can i take my dog to crufts

You can only take your dog to Crufts in specific situations: as a competing dog, a specially invited/working dog (e.g. display teams, police, demo dogs), or as an assistance dog, not just as a general pet for a day out.

Can you take your dog to Crufts?

For most visitors, the answer is no – pet dogs are not allowed into Crufts just to walk around the show with you, even if they are well behaved. Dogs must either be officially entered, part of a scheduled activity, or classed as an assistance dog meeting the event’s access rules.

When dogs are allowed

• Competing dogs :
  • Must be properly entered in Crufts and meet strict qualification criteria from previous shows or championships.

* For some breeds (e.g. Bulldogs, French Bulldogs, Pugs in 2026) there are extra health requirements like a valid Respiratory Function Grading (RFG) certificate within the last 24 months.

• Activity / display / working dogs :
  • Only dogs officially part of displays (flyball, agility, demonstrations, police or service dog displays, etc.) are permitted behind the scenes and in performance areas.

* These dogs are usually pre‑registered with handlers and organisations working directly with the organisers.

• Assistance dogs :
  • Properly trained assistance dogs (e.g. guide dogs, hearing dogs, medical alert dogs) can usually attend with their handlers, provided they comply with venue and event rules.

* Some guides note that, although allowed, the noise, crowds and close contact with hundreds of dogs can be very stressful for an assistance dog that is not completely relaxed in such environments.

Why pet dogs aren’t generally allowed

Crufts is extremely crowded, loud, and full of unfamiliar dogs, which can be overwhelming even for well‑socialised animals. Restricting entry to registered and assistance dogs helps with welfare, biosecurity, and safety for dogs and people in such a dense environment.

If you’re thinking of going

• Check the latest Crufts visitor information and qualifications for entry of dogs for that specific year, as rules (especially for brachycephalic breeds) have been tightening for 2026.

• If your dog is an assistance dog, review guidance on “taking an assistance dog to Crufts” and consider whether the crowds, travel, and noise are genuinely in your dog’s best interests.

Bottom line: unless your dog is competing, officially involved in a display/working role, or is a bona fide assistance dog, you cannot take them to Crufts as a normal pet visitor.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.