Now thats what i call dedication

I agree with you where the GP is concerned regarding them seeing it as a right to manhandle dogs on benches... no wonder more and more people are using bench guards or crates,, and you will then hear the " that one must be vicious, because it is locked up" from them

I know may friends are quite happy to allow the public to ask about their dogs and stroke them, "if " they ask first.

Some dogs are fine with strangers coming up to them but some are not, and it always seem that some people leave their common sense and manners at the door when they go to Crufts.

Regards the highlighted but, I do wonder why people who have issues with the "rules" of any given club, continue to attend events.

I understand the reason behind your objection , re-leaving dogs on benches... but if you feel strongly enough about being dictated too, why do you continue to participate.

Rules are set down, (for what ever reasons) and I know regarding Crufts (leaving dogs on benches and not to leave before 4pm) are there for the general public, and safety of the dogs (do you realy want to put your dog through the gauntlet of those shopping halls) and this is not particularly aimed at you, just a generalization, regarding clubs and rules.... the answer is simply , if you object strong to the rules , dont take part.

Its liek any form of club, tennis/golf, if you dont want to follow some rules or feel you are being dictated too, you have a choice, either accept them or dont go!!

It will be my first crufts showing in the toy group,as timo my charlie(king charles spaniel) is only 15 months old and we only started showing him last may,but he managed to qualify several times.we are going more for the experience than anything as he's still very immature in body compared to some his age,but his line are veeeeery slow maturers.his grandma is still being shown and shes 13 and still winning cc's/rcc's ,so they tend to last a long time.as long as we both enjoy it,anything else will be an unexpected bonus! must be better than the last time i showed there,as britney my tibetan spaniel was about to do her triangle and decided to do the longest poo ever! lol. i chucked the poo in a bag to my sister who was sitting ringside as we passed her!

Are you the girl that made those lovely Wheaten biscuits at the champ show?

That would be me