In pictures: Crufts finally starts

The Crufts dog show is under way at Birmingham's National Exhibition Centre, more than two months after it was postponed amid fears that pet owners may inadvertently spread the foot-and-mouth virus.

Cross breed: Jeff Bunney, of Kidderminster, leads his Afghans across the road to Birmingham's NEC

Trolley doggies: Geraldine Brace, of Whitchurch, Cardiff, owns these miniature long-haired dachshunds

And . . . sit: But the crowd was sparse around the Irish wolfhound ring on the first day of the show

Fowl play: Border collie Lulu, owned by Emlyn Roberts, of Caernarfon, north Wales, ducks and dives

Dog tired: Afghan hound Zac, owned by Ivor and Jean Coates, of Swindon Village, near Cheltenham, 'yawns'