Crufts 2020 news - live: Follow all the action from the annual dog show

This event marks the competition's 129th year

Crufts: Helen Dennis and Comebyanaway Pure Love perform Mary Poppins-theme routine

Crufts – the eccentric, fur-filled extravaganza – is back, returning for its 129th anniversary at Birmingham's National Exhibition Centre.

The four-day dog show will see a wide variety of canine competitors battle it out to win an array of accolades, the most coveted award being the Best in Show prize.

Follow The Independent‘s live blog below for all the latest news on the event.

For all the latest news on Crufts, click here.

Key Points

• Annual dog show, which is in its 129th year, was named after its founder, Charles Cruft
• Kennel Club confirmed competition will still go ahead as planned amid coronavirus fears
• It's been reported that a couple of sponsors are not attending because of the coronavirus outbreak

[5 March 2020 10:30 · sabrina.barr]

The Royal Air Force Police dog display team will also be in attendance throughout the four-day show.

[5 March 2020 10:45 · sabrina.barr]

Hounds for Heroes, an organisation that provides assistance dogs to injured and disabled individuals from the Armed Forces and Emergency Services, shared a picture on Twitter of two of its service dogs., EJ and Rookie.

[5 March 2020 11:00 · sabrina.barr]

It has been reported that Crufts sponsors James Wellbeloved and Royal Canin will not be in attendance at Crufts due to fears over the coronavirus.

The Kennel Club informed Daily Star Online that the pet food companies made a "global decision" on attendance at large events.

[5 March 2020 11:30 · sabrina.barr]

Crufts has shared a livestream of show on Twitter and YouTube, so that avid dog fanatics can stay up to date with the goings-on of the competition.

[5 March 2020 11:45 · sabrina.barr]

A fluffy white dog named Fling sped around the Crufts agility course for a "perfect run".

[5 March 2020 12:00 · sabrina.barr]

In addition to following the live action throughout the day, you can also catch up with what's happening at Crufts later on Channel 4.

Crufts 2020, a one-hour programme, will be shown on Channel 4 at 3pm today.

[5 March 2020 12:30 · sabrina.barr]

This skateboarding Terrier rolled into the first day of Crufts with style.

Getty Images

[5 March 2020 13:00 · sabrina.barr]

Last year's Best In Show winner was Dylan, a Papillon from Belgium.

Here the dog is pictured with their owner, Kathleen Roosens, after winning the top prize.

Getty Images

[5 March 2020 13:30 · sabrina.barr]

If you are planning on driving to Birmingham's NEC for Crufts, you don't need to worry about finding a parking space.

There are more than 16,500 spaces available at the exhibition centre, in addition to a range of available payment methods.

[5 March 2020 14:00 · sabrina.barr]

A dog and are owner is awarded a prize on the first day of Crufts.

YouTube/Crufts