door Karl DonvilCRUFTS 2008
Crufts almost equals its record entry with nearly 23.000 dogs in competition (just 27 short). But all dogs in competition together no less then 25.000 dogs were here during these four days, including around 1.000 dogs from overseas. Although last year had over 150.000 visitors, I wonder if this year will have been as busy as on Sunday I had the impression that it was much easier moving around between the more then 500 trade stands.
Criticizers have invented a nickname for Crufts and call it a circus. Is it so? A circus is perfectly directed and one can see what is expected. Crufts, on the other hand, is still a competition, a total canine spectacle. It is not known who is going to win an all the competitions. People enter their dogs and hope to win, spectators come, see and support favorites. Stand holders and Brand representatives come to show and sale as they come where people and possible customers are around. And what about Formula 1, the Olympic Games, World Championship Football, … just name it? It is exactly the same! It is also the ultimate place for the opposition for trying to persuade others. They also take part in what they name “circus”. The British Kennel Club is trying very hard to counter this and does whatever is possible to bring the dogs as positive as possible into the spotlights with activities, demonstrations and press conferences wherein they show the benefits of living with dogs and the breeding of pedigree dogs. Although I have already seen a lot of what dogs can do, I was impressed by a demonstration on how dogs for disabled people are trained. Amazing! Those dogs are trained over 100 commands and are even able to open zippers, pull out jackets and even trousers of disabled while they are still sitting in their wheelchair. A circus? I my opinion not! I have also been watching a while to another demonstration where children are learned what to do if a strange dog is around and when they are afraid. Is this a circus? No, not at all! At the other end we have Doggy Dance or Heelwork to Musik. OK, Mary Ray had a performance this year with a clown while she was dressed like a circus director. Perhaps she wanted to protest Crufts newest nickname. Like Aerobic or any other gym sport that is often done on music to make it more fun, Heelwork to Music is no more no less. And what if the handlers are dressed up? Isn’t this world sad enough? So, what about some fun together with your dog? OK, this looks the most like a circus act, but in fact it is meant for fun, an interaction between dog and handler and only a funny way to practice obedience.
Crufts is the best example of what a dog show is meant for, spreading information on dogs in all its aspects. The Kennel Club promotes numerous projects and every year there are new ones. This year they focus on promoting B&B’s and hotel accommodations that are dog friendly with a sticker campaign. In the past we had “Friends for Life” , “Good Citizen Dog Sheme”, etc. The name “Show” is a better choice as “Circus”, which has a more negative sound. The BBC has made a massive contribution to the “Show factor” of Crufts, which is now not only the biggest dog show on earth, but is watched by millions on television. And if this isn’t enough, video footage can be viewed now on YouTube (www.youtube.com/Crufts2008).
It looks like the success of the Crufts show is not to be stopped any longer. More and more competitors from overseas want to participate. This year no less then 1.165 dogs from 33 different countries took part of the competitions and their chances are realistic and proportionally higher then dogs from the UK, especially in some breeds that are not of British origin or only recently accepted. A lot of those breeds origin from Europe, where they have a much broader genetic basis and can compete with champions of a much wider area. Besides that a foreign dog needs to qualify for Crufts. They usually are not just champions, but won also BOB’s or BIS’s at important dog shows. 183 Different breeds are now in competition, the Kooikerhondje took part for the first time. This is not yet half of the breeds that are recognized by the FCI. And many foreign exhibitors did win competitions and many of the 183 BOB titles went to foreign dogs, a proof that there is always a reason to enter your dog for Crufts if he qualified.
Crufts is also synonymous with big money. Every year it is more difficult to book a room for example. Hotels and B&B’s are booked months in advance. Calculate what 500 trade stands need to pay, what profit taxis, trains, buses and even air companies make! Calculate the turnover of 150.000 visitors who buy catalog's, books, gifts, stuff for their pets, drinks and food. Calculate what 6000 seats for the Best In Show program on Sunday bring in. It is now even necessary to book them via the website and well in advance, otherwise, no ticket and no seat. Calculate what 23.000 entry fees bring in, and calculate what big food companies pay for their huge trade stands and sponsorship. Fortunately, the Kennel Club makes much efforts to promote the benefits of keeping dogs and that has its price too. No doubt they use it well.
For many dog owners it is a dream to come one day to visit Crufts and experience it all themselves. Every year I meet some people who come to Crufts for the first time, and every time it gives a good feeling to see how overwhelmed they are.
For others, like myself, it is a once in a year occasion to meet old friends from all parts of the world and make new contacts. One can indeed become addicted to Crufts. Once you are in its field of attraction, there is hardly a way out. Every year I ask myself if I will be back next year as I have seen it all, but at the end of the year I will feel again the strange attraction again and start planning for the next edition. Be aware of it once you have been there. But even if you weren’t there yet, but have read about it, seen some photos or watched it on television, you will probably start longing to go yourself or participate with your dog.
For some people a circus has that very same strange attraction, but it fades away in most of the times with aging. Crufts, on the other hand, is much more for those that love dogs, it offers so much more as you a CRUFTS 2008
Crufts almost equals its record entry with nearly 23.000 dogs in competition (just 27 short). But all dogs in competition together no less then 25.000 dogs were here during these four days, including around 1.000 dogs from overseas. Although last year had over 150.000 visitors, I wonder if this year will have been as busy as on Sunday I had the impression that it was much easier moving around between the more then 500 trade stands.
Criticizers have invented a nickname for Crufts and call it a circus. Is it so? A circus is perfectly directed and one can see what is expected. Crufts, on the other hand, is still a competition, a total canine spectacle. It is not known who is going to win an all the competitions. People enter their dogs and hope to win, spectators come, see and support favorites. Stand holders and Brand representatives come to show and sale as they come where people and possible customers are around. And what about Formula 1, the Olympic Games, World Championship Football, … just name it? It is exactly the same! It is also the ultimate place for the opposition for trying to persuade others. They also take part in what they name “circus”. The British Kennel Club is trying very hard to counter this and does whatever is possible to bring the dogs as positive as possible into the spotlights with activities, demonstrations and press conferences wherein they show the benefits of living with dogs and the breeding of pedigree dogs. Although I have already seen a lot of what dogs can do, I was impressed by a demonstration on how dogs for disabled people are trained. Amazing! Those dogs are trained over 100 commands and are even able to open zippers, pull out jackets and even trousers of disabled while they are still sitting in their wheelchair. A circus? I my opinion not! I have also been watching a while to another demonstration where children are learned what to do if a strange dog is around and when they are afraid. Is this a circus? No, not at all! At the other end we have Doggy Dance or Heelwork to Musik. OK, Mary Ray had a performance this year with a clown while she was dressed like a circus director. Perhaps she wanted to protest Crufts newest nickname. Like Aerobic or any other gym sport that is often done on music to make it more fun, Heelwork to Music is no more no less. And what if the handlers are dressed up? Isn’t this world sad enough? So, what about some fun together with your dog? OK, this looks the most like a circus act, but in fact it is meant for fun, an interaction between dog and handler and only a funny way to practice obedience.
Crufts is the best example of what a dog show is meant for, spreading information on dogs in all its aspects. The Kennel Club promotes numerous projects and every year there are new ones. This year they focus on promoting B&B’s and hotel accommodations that are dog friendly with a sticker campaign. In the past we had “Friends for Life” , “Good Citizen Dog Sheme”, etc. The name “Show” is a better choice as “Circus”, which has a more negative sound. The BBC has made a massive contribution to the “Show factor” of Crufts, which is now not only the biggest dog show on earth, but is watched by millions on television. And if this isn’t enough, video footage can be viewed now on YouTube (www.youtube.com/Crufts2008).
It looks like the success of the Crufts show is not to be stopped any longer. More and more competitors from overseas want to participate. This year no less then 1.165 dogs from 33 different countries took part of the competitions and their chances are realistic and proportionally higher then dogs from the UK, especially in some breeds that are not of British origin or only recently accepted. A lot of those breeds origin from Europe, where they have a much broader genetic basis and can compete with champions of a much wider area. Besides that a foreign dog needs to qualify for Crufts. They usually are not just champions, but won also BOB’s or BIS’s at important dog shows. 183 Different breeds are now in competition, the Kooikerhondje took part for the first time. This is not yet half of the breeds that are recognized by the FCI. And many foreign exhibitors did win competitions and many of the 183 BOB titles went to foreign dogs, a proof that there is always a reason to enter your dog for Crufts if he qualified.
Crufts is also synonymous with big money. Every year it is more difficult to book a room for example. Hotels and B&B’s are booked months in advance. Calculate what 500 trade stands need to pay, what profit taxis, trains, buses and even air companies make! Calculate the turnover of 150.000 visitors who buy catalog's, books, gifts, stuff for their pets, drinks and food. Calculate what 6000 seats for the Best In Show program on Sunday bring in. It is now even necessary to book them via the website and well in advance, otherwise, no ticket and no seat. Calculate what 23.000 entry fees bring in, and calculate what big food companies pay for their huge trade stands and sponsorship. Fortunately, the Kennel Club makes much efforts to promote the benefits of keeping dogs and that has its price too. No doubt they use it well.
For many dog owners it is a dream to come one day to visit Crufts and experience it all themselves. Every year I meet some people who come to Crufts for the first time, and every time it gives a good feeling to see how overwhelmed they are.
For others, like myself, it is a once in a year occasion to meet old friends from all parts of the world and make new contacts. One can indeed become addicted to Crufts. Once you are in its field of attraction, there is hardly a way out. Every year I ask myself if I will be back next year as I have seen it all, but at the end of the year I will feel again the strange attraction again and start planning for the next edition. Be aware of it once you have been there. But even if you weren’t there yet, but have read about it, seen some photos or watched it on television, you will probably start longing to go yourself or participate with your dog.
For some people a circus has that very same strange attraction, but it fades away in most of the times with aging. Crufts, on the other hand, is much more for those that love dogs, it offers so much more as you are a part of it. I think that this makes all the difference. You can be in the middle of it. You are there to enjoy, to spoil your pet, your best friend.
Text and photo’s: Karl DONVIL
Results: visit www.crufts.org.uk
re a part of it. I think that this makes all the difference. You can be in the middle of it. You are there to enjoy, to spoil your pet, your best friend.
