Crufts
5 & 6 March 2009
This year two of our dogs went to Crufts - Henry
competed in the breed classes once again, and George was invited to
represent the American cocker breed at Discover Dogs. This is an area
where the public can view and play with examples of every breed
recognised by the Kennel Club, and ask about living with them.

George settled in on the American cocker breed stand of the Discover
Dogs area

George got a bit tired of jumping up to say hello after a while, but was
happy to sit on a chair so people could reach him more easily. If we get
invited again next year we will take a sturdier crate so he can sit on
the top on a blanket!

Although the BBC did not televise Crufts this year, there was much
filming going on, and a lot of the activity was available to access from
the KC website

On the way out, we sneaked into an empty breed ring to get a photograph
of George being stacked as if for show at Crufts, on the famous green
carpet!

And a photograph in front of the Crufts 2009 logo to prove we were
really there!

Back at home, it was time to bath Henry for his day the following day.
He wasn't very keen on standing nicely for a photo afterwards though.

This is Fudge, Henry's nephew, being shown by Nickie Miller, his owner &
breeder

Nickie prepares Fudge on the table for the judge to 'go over' him
checking for any faults or problems

Fudge strides out happily in the ring, and we were very pleased to see
him shortlisted to the final 10 from a very large entry of 25

The dog judging was extremely slow this year, but it was finally time to
get Henry out and start preparing him for his moment

Henry in the ring - we had chosen not to compete with the big guns, as
Henry is nearly but not quite old enough for the Veteran classes, and
had gone for the Good Citizen class, which many show breeders do not yet
understand - in addition to having to qualify for Crufts the normal way,
dogs in this class have also passed the pet training qualification. This meant there were
only 8 in our class!

Nonetheless the competition was stiff, and most of the dogs were younger
than Henry, so we were thrilled to be awarded 3rd place. This means that
Henry has been shown at Crufts five times, and been placed every time - a
pretty good achievement!
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