Hello,

I have decided not to take my dog to Crufts this year, does anyone know if I can still get in with my exhibitor pass without him? Thanks!

Yes, no problem, many people do it.

Yes, as I may well be doing so if Inka comes in season, and hubby and I will be going with just one dog.

Great, thank you very much!

Ah such a shame! Mine is totally out of coat sadly, not even a wisp to work with! Still, very much looking forward to enjoying Crufts without the worry of having a dog, I don't like leaving them for long so it'll be nice to be able to relax and spend way too much money on pressies for them! :)

Thanks for asking, I'd been wondering about this too

> enjoying Crufts without the worry of having a dog, I don't like leaving them for long so it'll be nice to be able to relax and spend way too much money on pressies for them!

We opted to do this last year as I had decided not to take my qualified dog BUT it was cheaper to enter him and get the free handlers pass than to pay 2 entry fees for people!  My mother in law was at home looking after the woofs and OH and I went shopping, and shopping, and shopping.  Despite the crowds, a rather relaxing day all in all

This year it's the early start that might do me in as we are first in the ring...

Would you not be fined or something for not bringing an entered dog?

Of course not -a bitch may have come into season, a dog may have become lame or otherwise unwell etc.

> Would you not be fined or something for not bringing an entered dog?

No, they are more than happy with the entry money and there are lots of reasons why a dog might not be there.  Absentees are common and if you own a bitch you can pretty much guarantee to miss at least one champ show a year (seasons, breeding, coat etc)!!  I've missed the odd show if my dog isn't well but this was the only time I entered knowing I probably wouldn't bring the dog but even then I was keeping my options open in case I changed my mind

No, there are so many reasons why a dog would not be able to be shown when entries are made so far in advance, and in the end they have your money, as you don't get a refund.

Bitches come in season (though there is nothing in the show rules to prevent you taking an in season bitch to a show, you won't make friends that way) dogs loose their coats, go lame, sadly some even die (had that happen for a Bath championship show with my first dog of another breed).

Then of course there are reasons to stop the exhibitor getting there, anything from Traffic to car breakdowns to any other unforeseen event.

I am positive I have been told by people in Irish show circles that if you fail to attend a show you can be 'banned' from entering the next two or something along those lines. Good to hear it's not so rigid as I have always wondered what happens if someone gets sick/traffic etc.

All you need is snow and lots of exhibitors will be absent. I will never forget Boston championship show 2010 -it had snowed a fair bit and there was a BIG hoohaa about the show not being cancelled with all sorts of accusations flying about. Me being a Swede told my husband that he couldn't possibly be wimpy enough to NOT take us to the show because of a bit of snow, so off we set at a snail's pace -took 3 times longer than normal to get there. On the motorway only one lane was passable. I had failed to take the fact into account that in Sweden you'd have snow tires, and our car here didn't have any! When we arrived nobody but us in the breed had managed to get there, but thankfully the judge had and she was so happy somebody had made it.  We didn't know her then at all but she has since become a very good friend, all because we went to that show. :) Not that I'd blame anyone for staying at home if it snows!!

> I am positive I have been told by people in Irish show circles that if you fail to attend a show you can be 'banned' from entering the next two or something along those lines. Good to hear it's not so rigid as I have always wondered what happens if someone gets sick/traffic etc.

It may or may not be like that over in Ireland but it is not like that in UK. It is your choice to attend or not & like others have said, there are many reason why someone may not be able to get to a show, after they have entered.

I fully agree which is why I always found what i had heard about Ireland very odd!

I will never forget Boston championship show 2010

Remember that well, I was supposed to be stewarding but although the road outside our property was clear there was no way I could get the car off the drive and after an hour and a half gave up as I knew the car park would close at 9.00 and there was no way I was going to get there.

Also remember a time when exhibitors had to spend the night at the NEC can't remember if it was Crufts or LKA.

> Also remember a time when exhibitors had to spend the night at the NEC can't remember if it was Crufts or LKA.

That was LKA, think it was 1991.

> Also remember a time when exhibitors had to spend the night at the NEC can't remember if it was Crufts or LKA.
> That was LKA, think it was 1991.

Yes, it was the same time as the clothes show if i'm not mistaken

I now have to go without my dog as she has come in to season. I am very disapointed but I will still enjoy shopping and soporting my breed at ringside.  What i want to know is, do i still park in the exsibiter car park and use the same way inn, or do i now have to go to the main doors and visiters carpark?

No still use the car park you would have...whenever I go 'under my own steam', I park in south car park wether I have a dog or not...

Park wherever you would normally. :-)

do i still entre the halls the same way to ? thanks :)

If you are entering as an exhibitor - albeit without your dog this time - you can use the same car park, same doors etc as you would have done with your dog.  OR you can go in with the 'people scrum' in the main entrance if you wish :)

thanks all :)

An exhibitor pass (with or without your dog) also gets you into the halls a lot earlier than the general public with ordinary passes.

Inka, not sure who told you that buts its complete rubbish!! Its up to you whether you attend or not, once you are entered you can decide whether you choose to attend on the day or not.
Some dogs come into season, are sick, lame etc so they cant show on the day, but there is no such rule at all. Sure how would they police something like that anyway?

Many dogs dont turn up for one reason or another the day of a show.

But with regard to it being a rule in Ireland, its not, so no worries there.

Id really love to know where people come up with this rubbish??

Thank you! I thought it was the maddest thing I'd ever heard! Glad to hear it's not true. I had never seen it mentioned on a schedule anyway thank god.