This year, as for the last few years, I went to Crufts on two days to help with the rescue agility display - although on the Saturday it was a very fleeting visit, leaving home at Stupid O'Clock to get to the NEC just after 8am, and leaving before getting stuck in the crowds. On the Thursday I was there for longer, as the display was in a really good slot in the middle of the day.
I get some mixed reactions when I mention I am going to Crufts. I see it as an amazing opportunity to promote rescue dogs. No other event anywhere will bring together so many people who care about dogs. The rescue agility display includes dogs of many breeds, some recognisable, some total mutts, and the message for all of them is the same, "I was unwanted, but look at how far I have come". The message is not about reaching the highest levels of agility (although some rescue dogs do), it is just about showing that these rescue dogs are happy, trainable, sociable, lovely dogs.
Some people feel it is inexplicable that someone who works in rescue should attend something run by the Kennel Club, who support breeding. I don't see rescue dogs and breeding as totally incompatible. I have been working in rescue long enough to meet many good breeders who truly do provide lifetime backup, and often not only for the dogs they have bred, but to others of their breed whose breeders do not take responsiblity.
However, I have to confess I avoid the breed rings at Crufts. I see too many things I am uncomfortable with, too many dogs "strung up" on show leads, too many dogs showing mild avoidance of the judge or handler. There are too many question marks in my mind over how and why so many dogs are bred - I know some excellent breeders, but by definition they are not representative of the average. It is possible to spend all day at Crufts and not see any breed showing - I'm sure some people do nothing but shop!
There is good and bad in all areas of course, and I see things that make me cringe around other disciplines too. I know one person who cannot bear to attend agility shows in case they see someone lose their temper with their dog, as once they saw a dog scruffed. It is true there are some people who are not very nice to their dogs. But you will see them everywhere, at the park, at the vet, at the beach - staying away from shows of any kind will not protect you.
Crufts means something special to the agility world. Qualifying to take part in one of the Crufts agility events is a lifetime ambition for many people, and a true achievement. I just wish people would realise that for those 60 seconds in the ring they are representing agility, to the whole dog world. Other dog owners will judge agility by what they see, and handlers shouting in frustration at their dogs does nothing for any of us. My pet hate is handlers who ignore their dog at the end of the run, no praise, no toy, not even a smile, just walk out of the arena (sometimes chatting to the ring party). How must that look to the general public?
For me, Crufts was the reason I first tried agility. When I was younger the BBC used to do an "activities" programme about a week after Crufts, that featured the obedience, agility, and other non-breed aspects of the show. This was pretty much the highlight of my TV year as a child,along with One Man And His Dog of course, and I always knew when I had my own dog we would try agility.
Now Crufts has come to mean that the agility show season is getting close. Watching so much awesome agility is the perfect motivation to do some more training, shows are nearly here, the evenings are drawing out, roll on summer! I really struggled with Crufts the year Alf and I were out of action, as it was just a reminder that I was going to be an observer not a player.
And it's not just me who gets lifted by Crufts - I'm sure many people watch it and dream of maybe one day being on that green carpet, and train harder or better. This week at training one of the newer members of the club turned up with a new lead, new toy, and new attitude. Wow. The dog has always been brilliant, but this week the handler was brilliant too, so positive, and really getting the best out of the dog. The difference? She went to Crufts and got inspired watching the agility. It just goes to show how much can be learnt by watching the best handlers and dogs in action!
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