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When the first dogs were photographed for the Crufts 2024 competition in Birmingham, they showed that the standard of dog competition is higher than ever.
Owners and pets from around the world will compete in categories such as agility and obedience starting Thursday, with the world-class Best In Show title being awarded on Sunday.
Crufts, which has been held since 1891 and is currently organized by The Kennel Club, is considered the most prestigious dog competition in the world.
This year’s pampered dogs include Dougal, an adorable 10-year-old Yorkshire Terrier and member of the Good Citizen exhibition team, who looked incredibly cute as he posed among spring daffodils at the photo shoot at the National Exhibition Centre.
Dougal looked small as he posed with two-year-old Irish Wolfhound Killoughery Rockefella, as the pair formed an adorable big and small duo with Dougal managing to stand between their legs.
Getting ready: Poodle Ruben is just one of more than 24,000 dogs heading to Birmingham for the Crufts 2024 competition.
And Rubén the poodle did a magnificent display jumping over a bar, making an impressive display of agility.
The arrivals are just some of the more than 24,000 dogs heading to Birmingham ahead of this year’s competition.
The show is traditionally divided into four main categories: hunting, working and herding dog, terrier and bloodhound, and utility and toy.
When the competition began in 1891, it was founded by Charles Cruft, a dog biscuit salesman.
Mr. Cruft had had previous experience in dog shows, having participated in the dog section at the 1889 Paris exhibition.
Big and small! Dougal, a ten-year-old Yorkshire terrier, looked tiny next to two-year-old Irish wolfhound Killoughery Rockefella.
Dougal put on an adorable display as he posed alongside spring daffodils at Birmingham’s NEC Arena.
Dougal showed that this year’s fierce competition is greater than ever as he posed for photographs at the photocall.
Owners and pets from around the world will compete in categories such as agility and obedience. In the photo: part of this year’s programming.
Perfect poodle: Rubén made the jump easy and cleared it effortlessly
The five-year-old dog attended the launch of this year’s contest, which begins on Thursday.
When he brought the show to the UK two years later at Islington’s Albert Hall, it was considered a resounding success.
After receiving 2,500 submissions, the general public’s interest in the contest was clear.
Dog-loving Queen Victoria even entered her dogs in several categories, with the royal dogs winning three awards.
For more than a century, Crufts remains the most prestigious dog competition in the world.
This year’s competition will begin on Thursday, March 7 and conclude on Mother’s Day, Sunday, March 10.
Little Dougal was a good match with his new friend Killoughery Rockefella
The elegant hounds will compete in the most prestigious dog competition in the world