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Dog owners from around South Holland head to Crufts for prestigious competition




As Crufts begins today (Thursday), scores of dog owners from across South Holland will be taking part in the world famous show.

Around 27,000 dogs will be at the NEC in Birmingham for the four day event, which sees 22,000 pedigree dogs compete for the coveted Best in Show prize.

Among those competing in Crufts will be award-winning James Adamson, from Whaplode. He will be taking along his German Shepherds Kamilla (8), Ria (18 months old), Meka (nine months old), and Viviana (two and a half).

Wendy Ansell, from Holbeach, with her chihuahuas Dallas and Toyah, who will be competing at Crufts. (7598801)
Wendy Ansell, from Holbeach, with her chihuahuas Dallas and Toyah, who will be competing at Crufts. (7598801)

“My first Crufts was in 1981,” he said. “It was the first time I showed a German Shepherd and he won his class. Now we show at Crufts nearly every year.

“There is high pressure and people can go on about show dogs and the temperament. They have to have a good character to get to the end but there is a special, magical, atmosphere at Crufts and you get the best of the best there.”

Viviana, who will once again be competing, won her class last year and in 2017 won best German Shepherd puppy.

“Crufts is the biggest dog show in the world,” James added, “I have about 400 trophies but the award that most people are drawn to is Crufts’ first prize. Everybody knows about Crufts.”

James Adamson, from Whaplode, with Viviana when she won best puppy, previously, in her class at Crufts. (7585093)
James Adamson, from Whaplode, with Viviana when she won best puppy, previously, in her class at Crufts. (7585093)

This year, Ria will be taking part in the ‘Yearling’ class and Kamilla, who won top bitch in 2014, will be competing in the veteran class.

Meka will be competing in the puppy class. “She is a ninth generation,” James added. “And this is her first Crufts.”

“There is high pressure and people can go on about show dogs and the temperament. They have to have a good character to get to the end but there is a special, magical, atmosphere at Crufts and you get the best of the best there.”

But he has high hopes for Meka as she is already a prize winner, having won all her classes so far, including best puppy at Manchester this year.

Viviana will compete in the ‘limit’ class.

Crufts starts today (Thursday) and runs until Sunday at the NEC in Birmingham. Image: Flick.digital
Crufts starts today (Thursday) and runs until Sunday at the NEC in Birmingham. Image: Flick.digital

Also attending Crufts this year is Wendy Ansell, from Holbeach.

“I have been showing at Crufts for the past 30 years,” she said.

Wendy will be taking along her chihuahuas and competing will be Dallas (20 months old) and Toyah (2). Toyah won best of breed at the Windsor Championship Dog Show.

Dallas will be competing in the ‘limit’ class and Toyah in the ‘open’ class - and if they do well, they could go on to compete for Best in Show.

Wendy said: “I have only had chihuahuas for the last ten years. I’m getting older so I am downsizing a bit! I previously had pugs - so I’m only downsizing slightly.

Action from the agility course at last year's Crufts. Image: Flick.digital.
Action from the agility course at last year's Crufts. Image: Flick.digital.

“One year my pug won,” she said, “and in 1994 we had best of breed for my Shar Pei.”

And talking about how she trains her chihuahuas for a show, she said: “You have to make sure they are fed the right food and get the exercise they need. I start training them at five months and taking them to shows to get them socialised with other dogs. They can be stubborn at times though!”

The judges will be looking, in best of breed, for how the dogs stand, checking their muscles and the dogs’ condition and looking at them from all directions.

“I would like to hope that my dogs do well,” Wendy said.

Deborah Treadwell, from Whaplode St Catherine, will be at Crufts in the Discover Dogs area with her Irish Wolfhounds.

“Fully grown they can measure seven foot on their hind legs and weigh 14-15 stone,” she said, describing the breed. “I normally take part in the competitions and my dogs have qualified but the judge is a friend of mine so I am not taking part this time.

James Adamson with Ria. (7585097)
James Adamson with Ria. (7585097)

“We have been quite successful and have won quite a few firsts and best in shows.”

Deborah will be on stand 104 and will also be selling dog bedding.

Crufts will be broadcast on Channel 4 and More4, with presenter Clare Balding at the

helm, and all of the main arena action will be live streamed on the Crufts YouTube

channel.

Amongst the coveted prizes to be won will be the Best in Show award, heroic Friends for Life winner, Scruffts family crossbreed dog of the year, and agility medals.

The Best in Group competitions that lead to the Best in Show will see Gundog breeds compete today (Thursday), Working and Pastoral breeds on Friday, Terrier and Hound breeds on Saturday and Utility and Toy breeds on Sunday. The climax of the show – Best in Show – is held on Sunday evening.

This year, four breeds recently recognised by the Kennel Club will be competing at

Crufts for the very first time – the Braque d’Auvergne, Russian Toy, White Swiss Shepherd Dog and Black and Tan Coonhound.



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