THE world’s greatest dog show returns for its 128th year this weekend starting from March 7 and finishing on March 10. More than 20,000 dogs and 160,000 humans will head to the NEC in Birmingham for a long weekend of celebrating dogs of all shapes and sizes. Also going will be several dog owners from the Post area looking to earn one of dog show’s most prestigious awards.

Pedigree dogs from all over the globe will compete across four days to be awarded the coveted ‘Best in Show’ prize, the UK’s top crossbreeds will vie for the judge’s attention to be named Scruffts Family Crossbreed Dog of the Year, the crowds will find out which four legged hero has been voted the winner of the Friends for Life competition, and dogs from around the world will battle it out in agility, flyball and obedience competitions. The number of breeds competing has continued to grow this year with members of the public having the chance to see three new breeds taking part — the Russian Toy (34 dogs entered), White Swiss Shepherd Dog (18) and Black and Tan Coonhound (12), all of which will be competing in the Imported Breed Register classes at Crufts for the first time.

Visitors can also meet almost 200 different breeds of pedigree dog at the Discover Dogs booths and learn more about what makes each of these breeds unique. The breeds coming to Crufts 2019 range from some of the UK’s most popular breeds, including the Golden Retriever and Staffordshire Bull Terrier, to some of the lesser known, such as the Laekenois Belgian Shepherd Dog.

Mrs S Blackford from Launceston has been involved with the Crufts competition for 34 years and explained more about what is expected in the showing category at this year’s Crufts competition. She said: “It’s all about getting as close to ‘the standard’ as possible.” Mrs Blackford explained at the competition the dogs are judged to be as close to perfect as possible.

She continued: “Initially the judge will get all of the dogs to line up and will then ask the trainers to show them around the ring.

“After they have seen what the dogs move like, they will approach the dogs — always from the front — for a closer inspection. They will start from the front, inspecting the teeth, face, and bite type — spaniels are soft for example, much like a human.

“They will also inspect the ear shape, they will be keen to see the muscles of the dog and then work their way back feeling the shoulders, under the front to where the heart is, have a feel of the dog’s legs, working towards the ribcage and the loins. The top should rise just slightly.” Judging can be subjective according to Mrs Blackford, as some might like the shape of the head, where as others may think movement is more important. Mrs Blackford was meant to be entering her Welsh Springer Spaniel, Bonnie (show name, Amblelight Sunglow), however she has recently just given birth to a litter of puppies and therefore won’t be entering the competition. So instead two of her previous litter will be taking her place, Roly (Amblelight Casseopeia) and Bella (Amblelight Orphelia). According to Mrs Blackford: “One of the most important things to teach the dog is to stand and not sit, as they will need to stand in the ring, a common misconception for many.”

Mr and Mrs Carr from Bude will also be in attendance at the coming Crufts competition, showing their Italian Greyhound, Aston (Willakyme Oberon). Mrs Carr has been showing at Crufts for 10 years and she explained that it all started with people commenting on how beautiful her dog was. She then decided to enter the competition knowing almost nothing about it, some of the breeds she had no idea even existed! Although she was completely new to the competition, she instantly fell in love with it, she said: “Going there was amazing, I met wonderful like-minded people.

“Everyone there loves their dogs and their passion is their dogs, and my dogs are the loves of my life.” The main highlight for Mrs Carr is the public’s reaction to the competition. She said: “The public’s enthusiasm for the competition is amazing. They are so interested in the history and the understanding of the competition, it really makes it what it is. Apart from the fact you are competing against the very best from the UK and abroad.” Mrs Carr has achieved a lot of success when it comes to competitive showing, especially with her Italian Greyhound, Aston (Willakyme Oberon), who will be taking part in this year’s Crufts competition. She said: “Regionally he won the Best of Breed competition at the Devon county show. The pinnacle this year has been him winning the Certificate of Merit.” According to Mrs Carr this is a great achievement for a dog like a greyhound, as they tend to get overlooked by smaller dogs like Whippets. She continued: “When he was a pup he won an award at a show in Manchester. I also have another girl who got a second for Best in Show at Crufts, which is something to be really proud of!

“I just love it, I love the competition the atmosphere and everything about it. I found my passion and it’s just a great day out.”

As well as enjoying watching the many different events and competitions at the show, visitors can also browse hundreds of stalls selling everything from pet portraits to the latest must have doggy accessories, and there will be plenty of tasty treats available for both two and four legged visitors. Weekday tickets for adults cost £15 in advance and £18 on the door and weekend tickets for adults start from £17 in advance and £20 on the door. Best in Show tickets start from £19. Concessions are available across all four days and children under eights go free. All tickets are subject to a booking fee. Book online at www.crufts.org.uk or by calling Ticket Factory on 0844 444 9944.