What Not to Miss at Crufts 2015- Saturday and Sunday

In Part Two of 'What Not to Miss at Crufts 2015', I've short-listed some must-see events in the Main Arena on Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th March...

Saturday 7th March
Saturday marks the day that the best terriers and hounds from all across the world come to battle it out for a place in the Best in Show finals- as well as the day one certain English Springer Spaniel is welcomed in The NEC... Meeeeeee!

• At 10:30, it is the Small Agility Team Semi-Finals, where- believe it or not- teams of the smaller canines in the world compete against one another. Super exciting stuff.
• Following the two agility competitions, it is time for perhaps my favourite competition out of them ALL at Crufts- Heelwork to Music International Freestyle Competition. I don't think my humans have missed this event once as it is just so good! Handlers and dogs from a large range of countries perform freestyle heelwork to music to take home the trophy... Team England!
• Oh yes. At 16:30, the Southern Golden Retriever Display Team take to the Main Arena. This group have performed at Crufts for as long as I can remember, but they continue to get asked back every year for one reason only- because they are BRILLIANT. If you're going to see one thing at Crufts this year, make these goldies that thing.
• Awwhhoooo- at 17:45, it's time for the final of the noisiest dog sport at Crufts- Flyball! Make sure you save your voice for this competition as there is no doubt that you will want to cheer on your favourites (usually the team with a Springer in...). Be there.
• Ending the day are the Terrier and Hound Group Judgings. Witness the walks of the best in these groups, as one terrier and one hound are awarded a place in the ultimate final of Best in Show. Out of these groups, we'd love to see a Beagle make the final, but we're just going to have to wait and see...

Sunday 8th March
The final day of Crufts 2015... It's sad, but it has to end at some point. Fortunately, to liven the spirits of all dog-lovers, Sunday's programme is fantastic, with the mighty Best in Show concluding what promises to be a brilliant four days. This is definitely the day to go if you're a fan of the Utility and Toy breeds as The NEC will be FULL of them...!

• This year, it seems that Sunday 8th is the day of the displays, with displays from the Southern Golden Retrievers and West Midland Police Dogs as well as many others. A lot of work always goes into these displays so it is definitely worth watching at least one, You will not be disappointed!
• From 15:30, the Main Arena is only open to Best in Show ticket holders so if you're lucky enough to have tickets, make sure you don't miss the Agility Championship Finals at 16:55! Witness the best agility handlers and dogs battle it out to be crowned Crufts Agility Champions. If you don't have tickets however, don't fret- earlier in the day is the second round of the Agility Championship so make sure you don't miss these!
• The final group judgings of Crufts 2015 are for the Utlity and Toy breeds. This is the last opportunity for dogs from all across the globe to show the judges what they've got to win the honour of a spot in the Best in Show final.
• At 20:30, it is time for one gundog, utlity, toy, terrier, hound, working and pastoral breed to take to the Main Arena for the arguably most prestigious dog competition in the world- Best in Show. Last year, Ricky the Standard Poodle won the title so who's going to be lucky enough to follow in his lead? 

Talk soon,

 Jasper x

For more information on Crufts 2015, visit www.crufts.org.uk

Tu buy tickets to the dog show (which I thoroughly recommend doing!), click here 

What Not to Miss at Crufts 2015- Thursday and Friday

With Crufts almost within reaching distance, it is time to start planning what you're going to do at the dog show as, after all, it is the largest one in the world! To make it easier deciding what to see and do, I have written a day-by-day breakdown of the events that I wouldn't want to miss, so here it is for the first two days of the show, Thursday 5th and Friday 6th March...

Thursday 5th March

This year, the first day of Crufts hosts the Gundog judging at the end of the day, which is obviously my favourite day to attend!

• If you're going this day, you are lucky enough to have almost two-and-a-half hours of agility first thing in the morning, so if you are a big fan of the sport, head to the Main Arena at 9am.
• At 11:55, the Freestyle Heelwork to Music competition takes place, which is definitely one of my favourite events to watch. Watch the competitors run rings around their owners- literally! One can only dream of being as good as these guys, so this competition is definitely worth a viewing.
  
• At 14:15, the Dog Activities Display takes place in the Main Arena, which introduces you to a variety of dog sports that you can get involved in. Last time I watched this display, a gorgeous Great Dane demonstrated heelwork to music alongside a Chihuahua. A very comical sight indeed.
• At 15:10, the noisiest dog sport of them all takes to the Main Arena- Flyball! Arguably the most exciting of dog activities, flyball consists of teams of dogs running as fast as they can (which is very fast) down a lane of jumps, picking up a tennis ball and then returning, in a relay format. Definitely a must-see event throughout the weekend.
• At 17:15, it's time to take a seat for the evening section of the day, starting with the YKC Agility Finals. This event showcases the talent of the next generation and is one of the top competitions for the under 18s.
• At 18:50, the Gundogs take to the Main Arena, where they will be judged on their condition, temperament and movement. At this point, the humans and I will be embarrassingly supportive of the English Springer Spaniel... Come on, you Spannas!

Friday 6th March

Day Two of Crufts 2015 is Working and Pastoral day so attendees will be able to meet dogs from Mastiffs and mountain dogs to collies and Komondors. 

• Once again, the first events of the day in the Main Arena are agility competitions. Of particular notice, the competition at 10:35 is an ABC one, meaning  Anything But Collies can compete (as long as they're canines, of course).
•  Following this, is the Rescue Dog Agility competition at 11:05 which recognises the turnaround that can be made to a dog's life after adoption.This makes for a slightly emotional viewing, as it is incredible to see what these dogs can do after having not-so-brilliant parts of their lives.
• At 15:10, witness a rapid display of the Trailrunners. A group of runners with their dogs will show what is involved in Canine Cross Country and will be doing sample races of what it takes.
• Later on, at 17:45, the Scruffts Finals take place in the Main Arena. Scruffts is a fairly new concept at Crufts, as it involves varieties of cross-breeds, all competing to win Family Crossbreed of the Year. 
• Concluding Day Two of Crufts 2015 are the Working and Pastoral Group Judgings. Every year, my humans ensure that they see at least one group judging, as they like to be able to support the dog they saw at the show in the Best in Show finals on the Sunday. Out of these two groups, we're hoping for a Great Dane and a Old English Sheepdog winner. Paws crossed!

If you're hoping to attend Crufts 2015 on either (or both!) of the first two days at Crufts, I wish you the very best day/s imaginable. Personally, I've decided to head to The NEC on Saturday 7th March so if, like me, you are visiting the show in the latter half of the four days, do not fret- a 'What Not to Miss' guide will be posted very shortly!

Just a quick reminder- the deadline for the competition to win two tickets to Crufts 2015 is TONIGHT so, if you have entered already, make sure you click here  to find out how to enter.

Talk soon, Jasper x

For more information on Crufts 2015, visit www.crufts.org.uk 

To buy tickets to the show, click here 

Best in Show: Who's Going to Win?

With less than THREE weeks until the largest dog show in the world, Crufts, the last few preparations are taking place to ensure that the show is as successful as ever. This is especially the case with the owners of Crufts entrants. Years of work have been devoted into the dogs of the dog show world, many along with the aspiration of winning the esteemed title of 'Best in Show'.
The question on everybody's mind is who is going to take the title home this year?
I look back at the past 5 winners of this prestigious title...

2010: Yogi the Hungarian Vizsla

Five years ago, Yogi was awarded the first Best in Show of the decade. Out of the 187 different breeds competing at Crufts 2010, Yogi was awarded the honour of this renowned title and, by doing so, made him the first Hungarian Vizsla to claim the magnificent trophy. Close, but not quite, Rico the Scottish Terrier, from Russia, took home Reserve Best in Show.

http://www.thegooddogguide.com/lincolnshire/
grimsby/dog-pet-food-delivery-services/tower-pet-products/17900

2011: Jet the Flat-coated Retriever

The 120th Crufts dog show title of Best in Show was awarded to nine-year-old Jet, who had already won a Crufts title- Best in Breed, at the 2008 show. Bred by Jim Irvine, the cheerful dog beat 21,422 dogs to win the top spot at the dog show. after being crowned Best Gundog in Saturday's Best in Group competition. Reserve Best in Show was awarded to Jilly, the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen, who you may hear about again later on...!

http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/234491/
Crufts-2011-Jet-retrieves-his-third-Crufts-win

2012: Elizabeth the Lhasa Apso

Back in the year of the London Olympics, Elizabeth took home the first of many wins for Britain! Owned by Margaret Anderson, from Coventry, Elizabeth was seven when she won the title and picked up the nickname 'Elizabeth the laid-back Lhasa' after proving herself to an extremely chilled dog for one who had just one the mighty title. Reserve Best in Show was Brutus, a well-travelled three-year-old Newfoundland from Slovakia.

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/crufts-2012
-best-in-show-winner-758286

2013: Jilly the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen

Recognise the name? Well, four-year-old Jilly was awarded the title of 'Best in Show' by judge Mr Geoff Corish, two years after being placed as Reserve Best in Show! Another local dog, cheery, little Jilly is owned by Sara and Gavin Robertson and is from Wallingford, Oxfordshire. The Reserve Best in Show in 2013 was Romeo, a lively Labrador Retriever.

http://crufts.fossedata.co.uk/Default.asp?ShowYear=2013

2014: Ricky the Standard Poodle

Last year, Ricky beat 21,000 other entries to win arguably the most notable dog title of them all. Handled and co-owned by Jason Lynn, from Preston, Leicestershire,  2-year-old Ricky was awarded the title after assessments on his condition and health, temperament and movement. Runner up was Samoyed who goes by the very comical name Dan The Man.

http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/463997/Bouffant-
poodle-is-Best-in-Show-at-Crufts-2014

2015: Well, we're just going to have to wait until 8th March to find out! Personally, I would love an English Springer Spaniel to take home the title of Best in Show but I'm sure whichever doggie does get awarded the trophy will be a deserving winner. In 2013, my humans were lucky enough to see Jilly win Best in Show, and they said that it was a fantastic experience being there in person to see the event. 

Remember, there is still time to enter my competition to win a pair of tickets to Crufts 2015! Click here to find out how to enter.

Talk soon, Jasper x

If attending Best in Show, or even any of the Group titles, appeals to you, tickets can be bought here. You won't regret it!

For more information on Crufts 2015, visit www.crufts.org.uk

WIN TICKETS TO CRUFTS 2015!

Ever fancied going to the largest dog show on the planet? Well, here's your chance.
Thanks to the Kennel Club, I have a pair of tickets to give away to one lucky reader.
Ohhh yes, you heard me- you could be going to Crufts 2015!

For the chance to win these tickets, all you have to do is correctly answer the following question...
(Pssst... You can find the answer in my previous blog post, here!)

Last year, a very handsome doggie took the prestigious title of Best in Show, but what breed of dog was he?

A) Golden Retriever

B) English Springer Spaniel

C) Standard Poodle

Send your answer, along with your name and address, to jasperthedoggie@hotmail.co.uk or use the contact form to the right. 
Deadline for entries: Sunday 22nd February

Good luck everyone!
Jasper x

To find out more about Crufts, visit www.crufts.org.uk
If you fancy buying tickets to Crufts 2015, click here

It's That Time of Year Again... Yippee!

Any guesses for which event I'm getting excited about?
It's action-packed.
It's dogtastic.
It's the biggest dog show in the world...
It's Crufts!

That's right- Crufts is only 31 days away!

From 5th to 8th March, 22,000 dogs will be battling it out for their chance to win the prestigious Best in Show title at the NEC, Birmingham. Last year, Best in Show was won by Ricky the Standard Poodle but who will win it this year, I wonder?
And, for the first time ever, one very special guest will be at the show.
Me!
My human has kindly been given a pass to Crufts that allows for me to be taken in with her. For years, I've been wanting to go and now I have been given the chance to! But that's not all.
Very soon, I am going to be giving away a pair of tickets to one lucky reader- and that could be you!
Make sure you keep checking back here for your chance to win.

So, what's to do at the show?

Well, there is an ENDLESS list of things you can do at Crufts. My humans' personal favourites are the doggie sport competitions, such as the International Heelwork to Music competition, agility finals for dogs of all sizes and the loudest of them, flyball!

In addition, there are over 400 trade stands to shop until your heart's content from, many of which who will running some very special offers, exclusive to the show. Trust me when I say this: every doggie need you have will be covered at this dog show.

And that's not all! To see what my human got up to on her trip to Crufts last year, click here

Under 12s have FREE entry into the show, so why not treat the family to a day that never fails to be tremendous fun?

I will be blogging more Crufts related posts in the run-up to my favourite event of the year, so make sure you don't miss out!

Talk soon, Jasper x

For more information on the dog show, www.crufts.org.uk
To buy tickets to Crufts, click here