In Pictures: Raising the woof as thousands of dogs descend on Crufts

Thousands of dogs big and small from 220 breeds, along with their hopeful owners, have spent the week in Birmingham in a bid to take home coveted trophies at Crufts 2024.

A harlequin Great Dane named H and a Chihuahua named Boo during a photo call for the launch of this year’s Crufts (Jacob King/PA)PA Archive/PA Images - Jacob King

A standard poodle waits to be groomed ahead of showing during the first day (Jacob King/PA)PA Wire/PA Images - Jacob King

An American cocker spaniel has a moment of calm before entering the show ring (Jacob King/PA)PA Wire/PA Images - Jacob King

This year’s show, at the city’s National Exhibition Centre, runs from March 7-10 and has seen furry competitors take part in a wide variety of challenges and presentations.

A Pomeranian in the showring during the first day of Crufts (Jacob King/PA)PA Wire/PA Images - Jacob King

Owners arrive with their dogs including a smartly dressed leaping poodle (Jacob King/PA)PA Wire/PA Images - Jacob King

Handlers with their Xoloitzcuintle, a Mexican breed (Jacob King/PA)PA Wire/PA Images - Jacob King

A standard poodle has some time in the salon before its moment in the spotlight (Jacob King/PA)PA Wire/PA Images - Jacob King

The event will culminate with the award of the “best in show” trophy on Sunday night, where the top dog in each of the seven breed groups competes.

Handlers display their Old English sheepdogs, one of the pastoral breed groups (Jacob King/PA)PA Wire/PA Images - Jacob King

A Hungarian puli is more coat than face as it delights spectators (Jacob King/PA)PA Wire/PA Images - Jacob King

A handler with their Bernese mountain dog runs across the green show ring during day three of Crufts (Jacob King/PA)PA Wire/PA Images - Jacob King

A Great Dane hogs the camera as it waits to go into the show ring (Jacob King/PA)PA Wire/PA Images - Jacob King