Has anyone taken part, was just wondering what people thought of the experience.

I have done it - fun but tiring and it sometimes makes you dispare of the sense of the GP. Make sure your dog is bomb proof and allow it to rest at the back of the pen if it wishes. It is a good way to let people know everything about your breed warts and all.

Its a very long day, and the most people loving of dogs will get fed up of the strangers reaching over to stroke them and expecting them to pose with their ears just right every minute or so.  If you do it make sure there is at least 2, but ideally more of your breed their each day and that they have a covered crate to hide away in for a nap and a breather.  That way you can have the dogs out in shifts.  I had an 11 month old last time, and she loved it, but definately needed her cat naps.
Also make sure you have more than one person so that you can leave the dogs to go to the toilet, and generally just have a break yourself and go around the stalls/rings.

its great socialisation for the dogs - but very tireing .We have done it a few times at Earls Court and Birmingham

I've often dropped heavy hints, my boy now sadly gone would have loved it, and my girl would love it too, puppy is a little young yet. But sadly it's very clique-y in my breed, the same 2 clubs do it, one does Crufts the other does Earls Court, and it's the same people from the club each year with the same dogs, and nobody else gets a look in even if they are a member. *sigh*

I always enjoyed taking the dogs & they loved all the fuss too. The only downside is repeating yourself all the time and the heat in the halls.

Do it every year and really enjoy it -got to have the right dogs for it though and at least 2 so they can have a rest.

I did it last year at Crufts. Did 3 days. Loved it and so did my girl although she did require breathers every now and then so you def need more then 2 dogs in the pen. We did get asked to be on TV for a More 4 special and we also did a Ringcraft special in the small ring next to us which we came 3rd in so was quite pleased with that as there was over 40 reps from different breeds and groups.

Like others have said, the only downside is repeating yourself all the time and the common sense of the general public is shocking. Having said that though I'm going to be doing all 4 days this year. You can never have enough people helping out esp on the Saturday and Sunday when it's unbelievably busy. Clubs tend to struggle for help on the day their breed is being shown so that's most likely the best day to offer to lend a hand.

>I've often dropped heavy hints, my boy now sadly gone would have loved it, and my girl would love it too, puppy is a little young yet. But sadly it's very clique-y in my breed, the same 2 clubs do it, one does Crufts the other does Earls Court, and it's the same people from the club each year with the same dogs, and nobody else gets a look in even if they are a member. *sigh*

I know that feeling, I thought it might be refreshing to have someone like myself for a change who does stuff other than showing, I also thought it might be nice to have photos of our breed doing something other than in a show pose or lounging on a sofa *big sighs*

Thanks everyone. Our club do it on a voluntary basis with each day split into two. So we are doing the Sunday afternoon with my young male who will be 11 months old and our new little girl who we pick up in a couple of weeks. I've taken my boy to shopping villages to help socialize him from an early age so he should be fine, but will make sure we have a cage set up at back especially for little girl.

Please come over and say hello to us on the neapolitan mastiff stand.

Have fun.. I'd love the chance to have a go on the stand with my youngest, he loves to give an ear licking or two :-)

> I'd love the chance to have a go on the stand with my youngest, he loves to give an ear licking or two :-)

Ditto, my 18 month old boy is such a happy, kissy dog, he luuuuuuuurves attention, it'd be his perfect day all those people to drool over him & for him to actually drool over them lol :-D

I did it every year for about the first five years and intermittently since.

I love it, but I can talk the hind end off a donkey.

Very tiring and I found you need at least 3 or 4 dogs for the day as no matter how much they like being petted (mine love it) they do tire.

I did it for a few years; the breed club ask for volunteers and organise a rota so that people and dogs only need do a shift of 3 or 4 hours. Any longer than that and it becomes a real ordeal for some dogs (and people!).

I did it with my Yankee a couple of years back, I was slightly alarmed on arrival to find I was the only one there for practically the whole day, and I'm not an expert by any means. Like others have said it was very tiring for George, he was fine for the morning, bouncing up to say hi to everyone, but by the afternoon I wished I'd brought a metal crate instead of the lightweight fabric one so I could have put a bed on top so he could snooze and still be within reach. And everyone kept commenting on what a lovely placid dog he was and I had to keep saying that Yankees are a super breed but DON'T buy one thinking they're placid, this one's just knackered! :-p

I did offer to do it again any year, but have often noticed since then that the booth is empty, such a shame when people are willing to help.

> I did offer to do it again any year, but have often noticed since then that the booth is empty, such a shame when people are willing to help.

It is such a shame to see empty booths, I think there are a good few memebers of GP that go to Crufts to visit Discover Dogs in the search of the perfect breed for them.
I think the KC should impose fines (money goes to health funds though) on the Head Breed Club/Council if their booth is empty. It's not fair to advertise DD at Crufts but for some booths to be empty.

So we are doing the Sunday afternoon with my young male who will be 11 months old and our new little girl who we pick up in a couple of weeks.

If you mean a new puppy? the dogs have to be a full 6 calendar months old to be able to do DD at Crufts.

I think the KC should impose fines (money goes to health funds though) on the Head Breed Club/Council if their booth is empty. It's not fair to advertise DD at Crufts but for some booths to be empty.

I don't know what they do but they do do SOMETHING -the officials go round checking the booths are always manned and note down any that is either late in turning up or left empty.

> I don't know what they do but they do do SOMETHING -the officials go round checking the booths are always manned and note down any that is either late in turning up or left empty.

Oh yes I have seen the officials walking round taking notes etc but do the KC actually do anything on the back of that?!?!
I've never read or heard of any clubs getting in trouble but would be interesting to find out has anything be done in the past.