Crufts Prepare For The Start Of Annual Competition

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - MARCH 03: Syberian Huskies Pasha and Alexia take their owner Richard Cook on a cross country run at The National Exhibition Centre during a photocall to launch Crufts 2009 on March 3, 2009 in Birmingham, England. CaniX is the new cross country sport to keep dogs and their owners fit. During this year's four-day competition nearly 23,000 dogs and their owners will vie for a variety of accolades but ultimately seeking the coveted 'Best In Show'. Amid controversy over the breeding and welfar of dogs the main sponsor Pedigree and the BBC have this year dropped out of the worlds biggest dog show. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)