Clare Balding believes there is no better place to spend International Women's Day than Crufts, the greatest celebration of dogs on earth.

More than 20,000 dogs from across the globe will descend on the NEC Birmingham between 7-10 March, many of whom will attend alongside their inspirational female owners.

Balding, 53, believes the weekend provides the perfect opportunity to celebrate the achievements of women before one dog will be crowned Best in Show on the Sunday evening finale.

She said: “It’s great to celebrate women from the past, who have achieved things we haven’t heard enough about.

“Also, to celebrate women all over the world who are doing extraordinary things and that doesn’t matter whether it’s in the field of sport, business or science.

“International Women’s Day is about knowing that women are out there helping the world become a better place and we do always need a reminder.

“I think quite often we’re not very good at blowing our own trumpets so it’s nice to have a day in which we can do just that.

“You’ll walk around and see so many women and girls at the Young Kennel Club too getting into handling and showing but also in agility.

“I wouldn’t expect it any other way but it’s good to have that confirmed.”

Balding is celebrating her own milestones at Crufts 2024, marking 20 years since her TV debut as the face of the dog show.

The trailblazing broadcaster has been inspired by many women and girls at Crufts over two decades and revealed a couple of her standouts from this year on the opening day in Birmingham.

She said: “The amazing thing is, every year we see brilliant stories. There is a woman here showing who is nearly 100 and still going strong.

“There is a breeder I know who is very well respected in the spaniel area and she is so successful coming here with dogs.

“There is a girl I was put in touch with who is around 12 and she has been handling, showing, grooming and has already had experience already as a judge.

“The confidence that some of the youngsters are learning because they are learning all these different roles and being respected for it is really fabulous.

“Crufts is such a female-friendly space and you see women achieving and running shows everywhere you look. It feels an appropriate place to be on International Women’s Day.”

Crufts, run by The Kennel Club, is a unique celebration of happy, healthy dogs and of the loving relationship that they enjoy with their owners. Crufts is held from 7-10 March 2024 at the NEC Birmingham. Viewers can follow all the action and highlights on Channel 4, and for further information and tickets visit: http://crufts.org.uk