Welcome to Crufts 2011 - (Part 3 of 4)

This is my third post on Crufts 2011. The show can be a very tiring experience for all those involved. Whether you are involved in the show ring; promoting a charity; helping to educate the public; or performing in the agility/obedience disciplines, the days there are long and demanding. So, it's not surprising that many of the participants catch up on their beauty sleep at every available opportunity.

Here are some photos where the saying: "let sleeping dogs lie" springs to mind... 

The Boxers trying to catch forty winks.

A snoozing Malamute.

Three tired Mastiffs, sprawling on the floor...

"Wake me up, before you go-go..." This Mastiff was literally sleeping in the show ring!

A Golden Retriever taking a well-earned rest on his owner's chair.

A couple of Irish Wolf Hounds snuggling up to each other.

Drowsy Newfoundlands...

...and, finally, a pair of Saint Germain Pointers. They look so cozy.

Of course, it wasn't only the dogs who were 'dog-tired'...

"Hey - wake up! It could be my turn in the ring".

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz....

And here's a few more candid shots of our four-legged friends with their loving owners...

A Doberman practicing her stacking.

... and a booti-ful Rottie getting ready for its turn.

Smile please!

So in love...

A proud owner with his two Dobermans.

A Bernese Mountain Dog. The owner has stolen its bench!

A Saint Bernard wearing a bib. Is it dinner time?

"Oi! Pay attention to me."

Huskies and their young friends.

A very happy owner with his Malamute.

That's all for now folks. I'll show you the final batch of Crufts photos in my next blog.

Welcome to Crufts 2011 - (Part 2 of 4)

In my last posting, I introduced you to Missus' recent visit to Crufts. While she was there, she took hundreds of photos. Here are some of the best 'portrait' shots...

A Bernese Mountain Dog

A Boxer. "Oooh... me look so sad."

Irish Red and White Setter

A Polish Lowland Sheepdog

The three stooges. Bracco Italiano

The Malamutes were howling for their photos to be taken. Their wish was granted. Love 'em!

A 10-years old Great Dane. He's far too young to retire from showbiz.

An Irish Wolf Hound

A Neopolitan Mastiff. Love his wrinkly face!

A Golden Retriever

"George, this shot was taken especially for you." - A Welsh Terrier

A Staffordshire Bull Terrier

A Basset Fauve de Bretagne

A Greyhound stretching his legs.

Another Malamute.

The Otterhound - The Missus mentioned that this boot-ful breed is almost dying out.

A Rhodesian Ridgeback

An Italiano Spinone

Yet another Malamute.

Another Italiano Spinone.

Hope you enjoyed the photos. More Crufts to follow...

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...