Firstly, my humans visited the YKC Ring to see a Crufts qualifier! On both days of Discover Dogs this year, the Young Kennel Club is holding qualifiers for 'Groomer of the Year' at Crufts. I've competed in this very competition twice before, so one of my humans knew exactly how the competitors were feeling: under pressure!
Also on offer at the show is a range of agility competitions. Who doesn't love watching dogs jump, climb and weave through obstacles?! My humans caught the Small/Mixi Pairs Final in jumping, which is basically a relay involving two dogs, with one taking on the first half of the course and the other the second half.
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| Look at them go! |
Following the agility was Trick 'n' Treat and Obedience Training with Mary Ray. As many of you will know, Mary Ray is the person who brought Heelwork to Music to the UK, so she is very experienced in the obedience field.
The first half of her set was done with her helper Lyric, her newest recruit for Heelwork to Music. Lyric was born this time last year and her tricks are already seriously impressive- look at that concentration!
Mary Ray was then accompanied by Levi, her nine-year-old Border Collie who has been an obedience champion for the past three years. With years of experience, Levi's second home is the Main Ring at most dog shows, and he performed the most amazing tricks that left my humans in awe.
It was then time for the first Scruffts semi-final of the weekend: Child's Best Friend! Each and every dog's appearance was unique- they're all cross-breeds- but every one of the competitors was gorgeous!
Sarah Wright, editor of Your Dog magazine, was the judge of this competition and she chose................ as the winners. Each finalist of the six categories will be at the final at Crufts 2015, where the overall champion will be crowned. Don't miss the rest of the semi-finals at Discover Dogs tomorrow!
After demonstrations of teaching your dog obedience tricks, it was now time for Mary Ray to show us these tricks performed to music- with Richard Curtis. The two top dog handlers performed a fabulous Scottish-themed Heelwork to Music (Freestyle) music routine with Levi. Definitely not to be missed!
Erm, humans, I am definitely capable of performing tricks of that level...
After watching a number of fantastic competitions and displays, my humans then decided that they were missing me too much and headed off to my personal favourite of the 200-plus breed stands- the English Springer Spaniels! Look at that face... I might even have to admit that he is just as cute as me!
After a quick break for lunch and browse of the shops, it was time for my humans to return back to the Main Ring for the act I crowned my top thing to see at the show: the Southern Golden Retriever Display Team!
The weaving circle!
Patiently waiting for their humans to come back whilst dealing with separation lasting more than five seconds...
Oh, so obedient.
Your humans have left you alone? Again? Goldies, I feel for you.
About time for a trip to see the gentle giants. Such stunning Great Danes.
Yup, I have no idea where this Hungarian Puli's eyes are either.
My humans bumped into one of the Southern Golden Retriever Display Team dogs later on and she was more than happy to pose for a photo!
Snoozing Spanish Water Dogs with those lovely curls. I can totally understand why they've chosen to sleep instead of snuggle with humans: Discover Dogs is an exhausting experience!
My humans visited the Police Dog stand and spoke to some very friendly trainers who were more than happy to answer any questions they had.
And look who they met... Marney!
One of the trainers had only their little Springer for four weeks and Marney had apparently already shown many signs of becoming a fantastic dog to fulfil the requirements of a police dog- and the requirements of becoming Britain's Next Top Dog Model as well, so it seems!
And then the humans came across the Southern Golden Retriever Display Team... Again.
Back to the Main Ring for the noisiest dog sport, Flyball! Never does this competition fail to be one exciting competition requiring a LOT of yelling from the audience...
To end the day, my humans visited Discover Dogs' sponsors Metro Bank's stand to meet some of the most famous doggies in the acting world, including Harvey (real name: Sykes) from the Thinkbox advert, and Roly, who is in Downton Abbey. Recognise any of them?
You can just tell that these guys are completely used to having their photo taken...
And that was it; my humans' day at Discover Dogs was over. Once again, they had a brilliant day, full of lots of shopping, adoring and stroking. Discover Dogs is open again at Earls Court TOMORROW so, if you haven't already been, make sure you go.
Next year, Discover Dogs is moving to ExCeL London and is open on 17th and 18th October, so make sure you save the date in your diary!
Talk soon, Jasper x
For information on Discover Dogs, visit www.discoverdogs.org.uk.
To buy tickets to the dog show, click here.
I'm sure it was a great day. I can see there were a lot of dogs. Some of them look so funny, Haha... All of these dog models are very cute.
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