Breeders fear protest threat; CRUFTS: Owners fear campaigners could invade event.

Byline: By Edward Chadwick

PREENED, pampered and ready for the ring at this year's Crufts - thousands of dogs have arrived in Birmingham to get their paws on the Best In Show top prize.

Doting owners from across the globe arrived at the NEC as early as 7am yesterday to apply the finishing touches to coats and claws to try and impress eagle-eyed judges.

The hound and terrier sections were the first into the show ring at the event, which will culminate on Sunday with the crowning of top dog.

Although the talk among most breeders was of rosettes and grooming tactics, some told of their fears for Crufts in the wake of the BBC's Pedigree Pets Exposed programme.

Organisers have tried to shrug off a storm sparked by the documentary which claimed that breeding for show standards was being put above the health of animals.

The broadcaster pulled out after it was unable to reach agreement about the inclusion of so-called "at risk" dogs and animal rights protesters are expected to target the NEC this weekend.

Miniature wire-haired dachshund owner Jenny Earles, 62, from Coventry, said: "It's a bit scary because there's talk of animal rights protests and you're always looking out for people. There has been talk of protesters coming in here and letting dogs out which could cause an awful accident.

"There's nothing cruel about dog showing but that documentary will turn people against it and we'll have to wait and see whether people keep on coming.

"It's hard to say today because the first day is always quiet but everyone just wants Crufts to stay the same."

The Kennel Club expects crowds to match the 160,000 of last year's successful show and the 28,000 dogs heading for Birmingham over the course of four days is the third biggest entry since Crufts started in 1891.

Despite not being able to rely on pulling in the 14 million viewers the BBC guaranteed, for the first time in its history the event will be screened online atwww.cruftslive.tv But 63-year-old Kath Warne, from Kidderminster, accused the Kennel Club of not doing enough to address the problems highlighted in the damning documentary.

The Cairn terrier owner said: "There are some unscrupulous breeders and the Kennel Club haven't addressed it.

"It doesn't seem as busy this year as in previous years and we'll have to wait and see how popular it is."

Kennel Club secretary Caroline Kisko said she was "certain" Crufts would be shown on television next year.

CAPTION(S):

A Basset Hound looks forlorn on the first day of the competition. Picture: Jeremy Pardoe Photo ref.: JP050309Dog-17; (From left) Whippetts Monty, Pearl and Ashling belonging to Alison Clarke are bright-eyed and raring to get going; A West Highland White Terrier is given some beauty treatment; and a Parson Russell Terrier comes under the judge's eye. Photo ref.: JP050309Dog-07; Photo ref.: JP050309Dog-24