15th March

Getting up at 5.30am for Crufts was no easy task. I was late in getting ready, but then I thought that this was a woman's privilege. Stuart moaned that we would catch all the traffic and that he could have laid in bed longer! Still that all aside Crufts was certainly an enjoyable day, although my poor feet did not agree with my head. The Welfare stand was positioned right next to one of the Stafford showing rings, enabling a front row view of the judging. It was at this stage I realised I had left my camara in the car but after walking from the car park to what seemed like walking to Birmingham none of us were prepared to go back for it. so I am sorry if the photos are not up to standard but they were taken with my phone.

Stuart, Mel and I did not have time to watch the majority of the judging as our aim was to get out and relief as many people as possible of their money for the raffle! The consensus between Stuart and Mel was that I was the best person to go up to people as they felt awkward in approaching people. Well one good thing came out of my upbringing  of working on a market stall with my father, was to approach people and sell, sell, sell!!!

On the whole those who were showing their Stafford's were pleasant and generous buying tickets to support Welfare. There were a few who made excuses one who said he had no money only his bank card.Not to be out manoeuvred I offered to go to the cash point machine with his card and PIN number and withdraw an appropriate amount, this did fall on deaf ears sadly. Even those Stafford owners from Ireland, Holland, Germany, and Hungary gave generously. 

Walking down the  aisles of Staffords waiting to be judged, I noted most were crated and covered to avoid stress, many were panting but the majority were laying down as if it was all to much for them. Whilst their owners were socialising, eating and drinking having a great day out.

The majority of Staffords were black and so small that they could be deemed miniatures. Interestingly of all the dogs there was not a blue in sight. There were a few whites, reds, red and white and brindle's.

I talked with Bob Evans, a gentle elderly man in his eighties who's perseverance and determination with others have opened The Staffordshire Bull Terrier Heritage Museum. Bob explained to me that the reason 90% of the Staffords were black was due to the show judges picking blacks as opposed to other colours and therefore breeders turned to black as these were more likely to win. So well done the little red bitch, Hubbels The Promise who excelled herself against a black male to be best in breed and third in the terrier group. Many of the Stafford owners showing in the male category were unhappy as the judge picked out his final three Stafford's who were all black and 19inches tall, there may be hope that this could spark a trend from the squat dogs being displayed back to its original form. I was shocked to hear that  people within rescue did not want a Stafford to win the terrier group or best in show for fear that this could trigger more problems for the breed, being a must have dog. During our conversation Bob retorted that the Staffords in the show ring were not happy dogs and if they were given the choice would not be there but it was their owners who enjoyed the limelight. Looking at them I must say I agree him, after all what dog wants to have their head  pulled up high, feet and body being constantly placed in the correct position to catch the judges eye. One woman walking out of the show ring carrying her white bitch, who had not made it through to the next round said when Helen from Leicester group and I said she was lovely replied "You can have her". 

We by chance met a young girl with her mother who had made it into the Junior Handler, Obedience semi final with her dog a Stafford! She explained how people were amazed and shocked that she was handling a Stafford let alone in obedience.we congratulated her and thanked her for flying the flag. Unfortunately we have no idea how they got on but we wish her luck now and in the future.

Battersea Dogs & Cats Home put together a team of dogs to battle it out with another rescue (sorry but not sure who it was) on temptation alley. The team included a couple of Staffords but they succumbed to the fatal bowl of food and Battersea lost.

Next to the Staffords were the English Bull Terriers here I witnessed an owner  putting chalk onto the paws and nose of his dog before it went to be judged. He explained that this was normal practice although the owner of the dog to the right of  him had been reprimanded for such action. My attention was drawn to the next crate which had a second place rosette over the crate. In the crate was an elderly dog but I was shocked to see that the dog had a problem with its right eye, it looked as if it was blind and his feet were swollen. 'Chalkie' must have seen the look on my face and he retorted "Yes. How did that dog get a second place with an eye like that?"

There are trade stand galore selling everything you could think of many I would class as 'toot' but I did buy some vet bed that was enough for three crates at a bargain price of £22. Another purchase was Urine Off for the patio as Doris ventures as far as the patio to pee and although I scrub with a solution of bleach the smell can still be detected. This product claims to eliminate urine and its odour. I tried it on Sunday and so far so good.

Going to Crufts is an experience I would recommend to everyone and remember the terrier group is on Sunday next year so the added bonus of the final. Who knows you may even see Alison and I there.
Author Valerie