Honestly. You spend hours being bathed, blow-dried and brushed to perfection.
Then it starts pouring with rain – and someone shoves a tiger print onesie over your head.
Still, the indignity of their wet weather gear was worth it for these pedigree pooches.
Because they were on their way to the first day of Crufts, where not a hair can be out of place.
Canine fashion: A dog arrives for the first day of Crufts sporting a tiger print onesie
Lassie never had to deal with this! Elegance takes second place in the downpour for many of the dogs as they make their way to the show
Sack the stylist! This dog clearly isn't a massive fan of his footwear
As well as the rather garish onesies, some pampered pets had specially designed canine wellies in which to pad – or rather paddle – their way to the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham.
The smaller breeds were wheeled in on trolleys with makeshift tarpaulins thrown over their boxes, but for Louis the Afghan hound, one of the biggest dogs, the solution was even more undignified.
His owner, Dominico Traversi, simply hoisted him on to his shoulders and dashed through the 7am downpour, sparing his paws from trailing through puddles.
Once inside, it was off with the onesies and out with the combs as owners battled to get their pets’ coats back into immaculate condition before the frizz set in.
The Kennel Club estimates 145,000 people will visit the four-day show, which features around 27,000 dogs.
Weary dogs and their tired out owners were pictured taking a well earned break after an intensive day of grooming and competing at Crufts.
Thousands of pampered pets descended on Birmingham's National Exhibition Centre today for the start of the annual show - with many donning the latest in canine wet-weather fashion to brave the rain.
But after hours of intensive competition many of the dogs, and their human companions, were ready for a snooze.
Forty winks: A Saint Bernard dog takes a well earned rest during the show, while a group of weary owners take time out for a chat
Tired out: It all got too much for Caitlin, aged nine, who sleeps on her Irish wolfhound on the first day of Crufts dog show at the NEC in Birmingham
Man's best friend: An owner sleeps next to his Beagle in one of the competitors stalls. Both owners and dogs have had a very long day, with many travelling large distances to reach the show
Chilling out: Two beagles relax after being shown on the show's first day. The four-day event features over 25,000 dogs, with competitors travelling from 41 countries to take part
Time for a dog nap: A pair of Afghan Hound wearing hoods are looking a little sleepy at the end of a hard day at Crufts
Hard day's work: A competitor stays alert as dogs are being shown but a nearby owner looks as if he might need a rest
All partied out: An owner takes a well-earned rest after a hard day's showing at the renowned dog show in Birmingham
Where's my basket? A yawning foxhound looks ready to curl up and take a dog nap
One owner was pictured slumbering next to his beagle in one of the competitors stalls, while a tired out Saint Bernard snoozed on the floor.
A nine-year-old girl took a more comfortable option by taking a nap on top of her great Dane.
Owners left nothing to chance as they arrived at today's show, employing a range of novel methods to ensure their immaculately-groomed animals arrived at the competition without a potentially devastating dip in a puddle.
Dominico Traversri opted to hoist Afghan dog Louis onto his shoulders in a fireman's lift while another pet was wheeled into the event in a cage.
A record 2,131 dogs from 41 overseas countries will travel to Birmingham for the annual show, including entrants from Hong Kong, India, Indonesia and Malaysia, none of which have been represented at Crufts before.
A total of 13 new breeds will be making their debut at the event, which has attracted more than 20,500 dogs to its breed-judging, gamekeepers' classes and obedience championships.
Howl do you do: A plucky dachshund ignores the height difference to sniff a huge Irish Wolfhound as the pair pass each other during the show
On parade: Long-haired dachshunds (left) and Irish Wolfhounds are judged during the first day of the Crufts dog show
Little and large: A dachshund looks up at a pair of bloodhounds at the show. Dogs of all shapes and sizes were walked, carried and even wheeled into the National Exhibition Centre today
Famous faces: Jodie Kidd (pictured with her pet jack russell Doobby, left and right) was one of a number of celebrities who attended the first day of Crufts 2013
Cuddles: Caroline Sheppard from Kings Lynn gets a friendly lick while cuddling Irish Wolfhounds Bliss and Whisper
Closer look: Basset Hound Larry looks rather distinguished in this pair of specs after coming third in his class at Crufts
You looking at me? A Cirneco dell'Etna hound peers into the camera with its ears pricked up. It's friend (in the background) looks a little less relaxed however
Contest: 90s pop star Chris Amoo of 'The Real Thing' with his Afghan hound. The beautifully groomed dog managed to grab third place in its class
Paw thing: A foxhound introduces himself to a visitor at Crufts
The show, which was first held using the 'Crufts' name in 1891, also includes contests to assess agility, heelwork and other disciplines.
Kennel Club secretary Caroline Kisko said: 'The Kennel Club and Crufts committee wish to thank all of those taking part in Crufts 2013 for their support.
'The fact that dog owners continue to come in their thousands to celebrate their dogs on the world's most famous dog stage is testament to what a special place Crufts holds in the hearts of dog lovers throughout the world.'
Among the main attractions at the 2013 show is the return of the Crufts Factor competition, the Friends for Life award, and Sunday's decision on the prestigious Best in Show title.
Looking a little damp: This rather sad looking dog looks a bit wet and cold despite his coat as he waits to get into the dry and warmth of the NEC
Style: These two elegant dogs look ready for the cat walk already as they stroll towards the show in figure hugging all over body suits
Pampered: A man pulls his dog along in a covered container, while another owner shows off her well dressed pets (right)
Determined: The weather may not be the best but thousands of visitors and dogs have been braving the rain to make it to this year's show
Contest: Dogs of all sizes, shapes and colours have been filing in to the NEC today at the start of the four-day-long event
Mutual admiration? These two dogs took a good look at each other's outfits as they arrived for Crufts. Owners were anxious too keep the rain off their pet's well groomed coats
Ms Kisko added: 'One of my favourite competitions is Friends for Life - each year we hear amazing stories of how dogs have helped people pull through illnesses, given those with disabilities a new lease of life or worked with search teams to rescue those in need.'
This year's Friends for Life contenders include a Birmingham-based police dog which has been involved in more than 285 arrests and once sniffed out a £10,000 cache of stolen power tools.
Crufts was named after its founder, Charles Cruft. The first dog show with the famous 'Crufts name — entitled 'Cruft's Greatest Dog Show'— was held at the Royal Agricultural Hall, in Islington, London in 1891.
Dog's life: Dominico Traversri arrives with his Afghan dog Louis on the first day of Crufts 2013 at the National Exhibition Centre, in Birmingham
Three of a kind: These smart looking dachshunds look quite happy to brave the elements without any coats
By the end of the 19th century, entries to the event had risen to over 3,000, including royal patronage from various European countries. Charles Crufts died in 1938. His widow ran the show for four years before selling it to The Kennel Club.
The 1948 show was the first to be held under its new owner and was held at Olympia in London. Since 1991, the event has been held in the National Exhibition Centre (NEC), Birmingham.
Crufts was officially recognised by the Guinness Book of Records as the world's largest dog show in 1991 with 22,973 dogs being exhibited. Since 2010 the show has been broadcast on the More 4 channel.
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