Crufts 2002 will go down in history as the first time a foreign dog took the coveted honour of supreme champion. Crufts has always been known as the "graveyard of champions" with top dogs often being beaten by class dogs. This was to be the year that a Norwegian dog toppled the mighty British champions by winning best in show at Crufts. When asked about her decision to award to award the top prize to this dog Pamela Cross-Stern responded that "there was no denying him, he is a poodley poodle who is the epitome of the breed." Norwegian Champion Topscore Contradiction, handled by Mikael Nilsson and owned by Kari and Stein Glenna won this year's top honors. "King", a three and a half year old Standard Poodle whose parentage traces back to American lines. He was purchased as a pet and is the couple's first show dog. The Glenna's are still stunned by their victory. Kari and Mikael drove from Norway with "King" to compete, complete with his own bottled water. This is only the second year that dogs from the European Union have been allowed to compete at Crufts under the pet passport scheme.

There were 344 dogs from overseas competing and of that 17 won their breed. Before the show even started this year the favourites were the white standard poodle INT/ENG CH Del Zarsoso Con Gancho owned by Michael Coad, and the peke Yakee a Dangerous Liaison. The Pekinese was number one show dog in the UK for 2001. Spectators turned out in force for this years show, there were 120,292 which beat all records for previous years. Attendees were entertained by everything from heelwork to music to police dog demonstrations as well as international JR handling, flyball competitions and agility displays. Much to the dismay of many Uk dog people Crufts will be now known as a truly international event

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