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IN PICTURES: Beautiful terriers and hounds at Crufts 2013

These images would brighten up any dreary, rainy day.

THE ANNUAL CANINE love-in began at the NEC in Birmingham today.

Crufts is the world’s largest dog show, attracting more than 25,000 dogs from across the globe for the four days of competition.

Today was the turn of the terriers and hounds to show off their agility, rescuing abilities, obedience, flyball and heelwork to music (!).

Later this week, the important Friends for Life competition will be judged. The finalists this year include a dog that helped save the lives of two soldiers in Afghanistan, surviving capture by the Taliban, as well as a police dog that has assisted in 433 arrests.

A three-legged stray that was found on a railway line and is now owned by a seven-year-old boy also made the shortlist. Owen Howkins has a rare genetic disease but his family say Haatchi, the Anatolian Shepherd dog, has given him “a new lease of life”.

Owen himself says, “Haatchi has changed my life. I didn’t really meet many others with disabilities and felt like the odd one out, which made me really sad. But when I saw Haatchi and saw how strong he was, even though he only had three legs, I became stronger myself. I love him so much.”

Watch Owen tell his story:

(YouTube Credit: OfficialCrufts)

Here are some of the contestants from today’s events:

Basset Hound Larry came third in class today.

West Highland White Terriers relax at the NEC.

A Bloodhound takes part in competition.

The Dachshund and the Bloodhound eye each other up.

Someone came prepared for the rain.

A Salauki dog waits patiently for its turn.

Dominico Traversri arrives with his Afghan dog Louis. Yes, that is just one dog.

Whippet dogs arrive on the first day.

Cirneco dell’Etna hounds.

Judging in the Irish Wolfhound category.

An Afghan dog wraps up against the rain.

Just chillin’.

All images Rui Vieira/PA Wire/Press Association Images

Check out our 8 favourite pictures from ‘The Last Great Race’

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28 Comments
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    Mute Eamonn Comerford
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    Mar 7th 2013, 3:16 PM

    The BBC stopped broadcasting Cruffs, because of the overbreeding and cruelty

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    Mute Mags Louth
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    Mar 7th 2013, 3:54 PM

    It is being shown on More 4.

    26
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    Mute Min Inches
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    Mar 7th 2013, 6:26 PM

    was under the impression Crufts stopped the BBC because of THAT dog program.
    did like last years on line version much better. Hopeless so far this year. No breeds on so far just Agility & heel work to music,(which I like) but want to see the breeds- very dissapointed so far.

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    Mute Kay Brosnan
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    Mar 7th 2013, 3:00 PM

    The westies look fab :-)

    69
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    Mute Eamonn Bolger
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    Mar 7th 2013, 3:18 PM

    No Yorkies??!!

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    Mute Rory Byrne
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    Mar 7th 2013, 4:52 PM

    Nope, just chocolate Labradors. :-P

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    Mute Bernadette Dunne
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    Mar 8th 2013, 2:22 AM

    My thoughts exactly Surprised there were no yorkies fab dogs.

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    Mute Alan Rothwell
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    Mar 7th 2013, 2:45 PM

    Don’t those dogs look sooo natural and happy!? :-(

    59
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    Mute Mickey Mouse
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    Mar 7th 2013, 4:40 PM

    Any pictures of the dogs confined to their crates all day long, as they await to be paraded for the spectators entertainment? No wonder the BBC stopped covering the event, and the RSPCA has raised concerns about the welfare of some of the animals. Google “RSPCA Crufts” if you think this annual event is good for animals.

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    Mute Frank Whelan
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    Mar 7th 2013, 6:00 PM

    @mickey mouse. totally agree. This carry on should be scrapped.

    22
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    Mute Derek Larney
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    Mar 7th 2013, 3:51 PM

    Whats with the dogs all wearing jackets, like wtf ? Do their owners not realise that dogs have survived thousands of years without wearing a jacket ? Why would they need one now, has it got colder or something ?

    38
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    Mute Stinger
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    Mar 7th 2013, 4:12 PM

    I think it has to do with the rain and keep the fur coats dry for the competition?have them looking their best

    46
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    Mute Sinead Kiely
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    Mar 7th 2013, 9:19 PM

    Think it has to do with the hair-do’s :d

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    Mute Des Keegan
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    Mar 7th 2013, 3:25 PM

    I thought there was some kind of media boycott regarding cruffs?

    30
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    Mute macooper
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    Mar 7th 2013, 7:41 PM

    Westie’s are the most fabulous and adorable dogs ever!!! Can’t wait for my westies birthday party on saturday.. He turned 10 during the week and is having his own beef birthday cake baked for him!

    27
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    Mute Joe OShea
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    Mar 7th 2013, 8:21 PM

    Im sure he’s looking forward to it as much as you are..

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    Mute amanda horan
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    Mar 8th 2013, 11:09 AM

    Actually westies are plagued with so many genetic defects and inherited diseases that it should be illegal to breed them. Same goes for the cavalier King Charles.

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    Mute Ed Corless
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    Mar 7th 2013, 3:16 PM

    Come visit Red Mills in Hall 2 stand 30

    21
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    Mute Dermot Connolly
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    Mar 7th 2013, 4:33 PM

    Time to watch Best In Show again

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    Mute Pat Murphy
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    Mar 7th 2013, 6:30 PM

    great call!!! one of the most under-rated and viewed comedies of the last 15yrs.

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    Mute Eóghan de Bhailís
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    Mar 7th 2013, 5:26 PM

    Could it be even possible for that guy in the kilt to be wearing any more red?!

    12
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    Mute nicola burke
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    Mar 7th 2013, 11:40 PM

    Am so buying one of those raincoats for my bichon. He gets drowned when its raining at walk time and his hair gets all knotted and hurts him. Win win.

    7
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    Mute macooper
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    Mar 8th 2013, 7:02 PM

    I’m perfectly aware of the health issues thank you what I was referring to is the fact that you think a dog as beautiful as a westie should not be bred. I have lived with a westie for 10 years and he has not had a single health issue in all the time! I know more about westies that you will ever know in your life. Thankfully westie breeders are not as small minded as you! Just because a small percentage of certain breeds have health issues from time to time does not mean you should make the entire breed extinct!

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    Mute Claudia Byrne
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    Mar 7th 2013, 3:36 PM

    Has any tv channel got any coverage?

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    Mute Min Inches
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    Mar 7th 2013, 6:28 PM

    More 4 I think

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    Mute macooper
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    Mar 8th 2013, 12:27 PM

    Amanda- and what qualifications do you have to verify that comment! What proof do you have to back a ludicrous statement like that!

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    Mute amanda horan
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    Mar 8th 2013, 4:57 PM

    Lol I’m a veterinary nurse. Seriously just google westie inherited diseases or westie skin disease or westie congenital defects.

    I can’t believe you don’t know this! Did you not research your breed?

    I would explain more here but I would run out off space. Google it.

    4
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    Mute amanda horan
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    Mar 8th 2013, 5:00 PM

    Also if interested google cavalier King Charles congenital defects. Cavalier King Charles mitral valve insufficiency and cavalier King Charles soft palate issues.

    3
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