Officially recognized as the world’s largest dog show by the Guinness Book of Records, Crufts expects to welcome more than 25,000 dogs, including about 1,000 from countries other than the United Kingdom.
The 2007 edition hosted more than 153,000 visitors. Seven groups of pedigree dogs will parade during the four days, and each day the Best in Group winner will be declared. All winners of the Best in Group title will then compete during the closing night of the event for the Best in Show title, which is the world’s first dog! In addition to this first-rate competition, other major canine competitions will be held, including International Obedience, Agility and Heelwork to Music. There will also be many booths from charities and dog organizations. Visitors will be spoiled for choice when they arrive at this extraordinary event. In fact, they will be able to visit some 500 booths offering everything dog and master could want, with many special Crufts discounts to be grabbed at the drop of a hat. Dog lovers and those planning to buy one can also take the opportunity to learn more about the 190 breeds of potential pedigree partners in the Discover Dogs area, where experts will guide in choosing the perfect companion.
THE HISTORY OF CRUFTS
The origins of the Crufts Dog Show Crufts owes its name to its founder, Charles Cruft. After finishing college in 1876 and having no intention of taking over the family goldsmith business, young Charles began working with James Spratt, who had established a business in Holborn, London, specializing in the sale of “dog cakes.” Charles Cruft was an ambitious fellow, and after a short apprenticeship as a secretary, he got promoted to sales representative, thus coming into contact with large dog sport breeders. He then began to travel extensively in Europe, and in 1878, French dog breeders, glimpsing his entrepreneurial talent, invited him to organize the promotion of the dog section of the Paris Expo. And he had been out of college just two years. Returning to England in 1886, he took over the management of the Allied Terrier Club exhibition at the Royal Aquarium in Westminster. 
The first Crufts-branded exhibition was held in 1891 at the Royal Agricultural Hall in Islington, an event that marked the beginning of a long series of events at this facility. At this time it was possible for individuals to organize events for personal profit, something that greatly fascinated Charles Cruft, who was able to make great gains. Today, there are no longer any privately organized dog shows, and permission for shows is granted by the Kennel Club, which issues them only to nonprofit organizations. In 1938 Charles Cruft died and his wife was in charge of organizing the 1939 event. Three years later Mrs. Cruft, feeling the burden of responsibility for organizing an event that is now too important, asked the Kennel Club to take over. In 1948 the first event organized by the Kennel Club was held at the Olympia, which was an immediate success among both participants and the public. From then on, Crufts’ importance grew year after year. In 1979 the event moved from the Olympia to Earls Court, as the number of participants grew. In 1982 the event lasted three days and in 1987 four days, to allow more dogs and spectators to be accommodated. In 1991 the Crufts centennial event was held at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham, thus leaving London’s territory for the first time. 2008 will be the 18th year that the event has been held at the NEC.
