This was my first visit to Crufts, and I was just amazed at the sheer size of it all !!!

Five halls with 5 or 6 breed rings in each, plus the big arena, plus several performance and demonstration rings  - all running at the same time 

. . . it was mind-boggling.  

On the down-side, there is no way possible to see every breed and every performance sport 

- I missed so many events, as did most :(

The purpose of my marathon journey was to see a Heelersridge dog exhibited !  

He was awarded 3rd in the Open Dog class in a field of 5.

My thanks to Zuzanna Behne of Va Bene Kennels in Germany

for campaigning him to this level.

I felt very proud to see him in the ring.

My sincere thanks to all the ACD breeders in the UK 

for the warm welcome they extended to me,

I enjoyed talking with you all and hope that one day

you can visit us so I can return your hospitality.

Each hall was divided in two - half for the hundreds of stall holders, 

and half for the benching and exhibiting of the dogs.

The public had un-interrupted access to benched dogs.

The atmosphere was electric on the last night and the Arena was packed to the rafters.   

It was the end to a very long 4 days

 . . . I can only imagine the stress that the Finalists 

must have felt as they sat waiting to enter the arena. 

 The final of the Agility was fast and furious.

Their rules and equipment differ from our ANKC rules,

some of the distances between obstacles appeared to be as much as 12mtrs.

For example: the See Saw was the next obstacle after the Cloth Tunnel, 

and the Weavers followed the Flexi Tunnel !

They only have 3 height classes, and the winner of the medium dogs was an 11 yo !!! 

One of the highlights was the "Freestyle Heelwork to Music"

( Not to be confused with Dancing with Dogs )

All the entrants were just wonderful to watch and the winner was exceptional !

Pictured here performing their winning "Fireman" routine, crawling across the floor.

The pièce de résistance was putting out the mock fire

. . . click here to watch it here on youtube

And then there was BEST IN SHOW

Here is the line up as I saw it, the Vizsla had just completed its run.

What can I say, the dog was an excellent example and it moved like a dream.

( I was disappointed that the Rottie didn't place, as I thought it was on par with the Vizsla )

It was all very exciting . . . even the "streaker" with his little fluffy tail

just a shame he was running away from us 

maybe we should have sat on the other side of the arena :::))) 

Birmingham Sights

Click photo to enlarge

Dubai from the Air

You can just make out

the tallest building

in the world

through the smog