We Have Crufts At Home - Fun Ways to Celebrate Crufts in London Without Attending
The prestigious Crufts Dog Show is just around the corner (March 6-9, 2025), but perhaps tickets have sold out or Birmingham too far to travel? No problem! As a dog lover in London, we can still celebrate this iconic canine event without missing out on the fun. Whether you prefer to avoid the crowds or simply want to celebrate with your dog in your own way, here are plenty of ways to get into the Crufts spirit right here in London.
The History and Significance of Crufts
Crufts is one of the most prestigious dog shows in the world, dating back to 1891. Held annually at the NEC in Birmingham, it showcases top-tier pedigree dogs competing in agility, obedience, and breed competitions. More than just a dog show, Crufts is a celebration of all things canine, from innovative pet products to expert talks on dog care. With over 20,000 dogs participating yearly, it's truly the "Westminster of Europe."
Crufts is an event that any dog lover can appreciate, even if you're not attending in person. It's a chance to marvel at different breeds' incredible skills and beauty, learn more about pet care, and most importantly, enjoy quality time with your dog. The passion and dedication handlers and their canine companions show is infectious, even through a screen! Now, let’s get into the ways you can celebrate this week with your own dog.
Photograph taken in Battersea Park. To learn more about portrait sessions please click here.
Host Your Own Mini Crufts at Home
Themed Dog Treats and Decorations
Turn your home into a Crufts-worthy celebration zone! Bake some homemade dog treats shaped like trophies or rosettes (peanut butter and pumpkin biscuits are always a hit - recipe here), and decorate your space with paw-print balloons and banners. Use cookie cutters in bone or paw shapes, then add a touch of dog-safe food colouring to make them festive.
Mini Agility Course in Your Garden or Local Park
Create a simple agility course using household items; think broomsticks for jumps, tunnels made from blankets, and cones for weaving. Reward your pup with treats for completing each obstacle like a true Crufts competitor!
Start with 2-3 obstacles and gradually add more as your dog gets comfortable. During lockdown, I taught my own dog Theodore lot’s of agility commands and moves by creating obstacles out of furniture and household items before introducing her to actual tunnels and ramps in a park.
DIY Dog Show – Best Tricks, Best-Dressed Pup, Waggiest Tail
Invite fellow dog-loving friends over and host a mini dog show! Categories could include "Best Dressed," "Best Trick," and "Waggiest Tail." Award small prizes like dog biscuits or cute bandanas. Make it official with printed certificates and a "Best in Show" ribbon for the overall winner.
Photograph taken in Esher Common. To learn more about portrait sessions please click here.
Organize a Crufts Watch Party
Setting Up the Perfect Viewing Space
Transform your living room into a cosy viewing space with comfortable seating for both humans and dogs. Add some floor pillows for pups, and keep blankets handy for snuggling. Stream Crufts live on Channel 4 or YouTube while enjoying dog-themed snacks and drinks.
Interactive Watch Party Games
Create Crufts bingo cards with squares for common competition moments (e.g., "Golden Retriever wins a round," "Judge gives a serious nod," "Dog gets distracted"). The first person to complete a row wins a prize! You can also play "predict the winner" for different categories, with small prizes for correct guesses.
I have already created my own version of Crufts Bingo, and am happy to share it with you here.
Virtual Watch Parties
Can't gather in person? Set up a Zoom watch party where friends can tune in together while showing off their own dogs. Create a shared spreadsheet to track their favourite competitors and make predictions.
Explore London's Best Dog-Friendly Venues
Celebrate Crufts by treating your pup to a meal at one of London's many dog-friendly cafes:
Love My Human Townhouse (Chelsea, SW3) - This dedicated dog café offers a full "doggy menu" including puppuccinos and homemade treats. The human food is amazing too.
The Egerton House Hotel (Knightsbridge, SW3) - For a luxury experience, try their "Doggy Afternoon Tea" (£30) featuring chicken and beef meatloaf, homemade dog biscuits, and a carrot cupcake.
Bellanger (Islington, N1) - This French brasserie welcomes dogs and provides water bowls and treats. The outdoor terrace is perfect for people and dog-watching.
Parks with the Best Dog-Walking Routes
Take your dog on a special Crufts-inspired walk at these London gems:
Hampstead Heath - With 790 acres of woodland and meadows, plus several ponds where dogs can swim, this is North London's ultimate canine playground.
Richmond Park - London's largest Royal Park offers open spaces and designated dog swimming areas at Pen Ponds.
Victoria Park (East London) - Features a dedicated dog play area and a scenic 2-mile circuit around the park.
Pet Boutiques for Crufts-Worthy Accessories
Spoil your dog with a new outfit or toy from London's top pet boutiques:
Mungo & Maud (Belgravia, 79 Elizabeth Street) - Known for their stylish accessories and timeless designs, perfect for the distinguished London dog.
Bow Wow London (Covent Garden, 5 Shorts Gardens) - More affordable but still stylish, with a great selection of toys and accessories.
Pamper Your Pup with a Crufts-Style Spa Day
Dog & Groom (Wandsworth) – A boutique grooming salon offering tailored services for all breeds, ensuring a stress-free pampering experience.
Groomer London (Kensington) – Provides expert styling and hand-stripping services for show-quality results, using high-end grooming techniques.
Love My Human (Chelsea) – A high-end pet spa offering holistic grooming treatments and bespoke styling, ensuring your pup looks their very best.
DIY At-Home Spa Treatments for Your dog
Can't make it to a groomer? Set up an at-home spa session with:
A gentle bath using dog-friendly shampoo
A soothing paw massage with coconut oil
A thorough brushing session
A spritz of dog-friendly cologne for that Crufts-ready finish
To make it stress-free: Place a non-slip mat in the tub and have treats ready as rewards for good behaviour!
Photograph taken in Virgina Water. To learn more about portrait sessions please click here.
Tune in and Watch Crufts from Home
Where to Stream Crufts Online
Crufts 2025 will be streamed live on Channel 4, More4, and the Crufts YouTube channel from March 6-9. Coverage typically runs from 3pm-8pm on weekdays and 6:30pm-9pm for the final on Sunday. Download the Crufts app for behind-the-scenes content and live updates.
Social Media Challenges to Join the Celebration Virtually
Get involved online by posting pictures of your pup with hashtags like #CruftsAtHome or #LondonDogShow. Many brands and influencers host Crufts-inspired challenges where you can showcase your furry friend. Follow @Crufts and @TheKennelClubUK on Instagram for official challenges and chances to win prizes.
Get Involved with Local Dog Events and Competitions
If you love the competitive spirit of Crufts, check out these local events:
Battersea Park Dog Show (July 9, 2025) - A community dog show with fun categories like "Most Handsome Dog" and "Best Rescue."
Dog Meetups across London - Search “dogs” on meeting.com, and you will see that there are a plethora of breed-specific meets and social walks all around London. Instagram is always a good place to find them too, and if in doubt, head to Hyde Park on a weekend and you’ll be sure to find a congregation of dogs!
Chiswick House Dog Show (Late, 2025) - Chiswick House Dog Show is an annual celebration of everything DOG! Run by the community for the community, it has show rings, doggy dash, celebrity judges, fancy dress, AND stalls selling every imaginable canine treat/toy/goods/clothing/food!
Woof About - Subscribe to their newsletter and bookmark their site to keep up to date with events large and small throughout the year, including The Big Woof in Kings Cross, and Chelsea Dog Day, both of which you can find me and my studio pop-ups!
How to Support Local Pet Charities and Rescues
Crufts highlights the importance of dog welfare, so take this opportunity to give back:
Battersea Dogs & Cats Home - Volunteer as a dog walker (requires a 6-month commitment) or donate much-needed supplies.
All Dogs Matter (North London) - Participate in sponsored walks or fostering programs.
Dogs Trust (Harefield) - Support their "Sponsor a Dog" program (£1 per week) or volunteer at their charity shops.
Photograph taken in Wimbledon. To learn more about portrait sessions please click here.
Enrolling in Fun Training Classes and Workshops
Take inspiration from the talented Crufts competitors and sign up for a dog training class. if you’re in South London, there’s no one I’d recommend more than Diane Kasperowicz from Superhounds, who you can read more about here.
If you’re not in the South, connect with a positive dog trainer who can teach you some new tricks, introduce you to scentwork, mantrailing, and other amazing things you can do together with your dog!
Capture the Crufts Spirit with a Professional Pet Photoshoot
I’m not just a dog photographer. I think I am every dog’s best friend. Through my kindness, compassion and consent-based approach, I work ethically to capture your dog’s uniqueness and create beautiful dog portraits immortalised as luxury artwork pieces for your home. As an inclusive dog photographer, no dog is too reactive, too sick or too challenging for me.
Will you be trying any of these Crufts celebration ideas? Which London dog-friendly venues are your favourites? Let me know in the comments below!
