Crufts 2025

druid said:
Judging should solely be about selecting the dog closest to the breed standard and therefore to improve the breed/bring it closer to perfection. However just as with horses ringcraft, presentation and handling can change a dog. Grooming can hide a multitude of faults and sins.

Take my old Springer. His elbows are little loose (although perfect elbow scores), when presenting him stacked side on putting a little pressure on his head as you hold it to push him gently away from you over that elbow makes the elbow appear a tight, neat fit. From the front he is straight.
Click to expand...
Thank you, druid, that makes sense. Is there much weight given to temperament as they go around the ring or is it more something that just gets a dog penalised or not?
 
I have a friend who's Chow Chow was dismissed (not at Crufts) because it was too friendly. In my own breed ring dogs are put to the back of the line or dismissed for poor temperament. I think MM will know about the first German judges who came to England and started waving umbrellas and clipboards about and some of the dogs were digging themselves holes in the ground!! Obviously any aggression leads to dismissal from the ring/ungraded.
I always think it's interesting to see how hands on some all rounders are. Bar teeth and testicles, there is very little touching of German Shepherds.
 
CorvusCorax said:
I have a friend who's Chow Chow was dismissed (not at Crufts) because it was too friendly. In my own breed ring dogs are put to the back of the line or dismissed for poor temperament. I think MM will know about the first German judges who came to England and started waving umbrellas and clipboards about and some of the dogs were digging themselves holes in the ground!! Obviously any aggression leads to dismissal from the ring/ungraded.
I always think it's interesting to see how hands on some all rounders are. Bar teeth and testicles, there is very little touching of German Shepherds.
Click to expand...

Yep I’m that old !
 
CorvusCorax said:
I have a friend who's Chow Chow was dismissed (not at Crufts) because it was too friendly.
Click to expand...
Makes me think of the common criticism of showing by Tosa/Pit/etc fans, that dogs get taken out of classes for being dog aggressive when that's the definition of the breeds.

But is temperament again something that you train to manipulate the perception of as part of ringcraft? So if I had a quiet Pumi (which should be "somewhat vocal and always ready for action"), should I have a subtle cue for them to bark on command? If I have an "obstinate" bull terrier, do I deliberately train them to give the impression of stubbornness while going round? If I have a breed that's supposed to be reserved around strangers, do I train them to ignore or move away from the judge by a fraction?

ETA: Would a Irish terrier ("good-tempered... [but] perhaps a little too ready to resent interference on the part of other dogs") who starts kicking off at other dogs get dismissed?
 
Last edited:
I wonder if you’d be interested in the breed-specific films on the Kennel Club Academy - there’s not all breeds listed but those that are have separate videos with a more in-depth commentary on the breed standard, a nose to tail demonstration of the same and examples of movement in the ring.

Some breed clubs will also publish a more in-depth commentary on the breed standard that often covers elements of temperament (the schipperke one certainly does).
 
stangs said:
Makes me think of the common criticism of showing by Tosa/Pit/etc fans, that dogs get taken out of classes for being dog aggressive when that's the definition of the breeds.

But is temperament again something that you train to manipulate the perception of as part of ringcraft? So if I had a quiet Pumi (which should be "somewhat vocal and always ready for action"), should I have a subtle cue for them to bark on command? If I have an "obstinate" bull terrier, do I deliberately train them to give the impression of stubbornness while going round? If I have a breed that's supposed to be reserved around strangers, do I train them to ignore or move away from the judge by a fraction?

ETA: Would a Irish terrier ("good-tempered... [but] perhaps a little too ready to resent interference on the part of other dogs") who starts kicking off at other dogs get dismissed?
Click to expand...
Terriers being terriers won't get dismissed. Under FCI rules we still spar them if judge requests
 
blackcob said:
I wonder if you’d be interested in the breed-specific films on the Kennel Club Academy - there’s not all breeds listed but those that are have separate videos with a more in-depth commentary on the breed standard, a nose to tail demonstration of the same and examples of movement in the ring.

Some breed clubs will also publish a more in-depth commentary on the breed standard that often covers elements of temperament (the schipperke one certainly does).
Click to expand...
I must have a look at the Lancashire Heeler one. I was asked for a picture of Pickle to show what a heeler shouldn't look like (how rude 😂 ) not sure if it was used.
 
blackcob said:
I sympathise, small dog features in the breed standard commentary document but as a demonstration of the requirement to be ‘intensely lively and alert’, I wasn’t asked for a conformation photo, wonder why. 😅
Click to expand...
. I laughed when they asked me , H was most insulted 😂
In all fairness they have used his flyball and agility pics for n the breed stand so can’t really complain.
 
I've been to Crufts three times as a spectator. The first time was when it was held in London, Olympia I think.

If I went again I'd go on a Thursday or Friday to avoid the crowds. I'd also leave my credit card at home to avoid buying everything I want but dont need😀
 
malwhit said:
I've been to Crufts three times as a spectator. The first time was when it was held in London, Olympia I think.

If I went again I'd go on a Thursday or Friday to avoid the crowds. I'd also leave my credit card at home to avoid buying everything I want but dont need😀
Click to expand...
I went to Earls Court and Olympia as an exhibitor many times but only been to NEC as a spectator . I would always avoid weekends , crowds are awful .
 
I’ve only ever been to crufts at the NEC, we’ve been yearly since 2019.
Last year, the Saturday was the busiest I’ve ever seen it! I think they actually sold out of entry tickets. We were on the discover dogs stand and our dogs must have greeted thousands of people, I’m surprised they didn’t get tail ache by the end 😊

This year Saturday is Gundog day, so it’s likely to be just as manic. I have to try to keep a certain level of alcohol in T’s bloodstream to keep the public safe when it’s that ‘peopley’ 😂
 
EllieBeast said:
I’ve only ever been to crufts at the NEC, we’ve been yearly since 2019.
Last year, the Saturday was the busiest I’ve ever seen it! I think they actually sold out of entry tickets. We were on the discover dogs stand and our dogs must have greeted thousands of people, I’m surprised they didn’t get tail ache by the end 😊

This year Saturday is Gundog day, so it’s likely to be just as manic. I have to try to keep a certain level of alcohol in T’s bloodstream to keep the public safe when it’s that ‘peopley’ 😂
Click to expand...

A has only packed whiskey, champagne and his show lead so far 🤣
 
Flashbacks to the glittery frock one of our BoB handlers wore fairly recently 😵

I will be in tweed jacket, breton top and coloured cords as always although I’ve just had to order a new jacket as I’ve got fat
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top