Anyone been to Crufts?

[Pikaso]

It’s my first time. Can spectators go and watch the specific breed groups? I’m very interested in certain breeds and I’d like to watch their breed selections

Been 3 times. Love it there

Yes you can go and watch breed specific groups. There are seats for you to sit in.

It’s over 3 days, so make sure you book the day you want for the group your breed will be in.

I have been a couple of times as a competitor. You can buy a ticket to attend as a spectator. Certain groups (eg toy or terrier) are on different days. Plus there should be discover dogs (if it can work with covid) on this year.

Yes we show there Crufts is huge, it spans about 5 halls of the NEC. The actually judging of the individual breeds takes place over the four days and rotates each year. If you want to watch actual breed judging, this years Crufts has Working and Pastoral breeds on Thursday, Terriers and Hounds on Friday, Toy and Utility on Saturday and Gundogs on Sunday.

If you are happy to just meet one or two representatives of your favourite breeds, you can go any of the four days and visit Hall 3 , Discover Dogs which has little booths, one for each breed.

There are a gazillion trade stands and so much else to watch so wear comfortable shoes and take packed lunch!

Yes.

Go to discover dogs and get lots of doggy cuddles

It's held over four days Soubriquet 🙂

Forgot to say, if you want to watch the judging of your breed, find out what time judging starts for that breed and get there early as seats are at a premium! I show there every year and never manage to get to watch anything 😅

Yes, there is ringside seating for all the breed judging, just make sure you're there on the right day for the breed(s) you're interested in -

Thu 10 Mar 2022
Working and Pastoral

Fri 11 Mar 2022
Terrier and Hound

Sat 12 Mar 2022
Utility and Toy

Sun 13 Mar 2022
Gundog

...and also there at the right time as some numerically smaller breeds will share a ring with others. An order of judging with the ring numbers will be available. You can also stay to watch the group judging in the main arena excepting on best in show day.

Yes to comfortable shoes and packed lunch. Plus if anyone could spare a cuddle for a poor neglected hound on hound day I know at least one who would be very grateful.

@Wolfiefan

Yes to comfortable shoes and packed lunch. Plus if anyone could spare a cuddle for a poor neglected hound on hound day I know at least one who would be very grateful.

Awww we’ve booked the Thursday! Otherwise he’d be getting all the cuddles in the world 🥰

Enjoy! The shopping is awesome

Yes, I used to show every year, right back from when it was held at Earls Court, used to catch one of the special midnight trains to London from the north to be there for 6am opening, then the tube, which was quite something with more dogs than people. More civilised now with NEC parking
Make sure to go on the day with the breeds you’re interested in. If you’re not bothered it’s fun to go on the last day when they judge Best in Show. When it’s gundog day like this year the crowds are huge. I used to be terrier day. Small numbered breeds, like mine, are allocated a special time, sharing the ring with other small numbered breeds. If you have dogs expect to spend a fortune on all the things you can buy

Yes several times!
I usually go twice - once for gundogs with my mum and we will sit and watch setters/spaniels all day, and once to do the “show” - discover dogs/agility etc etc. Really love it. Even the far too cool for school gen z kids in my family always have a nice day.

I’d love to go on hound day, but I can’t get time off work!

I loved it last time I went, although it was very tough as I’d lost my beautiful collie about 5 weeks earlier. Now we have a gorgeous houndie, I’m ready to go back!

I'm thinking of going this year.

Does anyone know how it works on gundog day - do you need a best in show ticket to be able to watch the gundog final?