From  the NEC (Birmingham)

Following hot on the heels of the news of an increase in the number of pedigree puppies registered in 2008, the Kennel Club has announced that the official entry figure for this year’s Crufts Dog Show confirms the ongoing overwhelming popularity of dogs. Around 28,000 dogs are expected to attend Crufts 2009, which takes place from 5 – 8 March at the NEC, Birmingham, with a total of 22,677 dogs entered into breed judging and the Agility and Obedience Championships. This represents one of the highest entry figures in the show’s long and illustrious history, demonstrating the ongoing love affair between man and his best friend. Crufts has been listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the world’s largest dog show and the 2009 event will cement its reputation yet further.

Crufts 2009 Goes on-Line

The Kennel Club has today announced that dog lovers worldwide will be able to see the action from Crufts 2009 live on the internet for the first time in the show's history.

The live webcast will follow all of the events in the Arena programme - from Heelwork to Music and Agility to the Best in Group and Best in Show judging and the ever popular Friends for Life competition that rewards our dog heroes. There will also be a new element to the Arena programme where the winners of the We Love Our Dogs competition - which invited all dog owners to send in video clips and photographs of their happy, healthy dogs - will be announced. Peter Purves and Frank Kane will provide commentary for the live web stream, which will be interspersed with features showing the interviews and action from outside the Arena.

Caroline Kisko, Kennel Club spokesperson, said: 'Dogs and their owners look forward to Crufts every year and this live webcast will enable people, wherever they are in the world, to continue to watch the show and celebrate with us the diverse role that dogs play in society.

'This year's webcast will allow audiences to feel like they have a seat in the Arena, as they view the wide range of events and competitions from the shows classes and agility displays, to Friends for Life which celebrates our dog heroes.

'We are proud of Crufts and are pleased to go online this year because, although the show will no longer be on the BBC, we know that it is the world's best platform to bring together those organisations and individuals who care about dogs, so we can continue to make a positive difference to dogs' lives. We have the continued support of many high profile veterinary organisations and dog welfare charities and want to ensure that we continue to engage the support of those dog lovers who are unable to get to the show.

'Of course, there are many other wonderful elements to Crufts outside of the Arena, which enable people to discover more about dogs and what is being done, and what they can do, to help continually improve the health and welfare of dogs. We will cover as much of this action as possible through the webcast but people will really need to come along to the event in order to benefit from the whole Crufts experience and to help us to make a difference for dogs. We are especially pleased to bring to the internet the complete broadcast of the Obedience competition through our catch-up service – only through the internet are we able to broadcast this internationally popular competition.'

Former Blue Peter Presenter, Peter Purves, who will provide some of the commentary for the online webcast, said: 'Crufts is one of my favourite times in the year and 2009 will be an exciting show. There are 28,000 dogs participating – with the third highest competitive entry in the show's long history – and a diverse programme that celebrates all that we love about dogs. 

'I'm really pleased that the Kennel Club has decided to take the show online, enabling the thousands of dog lovers who look forward to Crufts every year to see a slice of the action. It also shows the world what all of those who love the event know to be true; that it is a big hearted and fun celebration of happy, healthy dogs and everybody is invited to join in.'

The news about the live webcast comes after the Kennel Club announced that Crufts FM will broadcast live on 106.8fm from Wednesday, 4 March, until 10pm on Sunday, 8 March within a 5km radius of the NEC, Birmingham. This means that those driving to the NEC will be able to listen to the latest news from the event. Those who are a bit further away from the action will be able to listen to Crufts FM via the web on the Crufts website, www.crufts.org.uk.

The Crufts live web stream will be available throughout the four days of Crufts, from the 5-8 March and will run from 8.30 in the morning through to the end of the Arena programme. The Crufts TV live stream will be free to view anywhere in the world by simply following the link on the Crufts homepage www.crufts.org.uk. For those who miss the action there will also be a catch up video on demand service for paying subscribers, enabling people to watch the replays of the action.

The production company responsible is Sunset+Vine, the leading independent supplier of sports programming to broadcasters in the UK. It is also a world leader in international advertiser funded programming, producing over 2000 hours annually.

Healthy Support for Crufts from Dog Charities and Vets

The Kennel Club has confirmed that there will be a dedicated Health Zone at Crufts 2009 and that 20 well known dog charities and veterinary organisations will attend the event, in order to achieve the shared objective of breeding happy, healthy dogs.

There will be a brand new Health Zone at Crufts where vets and scientific experts from the British Veterinary Association and the Animal Health Trust will talk to dog lovers about a range of dog health topics including Kennel Club health initiatives, health screening and DNA tests.

Amongst others, dog owners will be able to talk to breed experts about choosing the right dog for them, at the Discover Dogs area, and speak to Kennel Club Accredited Breeders about how to ensure that they buy a puppy whose health and welfare has been put first and foremost.

This news follows a statement from animal charity The Blue Cross, which has announced that it will attend Crufts 2009 'in order to provide pet owners with practical and reliable advice that will enable individuals to influence the issue of hereditary disease through their informed choices and by supporting responsible breeding practices.'

Caroline Kisko, Kennel Club spokesperson, said: 'The Kennel Club is delighted to welcome to Crufts all charities or organisations that share our aim to improve the health and welfare of all dogs.

'The Blue Cross pet owner survey found that 65 percent of people do not know where to find reliable information about the health and welfare of pedigree dogs but there will be a dedicated Health Zone at Crufts, where experts will be on hand to answer any questions that dog owners might have.

'Pet owners, alongside breeders, are key to improving the health of pedigree dogs and Crufts is a unique opportunity for visitors to discover how to make informed buying choices, within an environment that celebrates the diverse role that dogs play in society and how much they enrich our lives.

'The continued support of charities and veterinary organisations confirms our belief that Crufts is the world's best platform for all dog lovers to come together and ensure that we achieve our shared goal of giving dogs happy, healthy lives.'

The support of the high profile charities and veterinary organisations follows the results of the Kennel Club’s review of all breed standards, which will help to ensure that no dog is bred for features that might prevent it from seeing, walking and breathing freely. Many of the breed standards required no change or only minor changes but in some the revisions were more significant.  The Kennel Club has hosted a Judges Seminar, which highlighted the central role that judges will play in safeguarding the future of pedigree dogs.

The charities and veterinary organisations which will be at Crufts are:-

  • Animal Health Trust
  • Animal Rescue Thessalonike
  • Animals Asia Foundation
  • Battersea Dogs and Cats Home
  • Birmingham Dogs Home
  • Blue Cross
  • British and Irish Dogs Breed Preservation Trust
  • British Veterinary Association
  • Canine Partners
  • Cinnamon Trust
  • Dogs for the Disabled
  • Greyhound Rescue West of England
  • Guide Dogs
  • Hearing Dogs for Deaf People
  •  Kennel Club Breed Rescue
  • National Pet Week
  • Pets as Therapy
  • Retired Greyhound Trust
  • Support Dogs
  • Wood Green Animal Shelters

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