Hi is there a time that we have to be on our benches by @ Crufts? some people are saying you have to be there before 11.30 (our breed is in the ring at 8.30) so people with bitches can arrive later, is that correct? I always thought we had to have our dogs "on show" the whole day??
paula xx

>people with bitches can arrive later, is that correct?

Yes. :-)

Great :-) do you know exactly what time is the latest time we can arrive by?
Paula xxx

But remember the later you are the more difficult it can be to park. Don't let the carpark staff send you out to the North car park as it can take half an hour to walk back and there are no buses.

I am afraid the only thing that goes on our benches are my bags and baggage !! The benches in my mind are a dangerous thing, My big girls do not like to be squashed up and the benches would need to be twice the length to accomodate Merlot at full strech. The place is hot anyway and heavy coated dogs need a good air flow round them. far better to lay on the cold floor. I have girlies who will sleep all night on the coldest of nights layed out on the tiles in my unheated conservatory....beds are provided as are rugs but they choose the cold tiles. I have seen more than one dog slip of the edge of a bench and hurt themselves...not something I want to risk thanks !
I think as long as you are in the building by 12 noon at the latest you should not have a problem. Never given it a thought actually. I usually plan to be there by about 11am or before. I too have bitches and we will not be on before lunch.
Aileen

I checked this in the schedule a few weeks back when planning my train trip and I think it says 12 and I don't recall any mention of a difference for a dog or bitch. I'm sure someone will check for you shortly!

"No dog will be admitted after 12 noon". Anyone planning to arrive late best bear in mind that it can take a LONG time to get from the car parks to the halls, especially later in the day.

Thanks folks! Goldmali I searched through the catalogue (on line version) and couldn't find that bit of info so thanks. :-)
Paula xx

It's right at the back of the schedule Paula, takes ages to find. :) You'd think they'd reprint it in the info that comes with the passes really as it is so easy to miss!

Thanks :-) I was on page 118 when I asked on here and after you said it was right at the back I continued on and its was on page 134 lol
Paula xx

It always used to be you had to arrive before 12pm, as one year I came by train and it didn't arrive at Birmingham national until just after and I phoned up to get permission.

i think its also stupid when your not allowed to leave till 4pm i,m going with my dog on the train and my return time is 5 past 3  our judging will be well over by then so cant see why we have to wait

> so cant see why we have to wait

Because it's an exhibition and people pay a high fee to come through the gate to see the dogs.

It used to be 5pm, ans before that I think even 8pm.  it's only due to Discover Dogs I think that we get to go sooner, and to some extent to ease the traffic congestion.

personally I find it better to leave at about 5.30 pm when the mass exodus has occurred, as often all you end up doing is sitting in traffic.  Later if your on Thursday or Friday.

personally I find it better to leave at about 5.30 pm when the mass exodus has occurred, as often all you end up doing is sitting in traffic.

Exactly!! I'd never leave at 4, I'd rather sit comfortably inside and speak to friends than be stuck in traffic in the car.

It's so easy being a dog exhibitor really -imagine showing cats where you MUST stay until 5 pm at EVERY show! And all judging starts at 10 am so no late arrival ever! (In fact most shows you need to arrive at about 8.30 am to ave time for the vet check, sorting your pen out and grooming etc.) So I can easily live with one dog show a year where you may have to stay a bit later. :)

Thank you so much for posting this, as ive been trying to find this information for ages. Could have sworn i had seen 11am before but couldnt find it anywhere.
:-)

Merlot - some one told me that they are checking to ensure all dogs are on the benches and not the floor this year :-(

Well I shall be thrown out then !

They will never be able to enforce it as so many have cages on the floor. No difference as far as I am concerned. Chinese whispers I expect. :-)

I hope so,although I saw the press release about cages not being allowed unless they were on the bench - which is impossible in my breed too :-(

> i,m going with my dog on the train and my return time is 5 past 3  our judging will be well over by then so cant see why we have to wait

I'm sure if you went to the secretary's office they will give you permission to leave early for your train :)

I don't really mind having to wait to leave, Crufts wouldn't be Crufts with out the General Public, it wouldn't attract the amount of stall holders with out them and it would just be like any other show.

We should all embrace the GP who attend Crufts, especially at a time where show dogs are in the lime light for the wrong reasons

Good luck to all :) Win or not just be proud to be there

>Crufts wouldn't be Crufts with out the General Public, it wouldn't attract the amount of stall holders with out them and it would just be like any other show.

And how much nicer it would be! :-) :-)

Ill be thrown out with you then Merlot!! I hate leaving dogs on benches so mine will be with me!

> I don't really mind having to wait to leave

No, nor me.  It's not my favourite dog show - that's WELKS and Bath - but I do like the 'event' aspect of it, and I was visiting Crufts long before I had a dog to show there!    I just wish I could reasonably afford the time and travel costs to attend twice, once to shop, and again with my woof :)

And how much nicer it would be! :-) :-)

Without the stalls? No way. I don't think I'd bother entering then, might as well go to any other champshow. It's the trade stands and the other activities like DD etc that makes Crufts what it is.

I hate Crufts for the showing aspect...far too many of JP wandering round the benching areas. Now if they excluded JP from the benches but allowed them round the rings it would be much better for all. I quite understand that Crufts is different and love the hub bub and bustle of the stalls etc.. but I do think that exhibitors could be given the pleasure of having a safer quieter benching area to prepare dogs without lots of people trudging up and down. I find with my large breed that groming can be a problem as to a lot of the public the dogs are "In the way" more then once I have been given the evil eye by a family with 2 - 3 kids trying to squeeze through a crowded benching isle, after all the space is not huge ! The thrill of the show for JP should be the showing I would have thought? I know lots of people go looking for a breeder but lets face it the benches at a hectic show are not the best place to vet anyone..breeder or prospective owner. If someone is looking for a breeder the best thing to do at Crufts is to watch the dogs in the ring, pick the ones you like the look of and mark them in your catalogue and contact the breeder at a less stressful time.
I do not use the benches for putting my dogs on but they are our "base" for grooming, relaxing between classes, eating etc.. It is a long and tiring day for the dogs and they need time out on or at the benches for resting.
Aileen

>Now if they excluded JP from the benches but allowed them round the rings it would be much better for all.

I agree - much nicer, and safer too. You don't get the public wandering round the stables at the Horse of the Year Show, so why at Crufts?

I imagin that the old "Elf and safty Guv" comes in at the HOY show and the distinct possibility of non horsey folk getting kicked or bitten...but we have to put up with Non doggy savvy folk assumning every dog wants a cuddle ! it will take a nasty incident before the Crufts powers that be see the light ! :-(
Aileen

> We should all embrace the GP who attend Crufts, especially at a time where show dogs are in the lime light for the wrong reasons

Spot on!  There are many shows but Crufts is the showcase to the public.

I wouldn't want it to stop being a showcase but quiet benching areas without JP would be so much better for the dogs, and lets face it without the dogs there would be no Crufts !
Aileen

The whole point of benching areas is to offer a show case of the exhibits which is why the KC would like dogs to remain on them.

That's what Discover Dogs is for. There's no need at all for the public to be allowed access to the benching areas.

> That's what Discover Dogs is for.

That's not showcasing breeders exhibits which is what the benches are all about.

The showring is for showcasing exhibits. ;-) They can talk to the exhibitors they want to talk to at the ringside. Again, no need to go into the benching area.

The benches are where a breeder has all their dogs together even those not for competion.  What do you think a benched show is for?

>The benches are where a breeder has all their dogs together

Not all exhibitors are breeders, of course! Benches are so that exhibitors have a safe place to store their dogs and belongings (the same way horses are allocated a stable/box at the Horse of the Year Show, or at races), to make it easier for them to access their ring (can you imagine the chaos with large numbers of dogs all higgledy-piggledy and anywhere in an area the size of the NEC? Hopeless!), and to make general organisation easier.

The showring is for showcasing exhibits

This is what I feel as well. Dog shows are the only shows I know of where the public are allowed in an area strictly meant for preperation of exhibits....The dogs are the most important thigns here and I think they need a quieter area (Benches) for relaxing. Otherwise they have to be "On duty" all day long. The dogs in DD are often changed through the day to give them a rest. DD is there for new owners to be to ask all the questions they like about the breeds. I have no problem with people chatting round the rings but when I am getting a dog ready for the ring then I need to give it my full attantion. It is not the best place to stand and chatter.
I stand by my opinion " Make benching areas free from the public"
Aileen

That's not showcasing breeders exhibits which is what the benches are all about.

So the public will get something out of seeing rows and rows of covered cages will they? And sleeping dogs? With people sitting in front of them with bags of food and show stuff and shopping etc? That's what the benched areas are like at Crufts.

> can you imagine the chaos with large numbers of dogs all higgledy-piggledy and anywhere in an area the size of the NEC? Hopeless!

I don't think the World Dog Show is benched is it?

No - and did you read all the horrified comparisons (no space to put your crate, people missing classes because they couldn't find the ring etc) between it and a similar show here?

> Dog shows are the only shows I know of where the public are allowed in an area strictly meant for preperation of exhibits....

The benches are not for preparation, I know people do :) but there are seperate areas for that.  The benches are for exhibition.

> No - and did you read all the horrified comparisons (no space to put your crate, people missing classes because they couldn't find the ring etc) between it and a similar show here?

No, I didn't but then people moan about Crufts too :)

Because of the nuisance caused by the public around the benches! :-D

LKA, at the same venue but unknown to the public, is a very popular show for exhibitors.

I don't think the World Dog Show is benched is it?

No -and those of us that actually DO show at World Shows KNOW just what a terrible chaos that does create. (It would never have been allowed here due to the fire risk alone.) Definitely not something we'd like to see here.

Exactly, they should just accept that is what it is to publicly exhibit dogs :)
We have this row every year :)  It's the Kennel Club you need to speak to! :)

The benches are for exhibition.

Benches are for benching, that's why it's called benching and not exhibition......you exhibit in the ring, not anywhere else.

You compete in the ring.

>You compete in the ring.

You exhibit in the ring, even if you're the only one in your class, so there's no competition!

If you are the only one you are still awarding a position, usually first but not necessarily :)  Goodness knows who you are competing against but positions are still awarded!

The benches are not for preparation, I know people do  but there are seperate areas for that.  The benches are for exhibition.

Sorry Stooge but that statement is laughable...have you seen the size of the "grooming areas" at many champ shows ? in fact I cannot remember seeing grooming areas at crufts however I have not looked so may be wrong. If every dog had to be groomed in a specific area there would be no room at all. Many people with extensive grooming needs set up cages/tables etc.. and do not move all day (At gen champ shows) I assume this would be worse at Crufts, no way would you get all those dogs in grooming areas as it is there is a shortage of space in the beanching areas to put more grooming areas in would make matters worse. Every dog due in the ring in the next hour would be backed up in a grooming area !
Most people these days have covered cages if they bench thier dogs to keep inquisitive messy fingers out, and to give the dogs a little security to rest. This is not conducive to exhibiting of allowing the public to look at dogs, it's not a zoo but a dog show.The dogs are exhibited and showcased in the rings.Where do you (Or anyone) suggest we rest our dogs during a 10 hour day ?
I know it is the KC we need to lobby but you did join the discussion against the idea so it is only to be expected you will recieve the posts ! :-)

Aileen

> in fact I cannot remember seeing grooming areas at crufts

They are there. Invariably empty :)  People don't choose to use them but not sure why that makes my statement laughable.  It remains the fact that the benches are not intended for this use.

>I know it is the KC we need to lobby but you did join the discussion against the idea so it is only to be expected you will recieve the posts !

I don't mind at all as long as you understand I cannot grant your wishes :)

>Where do you (Or anyone) suggest we rest our dogs during a 10 hour day ?

I don't know.  What do you do at the moment?  You know the deal when you enter Crufts, this is not new, the public have always been there and in great numbers for several years.

People don't choose to use them but not sure why that makes my statement laughable.

Maybe it's because nobody in the world of dogs like to be told by people NOT breeding, NOT showing and in fact not even OWNING dogs, how we should act at dog shows........