CRUFTS DOG SHOW 2024 - LOGAN'S FINAL APPEARANCE IN THE SHOW RING.

A relaxed, light-hearted vlog from Crufts 2024 following my dog, Logan (a Whippet), as he competes in his last ever dog show before retiring from the show ring.
Logan started his show career in July 2016 at the East of England Championship Dog show where, at the age of 6 months & 4 days, he came 3rd in the Minor Puppy Dog class (which qualified him to compete at Crufts the following year).
Over the next 8 years he competed in 123 classes at dog shows all over the UK and he was placed (i.e. finished in the first five positions) on 93 occasions. During that time, I appeared at Crufts each year (apart from the year it was cancelled due to the pandemic).
He also had a successful career in the Obedience ring, winning an Introductory class, gaining his Pre Beginner title and in 2022 he became only the second Whippet ever to qualify and compete in the Kennel Club Good Citizens Special Pre Beginners Obedience Final at Crufts. Along the way, he also achieved his Rally Obedience Level 1 title.
On the 10th March 2024, aged 8, he took part in the Whippet Good Citizens Dog class at Crufts before "retiring" to concentrate on helping me with making "Countryside Walk" videos on this channel.
This video basically follows our day together at Crufts with an exploration of the trade stands, displays & presentations as well as a look at some of the Whippet Showing judging. It finishes off with footage of Logan's performance in his class.
The "low light" conditions were a challenge for my Action Camera which resulted in some "strange" colours at times (particularly the green carpet in the show ring). In addition, it was a very noisy environment (which did affect the audio) and the general lack of space meant that I could not use my normal tripod (so there are some "odd" angles from time to time!). I hope that this does not spoil your enjoyment of the video.
A big big thank you to Helen Johnston, who bred Logan & handled him at his very first show, for handling him again in his farewell outing. I am also very thankful for my friend Katie Manners who held the camera during Logan's class - thus allowing me to keep well out of the way so that he would not be distracted by seeing me.
For further videos in the series "Dave's Countryside Walks" featuring walks with me & Logan, please go to: / @daveford or my website at daveford5966.w...
My Facebook page is: / davescountrysidewalks
I use an INSTA360 ACE PRO Action Camera & a Rode microphone (either a “Shotgun” or a Rode Wireless Go II) together with a Canon Powershot SX530 HS.

[@wendyshort5972]

That was a great video. Nice to see you and Logan at Crufts. Glad Logan got a certificate and rosette.

[@DaveFord]

Thank you Wendy. It was a great way to end his career in the dog show ring.

[@carolpaterson122]

Such a sweet temperament. I swear my blood pressure drops when I watch Logan!

[@DaveFord]

Thank you Carol. He is a lovely chap to know and he hasn't got a nasty bone in his body!

[@melissaphillips3088]

Logan🥰 you are so beautiful and did so well. Dave thank you for showing this. It was wonderful. 👏🏻

[@DaveFord]

Thank you Melissa. We had a lot of fun together that day (Logan especially enjoyed exploring the dog toy & dog food stands!).

[@melissaphillips3088]

@@DaveFord I could see that Dave and I wished he could have everything he liked. He is such a good boy.💕

[@etinarcadiaego3296]

There is a stand with a Breton flag, it is the "basset fauve de Bretagne" stand, I'm from Brittany so I was very surprised and pleased when I saw it! Thanks a lot Dave for the guided tour and congratulations for your prize and retirement Logan! Oliver.

[@DaveFord]

Thank you Oliver. :)

[@susantaylor927]

Congratulations Dave and Logan! That was lovely to share that with you guys! Thank you!😊

[@DaveFord]

Thank you Susan. Glad you enjoyed it.

[@sandyjohnson8]

Hi Dave thank you so much for sharing this special moment in yours and Logans life, love your video brought a tear to my eye as well kind regards from Newzealand the music on your videos is perfect xx 😊❤🐕👍

[@DaveFord]

Thank you Sandy. It was a very special day for us.

[@andrewnorris2]

Wow! I got quite emotional myself. What an amazing career. Nice one Dave! I loved seeing him 'window' shopping earlier on but his graceful trotting for the show was charming. Well done the both of you.

[@DaveFord]

Thanks Andrew. I thought Logan didn't look too bad for an eight year old. Indeed I believe that he was the oldest dog in his class by some months!

[@alixjay7313]

Absolutely brilliant! Well deserved and well done! Can't deny it, had a lump in my throat watching that. May you both share many more happy walks together.

[@DaveFord]

Thank you Alix. It was a special day for us!

[@caseyjones166]

Congratulations! A fascinating change from your usual walking videos. May Logan have many years of happy retirement and many more enjoyable walks.

[@DaveFord]

Thank you. Yes, Logan can concentrate on the walks now!

[@normanwilliamson5545]

Hi Dave, a HUGE CONGRATULATIONS to Logan - you must be so proud of him and his achievements. It was an emotional experience for us as well as we’ve grown to love him so much. He is such a faithful and loving pet and having recently lost our 12 year old Yorkie, we enjoy watching Logan, he is so adorable. Look forward to your next walk. Kindest regards, Norman & Pam.

[@DaveFord]

Thank you both. It was such a memorable day & a super way to retire from the show ring.

[@angelanewman5566]

Well done both of you, but was the judge visually impaired or something? Logan was clearly the Best in Show!

[@DaveFord]

Thanks Angela. The standard of Whippets at Crufts is always so high - it is a thrill just being part of it all!

[@nickjh1968]

Lovely video Dave, had no idea of Logan’s esteemed heritage 😆. Wasn’t Crufts great? The fly ball and agility always leave me utterly gobsmacked. All the best Dave 👋.

[@DaveFord]

Thank you. Yes, both of Logan's parents have done very well in the show ring. Flyball certainly looks fun -indeed there seemed to be a fair few Whippets & sighthounds in the various teams.

[@LisaStuart-u5h]

How lovely ❤well done Logan (and Dave!). It must have been so emotional for you. Loved Crufts duty as an RVN back in the early 80s but it was in London then. Always had a soft spot for whippets and greyhounds ❤

[@DaveFord]

Thank you Lisa. It was a memorable day for sure!

[@antonioveritas]

Hi Dave. Thanks for sharing Logan's day at Crufts with us. I was wondering how ghe got on. That free sample of dog food sounded good...sweet potatoes and beef and vegetables. Wouldn't mind trying some myself! It was a good idea taking Logan for walkies round the stands. I'm sure that enriched his day. Better than being stuck in his crate for hours! Nice seeing his Dad as well. Looking forward to seeing him back on his country walkies next week.

[@DaveFord]

Thank you. Logan certainly enjoyed his day and, yes, that free sample certainly went down well!

[@nitram157]

Well done Logan and Dave. Logan looked more calm, as if it was just another walk in the countryside. Best wishes from here in the New Forest.

[@DaveFord]

Thank you. Yes, Logan is quite used to the noisy environment there, so he is quite happy & relaxed - taking it all in.

[@eldred1809]

Lovely video Dave and congratulations to you both on your success. You weren't the only one with some grit in your eye, I can tell you. He really is a magnificent specimen, and his pet on the other end of the leash does a good job too! Extra steak and chips all round methinks. Well done. Will you be showing Fiver in the future?

[@DaveFord]

Thank you. Yes, Logan had some chicken nuggets on the way home! Although Fiver did qualify for Crufts once as a puppy, he hasn't quite got the right "physical make up" to be really successful in the show ring. However, he is doing very well in the Obedience ring and he will be competing at Novice level at Obedience shows throughout this Summer.

[@jeanblemings5352]

It was interesting to see Crufts as I have never watched it on tv and I loved seeing Logan shopping. Shame he never found the Piper's crisps stall!! He did do so well in the ring - you must be very proud! But glad he is not retiring from Dave's Countryside Walks as well !

[@DaveFord]

Thanks Jean. I think he quite enjoyed his "free sample" of dog food from the Butternut Box stand!

[@SkylarkFields]

Aw bless him, well done Logan. What a great subject for your video, really enjoyed watching this and thanks for sharing Logan's final trip to Crufts. Had a little lump in my throat at the end! Can't wait to see him out and about in the countryside again now though! Hope the sun shines for you both!

[@DaveFord]

Thank you. Yes, Logan will be out with me each week going forward.

[@markshrimpton3138]

Hi Dave. I’m not a dog owner but found your vlog about Crufts really interesting. Who needs the Beeb? Well done to Logan as well: a placing on his last time in the ring. Mind you with all the walks he gets he should be fit.

[@DaveFord]

Thanks Mark. Yes, I reckon he must have been one of the fittest Whippets there!

[@MurielJoyceCrooks]

Congratulations Dave and Logan and thank you for a fantastic video. So happy that Logan was in the last 5 he is such a sweet dog and so well behaved. If ever you need a dog sitter I here😂 ❤❤

[@DaveFord]

Thank you. I certainly feel privileged to have owned him. :)

[@ailsabowring4449]

Lovely insight to the judging. Such patient dogs ( and owners ) We haven’t seen your other dog Fiver in any videos recently , how is he doing.?

[@DaveFord]

Fiver is doing very well. Indeed he & I, along with a few hundred other runners, competed in a Canicross Trail race over 10KM this morning at the Queen Elizabeth Park near Petersfield. Conditions were wet & muddy! Fiver will continue with his Dog Obedience career, competing in Novice classes at Obedience shows this Summer. I hope to have him as a "guest" on a few of the "walk" videos going forward so he will be making an appearance.

[@stephenbroadhead3172]

Congratulations dave Logan happy retirement logan we’ve been there many times over the years with our dogs

[@DaveFord]

Thank you Stephen. It was a lovely way to end his show career.

[@highlandexplorer990]

This video is SO fun! Crufts always looks like a blast, and what a way for Logan to retire - going out with a win! 🎉 I loved seeing the behind-the-scenes stuff - the judging process is way more involved than I realised! And those coonhounds were adorable! 😍

[@DaveFord]

Thank you. Logan & I certainly had a lot of fun that day!

[@jorienvandermeulen9316]

Congratulations from the Netherlands!

[@DaveFord]

Thank you (Dank U Wel), Jorien.

[@lionelmarytravels6003]

Congratulations to you and Logan. His final time on the table, but not, hopefully on the trig points. I hope he doesn't retire from his KZbin work for a few more years. His fans will miss him. You were wiping away a tear, well, so was I, even though I knew the result. Thanks for taking us with you. See you again soon. I imagine he will enjoy his chicken nugget

[@DaveFord]

Thanks Lionel. Logan will certainly continue to accompany me on the countryside walks going forward. He has a few good years left in him on that score!

[@peterfrost5475]

That was a very interesting look a Crufts and what a great job Logan did, you must be very proud of him.

[@DaveFord]

Thanks Peter. Yes, he was such a good boy.

[@delscorey8727]

Brilliant ..just brilliant..thank you..

[@DaveFord]

Thank you and indeed thanks for watching. :)

[@ear632]

Well done Logan! Thank you for sharing your day at Crufts. It was very interesting. I love watching Logan on your walks, so you got me a bit emotional at the end too. Congratulations to you both!

[@DaveFord]

Thank you. It was a day to remember!

[@michaelmoney9445]

Well done Logan and Dave!! A well earned and deserved achievement indeed. Looking forward to many more walks too in Logan's retirement. Thank you for sharing your wonderful day!!

[@DaveFord]

Thank you. Yes, Logan will be "back out in the countryside" very soon, helping with the filming!

[@EricJellett-qg9ye]

Lovely programme thank you

[@DaveFord]

Thank you Eric & indeed thanks for watching.

[@cathpeterson1944]

Yay Logan he is amazing did wonderful in his farewell championship, Congratulations are in order to sweet furbaby Logan 🎉 🥇

[@DaveFord]

Thank you Cath. Logan was such a good boy.

[@cathpeterson1944]

You’re welcome 🤗 Happy Retirement from the dog shows

[@hannureittu4310]

Logan is a fine boy

[@DaveFord]

He is a good lad for sure!

[@mattphillips9107]

Very special ❤

[@DaveFord]

Thank you Matt.

[@thebeatentrack156]

Fantastic, great video 😊

[@DaveFord]

Thank you. :)

[@LivinginTheNewForest]

Congratulations Logan, a well earned retirement and a placing on your last outing!

[@DaveFord]

Thank you. It was an emotional day!

[@LivinginTheNewForest]

@@DaveFord well done on your KZbin channel Dave. Well deserved support for your interesting walks

[@lynnb_and_ky_springer_spaniel]

Oh Dave! That was so lovely 🐕 Well done Logan, I had a little tear in my eye, you're an amazing little dog ❤

[@DaveFord]

Thank you Lynn. It was a super day for sure.

[@lynnb_and_ky_springer_spaniel]

@DaveFord oh I bet. A lovely memory for you Dave 🥰

[@stevefricker7005]

Logan would always win 1st prize in our eyes. We love Logan. ❤️

[@DaveFord]

Thank you Steve. He is such a good lad.

[@keithjoseph5671]

Congratulations to you and logan it a wonderful way to retire from the show ring

[@DaveFord]

Thank you Keith.

[@jacquelinedinan5549]

Love to Logan and for Dave for being a wonderful daddy.

[@DaveFord]

Thank you Jacqueline. :)