It’s almost like shopping days left to Christmas: here we are again on the countdown to what still is the greatest dog show on earth.

Crufts, or DFS Crufts as we are being trained to say, is just around the corner and despite all the ne’r-do-wells and negative comments of the past couple of years, OUR DOGS is delighted to see that dog folk have responded with a magnificent entry of nearly 22,000 once more, indeed we are convinced that the dog lovers of this country will flock to the NEC on March 11th to enjoy and take part in every aspect of dog ownership.

Not only are these entries from the UK, visitors continue to come in from every corner of the world and as the OUR DOGS team knows first hand, the prospect of a visit to Crufts for many overseas visitors and exhibitors is their Mecca, their Shangri La! It is the show that other event organisers aspire too around the world.

However, there are also just 20 days for the media at large to start their usual, tired tirade about dog breeders, stoked up by the usual malcontents well known to us all.

How long do we have to wait for the old chestnuts to crop up about Bulldogs or Pekes, or to have an ‘exposé’ in the Daily Mail? Will any of these people, media or otherwise, have the honesty to actually admit that genuine breeders already take any perceived problems seriously, and that the Kennel Club and its staff have worked tirelessly for the improvement of all dogs.

We wonder, too, whether anyone will miss the rattling tins of the various dog charities who took the moral high ground last year? Will Crufts be any the worse off without them? You be the judge.
And what of our old sponsor, Pedigree? Were they not pulling out of pedigree breeds and dog shows? Maybe in the UK, but one look at the Westminster Show web site (taking place in the USA this) shows a very, very high profile.

At least there is a new sponsor in place and a new TV company for Crufts, in the shape of More 4. Let’s hope the producers are sat on very comfy armchairs provided by Lord Kirkham and the DFS Group, and let’s all enjoy Crufts as the world of dog lovers descends on Birmingham and the NEC once more.

See you there and enjoy!