A TELEVISION presenter with roots in Hagley has once again been part of the broadcast line-up at this year’s Crufts, describing the experience as ‘an honour’ after another busy week at the world-famous show.
Laura Crombie was part of the presenting and commentary team covering the event for Channel 4, marking her sixth year working on the programme.
Speaking after the four-day show, Laura said the event remains one of the highlights of her year.
She said: “It was amazing to work with Claudia - she brought real new energy and enthusiasm and brought in people who maybe wouldn’t have thought about watching Crufts before.
“It was just a great celebration of all things dogs.”
Laura, who grew up in Hagley before moving away and returning around six years ago, originally trained as a journalist but has had a lifelong passion for dogs.
“I’m a journalist by trade - newspapers and things like that - but I’ve been showing dogs since I was 11,” she said.
“I basically just kept bothering Channel 4 saying I’d be great on the commentary, and eventually they said they had a gap and needed somebody.”
Her role requires an extensive knowledge of dog breeds, with Laura responsible for providing viewers with insights into the hundreds of breeds featured at the show.
“It’s my job to know about the 224 breeds - a bit about their history, how they should look and what their personality should be like,” she said.
“So it’s quite a lot of prep and quite intense when you’re there. We’ve got headsets with people talking to us and telling us which cameras are being shown, so it’s very full-on.”
Preparation often continues at home, with friends and family regularly quizzing her on different breeds.
“My friends and family are always testing me on dog breeds,” she said.
“If I was going to go on Mastermind, that would definitely be my specialist subject.”
She described the event itself as demanding but exhilarating.
“Crufts is literally the most intense four days of the year. You’re getting up at half six to get ready for camera shoots and Best in Show doesn’t finish until about 9pm.
“It’s very long days, very intense, but you just run on adrenaline.”
Laura has also worked as a presenter on QVC and appeared as a dog expert on ITV’s Love Your Weekend with Alan Titchmarsh.
Despite the demanding schedule, she hopes to return to the Crufts coverage in future years.
“You always hope you’ll be back, but there’s never any guarantee on TV,” she said.
“Some people said, ‘see you next year’, so hopefully that means I will be.”
Laura is also excited about developments closer to home - with her own dog potentially expecting puppies soon.
“We’re waiting to find out if it’s worked,” she said. “Hopefully we can have a puppy and be showing that next year as well, which would be super exciting.”
Addressing discussion around this year’s winner, she added that those involved in dog showing remain focused on the welfare of the animals.
“Everybody I know involved in showing wants happy, healthy dogs,” she said.
“And the dogs that get to Crufts absolutely love being in the limelight.”
Crufts took place from March 5th until March 8th this year at the NEC, Birmingham.
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