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.