Betting on Crufts

Started in 1891, Crufts has now become the World's biggest dog show. Over 220 breeds take part in various shows over a period of four days. The culmination is the "Best of Breed" winner. Betting on Crufts is a possible. There are some bookmakers who will give odds. 

Introduction: Betting on Crufts

Last year Crufts celebrated 128 years with a four day show at the National Exhibition Center in Birmingham. The event is held every year and is hosted by the Kennel Club of Great Britain. Its the largest show of it's kind in the world and certainly represents the peak of UK dog culture. There are any number of competitions being held at the same time. It's also a huge trade fair for all things canine, whether exhibitions, food stuffs or accessories and dog related services.

The Greatest Dog Show

The original show was founded by a dog biscuit salesman Charles Cruft in 1891. The first show was billed as the “First Great Terrier Show”. It was renamed “Cruft’s Greatest Dog Show” five years later and opened to all breeds. Essentially Crufts is a dog show based around various competitions for such things as agility, obedience and synchronized movement to music. The main competition is for "Best in Show" which is the most sought after prize by owners (and I guess, their dogs!) throughout the world. Online sportsbook news from the UK says that last year (2019) over 27,000 dogs took part in the event which was up on the previous record, set in 1991 by 5,000 more. They represent 220 different breeds. Around 150-160,000 visitors pass through the doors.

It's Big business

It should be pointed out that you can't just show up with your mutt and gain entry. Only dogs which are invited by the Kennel Club are legible for the Best Of Show and these are animals that have built up a number of related records over time. Dog showing is not a cheap hobby and you should expect to spend in the region of £3,000 - £5,000 per year in entry fees and show related stuffs. A cynic might say that only those who spend are rewarded with the possibility of show entry. But it's a business. The winning prize is just £100. But keep in mind that the winning dogs can earn up to £250,000 in stud fees for the owner and sire up to 300 litters. Huge sums are also generated from TV and print ads for dog foods.

Betting on Crufts: The Shows

The actual shows take place in the the Dog Activities Ring, Good Citizen Dog Scheme Ring, Obedience Ring, the YKC Ring and the Breed Rings. It used to be televised by the BBC. But the BBC's own show, "Pedigree Dogs Exposed" was an expose of breeding practices and judging standards which are said to verge on cruel and compromise the health of the breeds. After the program was aired, sponsors started dropping out of Crufts. Both organizations were unable to agree terms and the BBC ended up dropping the show in 2009. Luckily for the show, Channel 4 stepped in and have broadcast the show ever since.

Not everyone is Happy

The 2019 the Best in Show saw a demonstration by PETA (People for Ethical Treatment of Animals) which was drawing attention to the “suffering of dogs bred by humans to have grossly exaggerated features.” They were mainly referring to the "flat faced" breeds like boxers and pugs, which apart from being seen as fashion accessories, also suffer from problems related to breathing difficulties. The RSPCA (Royal Society of the Protection of Animals) have similar concerns, though only for this particular show. As you can imagine, there's plenty of room for betting on Crufts dog show. Last year the odds were:

Betting on Crufts: Best in Show Odds

Terrier	2/1
Gun	3/1
Hound	3/1
Utility	5/1
Pastoral	10/1
Working	10/1
Toy	12/1

For betting on Crufts, Betway are presently offering 11/8 for a Gundog to win and 7/4 for a Terrier.

The Most Successful Winning Groups Since 1928

N° of Wins	Groups
24	Gundog
22	Terrier
13	Utility
11	Hound
5	Pastoral, Working
3	Toy

The Number of Wins by Each Group

N° of Wins	Groups
3	Gundog
3	Terrier
2	Utility
2	Hound

The current fancied breeds for winning three of the last four awards are Gundog and Terrier according to Betway. In 2006, the last Pastoral dog to win was Caitland Isle Take a Chance, an Australian Shepherd. A Giant Schnauzer called Jafrak Philippe Olivier, was the last working dog to be Best in Breed in 2008.

The historical outsiders are toys. Their last success was in 2003. That winner was Yakee A Dangerous Liaison, a Pekingese.

The Most Successful Breeds Overall

7	English Cocker Spaniel
4	Standard Poodle, Irish Setter, Welsh Terrier
3	English Setter, West Highland White Terrier, Greyhound, Labrador Retriever, Whippet, German Shepherd Dog,Wire Fox Terrier
2	Afghan Hound, Scottish Terrier, Airedale Terrier, Kerry Blue Terrier, Lakeland Terrier, Lhasa Apso, Pointer, Toy Poodle, Flat Coated Retriever,
1	Tibetan Terrier, Bearded Collie, American Cocker Spaniel, Irish Wolfhound, Australian Shepherd, Basenji, Bulldog, Bull Terrier, Pyrenean Mountain Dog, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Sealyham Terrier, Chow Chow, Hungarian Vizsla, Clumber Spaniel, Dalmatian, Giant Schnauzer, Great Dane, Keeshond, Norfolk Terrier, Pekingese, Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen, St. Bernard, Yorkshire Terrier

As a matter of interest, the same breed hasn’t won the award in consecutive shows since 1948 and 1950, when Tracey Witch of Ware, an English Cocker Spaniel, won By the way, "Cynophilist" is the term used to describe a dog lover.