Crufts - Tips and Advice

[Riverlee]

I’m going to Crufts next week. It’ll be my first visit. So excited.

Can anyone give me top tips and advice as to what to see? How to avoid crowds? Do you have to queue to get seats? Etc

Apart from seeing it on tv, and that’s really only the main arena, I have no idea how it’s set up, what to do, so any help would be appreciated.

Thank you.

Completely agree. I have fond memories of Earls Court.

So the show has evolved from a championship dog breed event, to a doggy theme park (for want of a better word)?

I remember when the London boat show was held at Earl’s Court. It seemed to loose some of its character when it moved venues.

Tena lady - tick
plasters for my feet - tick
water bottle - tick
snacks - tick
sandwiches - to buy
Overdraft for all my purchases - tick

Silly question - are there water fountain stations where I can refill my water bottle?

Small pack of tissues in case there's no loo roll?

My friend will be there on Hound day as an exhibititor - She goes every year, it’s very busy and noisy. One really lovely show is Bath - it’s outdoors and so timeless and traditional.

My pet Whippet got a third in the beginner handling class. Edit: a miracle as she likes to fly her ears!😂

I think most show people find the other Championship shows more enjoyable than Crufts these days, it’s just got too big & a lot more stressful with all the crowds. You get far less public or commercialisation at other shows, even the big Championship shows. The summer outdoor shows are lovely to attend, providing it’s not pouring down of course! Our own breed specific club shows or generic group shows, terrier ones for us, are the nicest as a rule to show at.

Oh it's so fun, we're going for the 4th time on Saturday, take food & drink, definitely do discover dogs. Watch at least one of the judging a just for a specific breed, it's fascinating just to see so many of what looks like to the untrained eye, the exact same dog!

Don't leave it too late to go into the arena, we usually go in about 2pm and you can virtually walk straight in, when we came out one day about 6pm the queue was over an hour!

Border Union is a favourite!

@Riverlee The quietest times are normally early morning and after 4pm. Leading up to 4pm there will be a lot of exhibitors and their dogs moving from the halls to the dog exits in each hall, as that is the earliest those exhibiting can leave. If you were showing at 0830 or 0900 and did not win Best of Breed it is a long wait until 4pm to get out so there is always a rush towards the exits.

Head to the YKC ring, which is normally in hall 3, they have showing, obedience, agility and various other things going on all day. It is a lot smaller than the main arean and the flyball/obedience areas but it will give you a taster of various canine events. There is always a lot of space around that area so if you need to sit down it is a good place to do so.

As others have said it is a long way from halls 1 to 5 so cutting through the NEC concourse (where there are also food outlets and toilets) is a good idea. When in the concourse you can always go outside from some fresh air if need be.

Hall 4 is always very cold, other areas not so much, but does depend on the outside weather.

Other than asking if you can say hello to the dogs, even on the Discover Dogs stands, the biggest piece of advice is watch when you are walking as you will share the same space as exhibitors walking there dogs into, out of and through the halls - it is always amazing how many people go to Crufts and get annoyed they may have to move out of the way for a dog coming through! Also watch for treading on paws in the really busy areas.

Hall 5 normally has a large screen where you can watch events live going on in the main arena, there are always tables and chairs there so it is a good place to rest, have a cup of coffee and watch the screen. When leaving there do not forget to collect your shopping bags, as we all say we will never buy anything!

I always have to buy something that my dogs manage to grab from the shopping stands as we walk by!

For those going for the first time, it is a magical experience from the moment you arrive on site, even before getting into the halls, you will never see so many dogs, or so many breeds all in one place from the car parks, the railway station and then into the halls.

I am there 3 out of the 4 days this year, showing on one day and covering Discover Dogs for 2 days, very tiring but always enjoyable.

Oh where is that? I have a terrier, not show material (pure bread Irish but done and almost 8) but would love to go to a terrier show !

@Sweetleftfood Most of the shows, including other championship shows and terrier shows are detailed on either Fossedata, Highampress, Cavalier Impressions or MBJprint. If you search for those their websites will be available.

Thank you @schloss @hennipenni @TokyoSushi @Darklane @cleaningandbathing @rottweilersrock @FarmersWife3 @survivingunderarock @justaboutdonenow and everyone else I’ve missed out. All very useful tips and advice.

Can I ask, which hall gets busiest? Thinking I should head there as soon as we arrive. We’re staying in Birmingham so can get there early (after a cooked breakfast).

Also, is there any ‘must-sees’ or areas/features/exhibits that’s not really worth seeing? I want to make the most out of my day there.

@Riverlee I would say hall 3 is probably the busiest as it is the area where there are no showing rings. It has the YKC arena, the large sponsors stands and the large area for Discover Dogs. It does have a lot of space though thankfully. It also becomes busy as it has one of the main general public entrances and is the middle of the whole halls.

Basically Crufts is busy in all the halls. All the show rings will be surrounded by the benches for the exhibitors, with not many trade stands, just a few catering outlets, so although the areas will be busy as there is less for the public you may find them less busy, but they will be noiser as most of the dogs will be there.

Discover Dogs area gets very busy so if you want to see a particular breed or breeds go early or later would be my advice.

As you are staying in Birmingham I presume you will get the train straight to the NEC? If I remember rightly the entrance direct from the train station is into Hall 3. Those of us with dogs, enter via the tradesmans entrances!

The Bath Canine Society one was lovely!
White marquees, Green rings, the scent of trampled grass - nice dog trade stands {I bought a lovely lead } and a discount on Josera dog food-
It was a very bright sunny, hot day which made it lovely.
Friend said in the pouring rain with the wind whipping in it's less gorgeous.
My dog enjoying the day! {Edit...she's not a show dog as a little too narrow in her chest}, but went to support her sisters and family.

Oh bless her!! I love Bath show. It’s our local and it’s my favourite of the year.

It’s lovely! ( Bath Show)

I’m amazed how people seriously into dog showing travel up and down the U.K. - it’s a far from cheap hobby!

Ringcraft is started so young - I didn’t realise!

So different to the exemption shows I used to do years ago, where stacking wasn’t necessary.

I love to see if I can pick out the top two in a class- it’s not always easy
I picked out some at Bath as having “ X” factor and friend said “ you have just picked two Champions”
Probably more luck than design or knowing breed standard.

So true about “ What looks like the exact same dog”
When you get your “ Eye in” it’s much easier to see which dog moves beautifully , who has good ears, who has a lovely top line, correctly angled limbs - as a spectator one can’t see teeth of course, but it’s all interesting
Best In Show is always interesting
I REALLY hope a Sighthound is in the final cut!
( but anyone who makes it that far has done extremely well.)

It depends on what you fancy watching, some love the obedience, I find it quite dull, but I love the agility & flyball, police displays & group judging.

It also depends on which breeds & groups you like, I love all dogs but I'm all about the working & pastoral groups & the sight hounds, generally not into terriers, gundogs or utility, but as I'm hoping to add a breed from that group it's the day I wanted to go so I can meet my breeder & her lovely dogs.

Recently discovered that there are flyball events held in my town centre every few months, so I have less need to see that now. Quite fancy agility.

Head for the novice cups. The champ is good to watch but it’s all the same dogs (wcs and collies mostly) with career handlers running perfect rounds. The novice cups are more normal pet dogs who have qualified. IMO much more interesting. As an agility and Rally handler, Flyball leaves me cold I’m afraid 😂

@Newpeep

Sorry, what is a Novice Cup (complete newbie here)?

WC - working collie?

Wcs - working cocker spaniel

The novice cup are dogs that are grade 3 or 4 I think (there are 7 grades and champ in agility) who have qualified at shows to run a final at crufts. So you get a greater variety of breeds as not all make the highest grades due to confirmation, speed, age etc. It’s more ‘normal’ people. Champ tends to be the professional handlers. Great to watch but less interesting as Fiona who is a teacher by day but likes to compete her terrier at weekends for example. Still a lot of skill and training but less professional and more dynamic I think.

How was your day OP?

Wow! What a day. Crufts was wonderful and everyone who commented on this thread really helped me in what to take, see, and what to expect. I spent the whole day enjoying the sights and sounds of dogs, dogs and more dogs. It really was a fabulous day so thank you everyone.

So glad you had a lovely day. Do your feet have their own heart beat?!