Dogs on the Island will this weekend compete to qualify for Crufts 2012, one of the world’s most prestigious dog shows.The Bermuda Kennel Club has announced that the club’s 2011 International All Breed Championship has been selected as a qualifying completion for the competition, with all group winners, along with best puppy in show and best veteran qualifying to compete.Every year, around 28,000 dogs are entered into Crufts, which is held in the UK at the NEC Birmingham.Kennel Club chairwoman Carole Havercroft said she believes the new qualifying status for the show could help the annual event grow, with dogs and dog owners coming to Bermuda from the US and Canada in hopes of qualifying.“Because it is a small dog show, there is a much higher likelihood of winning than in the bigger shows,” she said.“We used to have a lot of dogs coming in from North America. We were basically a part of the North American circuit. People would win America, they would win Canada, they would win Mexico, and they would win Bermuda.“Unfortunately with the economy that has dropped off, but we are really trying to get it back and get a good bit more people to Bermuda and the show.”This year, around 70 dogs have been entered into various events, including 13 from the US or Canada.Ms Havercroft said that leaves the possibility of a Bermudian dog competing at Crufts next year extremely high.“There will definitely be one,” she said. “I think there would be two. The good news is now that we are on the list, it should be straight forward to make sure we are still a qualifier next year.”In addition to the four All Breed Championship Dog Shows, the Kennel Club will also host four licenced obedience trials this weekend with the Dog Training Club of Bermuda.And, under the auspices of IDEA Rally Bermuda, the club will host a Rally Obedience Trial with talking and barking allowed.All of the events will be held at the Somersfield Academy on Middle Road, in Devonshire on Saturday and Sunday. Judging starts at 8.30am and admission is free.