Hi,

I was told yesterday that you are not permitted to bring soft crates to Crufts. If you are bringing along crates to use, they have to be the metal ones. I used soft crates last year but things may have changed.

Can anyone tell me if this is correct or not.

Thanks

The rule has always been that the dogs have to be on display and not covered up. 

i have taken soft crates for the last few years, will be doing again this year.

I thought it may have something to do with dogs having to be on display

I've seen GR people with about 3 soft crates at Crufts.
Why would the dogs have to be on display whilst not in the ring?

Because the dogs are an exhibit and as jo public are paying to see all that is on show
which includes the dogs then they should be able to view the exhibit at all times be it in the ring
or on the bench. Hence the wording in the Crufts schedules.

It doesn't give jo public the right to prod or poke your dog etc ;)

In theory dogs should be 'on display' at all times, which includes benches.  In practice it's not necessarily what happens.  I tried to do a site search for this topic from a few years back because at that time I contacted the KC as did many other exhibitors to clarify the position re soft cages.  Their initial response was that these were not allowed however they did make an announcement to the contrary but I can't recall the wording nor can I find the old thread.  Even so, the position may have changed since then.

I would not have my dog on a bench at any show, but especially Crufts, without being in a crate of some description.  Most exhibitors I know who use metal crates cover them with towels so the dogs can rest and relax - therefore not 'clearly visible' by any means to the GP.  Equally I know of many who use soft crates at Crufts too which means 'very limited visibility' if any from a display to the public POV.

As it happens this year I think anyone exhibiting a dog will have to be very much on guard in case there are protestors or extremists around - I certainly will not be leaving my dogs on 'display' unless they're across our laps at the time! 

I do not believe the KC should permit anyone other than exhibitors to enter the benching and grooming areas.  They have a DD section at the show after all on top of the dogs being visible when competing in the rings.

One day the KC may just listen to the exhibitors - without whom there would be no show - and put the safety, comfort and wellbeing of the dogs first!

> As it happens this year I think anyone exhibiting a dog will have to be very much on guard in case there are protestors or extremists around - I certainly will not be leaving my dogs on 'display' unless they're across our laps at the time!

Oh my, do you think those people would do something to the dogs? I hope not! Luckily i have all my friends coming to support me (first time) so there will always be some one with him while the other goes for tea's etc

Hi Gemma

I wouldn't want to encourage panic but certainly encourage a little more caution than perhaps would immediately spring to mind.  I should imagine there will be quite a few protestors around outside and inside the venue. 

Some animal rights as opposed to animal welfare groups are known to behave in a manner that is not in the best interests of animals at all - such as releasing them from crates and cars claiming the animals' rights to 'freedom'.  It's not a chance I'm prepared to take and I think it wise anyone going alone or having more dogs than helpers tries to enlist the help of other exhibitors in their own and any neighbouring breeds to keep watch should we need to leave dogs while we queue for goodness knows how long (but def TOO long) for loo breaks, getting snacks or while in the ring with another of our dogs etc.

I'm hopeful security will be tight but we each have to do our best to ensure the safety of our own and I've always found that exhibitors are generally a great bunch for sticking together and helping keep an eye out for others' dogs and possessions too :)

I recall from watching my breed last year not many people left their dogs benched on their own. They either sat with them of moved them to ringside and had them sitting or standing with them there.
I know they say that when not in the ring or being exercised they have to remain on their bench, but last year with my breed and some others this wasn't the case and i just wondered how hot they would be on that this year.

Luckily a friend is meeting me there so when i need the ladies room etc then she can look after my boy, but i don't like to leave him on the bench on his own(never do at other champ shows, we sit be the ringside), so many people walking past can cause him stress by trying to pet him etc when maybe he is not happy with this.(Saw this with some un-named breeds last year, they were clearly stressed, owners no where near and they were causing a racket to anyone who dared to walk past them.)

I hadn't thought about the protestors and what they may / may not do. I don't leave my dogs unattended but prefer them to be crated as I feel they are more relaxed and safe from prods and pokes.

I think that is a great idea having an area where Joe Public cannot gain access, for benching and grooming. Nothing worse than spending ages grooming then someone comes along and ruffles them all up, especially with sticky fingers!!

I will take along soft crates as they are far easier to carry but will have one metal cage with me  as my veteran chews his way out of the soft ones....sense doesn't always come with age!

I don't want to panic people, but if PETA(& that's who is behind the protests)do infiltrate Crufts, crates-even metal ones will not protect your dogs & only having someone constantly with them will protect tham. PETA have stolen dogs from locked crates & vehicles in the States

Well I will only be doing Discover dogs this year, not showing, so can ensure someone is with the gang, as either I or now OH will be with them.

I will have 3 of the girls with me on the Sunday for anyone who wants to say hello.

I have read that there will be protests on Sunday 8th, so be cautious all. 
I'm not going to be in the country so will sadly miss this years Crufts and may never get to another should I fly my UK nest!
Best of luck to all who are showing though.

does anyone know the widest soft crate you can fit in a benching area? ive never used the bench before at a champ show, usually sit ringside. my mum is coming with me so there will always be one of us with the boy. wouldnt dream of leaving him alone anywhere.

There are regulations for the minimum width of benches for any breed.  Certainly we have had benches too narrow to fit a crate on that my breed would be happy in.

I use a bench front/top they fit all benches and are light to carry.

Ah but what happens if the neighbouring bench users also want to use them?  How do you attach more than one?

what is a bench front/top? sorry!

There you go
http://www.haveadogday.co.uk/shop/article_BF-001/Bench-Front-_-Top.html?sessid=InEkVQiAJev1MxtGbWOGjxR4yNNFyX7Y48Cl41Gk1tqH0LqHYXxRacIRiRPHHyu9&shop_param=cid%3D15%26aid%3DBF-001%26

Does what it says on the tin :-D

up the front and over the top so in effect making a crate from the existing bench set up :)

thanks :)  do many people use these?

> have read that there will be protests on Sunday 8th, so be cautious all. 

Can i ask where you have got this information from, as it is very worrying for myself and others who will be there on sunday. There is no way i intend to leave my dog on his own anyway, but all the same its not good and PETA protestors have caused a lot of problems in the past

These people have organised a demo.

never come accross that but it shouldnt be too difficult as you can edge them back/forward/up/down a bit so it wouldnt be a problem.  I would worry using a crate as a larger dog could possibly tip it off.

not many people use crates in my breed but ive seen others use the bench fronts, I use one purely because my boy likes to sit up which he wouldnt be able to do in a crate.

> These people have organised a demo.

"Why not organise a 'Scruffs' event to raise funds"

Do these people not know about Scrufts? Isn't it on during Discover Dogs at Earls Court? *rolling eyes smiley needed*

'working & Pastoral' (animals should not be slaves)

I've never heard such tosh in my life, if a dog doesn't want to work it won't, you can't forse them lol my goodness these people really don't think do they?

We have a thread devoted to that already, Gemma :-)

Well I will only be doing Discover dogs this year, not showing, so can ensure someone is with the gang, as either I or now OH will be with them.

I will have 3 of the girls with me on the Sunday for anyone who wants to say hello.

Shall have to come say hello, as will be there on the sunday for shopping and BIS, saves trying to do everything on the hound day.

This issue has been raised a couple of years ago in the dog press - just as soft crates were starting to be used more - as the wording in the schedule seemed to indicate they might not be allowed. The Crufts committee responded by issueing an announcement that their was NO problem with using soft crates as long as they fit on the bench. I have used mine at Crufts without any problems every year since 2000.

K

I have just phoned the kennel club on 020 7518 1055 and they have confirmed that soft crates are allowed.

> I will have 3 of the girls with me on the Sunday for anyone who wants to say hello.
>

I will be there showing on Sunday, love DD so will try and pop over to say hello if i can.

I think someone on our dachsie forum has come up with an excellent idea - team up with the person next to you on the benches and do shifts.  Something I will be investigating.

This is why we go up 2 days, one for shopping and one for showing.  When showing we know most of the people benched around us so there is always someone there.

That is what I tend to do now, as I never get a chance to leave the dogs when showing, one year I didn't go to loo or drink anything all day.  Went to the loos on way in and out in the Car Parks.

After the attention my yellow bitch was getting on her bench at Crufts last year (as flattering as that was, she was knackered), and as I will be alone this time and helping others in the ring I asked for a recomendation and have now ordered a crate from Dog health/stock nutrition - £35 with a carry strap. They will deliver in a couple of days so if you are thinking of getting one act soon! (Worth it for the peace of mind.)