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!