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

[8 March 2020 13:00 · sarah.young]

Crufts is steeped in history, this being its 129th year.

The show was founded by dog biscuit manufacturer Charles Cruft, who initially created it as an event exclusive to terriers.

Find out more about the history of Crufts here.

[8 March 2020 13:30 · sarah.young]

This Dogue de Bordeaux had to take a well-deserved rest in its pen after the third day of the Crufts dog show.

[8 March 2020 14:00 · sarah.young]

You can keep up to date with all the latest action by watching Crufts live on Twitter. 

[8 March 2020 14:30 · sarah.young]

See the full list of The Kennel Club's #FriendsForLife finalists here: 

[8 March 2020 15:00 · sarah.young]

Mischievous dogs have provide some of the best moments from Crufts 2020. 

[8 March 2020 15:30 · sarah.young]

Today is your last chance to get photos of your dog shown on TV!