Question of the Week

Susan Thibodeaux

Cocoa, Florida

Crufts has been on my bucket list for years, and this year I finally got to go. I went with my friend Jolanta Terrill, who was showing two of her Russian Toys. 

My first impression was amazement at its sheer size! Five huge (!) halls to walk through, with rings and vendors in each. The multitude and variety of vendors selling everything from dog food to liquor, cars to makeovers. No ring barriers, except chairs for spectators. People entered the ring from anywhere, as there were no specified entrances in many rings. Many breeds had coordinated tables in the benching area with food and drink, including wine and champagne — which exhibitors cheerfully shared with strangers. Made some new friends! 

Rosette colors were different from home, so we struggled at first to determine who the winners were — and a check online of the Kennel Club rules showed there isn’t a set order of colors that corresponds with placements; instead, it’s up to the show-giving clubs. Seeing the excitement of exhibitors when placing in a class — we’re so accustomed to trying to win Winners or breed — the exhibitors at Crufts were genuinely excited to win an award at any level. I was also surprised at the number of people who entered more than one class.

I loved meeting people in English Toy Terriers and Manchester Terriers whom I had only met on Facebook and talking dogs with them. It was also fun to see people from home.

I watched some dancing-dog competition, agility and Juniors. Good Citizen obedience kept crowds around their rings all day. There was something for everyone at this show.

Dogs were everywhere. People were everywhere. It’s an amazing show, and I am so happy I finally got to experience Crufts. 

And then since we were over there, we spent a day touring London and, on our way back, a day touring Paris. A memorable trip!

Marty Greer

Lomira, Wisconsin

Overall, it was a great experience, and I am glad I went. However, the Resort World experience through security was distasteful — rude staff. The doors were open, leaving the dog-show rings freezing cold. Great shopping. More advance information on how to get in and out would have been helpful. 
 

Susan Shephard

Deltona, Florida

Of course, I went to Crufts. It's my happy place. I was delighted to run into Lorna Menaker, Geoff Corish, Denise Flaim, Dennis Sprung, Jessie Border, Christian Manelopoulos and a few more. I was there primarily for Pekingese, and they did not disappoint, with Ch. Pekehuis Apollo (owned and bred by John Shaw and Winifred Mee) winning the breed for the second year in a row. I saw a few exciting younger dogs that we should be hearing about.

The highlight, however, was seeing my pal John Shaw's Australian Shepherd, "Viking," win the Pastoral Group and go on to BIS. This was John's second Crufts BIS; the first was with Larry Cornelius and the TT... and I was there for that one, too.  

There was a fabulous Our Dogs party Saturday evening that included loads of champagne and dinner. And plenty of good friends.  

Barbara Miller

Brookville, New York

As a long-time visitor to Crufts, I find the show the perfect venue for seeing not only my own breeds, Norfolk and Norwich, but so many others.  This year our own Beth Sweigart judged both breeds, doing an outstanding job of it. It’s always fun seeing my U.K. friends in the breed. I noticed, even though there were tons of vendors, that missing were the antique dealers selling canine figurines and antique artwork. It’s a shopper’s paradise, selling everything from soup to nuts. If you’ve never been, I suggest you give it a try in 2025.