Charles Cruft, the founder of Crufts Dog Show, staged his first ALL Breeds Show at the Agricultural Halls in Islington, London, in 1891. There were 45 breeds to be seen. Queen Victoria, who had an intense devotion to animals, also entered her Collies and Pomeranians at the first Crufts Dog Show. She was probably the first reigning monarch to exhibit at a recognized dog show. Crufts has been the Show that inspired people to show pedigree dogs that have been qualified at another Championship Show during the twelve months preceding Crufts to be eligible for entry. In 1979 the Show was moved to Earls Court, London.
Nineteen-ninety-one saw Crufts Centenary Show at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham where over 23,000 dogs were exhibited (166 breeds).
Besides the breed competitions Obedience and Agility gave the visitors a lot of pleasure. The organisation of the Show has been under Kennel Club jurisdiction since 1948 where 84 breeds were scheduled. For breeders and doggy people Crufts is the most prestigious dog show in the world. His Royal Highness Prince Michael of Kent is President of The Kennel Club and Crufts.
