PPGB at Crufts 2022

By Ian Urbanowski

We went to Crufts at the NEC on gun dog day which was Sunday 13th March 2022.  Travelling from Essex we left just after 6am and reached the NEC just after 8am and joined the many people (mostly showing) getting in.  We got a bit of attention as we were wearing our PPGB t-shirts as always keen to promote the breed!  Being there so early we first visited the Portuguese Pointer Club UK who were representing the breed on stand G18 in the Discover Dogs section.  The stand looked good with lots of photos and information on the breed.  It was nice to see Carol but the public hadn’t really started to come through the doors yet and the section was quiet.  

We picked up a show guide and worked our way around the huge numbers of trade/retail stands.  We could have spent loads but picked up a few treats for Amber and a few practical things for us for dog walking and agility.  The guide was invaluable and really helped us ensure that we didn’t miss anything!  Big shout out to Barking Bags, Dickybags, Scrumbles and Canine Cottages for making us feel welcome at your stands.

Knowing that judging for the import group was happening later in the afternoon we navigated our way to where the breed was stationed and caught up with Mark, Di and others. 

Unfortunately we didn’t get into the main show arena to watch any of the flyball or agility as it was full (you only have to pay to get in later in day).

We stopped for a bite to eat before heading back to the Portuguese Pointer stand at Discover Dogs. The whole of the Discover Dogs section was a lot busier now and it was good to see a good number of people take an interest in the breed.  It was good to see Tom Gorrian and hopefully the breed will again be represented at Discover Dogs at ExCel in London later this year.

After a brief stop for Debs to get her fix of the St Bernards (they were her first dog) we returned back to the area where the Portuguese Pointers were waiting to be judged.  All the dogs and owners waited patiently for their turn and they were eventually judged late in the afternoon.  Once again a Korthals Griffon won the group and progressed to the televised gundog final.  Videos of the dogs being judged are on the Portuguese Pointer of Great Britain Facebook page.

We eventually left just after 6pm and got home about 8.30pm.  Thank goodness that dinner was in the slow cooker!

Tips for the day:
Book your parking ahead of the day as it is a little cheaper

Get there early

Take care on the pavements as they can be “messy”

Get a show guide

If you can take your own food 

Try and get into the main arena before it fills up

Don’t forget gun dog day will be on Thursday 9th March when Crufts returns in 2023