Crufts 2016: When does it start? What are the top events? Your guide to the 125th anniversary of the Birmingham NEC show
The world's largest dog show returns to Birmingham this week - as the competition reaches its 125th year.
Around 22,000 dogs and their owners from across the globe will descend on the NEC when Crufts launches on Thursday - to finish on Sunday.
More than just a dog show, Crufts celebrates the many diverse roles that dogs play in our lives, and sees competitions such as the Eukanuba Friends for Life final for hero dogs, the Scruffts Family Crossbreed of the Year competition, Obreedience, in which different breeds compete against each other in teams to prove who is the most obedient, and the popular fast-paced agility competitions.
Looking ahead to the show, we take a look at the top events taking place over the four days:
Thursday
Timings:
8.45am - 7.50pm
Top events:
9.35am - Agility – Kennel Club British Open Final (Jumping)
11.05am - East Anglian Staffordshire Bull Terrier Display Team
11.25am - Dog Activities Display
1.40pm - Agility – Kennel Club British Open Final (Agility)
3.15pm - Flyball – Team Quarter Finals
4pm - West Midlands Police
4.30pm - Freestyle Heelwork to Music Competition Winner
5.15pm - YKC Agility Dog of the Year
6.10pm - Group Judging (Utility Group) and Presentation
7pm - Group Judging (Toy Group) and Presentation
Friday
Timings:
8.45am - 7.25pm
Top events:
8.45am - Agility – Crufts Large Novice and Medium ABC Final (Jumping)
9.25am - Agility – Crufts Singles Heat – S/M/L (Jumping)
10.20am - Agility – Crufts Team – Medium Final
11.05am - Trailrunners
11.30am - Pat Dog of the Year Presentation
12.15pm - Heelwork to Music Competition
1.40pm - Rescue Dog Agility
2.05pm - Agility – Crufts Singles Heat – S/M/L (Agility)
3.10pm - Agility – Crufts Large Novice and Medium ABC Final (Agility)
4pm - Flyball – Team – Quarter Finals
4.45pm - Heelwork to Music Competition Winner
5.15pm - Agility – Crufts Singles Final: Small, Medium and Large (Agility)
5.45pm - Gamekeepers Competition
5.55pm - Gundog Display (Philippa Williams)
6.10pm - Kennel Club Vulnerable Breeds Competition Final
6.35pm - Group Judging (Gundog) and Presentation
Saturday
Timings:
8.30am - 8.30pm
Top events:
8.30am - International Junior Handling Competition
10.30am - Crufts – International Invitation – Large – Jumping
11.10am - Agility – Crufts Team – Small Final
12.10pm - Dog Activities Display
1pm - Heelwork to Music – Freestyle International Competition
2.25pm - Agility – International Invitation – Large (Agility)
3.10pm - RAF Display
3.30pm - Flyball – Team – Semi Finals
4.20pm - West Midlands Police Display
4.40pm - Southern Golden Retriever Display Team
5.20pm - Agility – International Invitation - Large – Agility Finals
5.50pm - Heelwork to Music – Freestyle International Winner
5.55pm - International Junior Handling Competition – Final Judging
6.15pm - Scruffts Final
6.35pm - Obedience Winners 2016
6.55pm- Group Judging (Working) and Presentation
7.45pm - Group Judging (Pastoral) and Presentation
Sunday
Timings: 9am - 8.30pm
Top events:
9am - Agility – Championship – Round 1 – Jumping
10.10am - Good Citizen Dog Scheme Display
10.30am - Southern Golden Retriever Display Team
11.05am - Agility – Championship – Round 2 – Agility
12.20pm - Flyball – Team Final
12.40pm - West Midlands Police Dog Display
1pm - Gundog Display (Adrian and Caroline Slater)
1.20pm - RAF Display
1.45pm - Heelwork to Music Display
3.30pm - Doors open to ticket holders
4.55pm - Agility – Championship Final
5.30pm - Presentation to Agility World Cup Winning Team
5.55pm - YKC Stakes Final and Presentation
6.05pm - Group Judging (Terrier) and Presentation
6.55pm - Group Judging (Hound) and Presentation
8pm - West Midlands Police
8.20pm - Presentation of the Police Dog Team Operational and Humanitarian Action of the Year Award
8.30pm - Best in Show and Presentation
