So last Sunday Hogan and I went to our first championship show, it was all very English, being next to Windsor Castle (the home of the queen mother, residence of the queen on occasion!).

Unfortunately due to the docking laws the entries were very low, meaning that I was the only one in my class  (The law is that docked dogs past a certain date can not be entered in a show where public pay an entry fee).

Although, he was the only one, the judge was still entitled to withold an award if she felt he wasn't deserving.

Luckily, she didn't, and he got his first place award and qualification for crufts 2011  (I think it is similar to the USA westminster show?).

Anyway, he was very well behaved throughout, even though the atmosphere was very different to open shows. Lots of trade stands, even a band played the national anthem before the showing started! Plus, he was benched for the first time.

After he had finished, we then had a walk round and good a ring doing Kennel Club Good Citizen testing, and he passed his bronze too! (It's a level of obedience in the UK).

All in all, a good day! Here are a few pictures:

I would like to thank all you guys for all the wonderful advice and confidence you have given me to get this far.

Standing for the judges critique

Artistic - in the dog challenge

Benched with Toni

Windsor Castle!

Hogan's critique in the paper!

In the challenge:

General video:

Hope you enjoyed, and thank YOU 

Shelley

Congrats Shelley!!! Sounds like you and Hogan did an awesome job

I would consider Crufts and Westminster to be the equivalent when it comes to reputation and esteem. Otherwise they are vastly different since Westminster is limited to 2500 entries whereas Crufts usually has over 10,000 and is the largest dog show in the world. And Shelley, correct me if I'm wrong, but Crufts allows non-champion dogs to compete so long as they have qualified. With Westminister only Champions of record may compete (probably because of the entry limit and the size of Madison Square Garden).

I'm assuming benched in the UK is the same in the US - dogs and owners are required to stay for the entire show in a benching area for the general public to be able to meet. In the US there are only a few benched shows that I know of still in existence - Golden Gate KC, the International Kennel Club in Chicago, Westminster, Detroit, Harrisburg, and the National Dog Show which airs on Thanksgiving. When I lived in CA, I loved the Golden Gate show because you had your benching area and were able to decorate it! A much different experience than just going to the show and leaving as soon as your judging time is over.

When is your next show with Hogan? BTW, I love the suit!

Congratulations! I saw the result on Higham Press website last weekend. Nice to be Crufts qualified already - now you can relax and enjoy the showing! Did you leave him alone on the bench? That's not always a good move with my two, though they are OK if I stay out of sight. Are you at Leeds?

www.rosanyosboxers.com/benching.jpg

I think all Championship shows in the UK are benched? This picture shows the benches at Crufts. In theory, dogs should be on their bench (with their catalogue number) unless in the ring or exercise area. I usually take a soft crate and put my two in together on one bench. They are tethered using special 'benching chains' to rings on the bottom of the bench.

Edited to add: a great critique as well! Unusually quick to be published - can take months to appear!