Dog Show has won a rosette

A woman walks with her dog on her shoulder. Owners and dogs have arrived from around the world

A woman walks with her dog on her shoulder. Owners and dogs have arrived from around the world

Pete Anderton asleep with his Hungarian Puli Bitch 'Tilly' who have travelled from Colchester, Essex

Pete Anderton asleep with his Hungarian Puli Bitch 'Tilly' who have travelled from Colchester, Essex

Amanda Holden and Claudia Winkleman present on the first day of Crufts 2026

Amanda Holden and Claudia Winkleman present on the first day of Crufts 2026

A St Bernard is fed a small snack by their owner on the first day, 18,600 dogs are competing

A St Bernard is fed a small snack by their owner on the first day, 18,600 dogs are competing

HRH Prince Michael of Kent, arrives at Crufts in a wheelchair on Thursday

HRH Prince Michael of Kent, arrives at Crufts in a wheelchair on Thursday

A Mastiff sits with its owner at Crufts Dog Show at the NEC in Birmingham

A Mastiff sits with its owner at Crufts Dog Show at the NEC in Birmingham

A Welsh Corgi is groomed as the owner inspects its toenails. The four-day event attracts 150,000 visitors

A Welsh Corgi is groomed as the owner inspects its toenails. The four-day event attracts 150,000 visitors

A dog is being shown by its owner at the show. She runs along beside him on a short lead

A dog is being shown by its owner at the show. She runs along beside him on a short lead 

A man grooms a Dogue de Bordeaux mastiff ahead of the competition

A man grooms a Dogue de Bordeaux mastiff ahead of the competition

Perfectly pedigeed dog line up ready to be judged in the compeition

Perfectly pedigeed dog line up ready to be judged in the compeition 

One woman was snapped giving her dog a kiss on the lips ahead of an event

One woman was snapped giving her dog a kiss on the lips ahead of an event 

A Rough Collie dog smiles at the camera as it arrives on the first day of the Crufts dog show

A Rough Collie dog smiles at the camera as it arrives on the first day of the Crufts dog show

A Pomsky dog, a cross between a Pomeranian and a Siberian Husky, is pictured as it arrives on the first day of the Crufts dog show

A Pomsky dog, a cross between a Pomeranian and a Siberian Husky, is pictured as it arrives on the first day of the Crufts dog show

One dog was spotted outside the arena in plastic boots so that his feet do not get dirty

One dog was spotted outside the arena in plastic boots so that his feet do not get dirty 

A Dutch Shepherd (L), a Chihuahua (C) and a Malinois dog sit for a a photo

A Dutch Shepherd (L), a Chihuahua (C) and a Malinois dog sit for a a photo

One small dog arrives in a basket on wheels as his owner pulls him along

One small dog arrives in a basket on wheels as his owner pulls him along 

Two shetland sheepdogs look angelic by the daffodils outside the NEC centre

Two shetland sheepdogs look angelic by the daffodils outside the NEC centre

A dog arrives in a pram with a sign that reads: 'I have arthritis please be kin' on the front

A dog arrives in a pram with a sign that reads: 'I have arthritis please be kin' on the front 

A Hungarian Puli with some of its hair tied up arriving on the first day of the Crufts Dog Show

A Hungarian Puli with some of its hair tied up arriving on the first day of the Crufts Dog Show

A dog in a leopard print jumper arriving on the first day of the Crufts Dog Show at the National Exhibition Centre

A dog in a leopard print jumper arriving on the first day of the Crufts Dog Show at the National Exhibition Centre

Miro, a Polish Lowland Sheepdog arriving in an open top crate on the first day of the Crufts Dog Show

Miro, a Polish Lowland Sheepdog arriving in an open top crate on the first day of the Crufts Dog Show

Two black dogs arrive ahead of the Birmingham event  - one of the world's biggest dog shows

Two black dogs arrive ahead of the Birmingham event  - one of the world's biggest dog shows

A basset hound stares adoringly at the camera.Judges assess dogs across a variety of breed groups including working, pastoral and terrier categories

A basset hound stares adoringly at the camera.Judges assess dogs across a variety of breed groups including working, pastoral and terrier categories

Two Corgis walk on the lead outside the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham

Two Corgis walk on the lead outside the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham 

Dogs of all sizes and breeds arrive at the event - all hope to take home the best in show title

Dogs of all sizes and breeds arrive at the event - all hope to take home the best in show title

Dogs at the National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham - some looked wilder than others

Dogs at the National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham - some looked wilder than others

Three dogs in matching leopard print outfits arrive at the NEC in Birmingham

Three dogs in matching leopard print outfits arrive at the NEC in Birmingham 

Two Dalmatian's arrive at Crufts dog show for day one of the festivities

Two Dalmatian's arrive at Crufts dog show for day one of the festivities 


https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-15617539/Thousands-pedigree-dogs-arrive-Crufts-best-show.html