This was the first year I attended the Westminster Dog Show, and I was appalled at the conditions for the dogs. The benching area is crowded beyond belief and very, very hot! There is a mass of humanity and confusion. The little dogs can be carried around, but the poor large dogs get stepped on, people reach out and touch them before the handler can object and it's all around a nightmare for the dogs. Even in the grooming area, the exhibitors can't groom without a constant flow of people bothering them and trying to pet the dogs, etc.

Crufts has a huge venue and can accommodate 26,000 dogs without the confusion at Westminster. They also have an area for "meet the breeds" so spectators can see an example of every breed without crowding the benching area.

Also, Crufts has huge rings with chairs around the rings so you can watch the breed judging without people walking in front of you and around you. It was impossible to see the breed judging with all the people moving around. There was also a very poor flow at Westminster for getting to the rings. For the second day, I sat in the hotel and worked on a game plan for getting to the ring for the breed I wanted to watch, and it was lots of work! I had to watch some breeds from far away since it was impossible to get to the rings in time to see the breeds I wanted to watch.

When I added up the cost to go to Westminster vs. Crufts, it was actually less expensive to go to Crufts. Since I can purchase the dvd of the groups at Westminster, in the future, I will go to Crufts!!! My main reason for going to Westminster was the desire to watch breed judging, but since it was so difficult to see, there's no point in going again.

Crufts also requires dogs to be shown in their natural state, and I love to see uncropped and more natural looking dogs. The great dane at Westminster that won breed had the worst crop I have ever seen. Would have looked beautiful with uncropped ears.

I realize this is just my bias and others will disagree, but I hate to see what the dogs have to go through at Westminster. At Crufts, the dogs seemed relaxed on the benches -- there was lots of room for the handlers to sit right by their benches and be sure their dogs were not handled without first gaining permission. They were also safe going to and from the rings. The exhibition center in Birmingham has seven miles of benching! Also, they had 300 vendors, and they were nowhere near the benching!!!!!

I am busy making my plans for Crufts for next year. Can't wait!

The biggest positive at Westminster was meeting the Tibetan Mastiff. What a gorgeous dog. It was worth the trip just to meet this fantastic breed! I had a great time talking to the breeders, and I am now on a two-year waiting list to purchase a pup of this wonderful breed! I was so surprised to hear that they have a 14 year life span and don't shed and are so friendly, yet are great guard dogs. Thanks to all the TM breeders for braving the miserable conditions and bringing their fabulous dogs!!

I'm glad I went to Westminster, but I'll never go again and I have really lost respect for the WKC for having such terrible conditions at their show. Find another venue, please!

I'm sorry you had such an unpleasant time at Westminster, but I don't think it is fair of you to assume the dogs share your point of view. Dogs love dog shows. The dogs that don't love dog shows, don't go to dog shows because they would not show well. I have been to Westminster KC dog show many times and it is crowded and hot and expensive, but I still enjoy the show. The dogs on the benches are in their own crates, where they have enough room to stand up, turn around and lie down without a problem. Their owners take them out of their cages frequently to exercise them and to meet the many dog lovers who come to Westminster just to see these beautiful well trained dogs. You went to Westminster to meet dogs and you found the dogs you were looking for and had a successful trip.

I was at Westminster in the benching area the last 2 years in a row and I didn't think it was bad at all. For the owners and handlers- yes! But the dogs are pampered and relaxed. I personally almost got trampled by handlers coming through with their dogs- they yell "coming through!" and make sure that everyone gets the heck out of their way so their precious dogs can pass. It's all about the dogs. Sure, the people may suffer, but the dogs- no, not at all. I'd much rather be a dog there than a human!

You should spend some serious time in Europe doing dog shows and you will quickly get over your disgust with Westminster and their venue. I'd take The Garden over many a venue in the country I live in any day of the week and my personal experience with Crufts and Westminster is, I go to the shows to see great dogs (sure if there is some fun shopping involved it's even more fun). To me, having 20,000 more or less ordinary dogs and about 3000 truely nice or outstanding dogs does not thrill me. I have done Crufts and the World shows here in Europe. You might like to know that many of dogs shown in the rings over here were bought in a pet store most without pedigrees and many of them have had to present their dogs for breed recognition to a dog show judge ( no specialist or breeder judge) to get a makeshift pedigree so they can be show dogs and have puppies!
Have a Great Day!
PS. by the way, my husband handled a bulldog there 2 yrs . ago and we did not find it to be too stressful on the dog or getting to the ring.