Crufts gets canine urban art spin as Grufts show opens at London's Graffik Gallery

Exhibition: Grufts, Graffik Gallery, London, until March 15 2012

It’s not often an art gallery encourages visitors to bring their dogs to a show, but the opening of this Notting Hill canine caper – designed as a cunning alternative for those unable to make Crufts, which opened in Birmingham on the same day – offered exactly that.

Several of the talented urban, graffiti and contemporary artists taking part were also at the bash to paint inimitable dog portraits, created for an exhibition which has also scored sponsorship from local pet parlour owners Pet Pavilion and Bulldog Gin.

The works themselves feature everything from suited moggies and philosophical pooches to fine art Westies and spray painted pugs. Our best friends have rarely been depicted so debonairly.

• Graffik Gallery, Portobello Road, London. Open 11am-7pm. Admission free.

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