HOW’S this for hair of the dog? A fluffy white poodle gets a final blush-up ready to compete at Crufts yesterday.

The pampered pooch with its own make-up kit was one of thousands taking part at Birmingham’s NEC yesterday.

This year, owners have been going to town with grooming — with one shih tsu getting a full blow-dry to look good. Meanwhile, patriotic pups posed in their own union jack onesies.

The annual dog show usually attracts more than 160,000 people and 28,000 dogs from 44 countries.

But numbers looked considerably down on the first day over coronavirus fears.

James Day, 47, a chef, who travelled from Evesham, Worcs, to the event, said: "I was quite surprised it went ahead. But it's been a lot less hassle to get around."

Joanne Larkins, 41, an admin assistant, from Streetly, West Midlands, who has been coming to the show for the last ten years, added: "It's the lowest turnout I have ever seen."

The Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT) has also decided not to attend. But trainers at the event believe it was the right decision for the exhibition to go ahead.

Paula Taylor, 57, of Gloucester, who was entering her two-year-old Yorkshire Terrier Atisha into the toy category, said: "I think everyone is panicking for no reason.

"This event is too big to cancel over some unfounded fears. People could catch the flu in big crowds anyway.

"The show must go on."

Organisers The Kennel Club, said: "Public Health England has advised not to cancel the event."

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