12 photos of pooches preparing for their big moment at Crufts, the world’s largest dog show

By Blathnaid Healy From Mashable

LONDON — Before they get to walk around the ring or fly through the air doing some crazy obstacle course, there’s a lot of waiting around at dog shows.

The largest dog show in the world, Crufts, started Thursday at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham, and continues until Sunday evening when best in show will be named.

Here are photos of dogs (and their owners) preparing and getting ready to do their best before they enter the ring:

1.

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Owners arrive with their dogs by bus.
IMAGE: EPA NIGEL RODDIS
2.

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A standard poodle is shaved.

IMAGE: EPA NIGEL RODDIS
3.

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A Chesapeake Bay retriever looks out from its bench
IMAGE: EPA NIGEL RODDIS
4.

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A woman takes a photo of her dog.
IMAGE: EPA NIGEL RODDIS
5.

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Alan Paradise with his Lhasa Apso called Mia.
IMAGE: NIGEL RODDIS
6.

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Arthur Ward (right) with Cody, his Pyrenean Mountain dog.
IMAGE: EPA NIGEL RODDIS
9.

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Owners arrive with their Old English sheepdog.
7.

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A man takes a nap, while his dog watches on.
IMAGE: EPA NIGEL RODDIS
8.

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An English Setter looks out from its bench.
IMAGE: EPA NIGEL RODDIS
10.

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A man with his Chesapeake Bay retriever.
IMAGE: EPA NIGEL RODDIS
11.

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A man with his English Setters.
IMAGE: EPA NIGEL RODDIS
12.

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Retrievers in the show ring.
IMAGE: EPA NIGEL RODDIS

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