Crufts 2011

[JaxTellersOldLady]

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.

the friends for life is always so touching

liked the look of dog massage too. might try it on my oldie jrt

jax - are you watching now? i know these people. same org as i am hoping my dog passes with

silly to get excited cos i see someone i know on tv

I have it on now. I had a smooch with a few of the dogs being shown on tv. The Irish Water Spaniel being one of them.

Also saw the Spanish water dog round about the ring.

I like the idea of the massage too. I do my own version of it on my 2, they love it.

I'll tell you what I saw today, some naughty behaviour... a goldie retriever had a pop at a flat coat!

And a Spinone that was so timid imho it should never have been there. It was so skittish, poor thing, how on earth a judge would ever have got near it is beyond me.

did you make it to the support dogs stall and say hi from bobby the wonder jrt?

did you get lots of freebies?

how do you do your dog massage? i noted going against the coat. my oldie has a few skin tags now, would that matter?

YAY! the Scottish Flatcoat won! I am chuffed, the FC is a gorgeous dog.

And the IWS is also a stunner, good second place.

They didn't have many spaniels doing the agility did they?
funny that

I was bawling my eyes out at the rescue dog agility yesterday morning... especially the three legger (ok so I've got a soft spot for rescue animals in general and three legged animals in particular after having a three-legged moggy and a rescue doggy).

I cant go :( Was planning to go today, but then ds woke in the nightbeing sick :(
Have fun to those who go today :)

chickens I do go against the coat and do gentle but firm movements, my friend taught me how to do it. My pair dont mind having their coat stroked 'the wrong way' but some dogs do, especially if they are in pain.

What my 2 love most is a head massage, just along the spine and up to the neck. Their eyes roll, it is lovely if weird to watch.

I am sorry but didnt make it to your friends place to say hi, it wasnt particularly busy yesterday but by the time we got everything done that we needed to do and watched some dog stuff it was time to head home.

Next year, 2 days with an overnight stay in a hotel.

I am back home too. Had a good day yesterday but very tired today. Got home at 1.45 am thorugh Blizzards!

We did quite well. With one breed I got a 1st and a VHC and with my other breed I got a 4th and a 5th.

Spent lots of money, particularly at the Joules Stand!

Was utterly delighted for Jim winning the group with Jet. Both are friends and live not far from me. Almost as excited when Yogi won BIS last year. Fingers crossed for Sunday - and yes, I am going back down! Didn't get to see everyhing yesterday so having another go at it!

well done gregs what breed were you showing? You must be shattered, it is such a long day and we didnt get to see absolutely everything either.

Good luck on Sunday. I love how the dogs were just chilling in their pens inbetween shows, fast asleep.

Thanks. I have cocker spaniels and irish setters.

Loves of my life - well after DS!

jax - head massage sounds lovely. is it possible to explain how you do it? or would i need to be taught in person?

no problem about saying hi. glad you had a good time

gregs I wonder if I saw you or your dogs while wondering about. I did think about having a packet of pom bears on display.

The setters I saw were just gorgeous, glossy and proud looking.

chick I cant really explain - my friend does 'people' massage and showed me when my old boy had problems in old age, gentle movements around the top of head, behind ears, around neck - so not a stroke as such, a big firmer and around the neck with my thumbs in a circular movement... if you follow that then you are a genius.

I do follow the 'human rule' - what you do to one side you do the same to the other.

And along the spine I do a pinching, circular movement against the fur.

i am a genius then

HA! Actually, a friend was going to the bar. He was several paces away from me so shouted back what I'd like - it did cross my mind to shout back fruitshoot but white wine beat me too it!

well! Pleased that the GSD got first. And was lovely to see my friend come in last 8.

Delighted for Gavin and the PBGV also. Other good friends.

did you see the 3 legged dog in aligilty?

The three legged agility dog had me bawling (dunno what's wrong with me hormonally lately - I'm usually the hard faced bitch who never cries at anything) - but I've got a rescue dog and a rescue tripod cat so I've got a soft spot and a half for a tripod.

He is lovely and my friends dog, he is so gentle and very sweet. They think he'd been beaten by a spade! He a pets for therapy dog too

every time the friends for life dogs come on I have a huge lump in my throat.

Jax, I'm snivelling in front of the TV right now!

YAY! Jim won! I am so pleased for him and the gorgeous Jet.