After the competition was cancelled last year due to Covid-19, Crufts came back with a bang in 2022, with more than 20,000 dogs taking part.
Later today (March 13), one dog will be crowned this year’s winner – and earn the title of Best in Show.
But when will the prize pooch be announced – and how are the dogs judged?
Here is everything you need to know ahead of the grand finale.
When is Best in Show announced?
The winning pooch will be announced at the end of the competition – which is due to finish at 5.30pm today.
It is recommended that you tune in to the last episode of Crufts on BBC One at 3pm so you don’t miss any of the action.
How is the winner decided?
The canine competitors compete to impress a large number of judges, divided up into seven groups:
- Toys
- Gundogs
- Utility
- Hounds
- Working
- Pastoral
- Terriers
You can find the full list of judges on the Crufts website.
Dogs start by competing against others of the same breed, gender, age, and previous wins.
An overall male and female winner then go head-to-head to determine the Best of Breed winner.
The next stage sees all of the Best of Breed winners in each of the seven groups competing to win the Best in Group award.
The seven Best in Group winners then compete to find the Best in Show and Reserve Best in Show.
What does the winner of Crufts 2022 get?
Best in Show winners receive a cash prize of £100 and a replica of the solid silver Crufts Keddall Memorial Trophy.
Winners also often get more money in sponsorship deals and stud fees, with previous puppies from former winners fetching into the thousands.
Who are the past winners of Crufts
The first Best in Show competition was in 1928, when Greyhound Primley Sceptre was crowned the first Best in Show champion.
Since then, there have been 78 Best in Show winners, with 43 different breeds taking home the trophy.
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The last competition, in 2020, saw a wire-haired Dachschund named Maisie take home the trophy.
Silvae is owned by Mr D.C and Mrs K.D. McAlmont.
Previous Crufts winners since 2010
- 2010 – Yogi the Hungarian Vizsla (owned by Mrs N and Mrs K Craggs and Armstrong)
- 2011 – Jet the Retriever (owned by Jim Irvine)
- 2012 – Elizabeth the Lhasa Apso (owned by Margaret Anderson)
- 2013 – Jilly the Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen (owned by Sara Robertson and Wendy Doherty)
- 2014 – Ricky the Poodle (owned by Jason Lynn, John Stone, and Sandra Stone)
- 2015 – Knopa the Scottish Terrier (owned by M L Khenkina)
- 2016 – Devon the West Highland White Terrier (owned by Marie Burns)
- 2017 – Afterglow Miami Ink the American Cocker Spaniel (owned by Jason Lynn and R Da Silva)
- 2018 – Collooney Tartan Tease the Whippet (owned by David and Yvette Short)
- 2019 – Dylan the Papillon (owned by K Roosens & J Goessens)
The Crufts 2022 finale airs today at 3pm on BBC One.
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MORE : How to watch Crufts 2022, ticket prices, and where is the competition held?
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