It would seem that we're going to be Fogled again.
I found this on the BBC website when I searched for Crufts 2008
I'm afraid I don't know how to add a link.

Here is a bit I cut'n'pasted from the producers blog.

"our presenting team of Clare Balding, Ben Fogle, Matt Baker, Frank Kane, Wayne Cavanaugh, Peter Purves and Jessica Holmes"

It will spoil my viewing pleasure for sure.

Would somebody please add the link for me just in case I've got the wrong end of the stick.

http://www.crufts.org.uk/item/49/264/5/3 Here you go

i read this in dog world today.
it also lists the programming times for the four days.

Reading the link it SEEMS like Clare Balding is going to be the lead presenter with 'pretty boy' just doing bits and pieces and the 'family' extra bit ......thank Dog.
Chris

Thanks Bodhi  :-)

I'll be so  pleased if Clare B is to do the serious stuff - she treats the thing like a 'sport' like any other sport rather than a joke.

ya know what I really hope, is that there is a larger coverage of the terrier day, ok in particular my breed - draws such a huge crowd every year!

The coverage will probably be the same as in years gone by ----- crap------ very rarely ever see my breed, ++++ its not fair+++++ sob !!! sob!!! and I sit glued to the t.v.  when its terrier day.

If only they would spend even half of the time they spend on frivolity - on the dogs. I'm sick of the silly gadgets and doggie clothes etc etc.
As I've said before, if the tv coverage of Wimbledon or the FA cup were filled with such silly c**p, the BBC would be for the high jump!!

Completely agree Tooolz! I find those bits so boring and feel like they are mocking dog owners in general! Its about time it was taken seriously. I watched coverage of the Birmingham show recently and although the presenter seriously needed to swot up on her breeds, they focused a lot more on the actual showing.

Does anyone know if there's a preview programme the week before ? They usually do one featuring the top winning dogs from the year.

According to the link above Alice there isnt going to be a seperate Preview show this year but there will be a feature in The One Show on the Wednesday evening 5th March.

Oops sorry, I missed that link, my glasses are in the car :-) Will have to remember to watch The One Show then. Thanks for that!

ooohhh I like the preveiw show, kinda gets me all geared up and ready for crufts and builds up all the excitment

Three cheers for Claire Balding!! (and get rid of the Fogle idiot all together!)

> our presenting team of Clare Balding, Ben Fogle, Matt Baker, Frank Kane, Wayne Cavanaugh, Peter Purves and Jessica Holmes"
>
> It will spoil my viewing pleasure for sure.

noo! strange plasticky man! ah well, i shall be there this year instead (bounces about a bit).

Im not lucky enough to be going to crufts :( so it looks like I will have to endure Ben Fogle if I want to watch it.

wow, just looked at some of the numbers of entrants for each breed...some breeds theres way more than i;d have expected- chinese crested 156 compared to GSD 146? would have thought the GSD would be one of the bigger groups...

It can be quite surprising the breeds that have high entries at shows or even respectable ones are often not the ones with high registration statistics.  Only goes to show the vast majority of the common breeds are not bred for show or work, just churned out to supply a market not for breed improvement/maintenance.

How often do you see whippets when you walk your dogs yet they are one of the most numerous entry wise in the hound group as are Beagles and mini long dachs, yet you don't see these often.

The biggest entry should be in Labradors if the registration and entry figures were in proportion.

> How often do you see whippets when you walk your dogs

fairly frequently but thats because my sis has one lol- though you don;t see much more than a flash of bluey grey as she streaks past you...

i see your point, its concerning isn;t it? i was really surprised by the numbers of some breeds, some of the very unusual ones have quite high figures! which is great, get to see new breeds when  go :) disappointed i won;t get to meet your lovely curly tails barbara :( i should've booked the sunday...

I wish they would have more coverage from around the ring sides especially on the gundog day

Well they are not far off being the highest entry Barbara they are only beaten by the Golden Retrievers this year. However going back to the GSD's unfortunately they are a breed that has a very wide divide in the types being shown and exhibitors only show under judges  that they know prefer their particular type.

Yep I know the Lab entry is huge, but the number bred and registered was 45,079 in 2007, higher than that for the whole of the rest of the groups, . 

Hound group Total for 2007 15,025,
Terrier group Total for 2007 41,645,
Working group Total for 2007  28,030,
Pastoral group Total for 2007 20,963,
Utility group Total for 2007 32,148,
Toy group total for 2007 29,612

Yes wasnt really saying that it was in proportion to the numbers registered really, just a flippent comment that they were nearly the top entry ;-)

oh I realise that but when you look at the one breeds registrations and realise that they are more than each of the other groups it is a staggering thought.

I'd like to know where all these Labradors are as i ceertainly don't see them as the main breed when I walk the streets or parks.

Quite a few of the Labs are bouncing around our park and our training club, so are the GSDs! :-)

I think I know exactly where alot of these labradors are as I know quite a few of the top kennels and know what they do with them when they are not showing them so is it any wonder they are not seen around the streets and parks lol