Crufts 2008 Day 3 Show Report

Good evening and welcome to the show report from day 3 of the world’s greatest dog show. Crufts 2008 is proving as hugely popular as ever and mammoth crowds have flocked to the NEC in Birmingham today to witness the very best that the world of dogs has to offer.

Over 6,000 dogs were present today to compete in breed judging alone, with countless others taking part in a wide variety of activities, competitions and displays throughout the five halls and the Arena and Pavilion. The breeds enjoying the spotlight in the show rings came from the Working and Pastoral groups, which included some very big numbers of some very big dogs such as Great Danes and Newfoundlands.

After a great day of judging around the halls, the action moved into the NEC Arena this evening for the Group judging. First up were the Best of Breeds from the Working group who were judged by Stuart Mallard. After thoughtful deliberation, Stuart settled on the Giant Schnauzer, Ch Jafrak Philippe Olivier owned by Mr & Mrs Cullen from St Leonards-on-Sea in East Sussex. Having triumphed in the Working group twice before with this dog, they will be hoping it’s third time lucky as they attempt to win the ultimate prize of Best in Show.

Attention then turned to the Pastoral group, with Zena Thorn-Andrews facing the unenviable job of selecting just one dog to progress into tomorrow night’s final. Zena chose the Samoyed, Ch Vandreem Imperial Hermioni By Berezniki JW ShCM, owned by Mrs L Bobrowski from Chobham in Surrey.

Earlier in the day, the Arena played host to another wonderful programme of events, including the Heelwork to Music International Freestyle Competition and the International Agility Final. Both events offered an appreciative audience the opportunity to watch competitors from around the world demonstrating the unique and very special bond between a dog and its handler as they went through their paces with style and speed in abundance.

This super Saturday at the show also provided visitors with plenty of opportunities to spot a famous face or two. James Caan, one of the feared Dragon’s from the popular TV show Dragons’ Den showed his softer side when he made an appearance on the Fit Fur Life stand at lunchtime. In the afternoon, Coronation Street star Samia Smith, who plays Maria Sutherland in the soap, appeared alongside her on-screen four-legged friend Ozzy for several hours, drawing large crowds.

TV vets were again present to lend a hand, with Marc Abraham from the Paul O’Grady Show marking the official launch of National Microchipping Month on behalf of the Kennel Club’s Pet Identification Service, Petlog. This big annual campaign will be held once more throughout June this year, promoting the importance of having your pet microchipped in case it should be lost or stolen. Joe Inglis was also at the show today to cook up some new recipes for dogs with Pets Kitchen.

For those of you who’ve been reading the daily show reports so far, you’ll know that there is a thirty foot plus tall inflatable Gromit gracing the entrance to the NEC during the show. Gromit once again displayed all the good training and obedience which has seen him chosen as the new face of the Kennel Club’s Good Citizen Dog Scheme by keeping mostly still despite being buffeted by a rather stiff Birmingham breeze. His ears were flapping furiously in the wind when I popped out to see him this afternoon and it was a good job that his tail had been firmly secured otherwise several unsuspecting passers-by could have been in for quite a surprise!

So, as darkness descends over England’s second city this evening there is just one more day left to come and enjoy this feast of doggy delights. The Terriers and Hounds will be strutting their stuff in the show ring ahead of the ultimate night in the canine calendar tomorrow evening so why not pay us a visit? You’ll have to wait another whole year if you don’t, so don’t miss out.

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