Unveiled: 15 Surprising Facts About Crufts That Might Stun You
Crufts 2025 is poised to captivate dog lovers worldwide, as the renowned annual event returns from 6th to 9th March. Over the years, Crufts has solidified its status as the largest and most prestigious dog show on the global stage.
In anticipation of this year's spectacle, here are some compelling facts about Crufts that highlight its grandeur:
Crufts: A Titan Among Dog Shows
While often mistaken for the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in New York, Crufts indeed boasts a vast scale. Welcoming over 24,000 dogs and more than 130,000 visitors across its four-day duration, Crufts outnumbers Westminster's 2,500 participants by a wide margin. The sheer size of the event led to its designation as the world's largest dog show by the Guinness Book of World Records in 1991, when 22,973 dogs participated. Today, the show spans over 25 acres, consisting of five halls and an arena – a space equivalent to nearly 20 football fields.
The Cocker Spaniel’s Reign
The Cocker Spaniel has a stronghold on the Best in Show title, taking home the coveted trophy an impressive seven times. Other breeds that have dominated the competition include the Irish Setter, Poodle, and Welsh Terrier, each claiming four victories.
Crufts: A Rich and Lengthy History
First held in 1891, Crufts has a long-standing history of over 130 years. Although Westminster preceded it by 14 years, Crufts remains a celebrated tradition. The first edition of Crufts featured entries from Queen Victoria's Collie and Pomeranians, all of whom received awards. To date, 86 Best in Show winners have been crowned, with 45 different breeds taking the title over the years. The inaugural Best in Show winner was a Greyhound.
Golden Retrievers Lead the Pack
Golden Retrievers hold the honor of the largest individual breed entry, with 509 dogs registered in 2023. This stands after two consecutive years atop the leaderboard, surpassing the Labrador Retriever (485 entries) and the Cocker Spaniel (418).
Popularity within each group shows the Staffordshire Bull Terrier (338 entries) dominating the Terrier category, the Whippet (376) shaping the Hound category, the Dalmatian (260) heading the Utility group, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (290) topping the Toy group, and the Golden Retriever retaining its lead in the Gundog group.
Crufts: A Historical Interruption
Crufts has faced interruptions due to major historical events. The show was suspended between 1918 and 1920 for the First World War and again between 1940 and 1947 due to the Second World War. More recently, Crufts took a two-year hiatus in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, eventually returning in 2022.
The Limits of Age
In 2011, a Flat Coated Retriever named Jet became the oldest dog to win Best in Show at the age of 9 years and 7 months. Conversely, a Bulldog named Chuckles won the title at just 1 year and 3 months in 1952.
Hands Behind the Scenes
The successful organization of Crufts requires the dedicated efforts of more than 5,000 volunteers, who contribute in numerous roles, from ring stewards to breed experts. These diligent individuals carry out lesser-known tasks, such as clearing around 771.6 lbs (350kg) of canine fur at the show's conclusion.
An International Gathering
Aside from the abundant British entries, 3,952 dogs from 50 countries will journey to Crufts this year. Highly represented countries include France, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy, Ireland, Poland, Belgium, Czech Republic, Spain, and Sweden.
A Scandalous Past
The show has also served as the backdrop for some notable drama, such as the 1974 murder trial in which an Old Bailey jury deliberated over a man's extramarital affair and subsequent murder, linked to a Crufts connection. A man's knife used for preparing his dog's food was found to be the murder weapon.
Crufts: A Popular Television Event
Crufts has been televised since 1948. Channel 4 will broadcast this year's coverage more extensively than ever before, averaging over 8 million viewers on Channel 4 and More4. The proceedings will be hosted by Clare Balding for the 21st consecutive year.
Scruffts: An Inclusive Spin-Off
Scruffts, a spin-off event, provides cross-breed dogs with the opportunity to participate in competitions, foster a sense of fun, and promote responsible pet parenting. Four semi-final competitions will lead to the final, showcasing events like Most Handsome Dog Crossbreed, Prettiest Crossbreed Bitch, Goldie Oldie Crossbreed, and Good Citizen Dog Scheme. In addition to Scruffts, cross-breeds can engage in various activities like agility, flyball, obedience, and heelwork to music during the main event.
A Variety of Breeds Compete for the Crown
Across its 223 registered breeds, Crufts serves as a platform for canines to strive for the prestigious Best in Show title. Among them are both common and rare breeds, underscoring the show's commitment to showcasing the world's diverse canine population.
Father-Son Duo Wins at Crufts
An extraordinary achievement in Crufts' history was the victories of a father-son pair. In 1993, Irish Setter sire, Sh Ch. Danaway Debonair, claimed the Best in Show title, followed by his offspring, Sh Ch. Caspians Intrepid, who triumphed in 1999, both owned by Jackie Lorimer.
Honoring Canine Heroes
The Kennel Club Hero Dog Award, given out during the final day of Crufts, commends the strong bond between humans and their dogs, emphasizing their crucial roles in daily life. Visit the Kennel Club's website to learn about the finalists and cast your vote.
The Show Named After Its Founder
Crufts bears its name from the event's founder, Charles Cruft. Cruft, general manager of the dog biscuit manufacturer, Spratt's, traveled extensively to dog shows worldwide, building valuable connections to establish Crufts in 1891.
- The Cocker Spaniel is the breed that has won the Best in Show title at Crufts the most number of times, claiming the victory an impressive seven times.
- This year's Crufts, from 6th to 9th March, is expected to be attended by over 3,952 dogs from 50 countries, apart from the numerous British entries.
- Aside from the main event, Cross-breed dogs also have their own spin-off event, Scruffts, which promotes responsible pet parenting and fosters a sense of fun.
- The records show that the Golden Retriever is the breed with the highest number of individual entries in Crufts, with 509 dogs registered in 2023.
