- Crufts kicks off today at the Birmingham NEC - and the pampered competitors are arriving in style
- Adorable dogs donned their finest coats and hats as they were taken into the showground this morning
- Many were too precious to set a paw on the ground and were pushed into the arena in prams or trolleys
From
their patterned jackets to fluffy coats, these dogs were certainly
making a style statement as they arrived for the first day of Crufts
this morning.
Some 20,000 competitors from around the world - and their indulgent owners - are gathering at the Birmingham NEC for the start of the four-day meet.
The
competition, which will culminate with the prestigious Best In Show
being awarded on Sunday evening, is going ahead despite concerns over
the coronavirus outbreak.
As
recently as yesterday, staff working at the event said they were
astonished that it was going ahead as planned. Of the total number of
dog entries, 3,000 come abroad with 366 of them coming from Italy, which
has been the European epicentre of the virus outbreak with 79 deaths
from 2,502 confirmed cases.
There
are also 160,000 people expected to visit the arena, which some claim
could be the perfect breeding ground to spread the deadly Covid-19 bug.
The
Kennel Club added that it was aware of speculation that a pet dog in
Hong Kong had tested weak positive for Covid-19 but said: 'There are
ongoing tests to determine whether this is due to environmental
contamination and at this stage there is no change to the veterinary
guidance.' The World Health Organisation says there is no evidence that
companion pets such as dogs or cats can be infected with the new
coronavirus.
Today
hand sanitizer was made available to guests and some people took it
upon themselves to wear surgical masks inside the arena.
Bigger is better! A poodle is prepped ahead of being shown on day one of Crufts at the Birmingham NEC today
Pretty princess: Lyndsey Taylor with Pippa the Yorkshire Terrier at Crufts dog show at the NEC in Birmingham today
Beauty sleep: This pampered poodle rests her head on a sparkly pink pillow as she prepares for her moment in the spotlight
Ruff and ready! A shaggy dog shook off the wet weather as he arrived (left) while a spaniel donned an extra layer (right)
What a trio! Three stout French Bulldogs are seen tottering along at the Toy and utility dog day at Crufts Dog Show
Extra precautions: The competition,
which will culminate with the prestigious Best In Show being awarded on
Sunday evening, is going ahead despite concerns over the coronavirus
outbreak. Pictured, people use hand sanitizer on arrival
Coronavirus fears: A woman wears a face mask whilst grooming her Miniature Schnauzer at Crufts 2020 this morning
On high alert: Crufts spectators wore disposable surgical masks, pictured, as they took in the action in Birmingham
How do I look, darling? A poodle has it's perfectly coiffed fur sprayed ahead of being shown on the first day of Crufts today
Twice as nice! Lyndsey Jones with Nico and Kiki, Japanese Spitz, as they're given a brush before of their Crufts star turn
Strike a pose! This cute terrier raises its paw as it is groomed by its owner before being shown at Crufts 2020 today
All of the action: Poodles are prepared ahead of being shown on the first day of Crufts at the Birmingham NEC today
What a bunch! Owners with the same breed of dog pose for a group photo on the first day of Crufts 2020
Speaking
to MailOnline, a contractor who will be exhibiting at the show, said:
'I don't know why it's still on. At a time when we're trying to stop
coronavirus spreading, it seems highly illogical for an event with so
many people from around the world to go ahead.'
Among
the early arrivals determined to stand out from the crowd was an
adorable terrier who cruised in on a skateboard and a pair of dainty
poodles who showed of patriotic Union flag coats.
Elsewhere
a dog was deemed to precious to lay a paw on the ground and was carried
into the arena in its owner's arms - with a silk scarf wrapped around
its head to protect its fur from the rain.
Glamour girl: A Shih Tzu with its hair in a fountain ponytail on its head waits to be groomed ahead of being shown at Crufts
Showtime: A dog owner sits with her Shih Tzu before the competition, left. Right, a poodle with an outrageous hairstyle
Beauty in all shapes: A dog without use of its back legs using a dog wheelchair at day one of Crufts in Birmingham
Hair raising! A Maltese looks delighted to have her long locks groomed, left. Right, a poodle shows off its tricks in the ring
It's a dog's life! A gorgeous sheepdog slumped down as its owner groomed its fur on day one of Crufts in Birmingham
Attention to detail: An owner uses hair straighteners to groom their Shih tzu dog on the first day of the Crufts 2020
Ready for the spotlight: A precious dog stands patiently as it is groomed by its owned ahead of being shown at Crufts today
Hands-free! A woman found that by tucking the hairdryer into her jacket she could dry her terrier's hair with no hands
Time for a rest! One dog snoozes on
its owner's lap as it waits for its turn to be shown at the first day
of Crufts in Birmingham
Team work makes the dream work! A standard poodle is groomed for showing on the first day of Crufts in Birmingham
Ready for action! Three dogs wait in their pens ahead of being shown at Crufts at the Birmingham NEC today
Up close and personal: A woman peers at her dog's legs to get a closer look at the fur before it is shown at Crufts 2020
Four times the fun! A pack of Schnauzers look ready for business as they arrive with their owner for Crufts today
Ready for the competition: The final, small snips are made to a Miniature Poodle's fur as an owner prepares for Crufts
Faithful friend: A Minature Pinscher looks out from beyond its owner's feet as it prepares to be shown at Crufts today
Your time to shine! An owner shows their Toy Poodle in the ring, left. Right, a Pomeranian waits for its turn to be shown
Sports chic: Molly the German Spitz wears a vibrant pink coat as she arrives for the first day of Crufts this morning
Lady in red! A standard poodle showcases a red and white polka dot hat and fetching socks as it arrives for Crufts today
Unlikely friends: Jack Beasley Surby in his blue raincoat and Lewis the Dachshund arrive on the first day of Crufts
The
competition kicks off today with skills including jumping, agility and
flyball being judged in the ring in front of a crowd of excited animal
lovers.
The long-weekend builds up to the coveted Best In Show title, which is awarded to one lucky pup on Sunday evening.
Alongside
the competitions in the main arena, dog owners and lovers can peruse
more than 550 trade stands, packed with treats for their much-loved
pets, and visit the 'Discover Dogs' area, which allows prospective
owners to familiarise themselves with 200 different pedigree breeds.
Pretty as a picture: A group of Coton De Tulear's arrive on the first day of Crufts 2020 at the Birmingham NEC today
You ain't nothing but a hound dog! Three dogs, thought to be American English Coonhound, arrive for the first day of Crufts
It's called fashion! Purple, green and blue and white stars come together to create a vibrant outfit for a Standard Poodle
Life's a dog-walk: Italian Greyhounds arrive in matching outfits, left. Two Keeshonds, right, look as cute as can be at Crufts
Trend-setting: This Terrier showed off his unique mode of transport as he arrived at the arena by skateboard this morning
Red alert! This little poodle certainly lives by the maxim 'more is more' in its matching red coat, socks and glittery hat
Watch the hair! This poodle had its fur tied in bunches and its legs carefully wrapped as it arrived for Crufts with its owner
Bright and beautiful! This giant poodle proved stripes and spots can work together as it arrived for Crufts this morning
Making an entrance! A poodle in a patriotic Union flag onesie was among the adorable competitors seen arriving this morning
A wheely good time! Devoted owners wheel their prize-hopefuls into the Birmingham NEC ahead of the first day of judging
Fancy footwork: A poodle stretched up to touch its owner, left. Right, another was happy to take shelter under an umbrella
Bundles of fun! Two tiny Pomeranians posed for a photo on their arrival at the Birmingham NEC this morning
Good hair day: A well-behaved poodle waited patiently as its fluffy fur is styled into an even more fetching style at Crufts
Pint-sized pooches: Two Bichon Frise are captured in the Birmingham NEC on the first day of crufts
Patriotic! This handsome British
Bulldog proved to be a winner already with his proud expression as the
dogs made their way to the show
Stars of the show! A dog sits up in its owners arms (left) while another shows off its coat as it arrives in drizzly Birmingham
Big fellas! A pack of dogs certainly brought the muscle to the first day of Crufts, which shows toy and working dog breeds
Watch my hair! Owners pushed their pooches in prams (left) and covered their heads with silk scarves (right) on their arrival
Three of a kind! This pack of terriers looked delighted to be joining their doggy friends for a day out at the Birmingham NEC
Best foot forward: Two Dalmatians cross the road as they arrive for the first day of Crufts at the Birmingham NEC today
Walkies? No thank you! These dogs were happy being kept undercover and wheeling their way into the Birmingham NEC
They sure have star power! Two dogs stood out from the crowd in their patterned coats as they arrived at the Birmingham NEC
Wrapped up warm: A dog took refuge in his comfy cage on wheels (left) while another dog was given an extra cuddle (right)
Double trouble! Many owners chose to push their pups in doggy strollers, pictured, in order to keep them comfy and dry
Standing to attention: These impressive pooches looked ready for their moment in the spotlight as they arrived at the arena
Furry friends! Ingenious owners stacked a cage on top of a pram, left. These poodles wanted to get their owner's attention
Excited! These exceptionally fluffy dogs appeared delighted as they arrived with their owners at the Birmingham NEC
Little and large: A dog had its hair tied in bunches to keep it under control (left). Right, a pooch in a pretty pink jacket
Ready to go! People arrived with stacks of supplies as they prepare to settle into the Birmingham NEC for a weekend of fun
Dogs were seen arriving in cages as they prepared to begin their day being pampered and preend to perfection before being judged
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