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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Original poster

Crufts 2011

50 replies

JaxTellersOldLady · 04/03/2011 14:09

Is anyone going to Crufts this year?

I have never been before and a friend has invited me along. Now, while I dont agree with the bastardisation of breed I do like watching the working dogs etc so think I will go.

Ive also heard the 'shops' there are fantastic, no doubt will spend a fortune on my pair of hooligans.

Any suggestions or recommendations that I must see/do?

Probably going Thursday or Friday not the weekend.

OP posts:
Jaynerae · 04/03/2011 14:42

Am going on Saturday, went once years ago and indeed shops where fantastic.

Habanera · 04/03/2011 15:07

Agility, flyball and doggie dancing are fun to watch even if you don't fancy ever doing it yourself; junior handlers are impressive too, very high standards atm. It was very very crowded when we went 3 years ago, not great for smaller kids. We spent a lot of time researching our ideal breed at Discover Dogs, where you can pet them and chat to people about various types, and we think we came up with a winner due to that.

Vallhala · 04/03/2011 15:30

No, it's one of the last events I would attend or fund.

Vallhala · 04/03/2011 15:33

Sorry - that came over as arsier than it was meant to (though it was meant, IYSWIM). I blame excessive vet's bills, stupid pet owners, several worries and difficulties at home and the fact that I have let the bloody boiler oil run dry and it's going to cost me £350 to replenish.

And that it won't be here til Wednesday so we'll be bloody freezing til then!

Sorry Jax. :)
Offers St Davids and Brew

Original poster
JaxTellersOldLady · 04/03/2011 16:26

no worries Val I understand your POV.

can the dogs not be used as portable hot water bottles? If you want/need to vent feel free to PM me.

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Piffle · 04/03/2011 18:54

I'll be there watching ridgebacks, buying stufffor my girls
One in season so out and the other too young
Dog free and kid free
Yippee

chickchickchicken · 04/03/2011 19:14

i went two years ago, specifically to check out the assistance dog stalls.

beware i did find it a upsetting to walk past the protesters outside. i also felt sorry for the dogs in cages waiting for their class

however, i loved looking at the stalls. they were lots of charitable dog stalls selling good value dog accessories as well as toys.

i was in my wheelchair that day and only saw a small percentage of it as it was absolutely packed. it was really difficult to even move a foot in any direction at times. it was the worst place i have ever been in terms of rude people pushing in front of me, on a few occasions actually putting me at risk. i wouldnt go with young kids

sharbie · 04/03/2011 19:17

will be watching on tv more4

Original poster
JaxTellersOldLady · 04/03/2011 20:07

thanks chick we are going on Thursday, dog free and child free too. I will pop into assistance dogs, especially Hearing Dogs.

Pretty sure I will be spending lots on charity items for my lovely pair. Grin

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chickchickchicken · 04/03/2011 20:33

if you get time will you pop to support dogs stand (blue colours and dogs with blue jackets on) and say bobby the jrt says hi via mumsnet and he will see them on the 29th this month?

a friend invited us too (wouldnt have been a place i would have planned to go to iyswim) and still glad i went

btw i expected food and drink to be expensive but was very very expensive. we took supplies but stopped for ice cream and was a complete rip off

Baffledandbewildered · 04/03/2011 21:38

we are there on thursday showing our dogs its gundog dayand are in the kennel club breeder final!!!!!! so i would say watch this haha food is expensive so take supplies with you as its not that good either the stools are amazing so much you could buy diamond collars to dog chews usually there are give aways too always good. wear flat shoes as it takes up all 5 halls of the nec so loads of walking. hope you have fun

Original poster
JaxTellersOldLady · 04/03/2011 21:50

good luck baffled I do love gundogs and cant wait to have a snuggle of lots of breeds that I dont normally see in Discover Dogs.

Yes, flat shoes, probably trainers I think. hmm, will speak to my friend about food, she is always hungry, so we might take a picnic with us!

chick if I remember all that I will... but wont they think I am totally bonkers? Grin

Doubt I will be buying my working GSDs diamond collars, but you never know! Wink

OP posts:
chickchickchicken · 04/03/2011 22:48

no they wont think you are bonkers but if they do just say you are the messenger Wink

its very rare for a jrt to become an assistance dog so hopefully someone on the stall should recognise bobbys name. especially fran or natasha, the dog trainers, who will be there

anyway everyone knows bobby the wonder jrt can mumsnet,text to arrange to meet his friends in the park, etc. see i'm not bonkers am i? Grin

chickchickchicken · 04/03/2011 22:50

of course i could just ring them to say hello but that would be boring Grin Grin

only if you passing stall though. think you will enjoy chatting to them if you do though. you might also see some famous people on the stall. i got a signed calender by a well known dog trainer for a pound when i was there!

Original poster
JaxTellersOldLady · 05/03/2011 07:53

I will tell my friend we need to visit assistance dogs ... jrt says hello... gotcha.

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gregssausageroll · 09/03/2011 10:57

Yes, I will be there. Bus leaves around 10 tonight so will hopefully be at the NEC for amound 7 am - ust in time for walks, breakfast, changed and off we go!

Quite looking forward to it.

TysonNobdie86 · 09/03/2011 11:34

Hi Gregs, saw you on my thread :)
I think ill also be there tomorrow.
I have got to talk my mum into going, give me luck ladies Grin

WhereTheWildThingsWere · 09/03/2011 15:32

I have been every year for the last 14 years.

My advice-

Take a picnic.

Don't take a massive coat, it gets really hot inside, wear a pac-a-mac that you can stuff in your bag.

If you have a granny trolley take it, not only is there loads to buy, but loads of freebies too.

I always take kids and for the last six years have taken a pushchair, is fine, just takes longer.

Flyball/agility/heelwork to music all amazing.

There are big boards that tell you what is on when and where, take a notebook as programmes are very expensive.

The Nylabone stand has a really cheap bargain bucket section of bones without packets, sometimes you can get giant ones for a pound.

Lucky Pet make the best dog blankets in the world.

Don't do as I did one year and get all over excited on first arriving and buy a 5kg bag of kibble for £2.50 and then have to carry it around with you all dayWink.

Have a fantastic time.

Original poster
JaxTellersOldLady · 09/03/2011 16:24

thanks for the tips! We are taking a picnic, also water and paracetamol (just incase)

Not taking a handbag, but will take a rucksack for all my bits.

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minimu1 · 10/03/2011 18:29

If you can't get to crufts you can see it online live at here

AllTheYoungDoods · 10/03/2011 18:57

Arrgh, I'm supposed to be working. Am now drooling over gundogs!

minimu1 · 10/03/2011 19:14

Watch the agility tomorrow much better than working!

guide to whats on live crufts tv

Original poster
JaxTellersOldLady · 10/03/2011 19:39

Phew, what a day! It was fantastic. Saw some stunning dogs, had a good view of Agility - those dogs are fabulous. Also watched Junior handler, very very good.

We shopped, shopped and shopped some more. Had a chat with a few friends who work for various dog charities. Was nice to catch up briefly and to watch their working dogs do what they are trained for.

Cheered on the dogs doing temptation alley and was gutted when Hearing dogs and Dogs for the Disabled lost out to Battersea, meanwhile my friend who used to work for Battersea was cheering loudly! Grin

I havent totalled up what I have spent, but I have some seriously pampered pooches and bought lots of charity things too, so feel good.

I was tempted to shout out over the PA Could "greggssausageroll please come to ..." but didnt!

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chickchickchicken · 10/03/2011 19:50

glad you had a great day Smile

i am watching highlights on more 4 at the moment

Original poster
JaxTellersOldLady · 10/03/2011 19:54

me too!

might see myself on tv. you cant split yourself into 5 to see every dog in every activity so it is probably best to choose what you want to see and watch the rest on telly.

Next year it falls Gundog on Friday and working dogs on Saturday so we will go on both days and stay over in the hotel so we dont have to drive both days and battle the traffic.

Despite having my trainers on my feet are still nippy.

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