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Yes, it's back - the Crufts diary! I'm again getting as excited as ever about attending the world's biggest dog show. I'm going on Thursday 9th March this year, which is the showcase for the Working and Pastoral Groups (so, yes, the Belgian Shepherds and the Dobermanns). My Crufts season ticket reached me before the end of December 2005, a lot earlier than last year, and is a bright orange colour! I shan't lose that easily! My train and coach journey was sorted by February 2nd, too, so I'm pretty much ready to go. I have a nice orange Olympus Mju camera to take with me this time, at least, so I'm hoping to take as many pictures as possible! I can get over 100 on my camera. I am thinking about buying a back-up battery, though, just in case I run out of power far too early - which may well be the case! I'm going to be taking plenty of cash, too, for some souvenirs, but it's the dogs I'm really looking forward to seeing. Without a doubt, it's going to be the best day of the year for me!

Diary

4th March: I've got a back-up battery for my digital camera now, just in case my other one runs low, and my train tickets arrived this morning for my journey from Lincoln to Nottingham. There's less than a week to go now, so I'm getting real exctied - so much so that I really don't want to be at work at all! I have a week off starting from the moment I leave from my day shift tomorrow, though, so I don't have many more working hours to face before the show.

In the Thursday copy of "Dog World" there was a super Crufts supplement, which besides interviewing some well-known judges and handler Peter Green, who took Coco the Norfolk Terrier to last year's best in show, it also published all the details for which breeds are in which rings and entry figures for each breeds. The Belgians are in the same rings as last year, which is great, as are the Dobes. I have a new breed-objective this year, though - I need to find out as much as I can about the Smooth variety of Collie (the lesser-known cousin of the Lassie-type Rough). The reason for this being that my mum has taken a shine to them and it looks like I might have to defer to taking on one of them rather than a beautiful belgian in future, for she is very much taken by them, especially because they have a short coat. Deep down, I'd still rather have a Tervueren, but if is a Smooth Collie or nothing, then I'll take the Smooth. They sound like brilliant, versatile dogs, anyway, and are most elegant creatures. I'll have the Discover Dogs section to visit for all my questions on this breed and I'll pop over to the judging ring later on to see the dogs on offer (the Smooths follow the Aussie Shepherds in their ring in Hall 1, so they won't be on show till later in the day).

I'm planning on doing a bit of shopping this week, and to withdraw plenty of cash to take to spend so that I'm ready for the best day of the year. I can't wait!

8th March: It's currently half-past-six at night and I'm getting really excited now. The big day is tomorrow, and I'm wishing the time away so I can be amongst the dogs again. I've been ill for the past few days with a flu-like cold, and I've been fearing that I won't be fit to go, but I'm feeling better today and should be ship-shape for tomorrow. I didn't get any more shopping done in time, but I have borrowed a belt from my mum to keep my jeans up, and have decided that my old trainers shall have to do to wear to the NEC and back. ;) My Mju digital camera's in my bag with my purse and all my money, and I'm currently charging my mobile up so I can capture a collie or two on my camera-phone for my mum. I've checked and double-checked my tickets - for the train, for the coach and, most importantly, for Crufts - and everything's in my bag. I just wish I could be there now! I can't wait to walk through those doors and hear the barks!

My plan is to go around a few of the rings in Halls 1 and 2 first, and see my beautiful Belgians, then do some of the stalls and Discover Dogs, then Halls 4 and 5, and whatever else I want to do thereafter. I want to take as many photos as I can and buy a lot of things ~~I don't need~~, and I need to find out whatever I can about the Smooth Collie (and I might see if I can dig deeper in my BSD knowledge, too). It looks set to be a great day - bring it on!

March 9th: So, it's finally here - the first day of Crufts! I'm up at 5am, awake before my alarm (in fact, I kept waking up during the night, I was wishing the hours away so much), and jump straight into the shower before I get dressed (in my BSD t-shirt) and prepare to leave for my doggy pilgrimage. The weather held out for the morning and though the sky was grey, it didn't rain whilst I was still in Lincoln. I was out the house just after 6am and went to wait for the early 6:30am bus at the local shops. The bus was on-time and I was in town before 7am! This left me with some time to kill, so I went off and bought some jelly babies from a local newsagent before I put my headphones on and sat in the waiting room. It still hadn't sank in that I was going back to Crufts again...

The train was also perfectly on-time and I was on my way to good ol' Nottingham once again. The train was the one that stopped at practically every station on the way, from Hykeham to Rolleston, so it took a good hour to get to Nottz, but we were there by just gone 8:30am and so I stopped-off for a toilet break then went over to the Broadmarsh bus station to await my coach, due 9:15am.

9:15am came, and went. 9:30am came and went. Other coaches came and went, but there was still no sign of service 608 to Crufts. I walked over to the National Express Coach Company kiosk and their message board said that the coach would be due 9:37am - it was late. But 9:37am also came and went and it didn't arrive until passed 9:45am. To say I'd been panicking was an understatement - since I'd been looking forward to this day for so long, to have it seem like I wasn't going to get there on the Working and Pastoral day almost broke my heart. But the coach did arrive, just as my common-sense tried to tell me it would, and we eventualy got on our way. Better late than never.

Of course, the traffic was our next problem and we got caught in several queues of traffic toward the NEC. We also had to stop-off for a break for the driver since he'd been going for so long (he'd started off in Leeds, then gone to Sheffield, before coming to Nottingham). And so we didn't arrive at the NEC until about 12 o' clock! I was frustrated, but there was nothing anyone could do about it. To put the icing on the cake, we were also parked miles away from the NEC, so had to make a roundabout trip across the car park and through the other end of the NEC before we actually found Halls 1-5 where Crufts was taking place.

But we got there and I was off like a whippet, straight to rings 13A and B where the Belgians were on show. The show was arranged exactly the same as last year so it almost felt like I'd never been gone. Most of the stalls were identical, too, and selling the same things as before! It was quite bizarre.

I got to the BSD ring and saw the Groenendaels and the Tervuerens were still on-show, though I had missed a substantial amount of the judging. Both were into the bitch contests as far as I could tell, but it was great to see them, regardless. I recognised a few of the breed's most renowned breeders, in particular Linda Collins of the Domburg kennel whose India won the breed and the Pastoral group last year. There was one Groenendael on the ring side, in particular, that grabbed my attention, though, a big, well-coated male with a most gorgeous expression and placid nature. I asked if I could take a photo of him and the handler obliged and asked her dog, "Dante", to pay attention. As soon as she said "Dante", something sparked in my head, and I suddenly realised that this was the dog that I had on my wall, on a clipping from the Dog World paper. I asked her his kennel name to verify this, and it was him - Ch Ebontide Nexus for Lykos! I was so pleased to be able to see this dog in the flesh - he was a celebrity in my eyes - and I was told that he had won the ticket for the day, so I was pleased to hear that. He was a lovely natured male and I would love to own one of his progeny one day if he's ever used at stud. A true, beautiful Groenendael. I took his picture twice.

I went over to the Terv' ring for a bit then and took a video of a Tervueren being handled round the ring. I believe it was a bitch but I can't make out the number of the entry, so I can't tell you who the dog (or the handler) was. (See the video here.) I stayed around the Tervueren and Gron' rings a little longer then went off through the stalls and made my way to Discover Dogs.

I had been sent on a mission this year as far as Discover Dogs went. I had to find out about the Smooth Collie, a breed my mum had become very fond of. Discover Dogs wasn't as hectic as I thought it might be, so I managed to find the Smooths in no time. There were three bitches in the pen, a trio of youngsters and each in a different colour - one sable, one tricolour, and one blue merle - and they were lovely dogs. They were friendly and gentle and each came to say hello in turn. The owner of the trio was a very nice man to talk to, as well, who was happy to answer my questions. I asked him that if I wanted an active and trainable dog, would the Smooth be perfect, and he said defintely. The Smooth, he explained, were very trainable dogs, but not on the level of the Border Collie, and would happily adapt to any circumstances, and any amount of exercise. They tended to shed once a year for dogs, and in line with their seasons for bitches, and were up for a bit of agility and even got along with cats if they had to! I asked if the tricolour was still the most common colour, but he said they were each about even now. I told him I preferred the sable, but he personally liked the blues, whilst his wife liked the tris - "but you can't beat seeing a good sable in the show ring" he added. He and his wife owned nine, and they all lived in the house with them.

I liked them very much, but I don't think they can quite take the place of the Belgians in my eyes...

I thanked the man for talking to me and veered across to the Tervuerens. There were a pair of pet-quality dogs in the pen and they were both lovely, a six month old male and a five year old dog. The people told me they were not too much trouble to keep well-groomed - just once a day would keep their coat in condition - and they were fantastic dogs for agility, so fast. They sometimes needed firm handling as puppies but apart from that, they were great dogs. And I love them!

I took a quick peek at the Laekenois. Two of the three that were entered were in the pen between the Malinois and the Grons, and were preparing to go back to their ring in time for their class. They were both lovely animals, but I don't think they're quite as attractive as their long-coated counterparts.

I then moved on to the Groenendael pen and nothing could quite prepare me for the beauty therein. A masterful male was on show and was lapping up all the attention that was being lathered on him! When I came to say hello, he was more than accomodating, and leaned against me as well as giving me a kiss! Now here was a beautiful dog. He was gentle and the lady said he would even do what her four-year-old told him to do! What a softy! He had a gorgeous coat and was so laid back and gentle. I asked what kennel he was from, and the lady told me he was fro an Ailort litter, which is something I intended to keep in mind because he was such a lovely specimen. So far, the Groenendaels had made a greater impression on me than the Tervs because their temperments were so wonderful.

I also went back to see the trio of Malinois, one of which I was told had been the winner of the Malinois group last year. Unfortunately, this dog couldn't compete again this year because he had been bred by the judge! Bad luck on his part, or else he would have been in the running for the first Malinois CCs in the UK, which were on offer for the first time at this year's Crufts. I asked him if the Malinois were more intense than their Belgian brothers, and he said they could be, but weren't that bad. They needed two good walks a day to keep them occupied and loved agility - all of the ones in the pen did agility - and were very elegant and refined dogs. Their hip scores were always very good, I was told, because they had only been in the hands of dedicated breeders, unlike the over-popular German Shepherd which had suffered from indiscriminate breeding. Lovely creatures.

I wandered for a little longer round the pens and met a Schipperke as well as seeing a Beauceron asleep on the floor of its pen! Bless. I then thought it was time to take a wander, and I went to see the other dogs. I saw Dobermanns, including a gorgeous brown-and-tan bitch called Kelly who was sat so beautifully on a bench that I had to take her picture. I asked if I could stroke her and I was given permission, and she was lovely - such a friendly and docile Dobe! I watched the Dobes in their rings for a bit, and also saw some German Pinschers, including an undocked one, which was a great surprise! There were some lovely Bullmastiffs looking thoroughly fed-up on their benches, and the Old English Sheepdogs never fail to impress, either.

I took another walk round the stalls but just didn't have the time to see and buy as much as I wanted to. I bought my sisters a soft-toy dog each, and tried my hand at the tombola, but didn't win a big plsuh dog. I bought a copy of the Kennel Club Breed Standards book, which was on offer for a tenner, an offer not to be sniffed at! That was all I got for myself, really. I also bought Bonnie a collar and picked up a free sample of Pedigree Chum for her, too.

I then went to see the Belgians again, and the German Shepherd for a bit, then decided to see the Smooth Collies. They were on-show after the Aussie Shepherds in Hall 1, and I sat and watched them for some time. I did video a sable going round the ring but I accidentally deleted the video, which is a real shame. I took plenty of pictures and relaxed for a bit, eating a Mars bar, before I went back to the Belgians for a while, and by then there wasn't much time left. I did see some gorgeous scultures on one stall which were so accurate that I wanted to bring one home. I had seen a Tervueren, but it was sold when I went to see them a second time, replaced with a Groenendael, and I took the plunge and asked how much it was. £95 was my answer. Whoah! But it was just so beautiful... The Dobermanns, Italian Spinone and Smooth Collies on sale were brilliant, as well. Shame they were so dear!

Before I knew it, it was time to go. The day had been too short, and yet it had been so hectic and busy in the show that I was quite glad to get out of there. I had really wanted to get there on time to see more of the Belgians and what have you, but I had no such luck. Ah well - at least I had been there!

I returned to the coach gone 4pm because I was tired and most of the rings were closing down by then, their judging over. A lot of the dogs were going home, too, since they were finally allowed out at 4pm, so there wasn't much left to see. I'd seen some beautiful Belgians and was happy enough at that.

We were late leaving because we lost a couple of people for a while - to be fair, we weren't parked in the easiest place to find - and the long journey back to Nottingham meant that I didn't get there until around 8pm! This left me with no choice but to cacth the 8:24pm train home, and I then leapt into a taxi and was home for around 10pm, tired yet satisified.

10th March: Well, I'm still tired, though I wake up early today, and find out that the Working Group was topped by the Bouvier des Flandres from the Netherlands, Swis/Ned Ch Gijs Santos from the Dogsfarm, whilst the super American Australian Shepherd, Am Ch Caitland Isle Take a Chance, took the Pastoral Group, with the lovely Tervueren bitch India, Ch Domburg Reve D'Amour taking Group 3 at 11 years of age!

When the Terrier and Hound Groups are broadcast in the evening, I'm surprised to see the Airedale and Irish Terrier breed winners are both undocked examples - it can only be good news! The Wire Fox Terrier wins the Terrier Group, though, followed by the Norwegian Elkhound in the Hounds. We only have Saturday's Toys & Utility Groups and Sunday's Gundog Groups to go before we reach the Best in Show competition! There's a very varied line-up this year so far, so I can't wait to see who takes the top prize.

12th March: It's all over, and too soon, too. The Utility Group was taken yesterday by Ch Minarets Secret Assignment, a top-winning Miniature Poodle, whilst the Toy Group was won by a (I believe) Danish Pomeranian. Today, a Welsh Springer called "Mick" won the Gundog Group and Best in Show was taken by... the Aussie! The Australian Shepherd took top awards! What a result! I thought the Poodle might sweep the boards, or the pretty Wire Fox bitch, but I was rooting for the Aussie underneath, and am so glad to see a Pastoral take the Group. It was a double celebration for all Australian Shepherd owners and breeders, too, seeing as the dog and bitch breed winners both took home the first CCS in the breed - and now they've had their breed take the top awards! It was brilliant. The only down side is that it's a whole 12 months till the next Crufts...

Photos

Here are all my photos below. Some of them aren't very good quality, so sorry about that, but you can still make most of them out! :) (NB: I'd prefer that you didn't take any of the photos for your own use without asking me first.)

	The long walk - this is how far we were parked from the NEC!
	Champion Ebontide Nexus for Lykos, otherwise known as Dante. I finally met this beautiful, winning Groenendael in the flesh after having a picture of him (clipped out of Dog World) stuck up on my wall for ages! It was a great surprise to trip-over him at the NEC, and to talk to his friendly owner, too.
	Dante again, in profile
	A blurry image of the Groenendael ring
	Another blurry Groenendael ring picture
	The Tervueren Ring, taken from the worst possible angle
	A blurred perspective of the Sheltie ring
	An Ailort-bred male Groenendael in the Discover Dogs area. I'm not sure what his name is, but he was a real gentle and loving dog. I wanted to take him home.
	Spot the dog. (There's a Groenendael in there, I swear!)
	Two of the three Laekenois entered at Crufts, a dog and a bitch, in the Discover Dogs area
	The pair of lovely Laekens again
	The Malinois trio "manning" the Discover Dogs stand, including last year's BOB Malinois. He was unable to compete for the first-Malinois-CC this year due to the fact he had been bred by the presiding judge. Luck of the draw, eh?
	The Malis again - what gorgeous, elegant and streamlined creatures!
	Ringside at 13B during the Malinois judging
	More Malinois action
	And some more...
	I believe this is Bonvivant's Jan Ralph and one of her team of Malinois. The dog's making a bit of a performance in the ring, if you can make it out. Bless it.
	And some more Malinois on show
	And one more
	The Bouvier des Flandres ring... in the distance :)
	They're a bit hard to make out, but there are a few Bouviers waiting to go into their ring here
	A sleeping Beauceron bitch in the Discover Dogs area. Bless her.
	A Briard chilling out
	A pair of truly glum-looking Bullmastiffs. Don't you just want to hug them?
	A young Old English Sheepdog on its grooming table
	The Dobe dog ring
	More action from the dog Dobe judging
	A brown male Dobe waits for the judge's verdict
	A beautiful Dobermann bitch shows herself off to her best advantage
	Another lovely Dobermann bitch paying attention to her handler whilst the latter chats to another lady in the class
	"Kelly", a lovely brown-and-tan Dobermann bitch that I had the pleasure of meeting
	Dobermann 1113, Ch Othertons Country Gent, peers into the bench next door. It looks like he's won a second place in his class, too!
	Two thoroughly exhausted Dobes take a well-earned break!
	The German Shepherd ring
	This Shepherd's had enough. "When are we leaving, dad?"
	A rather dark picture of the Shepherd ring, again
	Shepherd 4566, Brenberry Axelia, an young attractive bitch, takes a look at the competition
	The German Pinscher ring... if you can see them! The one on the far-right is undocked.
	The famous Tubize Van'Nistelrooy for Remikz ShCM, who took BOB.
	Another handsome Pinscher
	A camera-shy Pinscher, ring-side
	The BOB judging in the Pyrenean Mountain Dog ring. The male, Ch Shanlimore Midnight Cowboy, on the right, took the top honours, and even made the final cut in the Group Judging later on!
	The Schipperkes in Discover Dogs
	The Smooth Collie ring
	Another pic of the Smooths on show
	More from the Collie class
	And more Collies
	A tricolour Collie on the move
	The trio of Smooth Collie bitches in Discover Dogs
	And the trio of girls again
	"Hello there!" says the sable bitch
	The Blue Merle jumps up to say hi to everyone
	A trio of benched Smooths near the ring side. This is (left to right) Tricolour bitch 4460, Mandordeife Party Doll, Blue Merle bitch 4459, Mandordeife Silver Dawn JW, and the Blue Merle on the end I presume is number 4458, the bitch Mandodeife Silver Serenade
	The Tervs in Discover Dogs, both pets, not show-dogs. The lad at the front is 6 months old, and the boy at the back is five years.
	The two Tervs again
	There was this lovely rainbow over the NEC as I left, a result of the heavy rain we'd had that day

A Ringside View of the Terv'

A young Tervueren is put through its paces in ring 13B in this short video I captured. I've no idea who the dog is (or the handler, for that matter!), so if you know (or are the owner) please come forward so I can give credit!

The video is in Quicktime format and about 15MB in size. Please Right-Click the link and select "Save Target As" from the menu rather than clicking the link directly. Thanks!

Juri's "Crufts" Diary - 2006

Diary

Photos

A Ringside View of the Terv'