Crufts Anyone?

nonnatus

Is anybody going to be visiting Crufts this weekend? It's at NEC Birmingham.
I'm taking mm Mum on Saturday, which is Toy Dog day and she's really looking forward to it.
I vaguely remember going once before, but not since it's been at NEC and wondered if anyone has any advice! Will I get cold? Is there plenty to eat and drink? I'm only going for the concession stands, Mum is the one who wants to watch the dogs - I say we see enough dogs at home!!!


(We are NOT taking any of our dogs with us by the way!)


Perhaps some of you will be SHOWING dogs on Saturday, I'd love to hear from you...


Finally, the Parking. I'm worried it will be massive and miles away from the actual event. Mum will struggle with miles of walking so any tips there would be great too...


THANKS!

lostinrates

Not going this year, but might be able to help with some of your questions!

nonnatus wrote: »

Is anybody going to be visiting Crufts this weekend? It's at NEC Birmingham.
I'm taking mm Mum on Saturday, which is Toy Dog day and she's really looking forward to it.
I vaguely remember going once before, but not since it's been at NEC and wondered if anyone has any advice! Will I get cold?

I get cold. We usually have really long days and might be partly that, but I get very cold thereIs there plenty to eat and drink? yes, but IMO poor value. I'm only going for the concession stands, Mum is the one who wants to watch the dogs - I say we see enough dogs at home!!!
:eek:see the dogs. Discover dogs is wonderful every year. I don't care how many times I see it., I also like to watch some classes not related to us / our friends

(We are NOT taking any of our dogs with us by the way!)good, unless entries I'm not sure they are allowed in!


Perhaps some of you will be SHOWING dogs on Saturday, I'd love to hear from you...


Finally, the Parking. I'm worried it will be massive and miles away from the actual event. Mum will struggle with miles of walking so any tips there would be great too...


THANKS!

When we are going its with dogs. In recent years that I have gone I've taken dogs with a friend (not mine ). And she drops me at the door with tickets and dogs, and we go in and bench, then she comes and finds us. You could drop your mother, park and agree a place to meet ? People will have been arriving REALLY early, having a plan for this is a good idea.

pawsies

Parking is well overpriced at about £8-13 if I remember correctly :eek:

tea_lover

Parking at the NEC is always at least £8. If you're on the far car parks there are shuttle buses to the halls but these can get very full and you may be waiting a while. Not sure if this is an option for you but the train to Birmingham International is great. There's about a 10 min walk from the station to the halls, but it's inside (all outside from the car parks).

thorsoak

I'm going on Sunday - on my own - and will meet up with friends there. It'sgundog day, and I'll see some of my friends - and some relatives of my labs! It will seem strange, arriving by train, instead of at silly o'clock in our dog-showing van (known as the Aussie posse wagon) complete with three dogs, crates, grooming box, food for the day (too expensive to eat at Crufts all day) plus showing clothes! We - and the dogs - used to really enjoy it - our old boy distinguished himself by offering the judge a paw and rolling over for a tummy rub instead of "standing" - and our absolute zenith was when our youngster was placed 2nd in his class!

Now, I shall be watching the gundogs - labs in particular - and meeting up with old friends in the Discover Dogs area.

Frugalista

I'm not going this year - the first time I've missed it since 1980 :eek::o.

I've just started a new part-time job and I knew that if I went on Thursday I would be totally wiped out on Friday too .

Good luck to anyone competing - hope everyone has a great time.

Hints for the visitors - wear comfortable shoes as there is a lot of walking around.
Take your own food and drink as the prices there are ridiculous.
Always ask first before touching anyones dog (and preferably not as they're just about to go in the ring)!
Do not touch unattended dogs on the benches.
Take lots of money!!

deedeeliz

My boy's being shown on Thursday His classes are first thing in the morning, and then we aren't allowed to leave till after 4/4.30 which is a long day for us and the dogs.

Will be a danger to my credit card with all the stalls and shops though

Sukey

Am showing two of mine on Friday (Terrier & Hound Day). We're planning on being at the NEC by 7.30am as we're not first in the ring.

For anyone travelling from the south the M40 from J15 to the M42 will be closed until 5am. Probably not a problem for anyone travelling who is a spectator but anyone showing and needing to get there for an early start it may be an issue.

Parking is £10 for Crufts. Always a good idea to pay it early in the day so you don't spend the car park money!

Will be making sure I've got comfy shoes and Mr Credit Card for all that shopping (list already made, but am sure there'll be plenty added to it!).

Have a great time everyone and good luck to those exhibiting!

nonnatus

Thanks Sukey, good point about the closed bit of road!


Loads of tips there, thank you all. I'm even starting to look forward to it a bit now - Mum is like a kiddie in the run up to a birthday party!!!

MentalMinnie

I'm going on Saturday, poodle day!!!

puppypants

My brother and sister in law have one of their dogs in the flyball on the Friday running at 1325pm with the Warrington Warlocks (Mr Bojangles, Jack Russell) and on the Saturday at 2.20 one of their other dog is one of 6 finalists in the PAT dog of the Year. His name is Bodey and is another Jack Russell. Yay!! Fingers crossed! xx