Shawls and curlers, it’s Crufts pampered pets
THEY arrived just like the pampered supermodels they are – each sporting extravagant winter wear.
There was the flat-coated retriever in the tartan onesie, the old English sheepdog in dinky red booties and facial curlers – and Lichie, the five-year-old German shorthaired pointer from Argyll, wearing what looked like a Fair Isle sweater.
The dogs were among 21,500 competing this year at Crufts, which started yesterday in Birmingham.
It was clear at an early stage that Scottish-inspired fashions were definitely in this year. One owner had his gun dogs kitted out in tartan capes, while King Charles spaniel Bella put on a patriotic show with a Saltire onesie.
Caroline Kisko, secretary of the Kennel Club, said the onesies were popular with owners because they ‘keep them clean’.
‘They tend to wear them on the way in – they don’t want the dogs to become filthy,’ she said.
Crufts attracts competitors from all over the globe and has been declared the largest dog show in the world by the Guinness World Records.
While there are numerous competitions within the four-day show, the key trophy is the title Best In Show.
The event also had a booth for the first time that allowed pets to take their own selfies, operated by a pressure activated mat.