Crufts 2015: Dog Show Dates, Start Time, Live Stream and TV Schedule
The cream of the canine crop will assemble at Birmingham's NEC Arena on Thursday as 22,000 dogs prepare to compete for Best in Show at Crufts 2015.
An almost endless assortment of dogs of all breeds and sizes will show their pedigree throughout the four-day event, first competing against their own breed in the hopes of moving ahead in the contest.
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
Poodle Afterglow Maverick Sabre took home the top prize in 2014, but the opportunity arises for a new standout pooch to be elected top dog in this year's competition.
Read on for a breakdown of when and where to watch all the action from Birmingham. We also provide an outline of how those taking part got to this stage and background information on the world's most prestigious dog competition.
| Thursday, March 5 | Gundog | 6:30 p.m. GMT/1:30 p.m. ET | 9 p.m. GMT/4 p.m. ET | More 4 |
| Friday, March 6 | Working and Pastoral | 6:30 p.m. GMT/1:30 p.m. ET | 9 p.m. GMT/4 p.m. ET | More 4 (Start - 7:30 p.m. GMT) and Channel 4 (7:30 p.m. GMT - End) |
| Saturday, March 7 | Terrier and Hound | 7 p.m. GMT/2 p.m. ET | 9 p.m. GMT/4 p.m. ET | Channel 4 |
| Sunday, March 8 | Toy and Utility | 7 p.m. GMT/2 p.m. ET | 9 p.m. GMT/4 p.m. ET | Channel 4 |
The official Crufts YouTube channel will be streaming the arena events all day, giving you unlimited access to the Main Arena HTM and Freestyle events.
Qualification
To compete on the grand stage of the canine community, dogs can qualify for Crufts through a variety of means, as outlined by the official Crufts website.
Under the rules of the Kennel Club, a dog may take part at Crufts if it is a Champion, Show Champion, Field Trial Champion, Working Trial Champion, Obedience Champion or Agility Champion.
A dog can also compete if entered into the Kennel Club Stud Book by January 19, 2015. Incidentally, a dog can qualify for Crufts for life by obtaining its Kennel Club Stud Book Number.
Any dog to have won first place in its breed category at Crufts 2014 is granted entry to this year's event, while any dogs to have won Best of Breed at a Premier Open Show between January 20, 2014 and January 19, 2015 also qualify.
Under the Rules and Regulations of the Masters of Harriers and Beagles Association, a Beagle can also make the cut if able to take first place at a hound show between January 20, 2014 and January 19, 2015. Lastly, a dog can qualify by winning Best in Show, Reserve Best in Show or Best Puppy in Show at a General or Group Open Show between those dates listed above.
Crufts Information
Founded in 1891 by Charles Cruft, the biggest dog competition in the world has evolved dramatically over the past 124 years, going from just under 2,500 entries in its first year to almost 10 times that amount in 2015.
Kennel Club Secretary Caroline Kisko is quoted by the Birmingham Mail's Zoe Chamberlain hailing today's encompassing span of the event, saying:
"It has changed in ways that couldn’t possibly have been imagined when the show was set up by the late Charles Cruft. Although it was a very different event in 1891, Charles Cruft was a great showman and would surely have enjoyed the size and scope of the event today, which is an essential date in any dog lover’s calendar.
"
Cruft championed his creation until his death in 1938, at which point his widow, Emma Isabel Hartshorn, took over its maintenance, selling it to the Kennel Club four years later.
The Kennel Club gave Crufts a greater push in publicity and gradually grew the event to the status it enjoys today, moving to Birmingham's NEC Arena in 1991, where it has been held annually ever since.
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
