Adored by dog lovers all over the world, Crufts was founded in 1891 by dog biscuit salesman, Charles Cruft and has grown in popularity to become “The World’s Largest Dog Show”.
Here at Vetfleece, we love watching and attending this amazing event each year, so we thought we’d put together a list of interesting facts, some of which we didn’t even know.
- In 1886, five years before the first Crufts was staged, Charles Cruft started a dog show which was only open for Terriers. This was then changed and other breeds we invited to enter and the creation of the Crufts we love was born.
- It’s a royal affair. In 1891 three of Queen Victoria’s dogs won prizes in Crufts. The following year several European royals also entered their dogs in to the show, Grand Duke Nicholas of Russia, Prince Henry of Battenburg and the Princess of Wales.
Since 1891, Crufts has only not been held 10 times. This is due to two world wars and an electricians strike. - It’s a record breaker. In 1991, The Guinness Book of Records named Crufts “The World’s Largest Dog Show”.
- Following the 4 day show, around 350kg (55 Stone) of dog hair is cleared from the floor of the Birmingham NEC.
- Crufts have been known for their strict rules regarding purebreds, but in 2000 they introduced the Scruffts show for crossbreeds. Scruffts entrants can compete for the titles of most Handsome Dog, Prettiest Bitch, Golden Oldie and Child’s Best Friend.
- The first “Best in Show” award took place in 1928 and it was won by a Greyhound named Primley Sceptre.