This weekend, the NEC Arena (now known to some as the LG Arena) played host to the most spectacular dogs show in the world, Crufts 2010. For the first time in nearly two years, the annual event was shown on our TV screens last night. Whilst some will have seen Danny Young’s departure from Dancing on Ice on ITV1 or highlights of a snoozy Formula 1 opener on BBC Three, More 4 had won the rights to this colourful event.
Sponsored by the furniture group, DFS, Crufts is in a strong position, maybe stronger than it ever has been, but there are those who won’t agree it is healthy competition, instead it is animal cruelty. More 4 were the first company to show Crufts, since a controversial BBC documentary on 'Pedigree Dogs Exposed' was screened in the summer of 2008. Having held the rights to Crufts for ages, the documentary showed disturbing breeding practices of dogs and consequently, saw the BBC scrap its coverage, ending a prestigious relationship.
However, despite no TV deal last year, the event was still declared as a rousing success and the final line-up last night for the hotly-contested Best in Show was very interesting. All seven finalists were declared fit and healthy to take part, with the award going to a Hungarian dog, called Yogi. Yogi had won his category ‘Gun Dog’ earlier in the weekend and is a Vizsla breed, so winning the overall show must have been a massive surprise to his overjoyed owner, John Thirlwell.
Of course, as ever with this type of event, controversy ran over the winner of the ‘German Shepherd’ category. Experts were dismayed to see that the winner, Clokelly’s Lagos clearly was suffered with poor back legs and ankles. The chief vet of the event has insisted that he inspected all dogs during the four-day event and insisted that all dogs passed the demanding medical trials. Others disagree, including the maker of that BBC documentary, Jemima Harrison. Harrison now campaigns to improve the health of all dogs, and in preventing cruelty, many believe she is a strong believer of the banning of such an event like Crufts. It is known that all associated bodies, including The Kennel Club and the RSPCA are working closely together to make sure that all dogs are kept to a strict and healthy regime, should they take part in such prestigious competition events, such as Crufts.
The debate of animal cruelty will rumble on and personally, I don’t want to drag myself into such a controversial and hotly-debated topic as animals being harmed. However, if Crufts disappeared from the event schedule, it would be a major shame. Crufts is an established and prodigal event for the British and for me, as long as the dogs are all healthy, then I can’t see a problem with such a competition taking place.
