Well we didn't get anywhere in our class but I have to say I wasn't overly disappointed - yes would have loved to have got a place and taken home one of those lovely cards and even a rosette but I we all thoroughly enjoyed our day.  Max was a star and showed himself off superbly and was number 1 in my eyes!  And I felt very honored to have taken part really.  And we didn't get too nervous!

We spent most of the day round our ring - the kids behaved themselves and Max was really settled on his bench too - he usually howls the place down!  The visitors were all very sensible as this was something people had mentioned so no hiccups there either.

When I did venture to the trade halls it was like sardines so I did what I had to do very quick and got back to our bench even quicker.  Will be grateful that gundog day will be on a Thursday next year!

Finally leaving the car park - no delays!!! YEY and traffic not too horrendous either!

Well done to everyone who took part and those who got placed!  Hope to be there next year with you all again!

I had a great first Crufts.
Got there on Thursday at 6.30am to park close. Bundle of nerves until showtime. My youngster pulled out all the stops for me. It was like he knew it was a special day for us both.
Got cut from 20 dogs down to 8 so really proud as he was one of the youngsters in the class. Getting out was a nightmare. 7pm and grid locked out of West Car park and idiots pulling out from railway station. Never mind. Didn't have far to get home. Great experience and as we have already qualified for next year. Looking forward to doing it all over again.

I had a lovely day!  I wasn't exhibiting any of my girls as I wouldn't go under that judge.  However my puppies brother (that I bred) was being shown under the dog judge.  The dog judge wasn't suitable but we said 'just go and enjoy the day, you won't get anything as he isn't her type so you won't be letting anyone down'  He got VHC in the Puppy class!  Absolutely gob smacked but extremely pleased!

We had a brilliant day..can't wait for next year :D We left home at 4.35 am ( ) and got to the NEC at about 8am, straight into the car park then a longish walk to get inside, by which time our fingers were frozen solid from carrying so much stuff!
I was really nervous waiting for our breed to start, we were second in the ring, and when they called us I stupidly held my hand out and I was visibly shaking!! Once I was in the ring though I was fine and Idõ showed like the star he is and came 3rd, was very pleased!
And to top off the day, his breeder got BOB with Idõ's aunty.....we were still being judged as they were calling the BOBs so we all rushed across the piazza to the main ring with all our bags, bads and dogs to watch the group on the big screens.
Hope everyone had a fab day, we all took the best dogs home, I know I did :D :D

We had a great day, my standard poodle, Alfie was 2nd in Post Graduate dog class. So relieved it was a dry day on Saturday so was able to give him a nice walk down past the lake into the halls and was DRY.

Hated trying to shop on Saturday afternoon, only bought some worming tablets. 

Seems like we all had similar days, we had a nice walk (with freezing cold fingers) from the car, wasnt nervous in the ring which I was surprised about and Aflie was absolutely brilliant, he was so good, he moved really well (the swimming and clicker training has paid off) and stood like an angel and whilst waiting for his turn he gave his paw to everyone sitting around the ring and slobbered on a few of them :rolleyes: There were 23 in Sp. Junior and 31 in Undergraduate and we didnt get placed but I didnt go with any high expectations but we hung around for the good citizen class and we got 3rd out of 6 with Alf being the youngest by far (1st and 2nd were placed in Veteran) so we got to take a nice crufts card and rosette home with us afterall :) Alfs dad got a 2nd in veteran and his sister won her class.  I didnt do much shopping either, too crowded, I picked up my freebie toy from hills and got a years supply of wormers and a couple of other bits from the canine chemist, I couldnt be bothered to look around it was too crowded.  We left after BOB and got out of the car park with no delays :D now lets hope we qualify for next year !

Sounds like another satisfied Crufts customer then Claire :D  Those are massive classes but if Alf went well for you then you should be pleased with that, good luck qualifying for next time :) We got about 20m from ringside before deciding it was way too busy, so we spent all day around our ring and benches, crazy to think that there is so much to look at but as exhibitors we don't see that much...just enough of our chosen breed(s) to last a lifetime :D

My dad took some fab piccies around the wire ring and benches, if anyone wants a laugh then just PM or email me, there is a great one of Idõ trying to reclaim his bench from me..we took seats but his new bed was soooo comfy :D

Well done Claire and Alfie so pleased for you! :)  Bet the card and rosette is on display for all to see - rightly so too.

We too picked up our freebie Hills toy which already no longer resembles a circle!

My other Gordon boy's Grandad won BOB which was pleasing - not even hit a champ show yet (finger crossed for this year - to qualify!)

Well done for all those that took part - good luck for getting there next year!

I hate to tell you but Thursday this year was really busy!
It was like a weekend day :(
So either everyone has decided to come up on the Thursday to beat the crowds...
and it's making it busier than normal..
Or Crufts is becoming more popular and entry gate is up alot on last year?

Wasn't it just, Kirstine, I was looking forward to a quieter day and it was mobbed.

Get rid of the public, I say. ;)

M.

Thanks for that!!!  Oh well can live in hope - must have been a popular year - we went as a visitor/spectator last year on the Saturday and don't remember the ringside being that crowded we had the pick of seats last year - really struggled to get a seat this year!

Think the kennel club needs to hire another hall for crufts as it is getting too big and crowded. The stands are too close together. Think they should be helping the exhibitors more to get from one hall to another. On sunday we had to get my daughter and two munsters from hal 5 to hall 3 and it took over half an hour and the dogs were stressed out by all the carrier bags hitting them and people banging into them. It is a dog show afterall!!  The ykc ring also needs moving to somewhere where the kids can keep there dogs quiet and with more seating round the ring. We were benched right next to the special events and the noise and queue to get in was really annoying. as it is also near the pedigree stand giving away food there was no where for the kids to stand to ge ttheri dogs into the holding area. Its great that crufts is so popular but from the dogs point of view it isnt any fun.