An Ipswich dog owner admits winning is the last thing on her mind when she enters Crufts next month. 

Sarah Gale, 35, will show at the NEC Birmingham showpiece with her beloved one-year-old German longhaired pointer Erik just two years after adopting him in January 2022. 

The Suffolk native hopes to use Crufts as a platform to raise awareness of the unfamiliar breed, with German pointers having only been introduced to the UK some 30 years ago.

She said: ‘‘My main aim isn’t to win, but to show my dog off at his best. 

‘‘I want people to see him, to see his breed, and think ‘wow, I want to find out more about it’.

‘‘He’s incredibly empathetic, eager to please, eager to learn and he’s the best sidekick you could ask for.

‘‘German longhaired pointers are very versatile dogs, they are primarily bred to work on the continent, to hunt areas of ground.  

‘‘They run fast, they run hard, they point and hold game so that it can then be shot and retrieved.  

‘‘They can do lots of different jobs but they’re also incredibly kind dogs to live with.  

‘‘They’re incredibly clever and talented but they also look beautiful as well, so they’ve got a bit of everything really.’’

She added: ‘‘If you use their brains enough, they are fabulous, settled, well-rounded dogs, you couldn’t just settle and walk around the block all day and expect that to be them done.   

‘‘They can be fabulous pets, just in active homes that want to be doing stuff with them.’’ 

A relative newcomer to competing in dog shows, it wasn’t long before Gale found herself immersed in the community and she expressed her gratitude to Crufts and her fellow dog breeders. 

She said: ‘‘We go to Crufts every year to man the Discover Dogs stand for German longhaired pointers, so we’ve been there every year to take our other dog and to give back to what showed us the breed in the first place.  

‘‘To be able to have the opportunity to go and show as well is really exciting, and it’s focused my training since then so that we show ourselves and the breed in the best possible light. 

‘‘The people I’ve met through showing German longhaired pointers and who I’ve seen in multiple shows, they’re all really friendly and encouraging. 

‘‘It’s been a really nice atmosphere, so I’ve tried not to let it make me too nervous but I’m sure I’ll be nervous on the day of Crufts!’’

Crufts is a unique celebration of happy, healthy dogs and the loving relationship that they enjoy with their owners.

The world's biggest dog show recognises the varied roles that dogs play in society and highlights the many different disciplines and activities for dogs and owners.

Commenting on the possible future of the breed, she added: ‘‘The breeders are incredibly responsible, and they want the puppies to go to homes where they’re going to be happy and busy enough in. 

‘‘They’ve not been here that long. Historically, they’ve only really been sold to working gundog homes.   

‘‘They’ve been very insular; they’ve only gone to certain places so in those situations you don’t end up with bigger numbers. 

‘‘The breeders will breed when they know there are enough suitable homes available, but when there aren’t that many dogs about and people don’t see them, then you don’t get as high a demand for it.

‘‘We try to raise the profile of the breed so that people can see them and then from that the interest will grow. 

‘‘We have actually got some litters planned this year which is brilliant.’’ 

She concluded: ‘‘It’s a real honour to be able to be there with so many of our breed, with so many people who’ve done well with their dogs and to be able to fly the flag for such a fabulous breed. 

‘‘Having the opportunity to show on the biggest platform we have in this country is such an honour and I’m really grateful to be able to do it.’’  

Crufts, run by The Kennel Club, is a unique celebration of happy, healthy dogs and of the loving relationship that they enjoy with their owners. Crufts is held from 7-10 March 2024 at the NEC Birmingham. Viewers can follow all the action and highlights on Channel 4, and for further information and tickets visit: http://crufts.org.uk