Just looking at a recent posting about benching at Crufts, relating to the use of soft crates, it read that the ban was lifted in the end so you can use soft crates at Crufts.

I haven't seen this in the dog press or anywhere else so I wanted to check is this really the case or am I best to phone the Kennel Club to confirm?

If anyone has seen it printed anywhere, could they let me know.  Thanks

I e-mailed the KC at the time saying I needed the info for my breed notes and they mailed me back saying you can use soft crates. I still have the mail.

You did better than I then!  I had a mail that still said no soft crates and the mail also included a press release from December to that effect 

i think they said there was no change on previous years policy(ie wire crates have always been the only ones allowed offically), but they wouldnt enforce it (just like they havent enforced it in previous years).

This is how ive understood the stories/press realeases. if any one understands it differently then correct me!!

michelled - that is my understanding totally. There has been no change in rules which say that dogs have to be visible on theirr benches (basically I know thats not the words used) but they have no intention of enforcing.

I always worry about how safe these soft crates are, certainly my Spaniels can both undo zips, and there was the case of the 2 Kerries escaping from them in DW this week.

ohhhh!
i certainly wouldnt "leave" my dogs alone in them,but they are good to stop people touching the dogs!

I agree.
I've seen too many dogs jump forward and take themselves and the cage off the bench. Some have ended upside down. I know the metal ones are heavier but I always use these when on the benches.

This is a copy and paste of the mail I received, dated 5th of December. I did say in my query it was for my breed notes, and I subsequently mentioned this in them.

Dear Marianne,

You will be able to use soft crates at Crufts 2006.

Kind Regards

Ross Sandercock
The Kennel Club