Not such a shaggy dog story! Vintage images reveal how Crufts rose from humble beginnings to the world's biggest canine show loved by royalty
- Crufts commences for the 127th time tomorrow at the NEC in Birmingham
- Show was first held in Islington, London in 1905 and Pomeranian won top prize
- Corgi-loving Queen Elizabeth II visited the iconic dog show in 1969
- 22,000 dogs are set to battle it out for the top prize during four-day event
Crufts commences for the 127th time tomorrow at the NEC in Birmingham with 160,000 visitors expected to stream through the doors.
Now a four-day event that sees 22,000 dogs battle it out for the top prize, fascinating vintage pictures dating back a century reveal Crufts' humble beginnings.
The incredible photographs show one of first ever Crufts in Islington, London and a fluffy Pomeranian called Le Sable Mite who was the first ever dog to be crowned Best in Show, or Best Champion as it was known in 1905.
Later pictures reveal fashionable ladies showcasing their pet pooches at Crufts during the 1950s and corgi-loving Queen Elizabeth II visiting the iconic dog show in 1969.
Crufts was established in the Victorian age by Charles Cruft in 1891 as a much smaller event held at the Royal Agricultural Hall in Islington, London. Over the years Crufts has evolved into a grand spectacle with thousands of dogs competing every year.
Looking out for corgis! The Queen pictured visiting Crufts in 1969 at the Olympia
A Pomeranian dog called Le Sable Mite who was the first ever dog to be crowned Crufts Best in Show, or Best Champion as it was known in 1905. Le Sable Mite was also the first multiple champion of Crufts
Miss E. Snelling of Reading arriving at Crufts with her Afghan Hounds at the Grand Hall, Olympia, London, circa 1950s
Judging in progress of the Pekingese at Crufts held in the Grand Hall, Olympia, London, 1951
After Charles Cruft passed away, his wife Emma Cruft took over the running of the show and in 1948, after a hiatus during World War II, Crufts was held for the first time under Kennel Club, the organisation that continues to run it to this day.
Crufts was first televised by the BBC in 1950 and five years later, it became an Obedience Championship Show with working sheepdogs being entered, the first crossbreeds to compete.
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Agility competitions were introduced in 1978 and the show then moved to Earl's Court because of increasing numbers and two years later, the event was extended to three days and soon after, to four days.
More than 110,000 people attended Crufts in 1988 making it the biggest Dog Show and the most popular event at the Earl's Court location.
Princess Anne visiting Crufts when it was held in the Grand Hall, Olympia, London, 1971
A young boy looking at Crufts posters with his dog outside the Olympia, London in 1949
A Field Spaniel called Clareholm Dora owned by Mrs E Rouse. Champion of Crufts in 1909
A little girl holds the lead of a Labrador cross-breed outside Crufts when it was held at the Agricultural Hall in Islington in the early 1900s
The most successful owner at winning Crufts was H. S. Lloyd, pictured here with three dogs from his 'of Ware' kennel including Luckystar of Ware, two-time winner of Best in Show (pictured centre)
For the Crufts Centenary Show in 1991, the show was held at the Birmingham National Exhibition Centre (NEC).
A year later, Crufts icon Mary Ray performed her first ever Heelwork to Music routine and continues to do to this day.
In 2000, the Rescue Dog Agility competition was introduced and in 2004, the Friends for Life competition. Crufts was streamed online in 2009 for the first time and the channel became the most watched YouTube channel in the UK.
A Scotch Collie called Wishaw Leader owned by Mr R A Tait. Champion of Crufts in 1906
A Greyhound called Broadwater Banker owned by Mrs E. Chapman. Champion of Crufts in 1910
A Newfoundland called Shelton Viking owned by Mrs Vale Nicholas. Champion of Crufts in 1908
Miami the Cocker Spaniel won Best in Show in 2017 with handler and co-owner Jason Lynn from Lancashire. Jason Lynn also won Best in Show with a Standard Poodle in 2014.
Crufts 2018 will take place over four days from Thursday, March 8 to Sunday, March 11, 2018 at Birmingham's NEC.
These pictures celebrate over a hundred years of the beloved show and the enduring relationship between humans and their dogs.
An advert for Cruft's Dog Show held at the Agricultural Hall, Islington, 1907
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