Crufts dog show returns after last year’s Covid-19 cancellation

World's biggest canine competition began on Thursday in Birmingham

An owner shows her Bernese mountain dog in competition on the first day of the Crufts Dog Show in Birmingham. PA

A woman cuddles her Hungarian puli. AFP

Excited dogs arriving for the second day of Crufts. PA

An old English sheepdog is groomed before competition. PA

French Bulldogs wearing bandanas in the colours of the Ukrainian flag rest in their pen on the first day of the Crufts dog show at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham, central England, on March 10, 2022. (Photo by OLI SCARFF / AFP)

A woman walks miniature poodles in matching leopard-print onesies across a road. AP Photo

A pair of dogue de Bordeaux await their turn to be shown. PA

Boxer dogs have a peek at one another. PA

A couple pose with their Tibetan mastiffs at Crufts. PA

Owners show their Bernese mountain dogs. PA

Susan Reilly and her Pyrenean mountain dog Boris. PA

Two Samoyeds arrive at Crufts. Reuters

A bearded collie is walked towards the show. PA

A woman with two Saint Bernard dogs heads to Crufts. PA

A Newfoundland named Joe is ready for the show. PA

Dogs of all shapes and sizes have returned to Crufts after last year’s event was cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The world-famous show began on Thursday as poodles in matching leopard onesies and Saint Bernards in colourful paw-print trousers were just a couple of examples of the entrants arriving at the NEC in Birmingham.

More than 20,000 dogs have been entered into the competition this year, with 1,843 competitors arriving from overseas.

The Kennel Club, which organises the event, previously took the decision to ban exhibitors from Russia after the country’s invasion of Ukraine.

Organisers have banned 30 Russian breeders and owners from participating in the event due to Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.