For a dog photographer based in Surrey, the Crufts Dog Show at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham is just a bit outside my usual catchment area. But I made an exception for Crufts 2013.
I had a great day photographing there yesterday for the Hounds and Terriers day. What a wonderful sight to see so many beautiful dogs all in one place. A dog photographer’s paradise! I fell in love, first with the Manchester Terriers, then the Borzoi, then the Wolfhounds, then the Bassets,. But at the end of the day a gorgeous dark brindle greyhound girl caught my eye and I realised I am, and always will be, a greyhound-lover first and foremost.
Though there were plenty of other togs using flash guns, I decided against out of kindness to the dogs, who already had plenty of other pressures to contend with. Thank goodness for the stellar performance of the D3S in low light conditions.
More pictures here for those who are interested.
MADABOUTGREYS 
Glad to see I’m not the only one who thinks about how the dogs will react to flash! Your gallery is gorgeous, great work!
Thanks Trude. I have no qualms about using flash outdoors when dogs are relaxed and happy. But when there is so much pressure on dogs and owners at Crufts (and the dogs do pick this up from their people), I’m not going to be shoving flashes in their faces – it’s just one more thing to contend with, isn’t it.