RETRIEVERS REIGN AMONG RECORD NUMBER OF GLOBAL CONTENDERS AT CRUFTS 2024

Crufts, which takes place next month at the NEC Birmingham, will see over 24,000 dogs from 50 different countries compete in hundreds of competitions, displays and demonstrations, over four days.

Hailed as the world's greatest celebration of man's best friend, the 2024 event will follow more than 200 breeds on the journey to the famous Best in Show finale, with the trophy awarded live on Channel 4 on the evening of Sunday 10 March.

Leading the pack with the most entries for this year's show is the great family favourite, the Golden Retriever, with 538 dogs hoping to be crowned top dog. This is just ahead of the Labrador (519) and the Cocker Spaniel (421).

In contrast, the Belgian Shepherd Dog (Laekenois) and Foxhound have just three dogs vying for the Best in Show title, while there are only two Turkish Kangal Dogs entered, highlighting that the show is a true celebration of all dogs, from the well-known to the rare.

Crufts has also announced that its 2024 event will welcome a record proportion of international canine competitors, reversing a post-Brexit fall. Almost 4,000 dogs from overseas will be in contention for Best in Show, meaning around a fifth of dogs strutting their stuff on the green carpet are from outside of the UK.

Crufts, whilst a British institution, is a truly international event. The debut of an increased number of international dogs on the Crufts stage in 2002 – when the 'pet passport scheme' was first introduced – could not have been more spectacular, as a Standard Poodle from Norway, Nordic Champion Topscore Contradiction, went all the way to Best in Show, and was the first overseas dog to win the title. There have been another six Best in Show winners from abroad since – including from Canada, Belgium and the US – and last year's winner, Orca, from Croatia.

In total, four-legged representatives from 50 countries will be taking part in the world's greatest dog event this year, from Mexico to Macedonia. The Netherlands lead the way with 382 dogs in the running for the Crufts top title, just ahead of Germany (375), France (371) and Italy (330).

Last year Ante Lucin and Sabina Zdunić Šinković, from Croatia, won the prestigious Best in Show title with their Lagotto Romagnolo, Orca – a premier win for the four-legged Italian breed, as well as the first for Croatia. Javier Gonzalez Mendikote, who handled Orca, said the win at Crufts was a "childhood dream come true."

Bill Lambert, spokesperson for The Kennel Club which organises Crufts, commented: "Crufts is an iconic British event with a truly international feel, and is a great celebration of dogs, bringing two and four-legged friends together, regardless of where they come from in the world.

"Whilst the world may at times seem divided, we look forward to welcoming dogs, owners and visitors from all over to Crufts, where they will be treated to another fantastic event celebrating our unique bond with man's best friend."

As well as the individual breed classes which lead to Best in Show, visitors can watch some of the world's fastest and smartest dogs in action with agility and obedience championships, and enjoy unique canine relay in the flyball competitions. Elsewhere, The Kennel Club Hero Dog Award celebrates five special dogs who provide lifetime service to society, and support, love and devotion to owners, and the final of the nation's favourite crossbreed competition, Scruffts, will take place. Meanwhile the Discover Dogs area showcases hundreds of different breeds – from the Australian Shepherd to the Bavarian Mountain Hound – for would-be owners to meet close-up and find out more about from experts.

For 2024, Channel 4 and More4 will broadcast over 15 hours of Crufts on TV this March, from Thursday 7 – Sunday 10. With Clare Balding at the helm once again, all the action from the show will be broadcast, leading up to the grand finale Best in Show on Sunday.

Crufts takes place from 7 – 10 March with over 24,000 dogs from 50 countries. Tickets are available at crufts.org.uk.

Details of TV coverage and live streaming from the event can be found on the Crufts website.