Crufts 2026 Today: Sunday at the world's biggest dog show - day four timetable, full television schedule, when is Best in Show presented?
It’s the final day of canine fun and competition in Birmingham.
The world’s biggest and best dog show has returned this week, with nearly 20,000 pups expected at the 136th year of Crufts.
The event dates back to 1886 when a Charles Cruft - the manager of a dog biscuit factory - organised ‘The First Great Terrier Show’, with around 600 dogs taking part.
The show continued to grown in popularity after Charles Cruft’s death in 1938, with entries of over 10,000 until it was interrupted by the arrival of the Second World War.
It returned in 1948 under the stewardship of the Kennel Club for the first time and the 1950 show London’s Olympia was televised for the first time by the BBC, with a record entry of 13,211 dogs.
The first Obedience Championships were held in 1955, which was also the first year working sheepdogs were invited to Crufts.
Agility was introduced as a demonstration in 1978, becoming an official part of the event in 1980, with Rescue Dog Agility added in 2000, and an international invitational competition arriving in 2001.
Flyball was introduced in 1990, when the Kennel Club also started to campaign for responsible dog ownership with the addition of the ‘Discover Dogs’ area’ to Crufts.
Last year saw a Whippet named Miuccia crowned Best in Show and all eyes will be on which perfect pooch will follow in his pawsteps.
Along with the prize rosettes handed out to the best examples of dozens of breeds and classes there will be plenty of other doggy action – including flyball, agility, heelwork to music, and The Kennel Club Hero Dog award.
Here’s everything you need to know about what’s happening at the show on Sunday, March 8.
When is Crufts 2026?
Crufts 2026 runs from March 5-8 and takes place at the NEC Birmingham.
If you’re able to make it there, tickets are still available here.
Read more: Top Show Dogs 2026: Here are the 12 breeds of adorable dog who have won most Crufts Best in Show titles - including the loving Labrador
What breeds of dog are the focus of Crufts today?
The final day of competition will focus on gun dogs and the Best in Show prize.
Gun dogs are classified by the UK Kennel Club as being a specialised group of breeds originally developed to assist hunters by finding, flushing, or retrieving live or shot game. Popular gun dog breeds include the Labrador Retriever, English Springer Spaniel, Cocker Spaniel, German Shorthaired Pointer, Golden Retriever and Vizsla.
The winners of each class of dog will then compete for the ultimate prize - Best in Show.
What is the full schedule for Crufts 2026 today?
Here’s what’s happening in the Main Arena on Sunday, March 8:
- 08.35: Agility – Championships – Small/Medium (Jumping)
- 09.40: Rescue Dog Agility
- 10.10: Good Citizen Dog Training Scheme Display
- 10.40: Heelwork to Music Winner
- 10.45: Dog Activities Display
- 11.15: Southern Golden Retriever Display Team
- 11.35: Break
- 12.00: Agility Championships – Small/Medium (Agility)
- 13.05: Medical Detection Dogs Display
- 13.35: Arena cleared
- 15.00: Doors open for Best in Show ticket holders
- 16.15: Special Musical Performance
- 16.30: Flyball – Semi-Finals and Final
- 16.50: Special Musical Performance
- 17.00: Agility – Championship – Small/Medium – Agility Final
- 17.40: The Kennel Club Hero Dog Award
- 17.50: Young Kennel Club Stakes Final and Presentation
- 18.00: Group Judging (Gundog) and Presentation
- 19.50: Special Musical Performance
- 20.00: West Midlands Police Dog Display
- 20.20: Presentation of the Police Dog Team Operational and Humanitarian Action of the Year Award
- 20.30: Best in Show and Presentation
When is Crufts 2026 on television today?
Once again highlights of Crufts will be shown on Channel 4 and More 4, including live coverage of the Best in Show trophy being awarded. There will be nearly 20 hours of coverage. The broadcaster has covered Crufts since 2010.
Coverage will include all the most popular events including Flyball, Agility, Heelwork to Music, The Kennel Club Hero Dog award and the prestigious Best in Show.
Channel 4 will also be covering Scruffts, which gives crossbred dogs their moment in the spotlight.
The coverage will be led by Clare Balding, who will be joined by returning with co-presenters Ellie Simmonds and Radzi Chinyanganya. But there’s a major new signing, with Traitors and Strictly Come Dancing host Claudia Winkleman joining the team.
Jim Rosenthal and Frank Kane will be commentating on events, while resident vet Dr Paul Manktelow will also be back offering viewers advice on best practices for looking after dogs throughout the coverage.
On Sunday, March 8, coverage on Channel 4 will be from 3.30pm-6.30pm and 7pm-9pm.
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