Battle of the bow-wows begins

Matthew Cooper, Birmingham

Some 21,432 dogs, representing 178 breeds, including 723 from 26 foreign countries, were lined up to take part in the four-day event, organised by The Kennel Club.

Taking their turns in the 35 show-rings around all five cavernous halls of the Birmingham’s National Exhibition Centre for the first day were 2,979 hounds and 2,247 terriers.

Last year, the coveted Best in Show title went to a whippet - officially named Cobyco Call The Tune, but better known as Deedee - owned by Lynn Yacoby-Wright from Stockport, in the north of England.

Earlier this week, the Kennel Club highlighted the plight of declining British and Irish breeds.

A special spotlight is being cast this year on 28 homegrown breeds - including the bloodhound and the Gordon setter - deemed by the Kennel Club to be “vulnerable” due to their waning popularity.

Approximately 130,000 dog enthusiasts are expected to attend Crufts before the doors are closed on Sunday, said Kennel Club chairman Ronnie Irving.

Officially recognised as the world’s largest dog show by the Guinness Book of Records, Crufts also boasts almost 400 trade stands offering visitors the latest dog-related products.

The cream of almost 200 breeds will be hoping to succeed the 2004 champion.