Today we discover who Crufts will crown the best Hound and Terrier in the show but we think we’ve already spotted one great Terrier today. This feisty little madam (below) only has three legs. She didn’t seem to care. She was with Gill Raddings’ stunt dogs display team and she totally bowled us over with her contagious, friendly character.

We gave out the first K9 Magazine ‘Alternative Crufts Award’ today. The National Dog Warden’s Association only have a smallish stand in hall 2. Compared to some of the big businesses in attendance with thousands of pounds at their disposal to commit to capturing the attention of the dog lovers passing by, the NDWA’s stand needed something eye catching to make a significant splash.

They succeeded. ‘D4 is a cheeky, talking dog who sits atop of his makeshift kennel handing down conversation to all and sundry who pass him by. A truly great example of how to draw people to your stand and therefore attention to your cause. The National Dog Warden’s Association: Winner of K9 Magazine’s ‘Most Innovative Stand at Crufts 2006′ awards.

On to the dogs. Is Crufts a fix? A rigged event? A farce? Well, we were given a few head’s up today that there was no point in most of the dogs turning up as there was a particular Bloodhound ‘nailed on’ to win.

So today’s judging was going to be an acid test for us cynics at K9 Magazine who know nothing about this whole dog show business. You’ll find out shortly which breed won the hound group (if it’s a Bloodhound, we might be tempted to call ’shenanigans’. If not, all’s well with world – for now!).

Walking around the show rings this morning we were struck by just how bored some of the dogs looked. Waiting for your time in the spotlight must be nerve wracking for the two legged competitors but for the four legged ones, it looked to us like they’d probably prefer to be somewhere else.

Whilst we’re on a bit of a moan. What’s the deal with the pricing on everything.

Accepted, this is probably something a little out of the control of the Kennel Club but it seems if you want to have a stroll around Crufts as a simple ‘dog lover’ rather than competitor or a lucky member of the media like us, it’s going to cost you £7.00 to park, £12.00 to get in and at least £10 per head for just a snack and a drink.

if you’re thinking about visiting Crufts, don’t forget your wallet. There’s lots to see, not much to do but LOADS to buy!

For a family thinking about picking up some bits and pieces from the stands as well as catching a bite to eat, they’d be doing well to get change out of £140 if you throw petrol or train fair into the mix. That’s quite an expense in anyone’s book. Is the world’s biggest dog show also a bit of a rip off? Tell us what you think.

Come Dancing’s Angela Rippon chats away on the SSAFA Forces Help stand.

So, onto this business they call show. Did the Bloodhound romp home to a predicted and much expected 1st place? Well, without further ado and not to leave you in suspense. No. It didn’t. Crufts, no corruption to report (today).

TERRIER GROUP:

1) CH/AM CH EL-RAYS SNOWTAIRE ICENI PAYBACK (IMP)
WIRE FOX TERRIER2) CH BOURTIE STEAL THE LIMELIGHT JW
STAFFORDSHIRE BULL TERRIER

HOUND GROUP:

1) CH KESTOS I SPY AT GRAYTHOR JW SHCM
NORWEGIAN ELKHOUND2) SWITHERLAND YSATIS
BASSET GRIFFON VENDEEN (PETIT)

Highly Recommended: What dog owner wouldn’t want a piece of THIS action? – Get FREE dog food!

Related posts:

1. Crufts Report Saturday March 10 2007
2. Crufts Report Friday March 9 2007
3. Crufts Report Thursday March 9th
4. Crufts Report Saturday March 11th
5. Crufts Report Sunday March 12th