The Greatest Dog Show in the World: Crufts 2017: Part 1
On the 9th-12th March, over 22,000 dogs from 56 different countries, flocked to the NEC at Birmingham with their owners to take part in a celebration of all things canine! I've been attending Crufts every year since 2008 and show my own dogs at the event. It really is unlike anything else. Experiencing the buzz and excitement around the show rings and having the chance to admire the crème de la crème in pedigree dogs is always a real privilege.
In my experience the driving sentiment behind Crufts and testmaent to its special atmosphere and prestige is the love people have for their dogs. Despite recent negative media coverage, Crufts still and always will be for me an event where dogs are seen at their very best. Yes, it is undeniable that some pedigree breeds have health issues but in recent years breeders have worked hard to try and rectify these issues and move their breeds forwards in a progressive direction. I hope that this will continue into the future with breeds standards being edited and health testing becoming enforced more rigorously.
Strolling around the huge halls at the NEC, and watching the judging at the different breed rings,you gain fascinating insights into the little communities which exist in each breed. From Great Danes to Wire Fox Terriers, each has its own crowd of adoring breed fanatics who attentively watch the drama unfold within the ring. Each ring is like its own little world, with its charismatic characters, both human and canine!
I was lucky enough to be at Crufts on both the Saturday (Gundog day) and the Sunday (Working & Pastoral day), and I got to spend lots of time sat ringside soaking up the atmosphere and admiring lots of beautiful,elegant dogs shown in tip-top condition-I couldn't resist taking some photos which I hope really capture the essence of Crufts- a celebration of dogs but also their owners and the wonderful bond which is nurtured between the two.
