Crufts

[yorkshireteapot9]

Has anyone else noticed how dated the handlers look at Crufts? All seem to wear hideous 'skirt suits' and it's been this way, for decades. Not trying to offend anyone- just an observation!

Probably because my dog was agility fit and definitely the leanest in the ring. We were actually considered for the shortlist and have a RCC.

I remember there being a post on fb about women wearing skirts without considering where the skirt would und up, viewed from behind when bending over their dogs. There were some images accompanying it that once seen you could unfortunately not unsee.

My mum used to show Australian shepherd and had some hideous show ‘suits’ always skirts and ugly shoes never understood why not a smart trouser suit, although Aussies shed so it would be light in colour and equally ugly I guess. Her dogs always did well so whatever she wore wasn’t an issue. I couldn’t be bothered with it. My sister did agility much more interesting

A bit off topic but what was the breed of the massive dog in the ring as the finalists were called out?

@piscofrisco
Sorry, but the Jack Russell wasn't robbed - truly the best won
Just asked my Aussie exactly what she has accomplished today Seems diving in dirty ditches and sleeping with her feet in the air is the best she can offer!

The giant brown bear in the final? He’s a leonberger.

Don't worry, @Wolfiefan . We went to crufts for the first time this year, our penchant is for dachshunds and of course they have the wolfhounds next to the minis so we saw quite a lot of the gentle giants ... believe me if you've got any of those no one is looking at you!

Thanks @Motorina !

Besides Crufts, dh and I have been watching Westminster and AKC YouTube videos. Some very nicely presented female handlers, I’m still finding many of the men’s suits ill fitting. All the dogs looked great though none of them seemed to experience a wardrobe faux pas.

This is Crufts do we actually care what handlers are wearing?! A beautiful dog won best in show

@Babla i think it all goes together, the dog is the main focus but presentation of the whole package (including the show aspect) should count when being televised (not points though). i was honestly disappointed when the breeders entered the ring (although i appreciate some of it is costuming) with breasts heaving out of their ill fitting clothing choice, watching tiny dogs walk with their handlers wearing skirts one length at the front and 12 inches shorter at the back.
men having forgotten to take the tuck pins out of the back flaps of their suits, and unable to button them up due to weight gain.
and yes the final best in show had a more put together air about it (clothing and shoe choice).

it's a great show to watch but just like any presentation could use a little tweaking (better dress code).

@ErrolTheDragon that is always my hope! 🤣 Well we did make it and I managed to run both girls myself. Great day and they were both placed well enough that they’ve already qualified for Crufts 2025! I’m thrilled.

Well done Wolfie! With wolfhounds you must have to be able to manage a fair old lick to keep pace with the required gait!

I think you've rather missed the point of the event, @CurlsnSunshinetime4tea . It's televised because it's popular viewing, it's not designed as a tv show.
presentation of the whole package (including the show aspect) should count when being televised (not points though) - that's impossible, in what could it 'count' when the sole focus of the judges is supposed to be assessing the dogs vs their breed standard? The breeders aren't remotely there for the benefit of the tv audience. The exception is events like the heel work to music which is a performance and where the costume of the human is part of the show.

I used to show, but for normal championship shows I'd wear black jeans and a blazer with black trainers. But I would make more of an effort for crufts, usually a new dress with a black blazer.

Not everyone wants to make an effort, there's no written rule for handlers attire. I know I put more effort into my dogs than myself!

Yep it’s not easy to keep up at times!

Also some competitors may actually have had to change in a tiny toilet cubicle at the NEC or even to have spent the night sleeping in the van with the dogs. As long as the dog is groomed to a high standard and the handler isn’t dressed in an inappropriate way then I couldn’t get worked up.

@Wolfiefan all in all it's a dog show and i must admit i really enjoyed watching what was available online.
to compete there must be really special. good luck in the year to come!!

Some horrible mean spirited posts on here - and why single out (mostly) women for spiteful criticism about what they are wearing?
Women are judged so much by society for what they wear and even when it's the dogs that are being judged, small minded people STILL manage to have a pop at women.
Thoroughly depressing.

Huge congratulations!

Thanks for the lovely messages. My older girl is my first dog so to be lined up with some of the best hounds in the world was really special. Proud of my girls!
Back to wet walks in the woods today. 😆

The woman with the winning Australian did look like she’d
it a LOT of effort into her appearance, quite unusual really though she did say she lived very close to the NEC.
I admit it’s a long time since I did Crufts, before the NEC, but it’s a long, long day for many so how you’d be looking come the end if you made the TV coverage was the least of your thoughts. For me I used to get to Manchester, from the North Pennines, to catch a train ( full of dogs) that left around midnight. Then the world & our dogs crowded the tube to Earle’s Court back in the day to be there for the very early start. Then the same in reverse to get home knackered in the middle of the night. You just dressed for comfort under those circumstances, no leaving your dogs except for the loo under any circumstances, certainly not to change clothes even supposing there was anywhere & you could carry any more than all the dog stuff you needed. The other big Championship shows were far more enjoyably relaxed for most exhibitors that I knew if less thrilling.

Hate it. Not the clothes, the 'show'.

I just want to say how lovely your dog is ,one of my very favourite breeds .

That's really interesting! I wonder how others feel when showing. It's never been my cup of tea; I've only ever worked in charity/breed welfare and to be honest, everything to do with dogs have their cliques and acrimony-I can't be doing with all that!

The ones who get seen by most people on television are on the last day -so most of the people who get to the finals had their breed judging on earlier days and may have had to do the return trip on a Sunday unexpectedly or find accommodation for themselves and their dogs at short notice. And those in the last 2 groups who have their breed judging on the Sunday have had a long day.

I didn’t realise until I went last week that dogs stay in the halls all day. I presumed they would only be there for their showing session. Also, when they’re not being shown, they would be a different hall away from the general public.

I was also amazed that these championship, pedigree dogs were left unattended in some cases. You could easily go up and stroke them etc.