Crufts is a household name, even for those of us who prefer cats to dogs.

It's a staple of British telly and a good watch if you're looking to find the perfect breed of your next dog.

Not to mention hours of fun, especially when you can just sit back with a cup of tea and watch an adorable little four-legged friend tackle an assault course that even you couldn't manage.

If you're like us, you'll also be thankful for the opportunity to people watch - though the owners of the agility dogs really make us wish we had more motivation for the gym.

The famous green carpet returns for 2020

Crufts begins tomorrow (Thursday, March 5) at 3pm on Channel 4 with more live coverage on More4 at 6:30pm. Clare Balding will return to host.

Gogglebox star Scarlett Moffatt will be hosting a new Crufts Extra YouTube show over the weekend, too, meaning you'll have plenty to keep you happy throughout the competition.

Here are 13 things you never knew about the iconic British dog show, famous the world over.

1. It's a Guinness World Record-holder

Crufts is the highest profile dog show in British culture and the largest show of its kind in the world. Don't believe us? Ask Guinness World Records.

During the show's Centenary celebrations in 1991, Crufts was officially recognised by the Guinness Book of Records as the world's largest dog show.

That year, 22,973 dogs were exhibited in conformation classes, with an estimated average of 28,000 dogs taking part in Crufts each year, when you include those competing in agility and other events.

What's more, around 160,000 humans visit, too.

The agility courses are a fan favourite

2. Rift with BBC

Crufts had previously been aired on the BBC, but this ended after the 2008 event when organiser The Kennel Club was criticised on a BBC programme called 'Pedigree Dogs Exposed'.

It criticised their allowance of breeding standards, judging standards and breeding practices which have been said to compromise the health of purebred dogs.

This led multiple sponsors of Crufts to withdraw and the BBC eventually dropped the iconic dog show from its coverage after being unable to agree to terms with The Kennel Club.

The BBC had first televised the show in 1950. It is now aired on More4, reaching roughly 4.5million viewers.

3. Founder takes the biscuit

Crufts was named after its founder, Charles Cruft, who worked as the general manager of a biscuit manufacturer.

He travelled to numerous dog shows with his work, both in the UK and worldwide, and established contacts while gauging a sense of higher standards needed for dog shows.

In 1886, the 'First Great Terrier Show' featured 57 classes and 600 entries. The first 'Crufts' show came in 1891, was named 'Cruft's Greatest Dog Show' and was the first for all breeds. Some 2,000 dogs competed.

4. The First and Second World Wars

The show wasn't held between 1918 and 1920, due to the First World War and WWII would again interrupt the show's run.

Charles sadly died in 1938, with his widow taking over the running of the show for four years before selling it on to The Kennel Club in 1942.

The interruption of the Second World War meant that 1948 was the first year the show was held under its new owners.

An electrician's strike in 1954 also saw the competition cancelled, though in spite of all of these hurdles (and an increase in entrance fees) Crufts never ceased to be a success.

5. Paignton Zoo

In 1928, the Best in Show class was introduced. The title went to a greyhound by the name of Primley Sceptre, who was shown by millionaire and animal breeder Herbert Whitley the founder of what is now Paignton Zoo.

The original name for the zoo was the Primley Zoological Gardens, which opened to the public in 1923 and was founded entirely on Whitley's private collection of animals.

6. Change of venue

Crufts' first show was held at the Royal Agricultural Hall in Islington.

After the Second World War and a change of ownership, it was held at Olympia in the capital where interest continued to grow (especially when it became a staple of BBC's programming).

By 1979, the show had to be moved yet again, this time to the exhibition centre at Earl's Court as there were simply too many entries and spectators for it's last venue to handle.

Since 1991, the show has been held at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham - the first time it has been held outside of the capital.

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7. There's strict qualification rules

In order to compete for Best in Show, dogs must have qualified through the previous year's competitions.

This can happen a number of ways, but most usually qualify by coming in first, second or third place in their relevant class at a Kennel Club affiliated Championship show where Challenge Certificates are awarded.

They could also qualify by achieving the status of Best in Show, Reserve Best in Show or Best Puppy in Show at a Kennel Club affiliated 'Open' or 'General' competition.

However, dogs can become qualified for life when they obtain their Kennel Club Stud Book Number - something they can earn at Field Trials, Championship shows or when a dog obtains something known as a Junior Warrant.

Once they've qualified, dogs will then compete for Best in Show in a hierarchical way - the compete against others of the same breed (split by gender, age and previous class wins).

Classes are known as Veteran, Special Puppy, Special Junior, Yearling, Post Graduate, Mid Limit, Limit, and Open.

Once the best in each breed has been chosen, they then compete against others in their Group.

The seven groups are Toys, Gundogs, Utility, Hounds, Working, Pastoral and Terriers. The Group winners then compete to find Best in Show and Reserve Best in Show.

Confused? Go along and watch. Things can get very competitive.

8. Most successful breeds

The most successful breed at Crufts is the English Cocker Spaniel, which has been awarded Best in Show a staggering seven times.

The Gundog Group is the most successful group, having produced 23 Best in Show winners.

9. The future of Flyball

Flyball, one of the competitions Crufts has hosted over the years, is probably one of the most popular dog sports around.

It involves a relay-style race where teams of four dogs compete against each other to jump a series of hurdles, step on a box to release a ball and return the ball back to the start in order to tag in his next teammate.

The winning team is the one that finishes first.

Despite its excitement and popularity, Crufts have announced that there will be no Flyball competition this year, or possibly ever again in the future. It is unclear as to why this might be.

10. Discover Dogs and other attractions

Crufts isn't just about competitions.

There are also a multitude of trade stands which sell dog-related merchandise or promote dog-related charities.

A section known as Discover Dogs is a popular area in which visitors can see almost every breed recognised by The Kennel Club and talk about them with knowledgeable owners.

11. Scruffts

Scruffts is a sister show for crossbreed dogs, created as a way of giving owners of non purebreed dogs their very own chance of competing.

Crufts does however hold its own competitions and displays for mixed breeds, which mainly include agility, obedience and heelwork to music.

12. A Dog's Tale

A play by Poppy Holman, titled 'A Dog's Tale, is based on Crufts and has been commissioned os one of the Mikron Theatre Company's two productions this year.

13. Tickets are pretty cheap

You may think that Crufts is only accessible for those with a fair bit of money, but tickets are extremely good value for money.

They start from around £11 - £22 a day, depending on which day and events you are planning on watching.

For example, Sunday's Best in Show competition is currently on sale from £19, but this excludes entry to the main exhibition.