Crufts

Well, we're back but not covered in glory, I'm afraid - my charge did not even place! However, having watched our Judge work her way professionally through the dogs (snuck out just as she started on the bitches), I could see what I had on the end of my lead was not her 'type' at all. Which is fair enough - as long as she judged consistently and her line-ups were of a similar type, that's all I ask.

Disappointed for the connections, though!

Saw a nice Chamion Weimaraner to use as the stud dog for Hattie's next litter (2007!) though, and a gorgeous Champion Wirehaired Vizsla male who is based in Holland that I would love to breed my WHV bitch to (having said I didn't want to breed her!!)....... the logistics for that might be a bit complex!
 
Just watched Mary Ray dancing with one of her dogs. Is it just me who thinks it's a bit twee? I can't stand it :ph34r:
 
I was waiting for the white vans Griffin. I do like Crufts but not all the dancing, the agility is good and possibly the best looking one but not the dancing with the music etc.
 
Absolute shite - and what's with all that singing..?

Bloody Hell, Crufts just ain't what it used to be!

But that Wire Fox Terrier was to die for - the Australian was a superb mover but couldn't take the head on it at any price - horrible expression - the rest were just OK!

I love the way the 'foreign' competitors are storming the top awards - now, that wouldn't be because of reciprocal invites on all ex's paid (plus fat fees) judging trips abroad, now would it, she said cynically.....
 
I liked the Aussie but thought the FT looked as though its head had been stretched on a rack! At least the Aussie dog did a bit of sheep rounding up on its days off and wasn't all ponced and preened.
 
I'm trying to run myself into some form, so far just picking them out at Santa Anita i'm doing miserably, not good with the Oaks coming up but i'm having a bash at Midsomer Murders at the min so see if I can solve that one :)
 
The Oz sheep dog had the weirdest expression - frankly, those cold, staring eyes make it look blind, or demented, and the handler just wouldn't stop twitting about with it. I thought the wire hair had terrific condition and conformation, even if the rear end looks like a chicken's wishbone (I assume it's supposed to?) but my favourites - and to show how unbiased I am, as I wouldn't want them myself - were Rodney the mini-poodle for his bon ton, and the adorable little Pom, who looked a cracker to me - and didn't have to be fussed at all the time to keep awake! To be honest, they're ALL adorable, anyway!

Shadow - you mean you passed up watching a highly-staged, sentimentalized drama with high-class performers trying to out-act each other, to watch ER?
 
I was half watching this and when I first saw the winning dog I thought it was some sort of mongrel competing in the agility trials. That said it was the best looking dog in the show, strrets ahead of that pampered looking effort that came second.
 
I would've liked the Welsh Springer to win. But having an ESS with a full tail I couldn't help but think the Welsh SS would've looked so much nicer with a full wagging tail behind it as it went around the ring.
 
Yes, I did Kri - I think Crufts is one of the mosts boring things on TV and I'd rather watch paint dry. Actually, I have been known to watch bits of the agility if it's on as it is the only half interesting thing about the whole lot.
 
It's interesting to read the reactions of folk to something like Crufts - when you're sort of involved in it, you don't really notice much of the actual Show.

And while there are many breeds I don't understand the appeal of and that I would never want myself, I do get very irritated when people run down those who do breed dogs. The number of exaggerated breeds are very small - the vast majority of breeds are basically sound and usually fit for the purpose they were originally bred for.

strrets ahead of that pampered looking effort that came second.
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Mel - you probably don't know terriers that well but if you were watching her actions and attitude when she was shown, she's anything but pampered - chuck her in a barn with rats and it would be seconds before she's dispatched the first one!
 
Songsheet,

Pampered is probably the wrong word. It's the haircuts that make a perfectly normal dog look silly. My first real pet was a poodle, beautiful natured dog he was, but I wouldn't have been seen dead with him if he was given a hairdo like they are supposed do at the shows. The runner up was constantly having the hair around his mouth frizzed and overall the presentation just looked unnatural. He may well have been the perfect specimen and have a great personality, but I don't really get why they have to wally them up. I used to have a Pom as well, who was a nasty, dirty natured piece of work, and difficult to make anything near acceptable looking, but he looked a darn site more presentable than the big fluffball of a Pom that was shown in the final.
 
I thought the wire hair was terrific - she looked like she was on springs, ready to grab a rat in a nanosecond! Those incredibly bright, alert eyes, and the bonniest tail - I'm not a wire coat fan, to be honest, but I'd have loved her.

But, as I said to Julie when phoning her post-show, did anyone notice how amazingly alike owners and dogs were? That bloke in the interview room with Ben Fogle (surely crossed with a tapir, with that schnozz?), with grey, wavy hair and a beard, with a dog with grey, wavy hair and a beard? Then the dark-haired woman with the round face and tiny, turned-up nose - what has she got, but a dark-haired French pug? :blink: Some were really uncanny - over the years, the breeders in particular begin to morph into their chosen dogs. Julie, have I told you about your Weimaraner eyes? :blink: (And her tendency to roll on her back with her legs in the air, but that's another story... )
 
Have to say, I liked the Pom too - and I'm not usually a fan of toys! The Fox terrier did nothing for me, but i wanted the Staffy to win the group - that was reserve, so I wouldnt! Quite liked the elkhound, but didnt like the fatness of its neck, and LOVED the Welsh Springer, but again, I've got and English, and have always had gundogs ( apart from the hovi) so I am HUGELY biased towards tehm. Didnt like the Bouvier much, and didnt like the poodle, despite it being called Rodney, which I thought was great!!

Dont like the heelwork to music much, i know its really clever, but its been going on for a few too many years now - the Display team of Retrievers was diabolical ( IMO!!) but I loved watching the obedience world cup!!!

I like crufts!!!!
 
Had a Brown Spotted Dalmation (bought in lakenheath 1994) and died of a Brain Tumour in 2001.

Bought 2 King Charles Cavalier Spaniel puppies soon afterwards and am very pleased with them.

The German Shepherd remains my favourite dog, so intelligent.
 
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