Crufts Finals To Reveal Britain's Top Dog (PHOTOS)

PHOTOS: Who's Top Dog? Crufts Is About To Find Out..
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One of seven competitive canines will be crowned top dog tonight as this year's Crufts reaches its climax.

A dog from each of the groups - Working, Utility, Hound, Pastoral, Toy, Terrier and Gundog - will take their place in the Best in Show ring at the NEC in Birmingham, having been awarded the Best of Breed and then Best in Group accolades in previous judging rounds.

Each animal will then be put through its paces as they go head-to-head in the final showdown, vying for the top title.

A Kennel Club-approved judge will watch the dogs take their lap of honour and mark them for their overall health and condition, coat, character, temperament, movement, and how close they have come to the Kennel Club Breed Standard.

Last year, Jet, a flat-coated retriever owned by Iain Ross, was crowned Best in Show.

One dog will also take home the celebrated Friends for Life competition winner's rosette, which celebrates animals who dedicate their lives to helping humans.

This year, there were five categories in which entrants could be nominated - service dogs, police dogs, assistance dogs, companion dogs and 2012 Games dogs.

The winner will be the one which has received the most votes from the public.

Caroline Kisko, Kennel Club spokeswoman, said: "The Friends for Life competition is one of the highlights of Crufts each year.

"This year we are very excited to make a nod to the Olympics, and the Paralympics in particular with the special '2012 Games' category."

Assistance dog Kaiser, a golden retriever-poodle cross, took home the title last year for his continued work helping owner Joanne Day, from Shropshire, who suffers from neurological disorder dystonia.