CRUFTS WEEK!

The time is now, the week is here. Crufts is turning 125!

By now, competitors across the globe will be carrying out their final preparations: heelwork to music routines are being practised, obedience skills are being perfected and there's a lot of coat grooming to be done. 

As for us members of the general public, we simply have to empty the cupboards to make sure that there's enough space for future Crufts purchases, writing lists of the things we want to fill those cupboards with and planning what we want to see and do, when we're not relentlessly shopping.

There are HUGE amounts of displays, competitions and talks to be watched; so much, in fact, that things can get a little overwhelming. 

But, don't fret: 

I introduce my day-by-day breakdown of what I think you simply MUST see when you come to the NEC this week...!

Thursday 10th March: Toy & Utility Day

• 11:05- East Anglian Staffordshire Bull Terrier Display Team- despite so many campaigns to end the stereotype, Staffies are a breed that continue to get a bad portrayal in the media. This display team show exactly why their image is so, so wrong. Such a happy sight to see.
• 12:15- Freestyle Heelwork to Music competition- never does heelwork to music disappoint. Freestyle has more options for the competitors, which means some very creative ideas come through. Some of the most talented dogs performing effortlessly to music- amazing!
• 17:15- Young Kennel Club Agility Dog of the Year- across the weekend, the next generation of dog experts compete in the YKC Ring at Crufts, which I highly recommend giving a visit. However, for one of the YKC's biggest competitions, the agility finalists take to the Main Arena to give it their all. 

Friday 11th March: Gundog Day

• 13:40- Rescue Dog Agility- what I love about Crufts is that it is an opportunity for all dogs to get their moment under the limelight. Rescue dogs are often unfairly considered as "difficult" dogs but this competition shows how far from the truth this is.
• 15:10- Agility- Large Novice and Medium ABC Final- Collies are known to be the most common breed to partake in agility so the Anything But Collies competitions give other breeds the opportunity to take centre stage. Who knows, the whole competition might be made up of Springers and just imagine how great that would be...!
• 17:55- Gundog Display (Philippa Williams)- well, if you're visiting on Gundog Day at Crufts, you simply have to see Gundogs doing what they do best- sniffing and fetching! Even I, as a very, very intelligent English Springer Spaniel, has to admit that what these Gundogs do is pretty impressive!

Saturday 12th March: Working & Pastoral Day

• 12:10- Dog Activities Display- always an insightful viewing, this display gives short examples of the sort of activities you could get involved in with your dog, from heelwork to music to obedience. 
• 13:00- Heelwork to Music- Freestyle International Competition: as mentioned in the previous post, this competition involves the very best of freestyle doggie dancers from the around the world, with one dog-and-human duo representing the countries involved. The diverse celebration of cultures through dancing dogs is just exceptional so I definitely recommend!
• 16:40- Southern Golden Retriever Display Team- well, if I hadn't made this clear enough already, this group is my ultimate MUST-SEE across the four days. They have displays on other days as well so don't worry if you're not heading to the NEC on Saturday!

Sunday 13th March: Terrier & Hound and Best in Show Day

• 12:20- Flyball Team Finals- thoroughly entertaining, the loudest of all dog sports has its finals on the last day of Crufts, so don't miss out on seeing who is crowned the winning flyball team from across the weekend!
• 12:40- West Midlands Police Dog Display- before watching this display, I had never witnessed the full extent of what is involved in the hound side of policing but the West Midlands team changed this. 
•  From 15:30, only Best in Show ticket holders are permitted to entry the Main Arena so bear this in mind when purchasing tickets to the show. For the lucky ticket holders, at 17:45, the one and only Mary Ray performs what promises to be a magnificent heelwork to music routine and then at 20:30 the biggest competition of the week comes to a close with the Best in Show final! Come on you Spaniels!

Full itineraries for the four days can be found here.

Of course, these are just a few of the hundreds of competitions going on at the NEC on 10-13th March and there is undoubtedly something for everyone at Crufts. Not only are there the shows in the Main Arena but there are many other rings for you to explore, as well as over four hundred stands so that you can shop for your pooches.

I hope everyone, including the competition winners Vaughan and Andrea, has a brilliant time at the show and I can't wait to see all your pictures!

Happy 125th Birthday, Crufts!

Talk soon, Jasper x

For more information on Crufts dog show, visit http://www.crufts.org.uk

To buy tickets to the show, click here or tickets can be bought on the door. Remember, under 12s get in free!

Spotlight On... Flyball at Crufts!

Most dog sports involve one dog and one handler competing against other dog-and-human duos. Flyball is unique in the fact that it is a team sport, made up of four dogs and four humans per team. Two teams race against each other to see who can complete the flyball run the quickest: four jumps up to a tennis ball box, release the ball and jump back again. Agility jumps and tennis balls- my favourite.

I have actually tried flyball and it is a lot, lot harder than it seems. One week, we turned up to a London flyball club, expecting that, as a slightly tennis ball- obsessed dog, I'd be up for running to grab the ball. Ah, well... No. My humans had this crazed idea that I would follow their instructions- er, who do you think I am? One jump and no more, tennis ball or no tennis ball. Now, my humans watch the flyball competitions in awe of their skill.

Flyball was introduced to Crufts in 1990, after the sport grew rapidly in popularity in the USA. The sport is similar to a human relay- the dog must complete their run back and forth before the next dog can do his run. If a dog doesn't bring back the ball or misses a jump, he must re-run, potentially adding time that could result in a loss. The first team to have all four dogs complete the run successfully win and this is repeated up to three times. At Crufts, the winning team goes through to the next heat, until the final. 

If you happen to be visiting Crifts when flyball is going on, I definitely recommend giving it a watch. It's loud, quick and pretty wild, making it a very exciting event indeed. Make sure you check out The Kennel Club website for more information on how you can get involved in flyball.

COMPETITION NOTICE: the competition to win one of two pairs of tickets to the world's biggest dog show, Crufts, on 10-13th March is now closed. The winners have been selected so entrants should keep checking the post to see if they were one of the lucky winners... I truly do wish that you could have all been winners - thank you for your entries!

Less than two weeks until Crufts now...!

Talk soon, Jasper x

For more information about Crufts, visit www.crufts.org.uk.

To gettickets to the dog show, click here. 

Remember: all children under the age of 12 get in FREE!

Spotlight On... Heelwork to Music at Crufts!

Possibly the most entertaining competition at Crufts for me (and my humans) is Heelwork to Music. The name gives a good idea of what this doggie activity entails: one dog and one human boogie away to some music. Though, admittedly, it is a tad more involved in that, as I have experienced myself quite a while back...

At Crufts, competitors must perform technically complex, rhythmic and varied choreography to music for up to four minutes in length. Each act is judged on programme content (the difficulty and range of movements), accuracy and execution of movement (how well performed it is) and music interpretation (how it fits with the music).

 There are four competitions centred around Heelwork to Music: Heelwork, Freestyle, International Heelwork and International Freestyle. The main difference between Heelwork and Freestyle is the content that must be put into a dance routine. To be entered into the Heelwork category, a minimum of two-thirds of the performance must include heelwork whereas, for the Freestyle category, a maximum of one-third  of heelwork is permitted. The International categories are the same, but with a competitor representing countries around the world- these in particular get very competitive!

Heelwork to Music was first brought to Crufts by doggie-dancing expert Mary Ray back in 1992, and the sport has grown in popularity ever since. Not just one but TWO dog-and-human duos have won ITV talent contest Britain's Got Talent since the show began; Ashleigh and Pudsey in 2012 and Jules O'Dwyer and Matisse last year. My humans were lucky enough to catch the former pair competing at Crufts before they won the content, taking first place in one of the Young Kennel Club competitions- they truly were brilliant.

From my (humans') many years of attending Crufts, there has been one Heelwork to Music routine that I simply cannot forget. Although Linda de Smet from Belgian did not win the International Freestyle in 2011 with this routine (I still think they should have!), their routine was charming, original and had the BEST finale... Give it a watch below!

Heelwork to Music is always a great watch at Crufts, and I highly recommend visiting either the Main Arena or the Young Kennel Club ring to see one of the competitions! More information on how to get involved in the sport can be found here.

REMINDER: the competition for tickets to Crufts 2016 closes on Friday 26th February so make sure you don't miss out on your chance to win your way into the doors of the NEC on 10-13th March. You can enter here!

Talk soon, 

Jasper x

For more information about Crufts 2016, visit www.crufts.org.uk

To buy tickets to the show, click here

WIN TICKETS TO CRUFTS 2016!

It's competition time!

Oh yes- the Kennel Club have kindly given me not one, but TWO pairs of tickets to Crufts dog show to give away to a couple of you out there! With children under the age of twelve getting free entry, you could be treating the whole family to a doggy day out.

The first Crufts was held in 1891, in London. Now, the show takes place across five halls of the NEC, Bimingham and over four days- from Thursday 10th- Sunday 13th March 2016.

To be in with the chance of winning a pair of tickets to the world's biggest dog show, all you need to do is answer the following question correctly:

What birthday does Crufts celebrate this year?

A) 50th Birthday

B) 100th Birthday

C) 125th Birthday

Send your name, address and answer to jasperthedoggie@hotmail.co.uk or using the contact form  on the right side of the page and you could be making your way to Birmingham!

The deadline for entries is Friday 26th February.

But don't worry if you don't come out as one of the lucky two winners- tickets to the show can be bought here

To find out more about the show, visit www.crufts.org.uk

Good luck, and I can't wait to see you there!

Jasper x

125 YEARS OF CRUFTS!

As it is now February, we can officially say that the world's largest dog show, Crufts, is next month!

On 10-13th March 2016, tens of thousands of dogs will be taking to The NEC, Birmingham, to compete in a range of competitions, from agility to heelwork to music to Best in Show! As many of you will have now realised, my humans and I are slightly fanatical about the dog show; last year, you may remember, my humans even managed to get me a dog pass into the show to experience the life of a show dog!

Picture from www.crufts.org.uk

This year is a particularly special year for Crufts, as the show turns a whooping 125 years of age. Yup, the dog show began right back in 1891, when Charles Cruft booked out the Royal Agricultural Hall in Islington for three days from 11th to 13th February. The first year of Crufts had 2,437 entries across 36 breeds of dog- quite different to the 30,000+ dogs that visit the show each year now!

The show has also moved venue since its first staging: in 1948, Crufts moved to Olympia, London, under Kennel Club auspices after Charles Cruft passed away and, in 1979, the show moved again to Earls Court, as it grew in size. 100 years after the first show and Crufts moved yet again into the National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham, where it has taken place ever since.

Arguably the biggest title of the weekend is Best in Show, which is awarded to one dog out of every breed entry on the Sunday night of the event. Although Crufts now would not seem the same without this prestigious award, I was very surprised to learn that Best in Show was only first held in 1928, with a Greyhound named Primley Sceptre taking home the prize. Since then, 77 more dogs have won Best in Show, with the most recent winner being little Scottish Terrier Knopa.

With Crufts just a few weeks away, people are now placing their bets on which breed 2016's Best in Show winner will be. As usual, I am very hopeful for a fellow English Springer Spaniel to take home the trophy but we just going to have to wait and see...

Learn more about the history of Crufts since it began in this adorable video, here:

My humans cannot wait to attend this year's anniversary Crufts and hope to see you there!

Talk soon, Jasper x

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

To get tickets to the show, click here. 

It's definitely worth booking your tickets in advance as, not only will you be skipping the queues, you will be saving on the door ticket prices too. And, remember, under 12s' entry into the show is FREE!

IT'S CRUFTS WEEK!

Maaaaaan, I cannot believe it. How has Crufts 2015 come around so fast?! It seems like it was only yesterday that my humans bid me farewell before travelling up to The NEC for Crufts 2014. Fortunately, the pain of knowing that they were going to have a brilliant day without me will be non-existent this year as, obviously, me, myself, and I will actually be attending... Eeeeek!

Just to make you all even more excited, here's a clip giving you a glimpse into the largest dog show in the world...

It looks incredible, right?! Who knows, maybe I'll be able to sneak my way on to the video for Crufts 2016 when I go to the show...

CRUFTS TV COVERAGE

Whether you're planning on heading to the show or are just looking forward to see the pictures online, make sure you tune into More4 at 6:30pm tomorrow for the first of four days' Crufts coverage! As Crufts kicks off with Gundog Day, fans of Springers like me should definitely not be missing the show as the first place in the Best in Show final will be awarded to one of the top dogs of the day. Agility, heelwork to music... All the best bits from the show will be programmed, so don;t miss it!

CRUFTS COMPETITION UPDATE
Just to let entrants into my competition to win two Crufts tickets know, the winner has been chosen and it is... Janet from Staffordshire! I hope Janet has a fantastic time at the show. Thank you all so much for entering- I wish I could give ALL of you lovely people (and dogs!) a pair of tickets to the show!

If you're heading to the show this year, I hope you have an incredible day! I would love to see some of your pictures from the day and hear your highlights from Crufts so make sure you either tweet me @Jasperthedoggie or just send me leave a comment below. If you sadly can't make it to The NEC for 2015, do not fret: each and every day, there is a livestream at https://www.youtube.com/crufts showing every second of what's going on in the Main Arena, so you can watch from 8:30am to 8pm if you so desire!

Here's to a fantastic Crufts 2015 (and hopefully a Springer winner!)

Talk soon, 

Jasper x

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

Tickets to the show can now only be bought on the door- have a marvellous day!

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 

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...

Crufts is back!

Today, the biggest -and best- dog show in the world comes to the NEC,
Birmingham, until Sunday. Thousands of humans and gorgeous doggies will be flocking in to compete in many exciting competitions, such as agility, flyball and heelwork to music.

Once again, my humans will be going up for what promises to be a brilliant day. Sadly, my humans are not taking me... As you can imagine, I am very upset. 

However, they've promised to buy me lots and lots of doggie toys and treats so I'll forgive them a bit. Fortunately, I chose this week to tear my dog bed to shreds so I'll also be receiving a brand-new one of those too! 

If you can't make it to Crufts you can watch it on the livestream on YouTube or on TV on More4 and Channel 4 like I will be! 

I hope you have a great time everyone, whether at home or at the place itself! 

Talk soon, Jasper x