The Junior Warrant Competition
Getting ready and preparing my Pyrenean Mountain Dog, Kracker, to go to DFS Crufts this year was not as bad as some years have been, but due to two weeks of continuous rain Kracker was much dirtier than usual. But there was nothing for it, I had to get down to it and get him clean.
I started grooming him the previous weekend, bathed and blasted on the Monday (if you don't already know, a blaster is a high-powered air blaster which gets out all the dirt and grit in dog's coats), and groomed again Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. I had plenty of time as I am not working at the moment due to my health issues, and as all my dogs are taught to lie down and go to sleep whilst being groomed from a very early age, I thought I would do what everyone keeps telling me to do and rest. So I set myself up in the sitting room, on the floor, there was a good film on the telly and away I went, going through every hair bit by bit. Needless to say, Kracker was fast asleep within five minutes of me starting.On the Friday morning, the day of the show, we did not have to rush as we were only showing in the Junior Warrant Competition this year. I had decided that as Kracker is only two and still relatively young, I wouldn't enter him into our breed competition as that would have meant leaving home at about 5.00 am, arriving at the NEC at about 8.30 am, and then after showing in our breed section, we would be hanging around until at least 6 pm to enter the Junior Warrant Competition. So we left home at about 10.30 am, which is a much more respectable hour, as far as I am concerned, when taking a young dog on a long journey.
I must say that the Kennel Club did look after us well, and not having to pay for anything really was the icing on the cake. Joining us on the day was my lovely husband, Rod, and our very good friend Grace. Grace has been breeding Cocker Spaniel's for about thirty or so years, and also gives tickets in breeds.
We had to park in the east car park as all the others were full, but I always enjoy the walk in as it gives the dogs time to stretch their legs after such a long journey, and it was a lovely afternoon by the time we arrived. We had to register at the Stewards Office which was in Hall 3 and then go on to the Pavilion. Some of you may already know, it is not an easy task walking anywhere with a Pyrenean in a crowded area, let alone in the NEC when Crufts is on. Somehow, it took us nearly an hour to reach the Pavilion and Kracker must have had his photograph taken well over a thousand times! Bless him, he took it all in his stride and I would go as far to say that every time he saw a camera pointed at him, he stopped and posed! Still, we made it in the end and even had enough time before we had to get to the Collecting Ring to have a drink, something to eat, and give Kracker a little tidy-up after all the attention he'd been getting en-route to the Pavilion.
Just a little after 4 pm, a Steward came and spoke to the ten of us who were taking part, and gave us a quick run through the do's and don'ts and what to expect. As we had been through all this before at Discover Dogs where we qualified (there were sixty-four of us then!), most of us knew what we had to do. We were then completely overwhelmed by all the people who came down to wish us luck. I must say at this point a big thank you to all of you in our breed that came to see us as it really gave us a boost - you were great - and I didn't know I had that many friends. I think a lot of them came to see if Kracker was looking his best (which, of course, he was) and he was really geared up to getting into the ring by this time.
Well, the time finally came for us to go down to the Collecting Ring, which is just outside the Main Ring. My nerves at this point were doing the 'military two-step' to the music that was going on in the Main Ring at the time (it was the winner of the 'Heelwork to Music' section)! Then we were off - showtime! Kracker and I were the fourth to go in although we were very nearly the first, as Kracker was pulling my arm off because he was so keen to get into the Main Ring and 'strut his stuff'! We had to go right across the Ring from the corner where we entered and over to the corner on the other side. It was at this point I wished my legs had been just that little bit longer, as it was such a long way! Kracker was doing his usual thing and leading the way, and I was going as fast as my little legs could carry me and it was very hard trying to look as if he belonged to me and that I was in control!
Then it was our turn for the Judge, Mr Stuart Mallard, to have a look at Kracker. I was very proud of Kracker - he behaved beautifully and didn't move a muscle. When the Judge had finished we were told to 'do our triangle'. My goodness, that ring was big, but Kracker did not let me down and he was an absolute dream in showing everyone what he was made of. He adored all the applause and whistles that he got (I was hoping they were for me!) whilst we were going around, and he stopped to perfection - I did not have to touch anything on him. Although we did not get placed that was his and my special day and we will never forget it.
Nothing can ever take away the fact that Kracker is the first Pyrenean Mountain Dog ever to reach that far in the Junior Warrant Competition. Both Rod and I are so proud of him.
Sandie Tadd.
