Crufts

[lankeela]

Passes have arrived today - yaaaay! Starting to get excited now, can't wait.

[slinkycat]

Never been before Lankeela, quite fancy it now I have a dog, just as a spectator obviously, biased as I am don't think Geoff would be a contender!
Is it a good day out? Thinking of going on the third day, terrier and hound.
Take it you will be competing/showing?

[karenmac60]

I'm not a fan of overly trained dogs - they always look scared to me. I much prefer my 'never does as he's told, thinks he's still a pup at 7, happy as Larry' mutt.

[slinkycat]

Really Karen? First time dog owner here so can't speak from experience apart from Geoff, but he loves his training.
He's always eager to please, and willing to learn, he knows his place in the "pack" and thats how I want him, happy but obedient:-)

[thugulike]

Our pass arrived last week. Karen I recommend you watch the mastiffs. The words 'overly trained' doesn't quite do it for them. They tend to go where they want and do what they want. Sometimes they don't even want to move at all. My mastiff only did 4 weeks puppy training class but he doesn't like being told off so he does as I ask. I've never seen him look scared, he just loves the shows. If he didn't, we wouldn't go.

[lankeela]

I think Karen is confusing training with showing - show dogs really enjoy showing off and you will see lots of wagging tails - with mine you will also see them dancing on their hind legs for a titbit when they ought to be standing properly or crawling along the floor on their bellies like a squashed frog - not from fear but because people laugh at them so they do it all the more. Not every judge appreciates their antics in the show ring but so long as they enjoy themselves I don't care. As for training, the dogs really love it and wouldn't do it so well if they were scared. slinkycat, go and have a good day out, spend loads of money on stuff you didn't know existed, see breeds you didn't know existed and wear comfortable shoes as you will walk miles and miles without realising it. I will be there on Friday showing and back on Sunday for Discover Dogs to represent my breed to chat to people about them (GSD's this year).

[madmaggot]

We're going to be on 'Discover Dogs' again this year; we had a great day at the show last year although it's very hectic and tiring and a very long day!
Enjoy the show everyone.
Karen, I hope your dog has had basic training? IMO disobedient dogs are just as bad as unruly children and only serve to get dogs a bad name. I'm sure you're only joking that he 'never' does as he's told.

[lankeela]

These dogs sure look scared - NOT!

http://www.wagreflex....of-a-dog-trainer.html

[zzxxee]

i have always wanted to go to crufts !!!!
Good luck lankeela x

[lankeela]

Been every year since 1978 and been showing there every year since 1989. Dread to think how much thats cost me!

[zzxxee]

have you won many of the events lankeela ?

[askyourgran]

^^this one sounds a bit of a dog^. goodbye soon I think.

[lankeela]

Had several first places over the years and I think I have been placed every time,
My old girl won the veteran class when she was thirteen, and came second when she was fourteen. She is fifteen now and has decided to retire! Looking forward to showing my young GSD at his first Crufts and he will be doing a 'meet and greet' on Discover Dogs as well. Two Heelers entered this year, my 'puppies' who are almost eight.