Owners and dogs have gathered in Birmingham for the annual pet-fest that is Crufts, the world’s most famous pooch show. This year more than 21,500 highly preened woofs will compete at the NEC, with 2,500 brought from overseas from more than 45 countries, including lands as far afield as Azerbaijan and Taiwan.
The show, which was first staged more than 120 years ago, remains controversial with detractors (and there are many) saying Crufts prizes appearance over health.
The RSPCA has been particularly vocal in accusing the show of promoting the breeding of dogs born into pain and suffering due to a premium on creating dogs with ever-flatter faces - a look that can often lead to respiratory problems. However, the Kennel Club, which organises the show, remains adamant that Crufts is based on the promotion of healthy dogs.
Here are some of the best-manicured mutts in the world and their obsessed human parents...
Dogs And Owners Gather For 2014 Crufts Dog Show
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A dog is pushed in child's pushchair as dogs and their owners arrive to attend the first day of Crufts dog show at the NEC on March 6, 2014 in Birmingham, England. Said to be the largest show of its kind in the world, the annual four-day event, features thousands of dogs, with competitors travelling from countries across the globe to take part. Crufts, which was first held in 1891 and sees thousands of dogs vie for the coveted title of 'Best in Show'. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Two dogs are pushed in a trolley as dogs and their owners arrive to attend the first day of Crufts dog show at the NEC on March 6, 2014 in Birmingham, England. Said to be the largest show of its kind in the world, the annual four-day event, features thousands of dogs, with competitors travelling from countries across the globe to take part. Crufts, which was first held in 1891 and sees thousands of dogs vie for the coveted title of 'Best in Show'. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(03 of40)
An Alaskan Malamute waits to be judged during the first day of the Crufts dog show on March 6, 2014 in Birmingham central England. The annual event sees dog breeders from around the world compete in a number of competitions with one dog going on to win the 'Best in Show' category. AFP PHOTO/ANDREW YATES. (credit:Getty Images)
(04 of40)
A dog is pushed in child's pushchair as dogs and their owners arrive to attend the first day of Crufts dog show at the NEC on March 6, 2014 in Birmingham, England. Said to be the largest show of its kind in the world, the annual four-day event, features thousands of dogs, with competitors travelling from countries across the globe to take part. Crufts, which was first held in 1891 and sees thousands of dogs vie for the coveted title of 'Best in Show'. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(05 of40)
A Boxer dog looks on as its owner eats her lunch during the first day of the Crufts dog show on March 6, 2014 in Birmingham central England. The annual event sees dog breeders from around the world compete in a number of competitions with one dog going on to win the 'Best in Show' category. AFP PHOTO/ANDREW YATES. (Photo credit should read ANDREW YATES/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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A Siberian Huskey looks on during the first day of the Crufts dog show on March 6, 2014 in Birmingham central England. The annual event sees dog breeders from around the world compete in a number of competitions with one dog going on to win the 'Best in Show' category. AFP PHOTO/ANDREW YATES. (credit:Getty Images)
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A dog owner walks his Dobermann during the first day of the Crufts dog show on March 6, 2014 in Birmingham central England. The annual event sees dog breeders from around the world compete in a number of competitions with one dog going on to win the 'Best in Show' category. AFP PHOTO/ANDREW YATES. (credit:Getty Images)
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A Bernese Mountain Dog looks out of its tent during the first day of the Crufts dog show on March 6, 2014 in Birmingham central England. The annual event sees dog breeders from around the world compete in a number of competitions with one dog going on to win the 'Best in Show' category. AFP PHOTO/ANDREW YATES. (credit:Getty Images)
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A Bernese Mountain Dog looks out of its tent during the first day of the Crufts dog show on March 6, 2014 in Birmingham central England. The annual event sees dog breeders from around the world compete in a number of competitions with one dog going on to win the 'Best in Show' category. AFP PHOTO/ANDREW YATES. (credit:Getty Images)
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A Great Dane waits to be judged during the first day of the Crufts dog show on March 6, 2014 in Birmingham central England. The annual event sees dog breeders from around the world compete in a number of competitions with one dog going on to win the 'Best in Show' category. AFP PHOTO/ANDREW YATES. (credit:Getty Images)
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A man sits with his Komondor dogs during the first day of the Crufts dog show on March 6, 2014 in Birmingham central England. The annual event sees dog breeders from around the world compete in a number of competitions with one dog going on to win the 'Best in Show' category. AFP PHOTO/ANDREW YATES. (credit:Getty Images)
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A dog owner stands with her Shetland Sheepdog as she awaits judges scores during the first day of the Crufts dog show on March 6, 2014 in Birmingham central England. The annual event sees dog breeders from around the world compete in a number of competitions with one dog going on to win the 'Best in Show' category. AFP PHOTO/ANDREW YATES. (credit:Getty Images)
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People and dogs arrive for the first day of Crufts dog show on March 6, 2014 in Birmingham central England. The annual event sees dog breeders from around the world compete in a number of competitions with one dog going on to win the 'Best in Show' category. AFP PHOTO/ANDREW YATES. (credit:Getty Images)
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A Dogue De Bordeaux dog waits its turn to be shown during the first day of Crufts on March 6, 2014 in Birmingham central England. The annual event sees dog breeders from around the world compete in a number of competitions with one dog going on to win the 'Best in Show' category. AFP PHOTO/ANDREW YATES. (credit:Getty Images)
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A dog is groomed on the first day of Crufts dog show at the NEC on March 6, 2014 in Birmingham, England. Said to be the largest show of its kind in the world, the annual four-day event, features thousands of dogs, with competitors travelling from countries across the globe to take part. Crufts, which was first held in 1891 and sees thousands of dogs vie for the coveted title of 'Best in Show'. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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A dog is groomed on the first day of Crufts dog show at the NEC on March 6, 2014 in Birmingham, England. Said to be the largest show of its kind in the world, the annual four-day event, features thousands of dogs, with competitors travelling from countries across the globe to take part. Crufts, which was first held in 1891 and sees thousands of dogs vie for the coveted title of 'Best in Show'. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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A Boxer dog looks out from its kennel on first day of Crufts dog show at the NEC on March 6, 2014 in Birmingham, England. Said to be the largest show of its kind in the world, the annual four-day event, features thousands of dogs, with competitors travelling from countries across the globe to take part. Crufts, which was first held in 1891 and sees thousands of dogs vie for the coveted title of 'Best in Show'. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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A Collie dog waits to be shown on the first day of Crufts dog show at the NEC on March 6, 2014 in Birmingham, England. Said to be the largest show of its kind in the world, the annual four-day event, features thousands of dogs, with competitors travelling from countries across the globe to take part. Crufts, which was first held in 1891 and sees thousands of dogs vie for the coveted title of 'Best in Show'. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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The first day of the Crufts dog show at the NEC on March 6, 2014 in Birmingham, England. Said to be the largest show of its kind in the world, the annual four-day event, features thousands of dogs, with competitors travelling from countries across the globe to take part. Crufts, which was first held in 1891 and sees thousands of dogs vie for the coveted title of 'Best in Show'. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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A dog owner carries her dog during the first day of Crufts on March 6, 2014 in Birmingham central England. The annual event sees dog breeders from around the world compete in a number of competitions with one dog going on to win the 'Best in Show' category. AFP PHOTO/ANDREW YATES. (Photo credit should read ANDREW YATES/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(21 of40)
Dogs and their owners arrive to attend the first day of Crufts dog show at the NEC on March 6, 2014 in Birmingham, England. Said to be the largest show of its kind in the world, the annual four-day event, features thousands of dogs, with competitors travelling from countries across the globe to take part. Crufts, which was first held in 1891 and sees thousands of dogs vie for the coveted title of 'Best in Show'. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(22 of40)
A dog is groomed on the first day of Crufts dog show at the NEC on March 6, 2014 in Birmingham, England. Said to be the largest show of its kind in the world, the annual four-day event, features thousands of dogs, with competitors travelling from countries across the globe to take part. Crufts, which was first held in 1891 and sees thousands of dogs vie for the coveted title of 'Best in Show'. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(23 of40)
A woman pushes a trolley containing her dogs as she arrives to attend the first day of Crufts dog show at the NEC on March 6, 2014 in Birmingham, England. Said to be the largest show of its kind in the world, the annual four-day event, features thousands of dogs, with competitors travelling from countries across the globe to take part. Crufts, which was first held in 1891 and sees thousands of dogs vie for the coveted title of 'Best in Show'. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Dogs and their owners arrive to attend the first day of Crufts dog show at the NEC on March 6, 2014 in Birmingham, England. Said to be the largest show of its kind in the world, the annual four-day event, features thousands of dogs, with competitors travelling from countries across the globe to take part. Crufts, which was first held in 1891 and sees thousands of dogs vie for the coveted title of 'Best in Show'. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Dogs and their owners arrive to attend the first day of Crufts dog show at the NEC on March 6, 2014 in Birmingham, England. Said to be the largest show of its kind in the world, the annual four-day event, features thousands of dogs, with competitors travelling from countries across the globe to take part. Crufts, which was first held in 1891 and sees thousands of dogs vie for the coveted title of 'Best in Show'. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Clyde, a Great Dane is groomed on first day of the Crufts dog show at the NEC on March 6, 2014 in Birmingham, England. Said to be the largest show of its kind in the world, the annual four-day event, features thousands of dogs, with competitors travelling from countries across the globe to take part. Crufts, which was first held in 1891 and sees thousands of dogs vie for the coveted title of 'Best in Show'. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Dogs and their owners arrive to attend the first day of Crufts dog show at the NEC on March 6, 2014 in Birmingham, England. Said to be the largest show of its kind in the world, the annual four-day event, features thousands of dogs, with competitors travelling from countries across the globe to take part. Crufts, which was first held in 1891 and sees thousands of dogs vie for the coveted title of 'Best in Show'. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Dogs and their owners arrive to attend the first day of Crufts dog show at the NEC on March 6, 2014 in Birmingham, England. Said to be the largest show of its kind in the world, the annual four-day event, features thousands of dogs, with competitors travelling from countries across the globe to take part. Crufts, which was first held in 1891 and sees thousands of dogs vie for the coveted title of 'Best in Show'. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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A Dogue de Bordeaux looks out from its kennel on first day of Crufts dog show at the NEC on March 6, 2014 in Birmingham, England. Said to be the largest show of its kind in the world, the annual four-day event, features thousands of dogs, with competitors travelling from countries across the globe to take part. Crufts, which was first held in 1891 and sees thousands of dogs vie for the coveted title of 'Best in Show'. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(30 of40)
Dogs and their owners arrive to attend the first day of Crufts dog show at the NEC on March 6, 2014 in Birmingham, England. Said to be the largest show of its kind in the world, the annual four-day event, features thousands of dogs, with competitors travelling from countries across the globe to take part. Crufts, which was first held in 1891 and sees thousands of dogs vie for the coveted title of 'Best in Show'. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Dogs and their owners arrive to attend the first day of Crufts dog show at the NEC on March 6, 2014 in Birmingham, England. Said to be the largest show of its kind in the world, the annual four-day event, features thousands of dogs, with competitors travelling from countries across the globe to take part. Crufts, which was first held in 1891 and sees thousands of dogs vie for the coveted title of 'Best in Show'. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Dogs and their owners arrive to attend the first day of Crufts dog show at the NEC on March 6, 2014 in Birmingham, England. Said to be the largest show of its kind in the world, the annual four-day event, features thousands of dogs, with competitors travelling from countries across the globe to take part. Crufts, which was first held in 1891 and sees thousands of dogs vie for the coveted title of 'Best in Show'. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Dogs and their owners arrive to attend the first day of Crufts dog show at the NEC on March 6, 2014 in Birmingham, England. Said to be the largest show of its kind in the world, the annual four-day event, features thousands of dogs, with competitors travelling from countries across the globe to take part. Crufts, which was first held in 1891 and sees thousands of dogs vie for the coveted title of 'Best in Show'. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Two Dogue de Bordeaux relax after being shown on first day of Crufts dog show at the NEC on March 6, 2014 in Birmingham, England. Said to be the largest show of its kind in the world, the annual four-day event, features thousands of dogs, with competitors travelling from countries across the globe to take part. Crufts, which was first held in 1891 and sees thousands of dogs vie for the coveted title of 'Best in Show'. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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A woman pushes a trolley containing her dogs as she arrives to attend the first day of Crufts dog show at the NEC on March 6, 2014 in Birmingham, England. Said to be the largest show of its kind in the world, the annual four-day event, features thousands of dogs, with competitors travelling from countries across the globe to take part. Crufts, which was first held in 1891 and sees thousands of dogs vie for the coveted title of 'Best in Show'. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Dogs and their owners arrive to attend the first day of Crufts dog show at the NEC on March 6, 2014 in Birmingham, England. Said to be the largest show of its kind in the world, the annual four-day event, features thousands of dogs, with competitors travelling from countries across the globe to take part. Crufts, which was first held in 1891 and sees thousands of dogs vie for the coveted title of 'Best in Show'. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Dogs and their owners arrive to attend the first day of Crufts dog show at the NEC on March 6, 2014 in Birmingham, England. Said to be the largest show of its kind in the world, the annual four-day event, features thousands of dogs, with competitors travelling from countries across the globe to take part. Crufts, which was first held in 1891 and sees thousands of dogs vie for the coveted title of 'Best in Show'. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Dogs and their owners arrive to attend the first day of Crufts dog show at the NEC on March 6, 2014 in Birmingham, England. Said to be the largest show of its kind in the world, the annual four-day event, features thousands of dogs, with competitors travelling from countries across the globe to take part. Crufts, which was first held in 1891 and sees thousands of dogs vie for the coveted title of 'Best in Show'. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Dogs and their owners arrive to attend the first day of Crufts dog show at the NEC on March 6, 2014 in Birmingham, England. Said to be the largest show of its kind in the world, the annual four-day event, features thousands of dogs, with competitors travelling from countries across the globe to take part. Crufts, which was first held in 1891 and sees thousands of dogs vie for the coveted title of 'Best in Show'. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(40 of40)
A Great Dane waits to be judged during the first day of the Crufts dog show on March 6, 2014 in Birmingham central England. The annual event sees dog breeders from around the world compete in a number of competitions with one dog going on to win the 'Best in Show' category. AFP PHOTO/ANDREW YATES. (Photo credit should read ANDREW YATES/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)