Crufts launches with three new breeds competing in 2019

Three new breeds have been introduced to the prestigious dog show held at the NEC in Brimingham each year.

The world's finest examples of the Russian toy, White Swiss Shepherd and Black and Tan Coonhound will make their debut at the event this year.

Around 27,000 dogs of all shapes and sizes are heading to Birmingham to take part in Crufts from 7 -10 March.

Just under 21,000 dogs from 220 different breeds from 44 different countries will be competing for a chance to win Best in Show.

Of the new breeds there will be 12 Black and Tan Coonhounds, 34 Russian Toys, and 18 White Swiss Shepherds, competing in the Imported Breed Register classes.

Recognised most recently by the Kennel Club, the Black and Tan Coonhound became the 221st pedigree breed in the UK with the other two breeds inducted in 2017.

Other recently recognised breeds include the Jack Russell Terrier in 2016, and before that the Hungarian Pumi, Griffon Fauve de Bretagne and Picardy Sheepdog in 2014.

Caroline Kisko, Kennel Club Secretary, said: "We are delighted to welcome these new breeds to compete at Crufts for the first time this year. Crufts is the world's biggest dog stage, so it's an incredibly exciting opportunity for those who are passionate about the breed, and can help these newer breeds develop positively.

"The diverse mix of pedigree dog breeds in this country has grown slowly over time and we are now seeing many of the breeds that originated overseas becoming some of the most popular in the UK.

"The process of being recognised as a pedigree breed by the Kennel Club takes several generations of dogs, but once we recognise a breed it means that we know that it has a reliable lineage that will give people a dog with predictable characteristics in terms of temperament, health, exercise and grooming needs, which helps dogs to find homes with the right owners."