Canine competition at Crufts dog show

A basset hound is tickled on the second day of the Crufts dog show at the NEC, in Birmingham, England, March 7, 2014.

Said to be the largest show of its kind in the world, the annual four-day event, features thousands of dogs, with competitors travelling from countries across the globe to take part.

Crufts, which was first held in 1891 and sees thousands of dogs vie for the coveted title of "Best in Show."

Birmingham, England

A man carries his sheepdog as dogs and their owners arrive to attend the first day of Crufts dog show, March 6, 2014.

Birmingham, England

A boxer dog looks out from its kennel on the first day of the Crufts dog show, March 6, 2014.

Birmingham, England

An Airedale terrier is shown in one of the judging rings on the second day of the Crufts dog show, March 7, 2014.

Birmingham, England

A dog owner holds her dog on the first day of the Crufts dog show, March 6, 2014.

Birmingham, England

Shiela Bruty from Dorset poses with her dog, Herbie, a Chinese crested hairless, during the Toy and Utility day of the Crufts dog show, March 8, 2014.

Birmingham, England

An Afghan hound waits to be judged in a show ring on the second day of the Crufts dog show, March 7, 2014.

Birmingham, England

A Yorkshire terrier is groomed ahead of being shown on the third day of the Crufts dog show, March 8, 2014.

Birmingham, England

A dog owner arrives with her three Slovakian long-haired pointers at the start of the fourth and final day of Crufts dog show, March 9, 2014.

Birmingham, England

A Yorkshire terrier waits to be judged during the Toy and Utility day of the Crufts dog show, March 8, 2014.

Birmingham, England

A Boxer dog looks out from its kennel on the first day of the Crufts dog show, March 6, 2014.

Birmingham, England

A Dogue de Bordeaux looks out from its kennel on first day of Crufts dog show, March 6, 2014.

Birmingham, England

Yorkshire terriers are groomed as they are judged during the Toy and Utility day of the Crufts dog show, March 8, 2014.

Birmingham, England

Dog merchandise is seen for sale at a stall at the end of the first day of the Crufts dog show, March 6, 2014.

Birmingham, England

A man sits with his two chihuahua dogs during the Toy and Utility day of the Crufts dog show, March 8, 2014.

Birmingham, England

A bearded collie dog is judged on the first day of the Crufts dog show, March 6, 2014.

Birmingham, England

A man sits besides boxer dogs waiting in their kennels on the first day of the Crufts dog show, March 6, 2014.

Birmingham, England

Dogs and their owners arrive to attend the second day of the Crufts dog show, March 7, 2014.

Birmingham, England

Afghan hounds are judged in a show ring on the second day of the Crufts dog show, March 7, 2014.

Birmingham, England

A dachshund stands with its owner as it is is judged in a show ring on the second day of the Crufts dog show, March 7, 2014.

Birmingham, England

A collie dog competes in the agility competition on the second day of the Crufts dog show, March 7, 2014.

Birmingham, England

Carter, a Bichon Frise, is groomed ahead of being shown on the third day of the Crufts dog show, March 8, 2014.

Birmingham, England

A pair of Shih Tzu dogs sit together on the third day of the Crufts dog show, March 8, 2014.

Birmingham, England

Afghan hounds are judged in a show ring on the second day of the Crufts dog show, March 7, 2014.

Birmingham, England

Beau, a bearded collie dog waits to be shown on the first day of Crufts dog show, March 6, 2014.

Birmingham, England

Jason Lynn with Ricky the standard poodle, as they celebrate winning the Best in Show category of Crufts 2013 during the final day at the Crufts dog show, March 9, 2014.