Saturday 19 March 2011

Welcome to Crufts 2011 - (Part 1 of 4)

Yes, the Missus went to Crufts; yes, this was her third time attending the world's biggest dog show (check out my previous posts here and here) and yes, as usual, she went without me! 'Sob'...

Despite the fact that Missus only went for two out of the four days of the show, she managed to take hundreds of photos. So, I think I'm going to have to spread the pictures over a couple of posts. 

Here we go...

Welcome to Crufts!

An advertisement for the biggest show in 'Dogdom'. The event was held over 4 days and there were over 28,000 dogs participating. It was such a huge event - man, we are talking about the size of at least five football fields!

"Here they come - the booti-ful ones" (and their humans)...

The first day of the show was dedicated to the Gundogs. Naturally, the Missus' first instinct was to check out the Golden Retrievers...

These Goldies were clamouring for attention.

So many of me, me, me and me in the show ring!

"Give me the treat and I'll stack nicely for you!"

Goldies in line.

This handsome boy came fourth overall in the Gundog Group.

And, more winners.

The Missus finally stole herself away from the Golden Retrievers to go and check out some of the other breeds.

Here we have a couple of Irish Red and White Setters...

...a gang of Labradors...

...and a Chesapeake Bay Retriever, looking a little lost!

Towards the end of the first day, Missus went over to the main arena for final judging on the Gundogs Group...

...which was also broadcast on this huge screen.

In contention were an Irish Red and White Setter, a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, a German Short-Haired Pointer, a Flat Coated Retriever (hidden behind his handler), a Golden Retriever (Yay!), a Labrador, a Novia Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, a Clumber Spaniel and a few others which didn't make it into this shot.

Everyone was chewing their nails as they waited for the moment of truth.

And, the winners lined up. The 'Best of Group' award went to a Flat Coated Retriever. Congratulations!

More Crufts to follow...

18 comments:

How Sam Sees It said...

Mom wants to go there one day! Thank you for sharing all the pics!

Sam

~Kim at Golden Pines~ said...

How fun!!!! I love dog shows and seeing all the pups--And the Flat Coats are my favorites, next to the Goldens of course!! :-))

Amber-Mae said...

How so very cool your Missus went to Crufts show! Hoomie Melissa would like to go to Crufts show one day. I bet it was an awesome show. Those Golden Retrievers are so beewootiful aren't they? The Flat Coated Retriever's name is Jet & he is 9 years old. He won Best In Show too!!! He has such a brilliant black coat & not a single strand of white hair is on his face. I think next time you should be brought along. It would be an amazing experience for you!

Elizabeth Bergesen said...

That would be cool to go to one day!

Maxmom said...

Thank you for taking me on this, my first visit, to Crufts. I really enjoyed seeing all your wonderful pictures and look forward to more.
Sending lotsaluv
MAXMOM IN SOUTHA AFRICA

Anonymous said...

Well, Homer, I'm glad you didn't go to Crufts. I mean dude, you gotta give some Goldens a chance at winning you know. it just wouldn't be right to show up and snag all the glory from the judges. can you just imagine? "err, you there in the audience... please come out here on the floor..." oh the drama...

Angus said...

Love the photo of the line astern Goldies

KT and Easton said...

How fun! Bootiful Goldies brighten up my day. Thanks for sharing this fun event.

Molly the Airedale said...

Our mom wishes she could go to Crufts! All of the doggies are so beautiful! Congratulations to the Flat Coated Retriever!

Love ya lots,
Maggie and Mitch

Thor and Jack said...

Congrats to the Flat Coated Retriever! He is a beautiful doggie. What a great event was that! Thanks for sharing.

Thor and Jack

Lucille said...

you are the nicest golden retriever, you would with the first prize if Missus took you to Crufts!!!
Nice pictures, look forward to the next ones!!!
Ciao Lucille

George The Lad said...

Thanks for showing us, mom was so sad she didn't go.
But we did see the best in show on the TV, so we know who the winner is ;)
Have a good week
We will be back to see your other posts about it.
Did you see a WT ;)
See Yea George xxx

E-unit said...

KEWWWWWL!!!!! So many handsome Homers! Were you ever shown? I think you are one of the most handsome Goldens I have seen! (Although I think your life beats ANY show dog's). Also, how did those Labs know to stay in their stalls?

Did you see any of the SuperDALE look alikes??? I bet non of them looked like me (bet they all looked like STINKY), cause I'm THAT special and Super you know?

Love nibbles,
Miss Sunshade

NAK and The Residents of The Khottage Now With KhattleDog! said...

How khool!

Of khourse, even khooler this group winner took the whole box of toys and bones!

So many great looking khanines!

Hugz&Khysses,
Khyra

Unknown said...

Hi Homer - long time no woof! Haven't heard from you in ages! Things have been manic at my place recently, especially since Muesli's arrival, so I'm a bit behind with all my blog friends!

Hsin-Yi is very jealous of your Missus going to Crufts! She used to go religiously every year when my humans still lived in England - she LOVED it!! It was also a way for her to get her dog fix before she could have her own doggie. Seeing all your photos brought back great memories! Looking forward to the rest!

Slobbers,
Honey the Great Dane

Lincoln said...

Hi Homer (what a cool name!!)

I'm visiting your blog for the first time and it looks like you're a very busy dog! This dog show seems to be quite scary, there were lots of dogs, it's a shame that you're not allowed to play together, would be fun :D

Golden Samantha said...

Such cool pix and how lucky that the Mrs. got to attend Crufts again! Linigor Mactavish (Oskar)won the goldens class that day, a half brother to Avalon woo hoo! And Homer... YOU are related to Oskar too!
Big Hugs xoxoxo
Sammie, Avalon and Ozzie

Jed and Abby in MerryLand said...

What a rush! But we wished we could have seen the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever up close, as that's what Jed is - or at least a major part of him is.

We read in a comment on another blog that you're moving again!? When and where? Wow, you must be on like your third passport by now, Homer.

Jed & Abby