Is it possible to make it through Crufts without being completely shattered by the end of it?
I'm going to be there three of the days, have clients on two of the days and will be brining some (probably very jet-lagged) American friends along with me. Last year I had fewer clients and didn't stay for full days, and I'm still getting abuse for falling asleep on one of the benches on the sunday.
I anyone can provide some insight into making it through Crufts and still being able to get out of bed on monday morning, it would be much appreciated. This goes for humans and dogs.

Always take the Monday off work!! That's always been my hubby's rule, except this year he hasn't bothered as he will be on a late shift on the Monday so won't have to be up early. We're going 3 days in a row as well. Takeaways when you come home each evening to speed things up and to bed as quickly as possible! The worst part is the dogs that are left at HOME as they won't be worn out, unlike the ones that are with you.

I wear comfy clothes, lots of layers as it can get stuffy, change into smart if showing, & comfy shoes. Keep hydrated. Try to get a few early nights in the week before and take Pharmaton capsules which are multivit/minerals/ginseng, seems to work for me especially on the drive home!

Take an expandable backpack - it's much easier than a trolley.

Make yourself sit down & take a break every couple of hours (set an alarm on your phone so you don't forget).

This year I am taking my little scooter for getting from the car park to the halls - otherwise it's quite a long walk & you could be saving your feet for more shopping!!

Either eat early or late - otherwise there are ridiculous queues.

Buy a programme & mark on the map stalls you want to return to - otherwise you face a frustrating & tiring walk round trying to find them again . . . (could also use the voice recording function on your phone).

Personally I find it much easier to separate from my companions when I am looking round & then arrange a time to meet for a coffee & compare spoils.

I've just re-read this & realise that I am treating Crufts just as a shopping experience - think I might have missed the point . . .

Depends if you are going home each night, I'd be wanting a flask of coffee there each day and my own food, saves queuing. Also take your own chair so you can sit when you want, the fold up camping type.

If you can bring yourself to do it a nice hot bath at the end of each day to get you some sleep :-)

Get yourself regular breaks to the outside for some fresh air, it'll help. It maybe the smokers areas but at least you can get your dogs some too, I walk away from those smoking and take a few good deep breaths

Won't be able to take Monday off unfortunately (no rest for the wicked!) but will definitely be bringing lots of water, chairs and our own food. Any tips on keeping the dogs from burning out? One of the dogs I'm handling will be brought to the show by her owner. Her owner won't put her in a crate, but she stresses and gets bored very easily and her breed is being judged after another breed. Have never really had this issue before as all of mine are crate trained and have always had crate trained clients so getting them to relax during a long day has never been an issue.

I never liked crates and purchased one for the first time for mine last year at Crufts, she took to it very well, I just covered it and left a bowl of water.. Can't this owner do it just for this show? Or just sit with the dog? They really need to rest don't they, so allowing them to see everything and remain wide awake won't help if its 2nd in the ring, they however can arrive slightly later from the paperwork which was sent out..
Get toilet breaks outside for the dogs, fresh air for all, can't go far but just being in cleaner air does help!!

I'm there on a trade stand for 4 days plus set up tomorrow - by Sunday night breakdown will be running on adrenalin alone. 

>but she stresses and gets bored very easily and her breed is being judged after another breed.

What is the latest time for arrivals? If her breed is likely to be starting late then she needn't arrive very early, reducing the hours of hanging around.

Unfortunately her owner is unwilling to bend on this one. I have a crate she would fit in, but so far it's been a firm no. The owner will be sitting with the dog, but the breed is one that is very large and furry, plus a rare breed, so they tend to attract a lot of attention from spectators. Last year the poor dog hardly got a moment's peace. We also didn't get into the ring until about 4pm last year... fingers crossed it won't be so bad this year, but will definitely look into later entry. I think her owner was going to try to bring her as late as possible anyway.