Silly question maybe!  But who is it aimed at/best for etc?

Is it mainly for those who are trying to decide on a breed? 

Do people go who are already happy with their breed and are not looking to take on another?

I mean I know that there is tonnes of shopping to be done, but living 4 hours away and with the travelling both ways, car parking etc I wonder if I should just wait till Crufts.

It is aimed at ..........for..........

DOGLOVERS!!!!!!!!!!!

Whether you just want to have your favourite breed fix, to looking for possible new breeds to add to your family.

Anything and everything doggy.

It's aimed more towards the pet people, main attraction is discover dogs itself for those either looking for a new breed or interested at looking and learning about other breeds.  It is also quite geared up for crossbreeds with Scrufts, CDC etc etc.  The YKC handling compeitions are also for crossbreeds and no kc breed reg dogs only.  With many compeition and displays aswell.

However I wouldn't say it has tons of shopping.  There never seems much to me, not compared to Crufts!  If you really want to go then it's worth it (and possibly worth going down by train insted of car as parking is expensive, let alone cost of fuel.)

Then again if it's DD or Crufts I would say choose Crufts.

Thanks guys, think I shall probably give it a miss.  Was thinking if I didn't go I would make the trip to LKA instead but now not so sure again, might just hang on for Crufts :)

Thanks again.

I go every year and really enjoy it.  I have only one dog, a Cavalier and not looking for another but do love to spend time on all the stands admiring all the breeds.  :) 

Have to agree that the shopping is ok but not wonderful especially last year.  Having said that am going again on Sunday.  Can't wait :)

For anyone going to Discover Dogs this year don't forget to sign the anti puppy farming and retail of dogs and puppies from shops petition. The petition will be on the Our Dogs stand and the people organising the demos outside the stores will be there to speak to as well.

I am going for the first time and really looking forward to it. I am hoping there might be chinese crested there. I am going by coach and have just bought my tickets online to collect when I get there. The dog club I belong to has organised this so dont have to pay for the coach only tickets.

I went to Crufts for the first year and was totally blown away. First because of so many Cockers in one place, I learnt so much and people were so nice to me. Second I fell for an Italian Spinole - what a character. Third shopping I did spend on harnesses, bungy type leads and grooming stuff. This year we are going to the Pastoral day so OH can see his Border's and Im going shopping again. We booked a nice hotel a five minute walk to the station and a second night to recover and then home next day - I looked around the discover dogs there woundrful and already have my tickets for 2009! I have tickets for BInS as well as a treat for OH.

Anybody going on Saturday is welcome to come and say hello, we will be on the Tibetan Mastiff stand until 13.30.
Jeff.

I will be there both days. Plenty going on in the main arena as well as all the dog booths to see and of course, the shopping. I am taking plenty of bottles of water and packets of throat sweets as talking dogs for 2 days solid takes its toll !

I will be on the Large Munsterlander stand on Sunday morning helping my friend out with her 5 :)

Hi Whistler,

I assume that you met a Spinone :) yes they are great characters :) I am glad you got sucked in by them that is what happened to me too lol.

i be there alday sunday on the spainsh water dogs and poping over to the flatcoatd retrievers

If you want to see a dog show proper and get lots of proper dogs stuff aimed at dog people then I would go to LKA.

Will be going some time over the weekend.

I'd love to go but with working at 3 i don't think i'll have the time to get there and back and sort out our dogs as well.
Shame, will have to do it all at Crufts instead.

don't forget Discover Dogs is also at Crufts - all the breeds will have a stand and dogs available for snuggling ;)

>If you want to see a dog show proper and get lots of proper dogs stuff aimed at dog people then I would go to LKA

totally agree Brainless!  Crufts without the Cr*p ;)   - How Crufts ought to be ;) (IMHO)

> totally agree Brainless!  Crufts without the Cr*p ;)   - How Crufts ought to be ;) (IMHO

Also your more likely to shop as you can do all your dog related Christmas shopping. :)

> dog people then I would go to LKA

So when and where is LKA?

NEC just like Crufts but on Friday and Saturday 12th and 13th December

Just come back from discover dogs for the first time. Absoultly brilliant day, I would have said hi to those of you who were on stands if I had read posts first,but hi any way. I really enjoyed myself lots of dogs to cuddle have met new breeds and added some possibilities for the future. Spent ages at the poms,thanks if the gentleman I spoke to happens to read this and also the chi,s and flatties who I bothered for ages. Also got some chrisse pressies. Lady on perfect pets sold me some great cards all cartoons and doggie slogans, worth a look if you are going.( hope I am allowed to say that)
Would definitely recommend to anyone looking at getting a dog and wanting to see different breed and get info.

i bet the flatties licked you to death,and were happy to see you.

oh yes and I really miss having one I tried to hijack one but he just wouldnt fit in my pocket lol, but there is always the future !!

Great breed the Pom's and more intelligent than many people give them credit for!

I think so to, as a result of yesterday and this is not a knee jerk reaction to meeting them I have now decided definitly that my future needs a flattie, a pom and a long haired chi.Not sure where I am going to find the money and space though lol
Interesting as someone said meeting all the different breeds does make you change your mind about which is right for you.
I love the huskys and mals but know I would not be the right owner for them.

I try to this at every show I go to, note to santa jacket with BIG pockets please. I think I will deffinatley be adding a flattie to my lot at some point in the next 5 years, love them.

I think that the only downside to DD is that you find many more breeds which you like and then your list increases to what you want to add to your pack. It could be dangerous - well for me anyway.

I already have a list thats big enough, all being large breeds of dogs.. Now to find the money, space and time to fit them all in...

> I think that the only downside to DD is that you find many more breeds which you like and then your list increases to what you want to add to your pack. It could be dangerous - well for me anyway.
>

LOL, yes me too. My list is way too long as it is :)
Have not been to DD, only Crufts.

Just got back from Discover Dogs and had a great time.  I spent some time on the Australian Cattle Dog stand with my friend and the rest of the time looking at all the wonderful dogs and shopping for my Cavalier.  Bliss

i love D/D.bought to much.
WHAT a joy to take gollie she just sold the breed,with her gentle manor delay back temperment always homed into the kids where she new she was getting a cuddle,from them,
the good part of today was a young boy was scarced of dogs.he made friends with gollie and sat with her for 1/2 hour untill mum /dad let go and look at the other dogs with in hour he was back sitting again cuddling her the off he went he said i be back to said goodbye at 4.30 he was back saying goodbye to gollie walking down the isle shouting out bye goliie bye gollie.this broke my heart and a tear in the eye,
then the funny side she home into another person and daughter chatting away then this person spoke i thought i know this voice,very well know actor,the daughter was sitting in the middle of the floor again cuddling her. {daughter in her 20,}

this whats it all about enjoying your breed and what activety you do with them.and telling storys to the public.
this is when the paper and tv covers should be stating the good reason as well and the enjoyment what a dog can bring i just hope that D/D did this weekend.

We had a great time too, were shortlisted to the final 5 of the Waggy Tail class on Saturday which was really cool! Unfortunately someone hit my car on the way home and it's probably written off, but it all adds excitement (need the rolleyes smiley)

Lovely post Terri :)

Lucydogs: Oww!! are you all ok?

But Terri, surely the highlight of your day was me saying hello to you !!!!! ;)

god yes forgot that one that was excitement beacuse you said hello to me first
see i didnt bit,
take care

Had a good day too. It was not too crowded which was great.
Got my dogs coats which I have been searching for and a couple of other Xmas pressies.

I know what you mean about adding to the list. There was the most beautiful Hungarian Vizla, Amber, she was an absolute beauty I wanted to steal her.
I wish I had got a name of the breeder. For future referance LOL

As we were watching the owners pup got a RBIS so it was great fabulous dogs we both want one.

Had agreat time at d/d. Found the chinese crested and am even more besotted now. Got a cuddle and a picture too. I also really enjoyed the displays especially the golden retriever one.

> I wish I had got a name of the breeder. For future referance

If you have a quick look around breeders websites you may spot her or you could try sending a mail to the breed club.   Many years ago I wanted to send a thank you note to someone at DD Crufts and the breed club pointed me in the right direction.  Worth a try anyway

I didn't think there was any conformation showing at Discover dogs other than handling and Scrufts????

There was the JW competition

I think whistler is talking about Crufts :)

Hi Vera, yes all ok, just miffed at another car probably written off. At least the hire car has been very quick to arrange (though not sure whether it is from our insurance, other insurance, or what!) to won't be stranded. Had to walk to work and back in pouring rain today. :-(

> There was the most beautiful Hungarian Vizla, Amber, she was an absolute beauty I wanted to steal her.
> I wish I had got a name of the breeder. For future referance LOL

I found the chaps name he was actually interviewed by Mr KAne and Amber was shown in show One Discover Dogs shown on sky TV !!. I will search this breeder now!