The world's premier dog show, Crufts 1999, which took place at the National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham, on the 11th to 14th of March, welcomed an international audience to the largest celebration of dogs on earth.

Innocence Abroad: Our First Crufts
By H. Cavanaugh

Discover Dogs

Arranged by their groups, 170 breeds of dogs, some not fully acknowledged by the English Kennel Club, were on display daily at Discover Dogs. This was a rich source of information.Each breed had a small enclosure, some decorated for its country of origin, where one or several breed representatives could meet the public. In addition, printedinformation sheets describing each breed and its characteristics were available. Obviously chosen for their friendliness, these canine good-will ambassadors were available for hands-on chance to see and touch.Not a puppy (say poopy to rhyme with soupy-you're in the English Midlands) or breeder referral, Discover Dogs is purely an information service.This was for me an unequalled opportunity to meet and photograph all of the rare breeds, from the Dogues de Bordeaux to Lancashire Heelers, even a Black Russian Terrier. This had to be one of the most popular areas of the show for spectators, and one I visited everyday. Where else is one going to see a Long-Haired German Pointer or a Cesky Terrier up close and personal?

More from "Innocence Abroad" ...

Judging
The Exhibitors
Spays and Neuters
Facilities and Amenities
Discover Dogs
Additional Events
Spectators
Cell Phones
Gleaming Brass Horns
Photographers
Final Thoughts
History of Crufts