Dogs from all walks of life are preparing to put their best paws forward, as tickets are now on sale for Crufts 2025, which is returning to the NEC in Birmingham, from 6 – 9 March.
Organised by The Kennel Club, the four-day event, which is expected to welcome over 20,000 dogs, is the world’s greatest celebration of ‘all things dog’ and will showcase over 200 diverse breeds, alongside an action-packed schedule featuring competitions such as agility, flyball, heelwork to music and obedience.
All of the four days will conclude with a dog from each group earning their place in the prestigious Best in Show final – the pinnacle of the show, taking place on Sunday evening – with the Hound and Terrier groups on Thursday 6 March, Utility and Toy groups on Friday 7 March, the Gundog group on Saturday 8 March and the Working and Pastoral groups on Sunday 9 March.
Also taking place on the Sunday evening, ahead of the Best in Show final, one of five very special and courageous companions will be crowned as the winner of The Kennel Club Hero Dog Award supported by The Kennel Club Charitable Trust, which recognises unsung canine heroes, while some of the nation’s top crossbreeds will be vying for the top spot in the Scruffts final on Saturday.
Elsewhere around the show, the popular Discover Dogs area will be hosting over 200 different breeds, of all shapes, sizes and personalities. From the lesser-known breeds such as the Dandie Dinmont Terrier, to the popular family favourite, Labrador Retriever, visitors have the unique opportunity to find out more about the variety of our four-legged friends from breed experts and what it means to take on a canine companion.
For those hoping to rehome a rescue dog, The Kennel Club Breed Rescue organisations will also be on hand to provide visitors with everything they need to know about rehoming, joined by some of the dogs that are under their care.
The Stand Up to Cancer Crufts Walkies Challenge will also return in 2025, which has seen dogs and their owners raise over £2 million over the last couple of years. The challenge will be returning again – encouraging two and four-legged friends to walk 60 miles in April to support life-saving cancer research.
The Kennel Club’s Good Citizen Dog Training scheme will be running displays and demonstrations in dedicated rings throughout the four days, while there is a Dog Activities ring for those interested in learning more about getting started in activities such as agility, heelwork to music and obedience with a chance for visitors to have a go themselves with well-trained dogs from the show on the Thursday. Youngsters who feel inspired by all the action going on in the rings and arena can find out more about joining the Young Kennel Club, which this year celebrates its 40th anniversary, and has a dedicated ring where members, aged between six-24 years old, show off their skills in a range of activities, from handling, agility, grooming, and much more.
Visitors can find out more about The Kennel Club on the main Kennel Club stand and the work being done to improve canine health and welfare while displays from Medical Detection Dogs and West Midlands Police Dogs will demonstrate just a few of the many ways that dogs help and enrich our lives.
Beyond the competitions, displays and dogs to meet, the 25 acres and five halls of the NEC are also filled with over 500 stands selling all sorts of doggy delights to meet yours, and your furry friend’s, needs, plus showcasing a range of dog-focussed charities and organisations.
Catherine Guiver, Head of Events at The Kennel Club, which organises Crufts, said: “It’s nearly that time of year again, and we are so excited to be welcoming thousands of dogs and their owners to the Midlands, once more.
“We have an action-packed schedule across all four days, with something for everyone – from fast-paced agility and flyball competitions, to meeting your favourite breed in the Discover Dogs area – so dog lovers are guaranteed a great day out.
“Crufts is a true celebration of dogs – of all shapes, sizes and breeds – from pedigree dogs, crossbreeds, rescue dogs, service and heroic dogs – proving that every dog has its day.”
Over the four days Crufts welcomes over 20,000 dogs, 150,000 people and sees over 8 million TV viewers tune into the Channel 4, More4 and All4 broadcast. All the action is also live streamed on the official Crufts YouTube channel.
More information and tickets for the event are available on the Crufts website: Crufts.org.uk. Tickets are free for under 8s, and advance tickets start at £15 for children (aged 9-15) and concessions, and £22 for adults (fees apply). Please note that tickets are only available through our official ticketing partner AXS.
