It's our 1st time at Crufts :-).  Just wondering how busy the roads will be, I know busy.  If your hotel was 5 miles from the NEC, and your dog was in Junior (probably about 30 dogs in Vet and Pup before) and judging starts at 8.30, what time would you set off?  Does 7am sound about rigght?  I'd rather not be their ages before as she's not a big fan of being benched.  Also any other tips would be great!
Thanks Sam

depends on what day you are showing. Thursday/Friday the M42 round to the NEC is busy Saturday/Sunday not too bad. I would want to be at the show just before judging starts. Please also remember it takes a good 15 - 20 mins to get to your ring from the car park as well so take this into consideration. If it is your first time, 7.00 - 7.15  would be my advice, you also need to have time to relax, get to the loo, compose yourself before you step into the ring, the last thing you need is rushing at the beginning. Above all enjoy yourself, nothing beats that feeling stepping onto the big green ring at crufts for the first time. Good luck 

just looked at your photos, so you are the same day as me, Friday, definately busy then!!!! Great photos by the way, love the beach shot!!!!!

I always aim to be at the Nec just before the doors open (for exhibitors) that way, I get a reasonable parking space and don't have to walk miles with dogs and junk!! 

think its normally around the 7 - 730 mark!!!

Are you showing a bitch (you say "she's not a big fan of being benched)? Are dogs and bitches in your breed shown at the same time (in different rings, of course!)? In my breed dogs are shown first and bitches second, so bitch judging doesn't usually start till aftr lunch, giving you plenty of time!

What day are you showing, and where's your hotel?

Ottoman, pleased you like the photos.
Jeangenie, bitches and dogs are judged at the same time.  I'm showing on Friday, my hotel is the Yardley travel lodge, just off the M42 on the A45.
I will enjoy myself, I'm usually a nervous wreck until I get in the ring and then I calm!

Having stayed at Yardley on a weekday  for Crufts I would say about 7.30 and depending on which hall your in head for the west carpark as you then dont have the walk around the lake to get in.

Thanks Gillian, that helps.

Have I got it wrong, aren't our dogs supposed to be benched until 4 p.m? I'm aiming to get there for 6.30 - 7.00 a.m ....our judging starts at 8.00 a.m :-O

No dog entered in the breed classes can leave before 4pm (there's a mad rush on the dot!).

In my breed the bitch judging follows the dog judging - same judge, same ring. Other breeds with huge entries have separate judges and rings for the sexes.

Yes you are required to stay until 4pm however if the bitch isnt happy being benched as little as possible time before showing may affect her performance in the ring less. Afterwards when handler is more relaxed aswell they can spend their time keeping her happy on the bench. You can't control departure time you can lessen the stress before hand a little.

>You can't control departure time you can lessen the stress before hand a little

Ah........never thought of it like that :-)

what time are you leaving in the morning Jolene??

I am on the sunday and was aiming to get there for about 9am, we are second in the ring and there are 100 entries for the breed before us. Planning to leave at 6am

Lorri

We are leaving at 4.00 a.m :-O .............our judging starts at 8.00 a.m