Crufts 2020 – Entries closing soon

Exhibitors are reminded that postal entries for Crufts close on Monday 6th January (postmarked) and online entries on Monday 20th January, for dogs which have qualified for the show.

The Utility and Toy groups will be shown on Thursday 5th March; Gundogs on Friday 6th; Working and Pastoral on Saturday 7th; and Terriers and Hounds on Sunday 8th.

Best in Show will be judged on Sunday evening by Anne Macdonald, breeder of the well-known Mabrooka Salukis.

The Barbet breed will be making its competitive debut at the show, in the Imported Breed Register classes on Gundog day. Although the Harrier breed will not compete at Crufts (having been ‘re-recognised’ only recently by the Kennel Club after a gap of more than a century), it will make a special parade on Hound day.  

The Obedience Championships for bitches are on Saturday, with dogs on Sunday. Sunday also sees the Agility Championships.

The finals of the Kennel Club Junior Warrant Competition and the Vulnerable British and Irish Breeds Competition are on Thursday and the final of the Kennel Club Breeders’ Competition is on Friday.

The entry fee for breed classes is £31 per dog, with subsequent entries free. Full details of fees for the Gamekeepers’ classes and Young Kennel Club classes are given in the schedule along with admission prices.

Exhibitors are asked to note that the West car park is no longer part of the NEC site, so all parking will be in either the South or East car parks in which there is ample parking. The price, if booked with dog entry (exhibitors only), is £11 per day; booked in advance via the NEC website, £12 per day; paid on the day (online or at the NEC), £16 per day. These prices are set by the venue.

Birmingham Airport has also advised that it is not a legal point of entry into the UK for those travelling with dogs. Therefore, exhibitors from overseas must ensure they come into the UK via an approved route. For more guidance visit www.gov.uk.

The attention of exhibitors is drawn to the importance of understanding that overseas awards which count towards an overseas champion title (CAC, CACIB, Green Star etc) are the equivalent of a CC in the UK. Likewise, Reserve CACs etc are the equivalent of a Reserve CC. These awards should be taken into account when looking at eligibility and entering the show.

As with the 2018 show, special permission has been given to Crufts for the award of Reserve Best in Show to be given out immediately prior to the award of Best in Show.

Vanessa McAlpine, Crufts Show Manager, said: “Crufts is an absolute must on the canine calendar and looks set to be better than ever. This year will once again be a true celebration of dogs with more than 200 pedigree breeds on show. We are, as usual, looking forward to welcoming our loyal exhibitors to the show.”

To enter online and/or view the Crufts schedule, please visit bit.ly/2Qm9WWr.