Crufts Dog Show 2024: Hunt begins for UK show's top dog

Birmingham: Thousands of hounds flocked to the National Exhibition Centre in England's second city, Birmingham, on Thursday for the start of Crufts, the four-day dog show that attracts owners from across the globe.

Crufts, first organised by dog lover Charles Cruft in 1891, attracts more than 18,000 competitors and hundreds of thousands of visitors, according to organisers The Kennel Club.

Dogs made the trip from as far afield as Germany, The Netherlands, Italy and Switzerland to compete, with more than 200 breeds taking part this year.

The coveted "Best in Show" starts with each breed picking its own winner. They then compete to win one of seven groups, divided into Toys, Gundogs, Utility, Hounds, Working, Pastoral and Terriers.

Yorkshire terriers wait for judging. The seven "Best in Group" winners then compete to find the "Best in Show", which in 2023 was won by Orca, a Lagotto Romagnolo from Croatia.

An owner trims the fur of her Bichon Frise. Previous winners have included a wire-haired dachshund, a whippet and an American cocker spaniel.

A Standard Poodle is groomed ahead of an appearance in the Toy and Utility class.

A Shih Tzu is judged in the Toy and Utility class on the first day of the Crufts dog show at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham, central England.

An owner trims the fur on a Standard Poodle ahead of judging.

A Pomeranian is prepared in the Toy and Utility class.

A Japanese Shiba Inu is prepared ahead of an appearance in the Toy and Utility class.

A Yorkshire Terrier rests on it's own pillow ahead of an appearance in the Toy and Utility class on the first day of the Crufts dog show at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham, central England, on March 7, 2024.

A Tibetan Terrier is judged in the Toy and Utility class.

A Chihuahua (Long Coat) is judged in the Toy and Utility class.

Dalmatians are judged in the Toy and Utility class.

Shih Tzu judging during the Toy and Utility class.