Postponed Crufts gets under way

More than 20,000 top pedigree dogs will compete

The prestigious Crufts dog show gets under way in Birmingham on Friday, more than two months after it was postponed because of the foot-and-mouth epidemic.

The event is usually held in March, but with the disease at its peak organisers decided to postpone the show amid fears that pet owners may inadvertently spread the virus.

A spokesman for The Kennel Club, which runs Crufts, said: "We felt it was the right decision to postpone the show when foot-and-mouth was at its worst.

"We also have a responsibility to the world of dogs and we are happy that it is now going ahead. We are looking forward to a great show."

Foreign dogs

The Kennel Club said more than 20,000 top pedigree dogs would be competing at the prestigious show, which is being held at Birmingham's National Exhibition Centre.

This year, due to the relaxation of quarantine laws, dogs from abroad are to be allowed to compete for the first time in the competition's 110-year history.

Over the next four days about 115,000 visitors are expected to visit the show, with 5,000 of them from overseas.

At least year's event Torums Scarf Michael, a three-year-old Kerry Blue terrier dog, scooped the coveted Best in Show title.

The dog, known as Mike, beat off stiff competition from six other group winners.