The world-famous dog show Crufts has kicked off in Birmingham for the first time since the Covid pandemic.

More than 20,000 dogs have entered the competition, including 1,843 from overseas. 

Crufts is running from Thursday, March 10 until Sunday, March 13. 

The show is being held at the NEC in Birmingham, which is organised by The Kennel Club. 

Redditch Advertiser: Two Bearded Collies arrive at the first day of the Crufts Dog Show at the Birmingham National Exhibition Centre (PA)Two Bearded Collies arrive at the first day of the Crufts Dog Show at the Birmingham National Exhibition Centre (PA)

The organisers have banned competitors from Russia following the invasion of Ukraine. 

It said the decision was taken “as testament to our sadness and concern about this situation”.

In a statement, they added: “Our friends in Ukraine, and their dogs, are fearing for their lives and we will do all that we can to support them wherever possible.”

Find out how you can get last minute tickets for Crufts here

How to watch Crufts 2022 

Day 1 - March 10

Channel 4 - 3pm - 4pm

More 4 - 6.30pm - 8pm

Channel 4 - 8pm - 9pm

Day 2 - March 11

Channel 4 - 3pm - 4pm

More 4 - 6.30pm - 7.45pm

Channel 4 - 8pm - 9pm

Day 3 - March 12

Channel 4 - 3pm - 6pm

Channel 4 - 7pm - 9pm

Day 4 - March 13

Channel 4 - 3pm - 5.30pm

Channel 4 - 7pm - 9pm

You can also watch all hour days on the Crufts YouTube channel via the livestream. 

Crufts 2022 programme for the Main Arena on Days 1, 2, 3 and 4: 

Day 1 - Main Arena 

8:45am Agility Kennel Club British open final (Jumping)

9:40am Agility championship small/medium

10:45am East Anglian Staffordshire Bull Terrier display team

11:15am Freestyle heelwork to music competition

12:40pm BREAK

1:10pm Agility Kennel Club British open final (Agility)

2:05pm Agility championships small/medium

3:15pm Flyball team quarter-finals

3:55pm West Midlands police display

4:25pm Freestyle heelwork to music competition winner

4:30pm BREAK

5:15pm Agility championship small/medium final

6:00pm Group judging (working) and presentation

6:50pm Group judging (pastoral) and presentation

7:40pm Programme ends

Redditch Advertiser: Owners show their bernese mountain dogs during competition on the first day of the Crufts Dog Show (PA)Owners show their bernese mountain dogs during competition on the first day of the Crufts Dog Show (PA)

Day 2 - Main Arena 

9:00am Agility Crufts medium ABC and intermediate/large novice ABC final (jumping)

9:40am Agility Crufts singles heat small/medium/intermediate/large (jumping)

10:35am Good Citizen Dog Scheme display

11:05am Heelwork to music competition

12:35pm BREAK

1:05pm Rescue dog agility

1:35pm Agility Crufts singles heat small/medium/intermediate/large (agility)

2:30pm Agility Crufts medium ABC and intermediate/large novice ABC final (agility)

3:10pm Flyball team quarter-finals

3:50pm Vulnerable breed competition

4:20pm Heelwork to music competition winner

4:25pm BREAK

4:45pm Agility Crufts singles final small/medium/intermediate/large (agility)

5:30pm Breeders competition final

6:10pm Group judging (Terrier) and presentation

Presentation of painting to Crufts 2020 Best in Show winner

7:00pm Group judging (Hound) and presentation

7:50pm Programme ends

Day 3 - Main Arena

8:45am Crufts international invitation large jumping

9:30am Scruffts semi-final

10:30am Hearing dogs 40th anniversary

10:50am Lowland search and rescue

11:20am Southern Golden Retriever display team

11:40am Medical detection dogs display

12:00pm BREAK

12:30pm Heelwork to music freestyle international competition

1:55pm West Midlands police display

2:25pm Agility international invitation large (agility)

3:10pm Young Kennel Club agility dog of the year finals

3:55pm Flyball team semi-finals (including Young Kennel Club flyball)

4:45pm BREAK

5:15pm Agility international invitation large agility finals

6:00pm Heelwork to music freestyle international winner

6:05pm Scruffts final

6:20pm Obedience champion (dog) and reserve (dog) display

6:45pm Group judging (utility) and presentation

7:35pm Group judging (toy) and presentation

8:25pm Programme ends

Day 4 - Main Arena

8:45am Crufts international invitation large jumping

9:30am Scruffts semi-final

10:30am Hearing dogs 40th anniversary

10:50am Lowland search and rescue

11:20am Southern Golden Retriever display team

11:40am Medical detection dogs display

12:00pm BREAK

12:30pm Heelwork to music freestyle international competition

1:55pm West Midlands police display

2:25pm Agility international invitation large (agility)

3:10pm Young Kennel Club agility dog of the year finals

3:55pm Flyball team semi-finals (including Young Kennel Club flyball)

4:45pm BREAK

5:15pm Agility international invitation large agility finals

6:00pm Heelwork to music freestyle international winner

6:05pm Scruffts final

6:20pm Obedience champion (dog) and reserve (dog) display

6:45pm Group judging (utility) and presentation

7:35pm Group judging (toy) and presentation

8:25pm Programme ends