In recent times, Crufts has been marred by controversy, most particularly by concerns about the potential health risks of in-breeding. This led to a dispute between the broadcaster and the Kennel Club, which organises the event, and as a result, Crufts 2009 will not be screened on the BBC (although you can still watch the show live online).
Of course, this decision leaves a giant dog-shaped hole in the lives of the British public. So today, in an attempt to satisfy your dog show yearnings, The Guardian launches Grufts, the search for the World’s Leading Liberal Dog. There’ll be no kerfuffle over in-breeding, no snooty concerns over pedigree, for this will be the people’s dog, and all hounds are welcome.
We’ve entered three of the five family dogs, Boy Dog, Lilly and Toffee, who modelled sunglasses for us in issue 12 (no, they wouldn’t get out of bed for less than 10 Bonios). Check em out on the Grufts Flickr site here
Obviously, our dogs are going to win, but BonBon might give them a run for their money with this ‘fro:
