Crufts – I love it and hate it at the same time.

I go most years and this year I went with my mum on Thursday.  We aim straight for the main arena and watch the agility and heelwork to music before heading off to watch some Rally Obedience and then came the shopping.  I always visit the APDT (Association of Pet Dog Trainers) and PACT (Professional Association of Canine Trainers) stands as I am a member of both these organisations and love to say hello and support their time during their very busy 4 days promoting ethical reward-based training.   
 
We always go round Discover Dogs where they have all the recognised dog breeds and find out more about some of the more unusual ones and we both select a new breed that we might like to have one day – cannot be one we have owned before.  I picked the Norfolk Terrier this year! 
 
I see so much joy between dogs and their people.  I see hours and years of training being displayed in the competing dogs.  I see some lovely show dogs really strutting their stuff and showing off the best of their breed.   Bramley’s family (my Irish Red & White Setter) were there in the final group which was amazing.  This line is a wonderful balance of dogs that work and show.    
 
It all sounds brilliant right…but then I see the parts that makes me upset.  Dogs clearly showing stress and their person not recognising it and helping them.  People getting frustrated with their dogs as perhaps they aren’t doing what is expected of them.  The Best of Show winner really shows what I think is wrong with Crufts.  I love Clumber Spaniels.  My best friend at school had 2 and I currently train 2 in scent classes.  This show Clumber was overweight and clearly had sore eyes which I cannot believe wasn’t picked up on by the vet as all the dogs had been ‘vetted’ before entering the final show. As a vulnerable breed it should have been a brilliant outcome but to me this doesn’t help the breed at all. 
 
I saw many people there that I knew which is always so lovely.   Dog training is quite a small world and it’s lovely to all come together to share with each other the joys of having dogs and seeing how amazing they are.  The skills and talent, the dedication and the atmosphere is definitely a draw, and I know I will keep going back.  I choose to support the elements that are good and hope to encourage change in the areas that need to change. 
 
What do you think?  Have you ever been to Crufts?  Would love to know how you think we can encourage change and make it truly the best dog event.

​Jo x    
 
PS We didn’t see Claudia but did see Ellie Simmons doing some of her filming 😊