History of Crufts

ABOUT US

Crufts is the greatest dog event in the world! Organised by the Royal Kennel Club, the show celebrates every aspect of the role dogs play in our lives - from top-level competition to the simple joy of a daily walk.

The story begins in 1886, when an ambitious young Charles Cruft took up the management of the Allied Terrier Club Show at the Royal Aquarium, Westminster. Just five years later, in 1891, he booked the Royal Agricultural Hall in Islington for the very first Cruft's show - a bold step that marked the beginning of something extraordinary.

Following decades of growth and popularity, 1948 saw the first "Cruft's" held under the auspices of The Kennel Club, after Charles's widow - Emma Cruft - handed over control. The show moved to London Olympia and proved an instant success, with 84 breeds entered - almost double the number at the original 1891 event. Just two years later, Crufts was first televised by the BBC, bringing the spectacle into homes across the nation.

By 1991, Crufts (rebranded in 1974) had outgrown its previous venues and moved to the National Exhibition Centre (NEC) in Birmingham. The relocation marked the show's centenary and allowed more space to accommodate over 100,000 visitors and a growing global audience. The move also saw the show expand to four days - a reflection of Crufts' increasing scale and significance.

In 2025, Crufts entered a new chapter. As part of its continued evolution, it was established as a fully-fledged brand in its own right. With ever-growing international interest and a range of events and initiatives already bearing its name, the decision was a natural next step. This development allows the Crufts team to support even more dogs and their owners - from seasoned champions to first-time pet owners - with expert advice, training guidance, and everything in between.

Crufts is no longer just a show. It’s a year-round celebration of dogs - past, present, and future.

The aim of the Royal Kennel Club is to promote in every way the general improvement of dogs. The RKC team works hard behind the scenes to achieve this aim and also towards 'making a difference for dogs'.

We are: the UK’s largest organisation dedicated to the health and welfare of dogs.

Our objective: The Royal Kennel Club of today holds within it the broadest remit to protect and promote the general wellbeing of dogs. At its heart are programmes and investments in education and health initiatives which lead to happy, healthy dogs living long lives with responsible owners.

Crufts is ultimately a celebration of all dogs. It celebrates working dogs, which are fit and healthy enough to perform the jobs for which they were originally bred, such as those in the gamekeeper classes or which line up for the police dog team operational and humanitarian action of the year award. Crufts also hails hero dogs through the Friends for Life competition.

Rescue dogs are celebrated in the rescue dog Agility competition and the speed and agility of dogs is celebrated in the ever-popular competitions of Flyball and Heelwork to Music. For prospective dog owners and dog lovers, Crufts is a prime opportunity to talk to Royal Kennel Club Assured Breeders, rescue charities and breed experts about how to responsibly buy, train and enjoy life with your dog. And of course, with hundreds of trade stands selling anything and everything for dogs and dog lovers, it is a shopping extravaganza!

Crufts is named after its founder Charles Cruft. In 1876, a young Charles left college with no desire to join the family jewellery business. Instead he took employment with James Spratt who had set up a new venture in Holborn, London selling 'dog cakes'.

Charles Cruft was ambitious and a relatively short apprenticeship as an office boy led to a promotion to travelling salesman. This brought him into contact with large estates and sporting kennels. His next career move with Spratts saw him travelling to Europe and here in 1878, French dog breeders, perhaps seeing entrepreneurial talents in Cruft, invited him to organise the promotion of the canine section of the Paris Exhibition. He was still just two years out of college.

Back in England in 1886 he took up the management of the Allied Terrier Club Show at the Royal Aquarium, Westminster. It was in 1891 that the first "Cruft's show" was booked into the Royal Agricultural Hall in Islington and it has evolved and grown ever since.

Timeline

1891

The first Cruft’s show (in that name) takes place at the Royal Agricultural Hall, Islington with 2,437 entries and 36 breeds.

1918–1920

Cruft's is not held due to the First World War.

1928

Best in show award starts. The first winner is a Greyhound called Primley Sceptre.

1932

First female owner of best in show - Lorna Countess Howe with Labrador Retriever, Bramshaw Bob.

1936

Charles Cruft celebrates his golden jubilee five years early, breaking the 10,000 entries mark for the first time.

1938

Charles Cruft dies. His widow, Emma Cruft takes over the running of the show.

1942-7

Cruft's is not held due to the Second World War.

1948

The first Cruft's show under Kennel Club auspices takes place after Emma Cruft gives over control. Held at Olympia, it proves an immediate success with both exhibitors and the public, with 84 breeds entered, almost double the number of breeds at the first Cruft's in 1891. Since then, Crufts has increased in stature year by year, now attracting around 200 breeds annually.

1950

Cruft's first televised by the BBC.

1952

The death of King George VI on 6 February threatens the possibility of the cancellation of Cruft's for that year but the show is allowed to take place two days later.

1954

Electricians strike action leads to the show being cancelled, as electricians refuse to disconnect the stands from the previous show held at Olympia, and the venue can therefore not be cleared to make way for the Cruft's.

1955

Cruft's becomes an obedience championship show. Working Sheepdogs are entered, becoming the first crossbreeds to compete at Crufts. Crossbreed dogs are now a central part of the show, taking part in a wide range of competitions including agility.

1961

Entries break the 15,000 mark for the first time.

1972

During the Winter of Discontent, Cruft's 1972 takes place under subdued lighting and with an abbreviated catalogue due to the three-day working week which had been enforced. As one commentator says: “For two days every visitor was able to forget the troubles of the world.”

1974

Cruft's changes to Crufts during a rebrand, as it is decided that the apostrophe is no longer needed.

1978

Agility first demonstrated at Crufts.

1979

The show moves to Earls Court Exhibition Centre as the increasing number of entries had the show outgrowing its former venue at Olympia.

1980

First official Agility competition at Crufts - with the move comes a new atmosphere at the event.

1982

The show is extended to three days to accommodate the increasing numbers of dogs and spectators.

1985

The Kennel Club Junior Organisation is launched, now the Young Kennel Club (YKC). Its competitions form an important part of the current Crufts show.

1987

The show is extended to four days to accommodate further increases in the number of dogs and spectators.

1988

More than 110,000 people come through the doors, making Crufts not only the biggest dog show but also the most popular show to be held at Earls Court.

1990

Flyball first demonstrated.

1991

Crufts centenary show is held at its new venue, the Birmingham National Exhibition Centre - the first time the show had moved from London.

1992

Mary Ray demonstrates her fast moving Heelwork to Music routine. She is now a regular performer at the event.

1994

Discover Dogs area is introduced to Crufts as part of The Kennel Club’s commitment to encouraging responsible dog ownership, enabling dog loving visitors at the show to find out more about the different breeds and how they may fit into their lifestyle. Good Citizen Dog Scheme ring introduced to Crufts, enabling dogs to demonstrate their pet obedience credentials, and owners their responsible attitude to dog ownership, through obtaining a range of certificates from bronze to gold.

2000

Rescue Dog Agility introduced to the show, enabling rescue dogs to shine in the fun and fast-paced demonstration.

2001

Crufts moved from March to May due to foot and mouth disease. The International Agility Competition takes place at Crufts for the first time.

2004

The popular Friends for Life competition first appeared, then called Hero Dogs. The popular annual competition ensures that man's best friend gets the recognition he deserves for bravery, support and companionship. The Southern Golden Retriever Display Team appears at Crufts for the first time and has been part of the event every year since.

2007

As the event continues to grow, the arena is used for the first time, for competitions including Agility, Friends for Life and Best in Show.

2008

Crufts develops its own Facebook page, with more than 35,000 fans. Canicross (canine cross country) is introduced to Crufts for the first time as people look for ever-more ways to get fit with their dogs.

2009

Crufts streamed online for the first time and became the most watched channel on YouTube in the UK. The Health Zone is introduced, with breed and scientific experts providing information and advice about breed health and scientific advances. Judges are given the power to remove unhealthy dogs from the show ring and show monitors may report dogs that they fear are unhealthy to the show vet, who can order their exclusion from competition. Breed rescue charities, the unsung heroes of the dog world, are given a high profile area, so that the public could find out more about their work. They are supported by The Kennel Club Charitable Trust.

2010

dfs becomes the principal sponsor and the event is renamed 'dfs Crufts'. More4 becomes the broadcast partner, providing one hour of footage each night, and two hours on Sunday.

2011

The Health Zone is renamed Breeding for the Future which is run in conjunction with the Animal Health Trust. It includes information about the latest work that The Kennel Club and the Animal Health Trust are conducting to improve breed health. dfs Crufts 2011 sees the launch of the revolutionary Mate Select service. This service allows breeders to check the potential outcome of hypothetical matings online so that they can work out which matings will maintain genetic diversity and therefore be best for the future health of their breed and ultimately, which matings will produce the healthiest offspring. Get Fit With Fido 2011 launched in partnership with Rosemary Conley Diet and Fitness Clubs - the campaign aims to help dog owners to find new and interesting ways to keep themselves and their dogs fit and healthy. Display of Bull Breeds from Wood Green Animal Shelter in the Good Citizen Dog Training Scheme ring to highlight the plight of these dogs, often bought as status symbols and then abandoned. More4 named as broadcast partner for 2011.

2012

As an additional safety net to complement the 2009 vet checks, it is announced that best of breed winners and champions in the 15 high profile breeds - which may have a tendency to suffer from health problems due to exaggerated features - will need to be vet checked before their awards are confirmed from Crufts 2012 onwards.

2016

Crufts celebrates its 125th year.

2018

Mary Ray performs her Heelwork to Music display in the main arena for the last time. Agility celebrates 40 years at Crufts.