The intensely passionate world of dog grooming has been riven by bitter divisions over one particularly delicate issue - decorative bows.

Angry words have been exchanged after a judge warned exhibitors at Crufts, which opens in Birmingham on Thursday, that she would not judge shih tzus wearing bows or “adornments” of any sort.

Pat Maule said such fripperies would not simply be permitted in the ring.

In a post on a shih tzu Facebook group the veteran judge warned sternly: “Plain elastic band holding the topknot only please.”