Does anyone know what Channel it is covered by ?

Channel 4, I think.

A mixture of More4 and Channel 4.

According to Sky:
Thursday More4 6:30pm-9pm
Friday More 4 6:30pm-7:30pm then C4 7:30pm-9pm
Saturday C4 7pm-9pm
Sunday C4 7pm-9pm

Thank you both ..

Thank You for that. I'd only set and series linked it for More 4.
I've now set Channel 4 as well.

http://www.eukanuba.co.uk/crufts - apparently live streaming.

The live stream is actually really good, as you can rewind it to any point in the day and watch the part of crufts you're interested in.

The live stream is great, but dear lord that More 4 presenter is useless! I think Clare is back tomorrow or Saturday thank goodness.

It was Lisa Tarbuck. I thought she was a strange choice but seemed harmless!

Yes it was Lisa Tarbuck - I thought she was OK - she is quite good on the radio, nice way with her.  I presume Lucy when you said Clare is back, you mean the wonderful C.  Balding?

Thankfully I recorded and was able to fastforward the parts where Liza Tarbuck was attempting to present. She is awful! Cant wait for Clare Balding to be back!

Yes the wonderful Clare Balding, love her commentaries! Don't think I've seen a single good thing said about poor Lisa on the Crufts facebook page, everyone wants Clare back!

I think she was out her depth but there is no doubt she really does love dogs which I think came over

I just wish there was more judging and less " fluff ", totally pig sick of FfL now.

I am only watching the really "fluffy" Crufts coverage because I can't be there this year.  It really feels like the KC are trying to sideline the pedigree dog!  Fly ball bores me rigid!

Am watching a bit of Crufts. I must confess ignorance as I've never been to a dog show.
Is Lisa Tarbuck the presenter who keeps going on about "glorious heads" and "lashing tails" with no mention of the dog in between? Why didn't they get somebody who knows about dog showing to commentate?
Also, she said that all of these dogs work in the field and the male commentator keeps talking about " a job of work"....really?? Have any of those dogs in the ring ever been shot over? The lab looks as if it would collapse if it had to do a decent day's work and any of the spaniels would be irretrievably tangled in the first bramble patch they went into if they went rough shooting.
One last question...the only showing I've ever seen is of horses, where they are shown on a loose rein. Why are half of the dogs being strangled from above? (Gundog handlers not half as bad as the handlers of smaller dogs though)

The presenter you mean is Jessica Holm, who is a very successful exhibitor of a hound breed. :-)

Lisa Turbuck had me laughing, with her Past Orals.

In my breed some of them do work for sure, not just show dogs!

OK fair enough presumably she knows her stuff. Pity she didn't comment on the conformation and action of the dogs and what the judges are looking for but maybe the More4 brief is "keep it light and dumb", or maybe she's not meant to say anything that could be pro- or anti- each particular entrant. Kind of makes the commentary a waste of time though.

Jessica certainly knows her stuff and is also a successful artist- so knows her conformation on that score too.

If you are a vet, your name suggests, then what did you make if the BIS Standard Poodle going twice into a deep bow and refusing to budge? Jessica said he was stretching, would you agree?

>Pity she didn't comment on the conformation and action of the dogs and what the judges are looking for

There isn't time in the brief shot in the group to explain everything that the judge is looking for in each breed, but I heard a lot of 'correct daisy-cutting action' and 'good length of stride' and 'correct angulation' said by both Jessica and Frank Kane, so there was a lot more explanation that you must have missed.

Freelancer, I wondered about that too, seemed a bit odd, I did wonder if the dog had some discomfort.

Was I the only one who thought that this years coverage was awful ? I felt it was being turned into some sort of "reality" show with the hype over the 7 group winners and the way it was presented. They seemed to be trying to make the 7 group winners into "Human like" contenders. I was disappointed in it for many reasons. It was all about "Brandon...he's big...he's bold etc.." not to my taste at all. In fact though I taped most of it as I was not able to watch it on the day I have skipped most of it and just watched a small amount. Normally I watch every little bit.. If Crufts continues to be sold to the public in this way is it any wonder dog showing has a bad name. We all know that most shows are nothing like Crufts. As for "Ricky" the poodle, sorry but he did not look comfortable at all with the way he stretched out before moving. I also think it is time to stop so much show trimming. Personally I would have much preferred to see him show in a nice  workmanlike trim. Yes I do understand why the pattern of clipping is as it is, but it is now so overdone it looks silly IMO.
Aileen

Merlot, I've been moaning all four days about the coverage ! Lol, so your not alone.
It seemed to concentrate on everything other than the showing, and as for the coverage of the Gundog group, it seemed they whizzed through it as quickly as possible so they could get to FfL. They didn't even show most of them moving !.

I thought last nights coverage was terrible, it is a dog show after all and the main point is that 21,000 were entered into a show and how much actual showing did they show on tv??!!! it was rubbish and as for the gundog group it was very poor and like already said you didn't even see most of them move. It should be about showing off the breeds and the process of actually getting to crufts.
Friends for life is nice but why repeat it so often, it was overdone and that time could have been spent on showing more dogs and talking to exhibitors. They already have awards for animals on ITV don't they and the good work they do??
They certainly went to town on the final 7 and did make them like celebs but it is a great achievement to get to that point but I was so glad when it was mentioned about the retriever in the gundog group and how it had come through nearly 600 entries! thats an achievement and I don't think people that just watch on tv really appreciate this sort of thing.

As for show trim, I agree it should be less severe and be how it would be if the dog was doing its job.

So are all the Ricky critics here saying ALL poodle trimming should be less exagerated?  Just because you don't like the look?  And make this rule world wide?  Why?  Just because you think it looks silly?  In no way does it effect the dogs wellfare - you should see him running loose in the fields and on the beach at home, he is much,much more that a hairdo on legs!  And does no one else have a dog who stretches before moving - look around the poodle rings, it is a frequent happening.  How about being proud that the UK has produced a WORLD CLASS poodle rather than petty knocking of a great dog with yet another amazing achievement under his belt?

Merlot,

Agree with you. Yes, it was explained that the 'show' clip has its roots in function but it was also made clear that this is exaggerated- I thought we were trying to make a virtue of moderation and get rid of exaggeration wherever possible. For goodness sakes let's have the dog shown in a working clip then we can be sure that top honors are awarded for the right reasons.  Still want to know why St Poodle was bowing right down like that.

Again, Colin, we are told, was a twitter sensation because he looked like a walking jaffa orange.

I liked the rottie- obviously could not see mouth etc.. but a lovely dog and fab temperament- tail wagging as the judge went over him. Shame the Wolfhound was not more on form.

(Just explained by another poster that poodles do this stretching a lot and it is common to see it on grooming tables- so that explains it- thanks to Gwen).

I'm not saying I didn't like the look but to Joe public (my home, apart from me of course) just thought it looked so overdone. Would it really be like that if being worked? I did tell them to forget the trim and watch him move, which you can't deny he looked fabulous. I just think we over do on the grooming side and should present the dog clean but more to the look of if it were out doing its job.
I don't know about the bow thing he did, i wasn't sure if he had been trained to do it as part of his show routine, did he do it in the poodle judging? i don't think he did it the group but can't remember.

Tagging on the end...
I thought coverage was rubbish. I don't show but like to watch crufts for this part. There was too much friends for life and flyball with not a lot on breed descriptions etc. The gundog coverage was shocking; I wanted to see them move. Even my boyfriend who doesn't really 'do' dog stuff commented that there was hardly any showing shown. I like to hear the comments on the dogs from Frank and Jessica when they go round.
As joe public I thought most of the toys looked like they were being throttled on the move; it didn't sit well with me at all as a novice spectator. Also (another topic I'm sure) why did the GSD get to move up and down then do a lap when everyone else just did the lap? Seemed bizarre and the way it ran out in front looked odd-none of the GSDs I've seen do that. Is it something just for the showring? They could have explained this on tv but noone did hence my confusion.

It's how GSDs are shown on the continent, it's supposed to demonstrate their reach & drive but I must agree it just makes it look like the dog is out of control to a non-GSD person's eye. It always annoys me when the commentator says 'it's a big ring for those little legs' for whatever Toy group winner they have each year. Yes the dog is small, but little Colin was right on form and strutted round that ring like he owned it, I thought he was fab! I was rooting for the Yankee of course, thought she was superb and showed her socks off throughout. Poodle was flashy in movement, must admit I am not a fan of the show trim but that's just how they do it. I thought his stretch and refusal to move was odd, never had any doing that on my grooming table I must admit. But once they got him to move he looked very impressive. Loved the Sammy too!

gwen,

Yes,I would prefer to see all dogs of any breed presented with a working coat (fit for function, without exaggeration). Of course they should be well groomed and clean! I'd prefer handlers did not go in with brushes and combs and primp as they show. Leave all that for the grooming competitions, we should be judging the dog and the quality of coat but not the trim. Jessica Holm commented on one dog that it must have great faith in its owner as its trim meant it would not be able to see a thing!

I suppose the only time my stance might be problematic is when it comes down to certain toy breeds whose only function was to be a pet- even then I'd like to see a well kept and well conditioned dog in its normal coat not in the kind of coat where it has to be crated to keep it perfect for the show. I know many will totally disagree with me...just my view.

Thought Ricky went out well by the way. I'm sure I'd have found him even more impressive if he'd looked like a dog and not a giant toy.

All standard poodles I know stretch like this, in fact just as BIS was being pulled out my girl did this in front of the telly, backside in the air just at the crutial point.  Looked entirely normal to me, very poodley indeed.  He didn't look in any discomfort, he has the most fantastic movement, I have seen him in the flesh and he is a fantastic dog very worthy of the title.

Edited to add, they really made a mess of the caption showing group winner of utility, they showed the miniature poodle but with all of the standard poodle details beside, it wouldn't be hard to tell them apart considering the size and clip difference!

I am a huge poodle fan. However, I totally agree re the show clips. Personally, I like most of them. But the fact is, the public as a whole hate them and it alienates them from the breed. This MATTERS. If exhibitors were able to show their poodles in a more understated clip then last night could have been a big plus for those of us whom are against all the stupid designer mongrel crosses, the poodle is of course the breed which is more often used in these awful crosses than any other breed. The poodle is a fabulous dog (regardless of size) but sadly overlooked by a lot of people. As the guy on the Poodle stand in Discover Dogs said to me "They (the public) think they come out like that". I am also convinced that a lot of those cross breeders deliberately keep their poodles in fancy show clips purely to sway potential owners away from considering a pure bred poodle and instead choose the "cute and fluffy" poodle cross pups they are trying to sell. I am a hobby breeder of the cavalier, but also the proud owner of a delightful toy poodle :)

cavlover,

I too think that poodles of all sizes are wonderful, beautiful dogs. In an understated trim you can see the shape of them and, in my view, they look so much nicer. Standard poodles are a magnificent hunting breed and all round dog and I would quite like to own one myself...,so there you go.

I have previously owned a Standard poodle and I would say my Toy is very much just a smaller version. Highly intelligent, a great sense of fun, incredibly loyal and very agile! This applies to all three sizes.

Yes, I like all of them.

> I thought coverage was rubbish. I don't show but like to watch crufts for this part. There was too much friends for life and flyball with not a lot on breed descriptions etc. The gundog coverage was shocking; I wanted to see them move.

I too found it disappointing (and so did my dogs lol);  I think they must have classed Crufts as "entertainment" which is disappointing.  As you say, the gundog coverage was just rubbish:  for such a big group they allowed so little time.  I'd like to see much more judging, say the BOB classes (I suppose it would take quite a bit of time :) ) instead of endless border collies running up and down (not that I dislike border collies, but flyball does get a bit samey if it's not your sport).  And definitely more judging comments and explanations of the conventions of showing (e.g. the tight leads on some breeds) and much much much less of the emails/tweets and viewer's photos. 

I think we all need to move with the times on this I am afraid. Pedigree dogs have had such a bashing by the media in recent years and I thought this modern approach was an attempt to win the public over again. Personally, if it stops people having a poor opinion of the dog showing world and pedigree dog breeders in general and steers people away from the designer mongrels then I for one embrace it. Overall, channel 4  did a great job in presenting pedigree dogs in a positive light. Some people need to relax a bit and enjoy the transition. For the exhibitors Crufts is a fairly serious occasion, for the public it is a great day out (for those who love dogs). If the programme focused too heavily on the ins and outs of judging then the viewers would switch off. Those of us who are responsible pedigree dog breeders and or exhibitors need the public on our side.

Very much  a Ricky fan here, that dog is the epitome of a show dog. Stunning to look at, breathtaking to watch on the move what a personality and presented to perfection. Tons and tons of congratulations to Team Afterglow, if you ever come down from outer space, for producing TWO beautiful show dogs in last night's Crufts group lineup. Respect to Mike Gadsby and Jason Lynn. Fab-u-lous!!!

I found the ch4 coverage too superficial and aimed too low. I would have liked to have seen more of the breed judging and to try and find out how the judge can decide between a large number of dogs who virtually all look the same to the uninitiated. About all the different breed classes, how CC's are awarded and why for those that don't show, it's all a bit confusing. I watched a lot of the live streaming on YouTube which was only centered on the main ring, would have been nice to have seen what was going on in the other rings. However you did get the group judging in its entirety. The agility was good fun especially the ABC rounds as it was really good to see dogs other then collies competing. Very pleased to have watched Philippa  Williams gundog display which was great fun.
I always feel there is something lacking in the Ch4 commentaries as if they are always talking to people who don't know one end of a dog from another, but then I'm someone who has lived with dogs all my life so know a little bit.
Won't be able to go next year, but looking at going again in 2016 if gundog day isn't on the weekend.

Yes, it was explained that the 'show' clip has its roots in function but it was also made clear that this is exaggerated- I thought we were trying to make a virtue of moderation and get rid of exaggeration wherever possible. For goodness sakes let's have the dog shown in a working clip then we can be sure that top honors are awarded for the right reasons.

Surely then the Lhasas, Yorkshire Terriers, OES,  etc etc should all be shown clipped short?!

I thought the Poodle was absolutely outstanding! I know nothing of what they should look like, have wanted a Poodle ALL my life but NOT a Standard so it's not my type of breed at all, but that dog moved brilliantly and was clearly so relaxed, it was a joy to watch and a well deserved win indeed.

And does no one else have a dog who stretches before moving

I do, a Malinois, she stretches more than any other dog I've ever had and in the ring on occasion as well, nothing wrong with her.

Marianne,

Yes, I'd have em all clipped shorter- not necessarily short but to the length the dog could function at in everyday life without the owner worrying so much about the coat breaking or getting damaged, as I said, just my view. If the length of coat is intrinsic to function, well that is a different matter. Lines get blurred with some of the toys since function with some has been simply to look pretty and be a pet.

Yes, I take the point about the stretching.

I thought the poodle was very flashy on the move.

Ran out of time to edit last post but just want to say I looked at the footage again and to my uneducated eye it looks as though the hairdo causes the dog to hold his head high in order to see as he goes around. While being gone over he looks almost cross eyed at one point as though trying to see. On the move one eye is almost white at one point as he strains to see (at least that is what it look like to me). Can some person in the know explain?

For me the rottie had great character and moved beautifully.

Smiling at the response that dogs should be groomed so handlers don't have to take a brush or comb into the ring!  Why not?  Yes, they are dogs, but they are SHOW dogs, presentation IS important - it's not a working dog competition!  If you think a brush or comb is a step too far you should enter the world of show horses - full grooming kit or a bucket full of stuff is taken in for when the horses are stripped - brushes, curry comb, stable cloth, hoof oil and possibly show shine too!  No one ever, in all my years in horses. said that beautiful presentation detracted from workmanlike performance.

I simply don't understand the constant carping on about "dogs should be dogs" to show - do you mean we should only show smooth coated cogs who need no grooming, or that all coated breeds should be clipped right off to make an equal playing field with short coated breeds?  Of course, some trims are not "useful", but they are now traditional, and if our dogs are to perform on the world stage - as is Ricky, he has to be presented to an international standard.  Mike and Jason are incredibly talented groomers and their skills simply complete Ricky's perfection.

> Won't be able to go next year, but looking at going again in 2016 if gundog day isn't on the weekend.

The groups rotate every year, so 2016 Gundogs will be on the friday.

> Won't be able to go next year, but looking at going again in 2016 if gundog day isn't on the weekend.

Thank you, that was helpful.

Gwen, I did not suggest that presentation is unimportant, just that it should not become more important than other aspects of the dog. Yes, the owners of Ricky are marvellous groomers but this is a conformation show not a grooming competition. Still, do not want to detract from what was obviously a very popular win so hope we can agree to disagree.

I do feel a bit sorry for the ones with hair covering their eyes - yes you can see through a bit of a fringe, but some of them do have a lot of hair. I know we'd all like more breed judging but I can understand it's just not practical. At least now we get a reasonable view of BOB, I remember a few years back we only got 2 seconds coverage of each shortlisted dog, then cut to the placing! And this year for the first time in about 10 years they actually mentioned the fact that there was some obedience competitions at Crufts, which was great - perhaps next year we'll actually get to see some of them!