After a few places picked up on the lack of working dogs in the Westminster dog show, Crufts, the British equivalent of the posh New York breeds show decided to break tradition. Usually the preserve of the beautiful, primped and manicured pups, Crufts is introducing a new working dogs section.

It’s not just voices at Westminster that have affected decision-making at Crufts, the London competition has had its own share of controversy which has forced the elite event to shed some of the traditions that were getting it into trouble. For example the BBC dropped its coverage after an investigation found that breed standards promoted by Crufts were promoting health defects and painful conditions in dogs. Other sponsors dropped deals leaving the dog show in the dog house, so not surprisingly, the event has been working on changing its image.

Significant changes have included getting a team of 70 vets to revise the breed standards, a move they hope should make the dogs healthier, and this new emphasis on working dogs in the roster of categories accepted.
The Kennel Club secretary, Caroline Kisko, said at this morning's launch that every breed standard now began with a statement that the health of the dog should be paramount. "What we're expecting our judges to do is to put health at the top of their agenda. This has been the case for a long time, but we're stressing it again."

Crufts had long included working dogs, as well as mixed breeds in such things as agility events, but these elements were being emphasised, she said.
The BBC still aren’t showing it, but More4 TV channel have the rights this year and so Crufts will be televised this year.