Crufts 2023: Contestants arrive in Birmingham for this year’s competition
Who will be the best in the show? Crufts competitors arrive in Birmingham ahead of the 2023 game and show off their skills
- Dog owners arrive at the NEC for a photocall for this year’s Crufts
- The pampered four-legged friends practiced their racing and jumping skills
The most impressive, well-groomed and obedient dogs are ready to show off as they prepare to compete in the 2023 Crufts competition.
When the spoiled four-legged friends arrived in Birmingham ahead of this year’s dog competition, they showed off their skills and watched the competition.
And the introductions may have led to the birth of some unlikely friendships, with races of all shapes and sizes socializing together.
One particularly unlikely pairing was a Harlequin Great Dane named H who took an interest in a chihuahua named Boo – though it’s not clear if Boo was that impressed.
This year’s competition, hosted by The Kennel Club, kicks off on Thursday March 9th and runs through Sunday March 12th.
Dog owners prepare their canines for glory as they arrive at the Birmingham NEC ahead of the 2023 Crufts competition. Unlikely friendships already seem to be forming, although little Boo the chihuahua seems a little insecure about H the Harlequin Great Dane
From Beagles to Bavarian Mountain Hounds, the four-legged friends raced around the run outside the NEC and jumped over hurdles to get some vital exercise before the big events. Here, FEMAIL takes a look at some of the best pre-match photos from the event.
Boo looks somewhat bewildered as H approaches him for a sniff and a small hello, looking at the much larger dog with wide eyes and an open mouth
The best friends! After an uncertain start, Boo appears to be taken by H and the pair are captured frolicking together
Trainer Lucy Creek arrives at the NEC in Birmingham for the photo call with her various puppies in tow
What a motley crew! These canines look perfect posing for a photo at the paw stand, with a dog putting his arm around his beagle friend
A Bavarian Mountain Hound looks up lovingly at his owner while on a leash as he arrives at the NEC for the photo call
Industrious dogs, including a beagle and a corgi, arrive at the event with their owners, carrying their leashes
A Bergamesco Shepherd named Alfie shows off his skills jumping the fence as his owner struggles to keep up
Lightning fast! The dog whizzes across the field after jumping the fence as he prepares to show off his skills in real life
Irish wolfhound Ragnar jumps over the fence as he practices for the Crufts game as his owner watches
Peek a boo! The chihuahua also caught Ragnar’s attention, and a photo captured the pair together showed the stark contrast in their size