They say dogs look like their owners – and it also appears that some Crufts contestants look like the TV presenters covering the event.
Hugging a terrier with similarly glossy black hair, Claudia Winkleman certainly seems to have found her doggy doppelganger as she kicked off her latest TV role on Thursday – presenting the world-famous dog show.
Thousands of pedigree pooches groomed to within an inch of their lives – descended on the Birmingham NEC for the competition.
The massive event, drawing around 150,000 visitors, will run until Sunday evening, when one lucky dog will be declared the best in show.
Meeting dogs and their owners on the red carpet, Ms Winkleman, 54, wore a green jacket with the word ‘DOGS’ across the back in bold white letters, teamed with leggings and £1,080 Bottega Veneta Lug leather ankle boots.
Ahead of the big day, Ms Winkleman had said: ‘I absolutely love dogs and there is literally nowhere else on Earth I’d rather be. I have a pocket rammed with treats.’
She was joined by Amanda Holden, who wore a double-denim outfit, with the faces of her dogs, Minni and Rudie, embroidered on the back.
Throughout the competition, judges will assess dogs across a variety of breed groups, including working, pastoral, and terrier categories.
Claudia Winkleman (pictured on March 5) met her match while presenting world famous dog show Crufts
Ms Winkleman (right) was joined by Amanda Holden (left) at the dog show, which draws around 150,000 visitors and will run until Sunday evening
Visitors will also be treated to displays and competitions designed to show off the intelligence and athleticism of the canine contestants.
Ms Winkleman’s Crufts duties come just a week before the launch of her chat show on BBC1, with guests including Hollywood veteran Jeff Goldblum, Absolutely Fabulous star Jennifer Saunders, comedian Tom Allen and Devil Wears Prada musical actress Vanessa Williams.
Ms Winkleman, who last year quit as joint Strictly Come Dancing presenter alongside Tess Daly, has said of her new role: ‘I’m obviously going to be awful – that goes without saying.’
The Claudia Winkleman Show begins next Friday at 10:40pm.
An Old English Sheepdog on the first day of the Crufts Dog Show at the National Exhibition Centre (NEC) in Birmingham
Old English Sheepdogs surround their owners as they rest before the event gets into full swing
A handler and their Pyrenean Mountain Dog pose for a photograph
Pyrenean Mountain Dogs lie on the floor at the event getting some well deserved rest
An Old English Sheepdog is groomed ahead of judging on the first day of the Crufts dog show at the National Exhibition Centre
Komondor dogs are judged on the first day of the Crufts dog show at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham
Owners sit with their dogs waiting for the show to begin. The annual event is organised by the Kennel Club
A Dogue de Bordeaux on the first day of the Crufts Dog Show has won a rosette
A woman walks with her dog on her shoulder. Owners and dogs have arrived from around the world
Pete Anderton asleep with his Hungarian Puli Bitch ‘Tilly’ who have travelled from Colchester, Essex
Amanda Holden and Claudia Winkleman present on the first day of Crufts 2026
A St Bernard is fed a small snack by their owner on the first day, 18,600 dogs are competing
HRH Prince Michael of Kent, arrives at Crufts in a wheelchair on Thursday
A Mastiff sits with its owner at Crufts Dog Show at the NEC in Birmingham
A Welsh Corgi is groomed as the owner inspects its toenails. The four-day event attracts 150,000 visitors
A dog is being shown by its owner at the show. She runs along beside him on a short lead
A man grooms a Dogue de Bordeaux mastiff ahead of the competition
Perfectly pedigeed dog line up ready to be judged in the compeition
One woman was snapped giving her dog a kiss on the lips ahead of an event
A Rough Collie dog smiles at the camera as it arrives on the first day of the Crufts dog show
A Pomsky dog, a cross between a Pomeranian and a Siberian Husky, is pictured as it arrives on the first day of the Crufts dog show
One dog was spotted outside the arena in plastic boots so that his feet do not get dirty
A Dutch Shepherd (L), a Chihuahua (C) and a Malinois dog sit for a a photo
One small dog arrives in a basket on wheels as his owner pulls him along
Two shetland sheepdogs look angelic by the daffodils outside the NEC centre
A dog arrives in a pram with a sign that reads: ‘I have arthritis please be kin’ on the front
A Hungarian Puli with some of its hair tied up arriving on the first day of the Crufts Dog Show
A dog in a leopard print jumper arriving on the first day of the Crufts Dog Show at the National Exhibition Centre
Miro, a Polish Lowland Sheepdog arriving in an open top crate on the first day of the Crufts Dog Show
Two black dogs arrive ahead of the Birmingham event – one of the world’s biggest dog shows
A basset hound stares adoringly at the camera.Judges assess dogs across a variety of breed groups including working, pastoral and terrier categories
Two Corgis walk on the lead outside the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham
Dogs of all sizes and breeds arrive at the event – all hope to take home the best in show title
Dogs at the National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham – some looked wilder than others
Three dogs in matching leopard print outfits arrive at the NEC in Birmingham