Crufts 2026: The world's largest pedigree dog show begins in Birmingham

On Thursday, March 5, 2026, the 139th edition of the Crufts pedigree dog show began at the National Exhibition Centre (NEC) in Birmingham. It is the world's largest and most prestigious event of its kind, organized by the British Kennel Club. Thousands of dogs of various breeds, from popular Labradors and German Shepherds to rare and exotic breeds, arrived for the opening alongside their breeders, owners, and trainers. The event will last four days, until Sunday, March 8, and its program includes obedience competitions, agility shows, breed presentations, and competitions within specific groups. The culmination will be Sunday's final of the Best in Show competition, where the winners of each of the seven main breed categories will compete for the ultimate title. British broadcaster Channel 4 has taken over the event's coverage this year, providing comprehensive live coverage on TV and its streaming service. Additionally, selected highlights of the shows, including the Best in Show final, will be available for free on the official Crufts YouTube channel, allowing viewers worldwide to follow the event. The Crufts show has been held continuously since 1891, when its founder, Charles Cruft, organized the first edition. The event's name derives from his surname. Over the decades, it has evolved from a local terrier and hound show into a global celebration of dogdom, attracting participants and spectators from dozens of countries. A novelty in this year's edition is a change in the TV presenting team. The main presenter for Channel 4's coverage is Nando Brown, a renowned dog trainer and behaviorist known from TV programs and books. Brown has been associated with Crufts for years, appearing as a competitor in obedience and agility contests, as well as a judge. In an interview with the BBC, she described taking on the presenter role as „a dream come true”. The Birmingham event is not just competitions but also a major trade fair, where hundreds of products related to dog care, nutrition, training, and animal health are showcased. The show generates significant tourist traffic and economic benefits for the West Midlands region each year. „It's absolutely a dream come true. I've performed at Crufts as a competitor for many years, I've been a judge, and now to join the Channel 4 team as a presenter is a huge honour for me.” — Nando Brown