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Have you got a question about dogs you'd like answered on the new Crufts programme (5pm on Â鶹ԼÅÄ2, Sunday 9th March 2008)? Maybe you have a query about dog health, behaviour or housing issues...

Email: crufts@bbc.co.uk

20th February 2008

Well this week I've been joined by Katie Rice who is on board to make some films, as well as the rather daunting task of inviting an audience of some 60 people and 30 dogs - to form the backdrop to our programme.Ìý Although they will be more than just a backdrop!Ìý We're hoping they will come along with some questions that we can put to our experts.

Glenn Barton

Anyway, Katie is already in the thick of it - and has organised a filming shoot for tomorrow in Oxfordshire.Ìý I won't give it away, but needless to say that it involves lots of dogs - and with any luck - some nice weather.

I'm shortly going to be working out the best way to schedule our presenters.Ìý It's a crucial job, and one that if you get wrong, will have massive implications when we are on site.Ìý In total, there is 10 hours of television coverage (Â鶹ԼÅÄ2, and Interactive) - and this is split between our presenting team of Clare Balding, Ben Fogle, Matt Baker, Frank Kane, Wayne Cavanaugh, Peter Purves and Jessica Holmes.Ìý

With so much to cover when we're at Crufts, it's vital that each of the presenters knows where they have to be, and when.Ìý Should we "double-book" them - someone somewhere on the production team will have a massive problem to deal with.Ìý So wish me luck!

13th of February 2008

It's getting busier and busier... only three weeks left... although 22 days sounds better!Ìý There's so much to do, and although it feels that time is running out, I have to say that everyone I am talking to is being extremely enthusiastic and very helpful.ÌýCrufts really does bring out the best in people, I find!

So this week, we've managed to nail down the look of the studio area.ÌýIt should be great - based around the theme of a breed ring, with the green carpet etc, but we've put a modern twist to it with LCD screens and some fabulous LED lights that will make the area sparkle like something from Strictly Come Dancing!Ìý There's even rumour that we might be able to have a giant paw print on the carpet...

As the programme content is coming together, it's dawning on me that there is lots of filming to do when we are on site, so no doubt you'll see us walking miles through all the Halls, trying to get the best shots and the best stories.

Next week I'm being joined by Katie Rice who is going to direct a couple of films - before we even arrive in Birmingham.ÌýIt's her first time at Crufts, and I think she's going to be slightly stunned by how manic it all is - and the sheer scale of it.ÌýAnyway, she's got all that to look forward to!

By the way, look out for some other team bloggers who will be writing a few paragraphs about their own run-up to the 'biggest dog show on earth'.ÌýTheir blogs are bound to be far more interesting than mine!

6th February 2008

"I went up to the NEC yesterday - mainly to have a look at where we will be filming our 5-6pm programme on Sunday 9th March.ÌýAs it's a new programme for us, we're doing things slightly differently.ÌýWe're filming it from the middle of the NEC floor - right next to the Discover Dogs area in Hall 3.

I got off to a fortunate start yesterday when the train was so busy that I was allowed to sit in First Class, even though I had a Standard Class ticket - not bad!Ìý I went up with the Lighting Director, Nigel, who is going to be our saviour when it comes to making the programme look spectacular.Ìý

There's a reason why to date we have had all of our programmes set in a studio - it means we can light it properly.ÌýAs all of you who have been to the NEC will know, the lighting in those halls is very orange, and it can look pretty awful on TV.Ìý Well, fortunately, Nigel has come up with a cunning plan to make our floor area look less orange and more sparkly.ÌýThat will be a relief - and I can't wait to see it.

There was an exhibition on - the Spring Fair - and we were warned it would be really busy.ÌýBusy?ÌýThat's not what I would call it... but then I'm used to Crufts - now that's busy!ÌýYesterday, I could move around the Halls with relative ease - how blissful that would be if only that were the case between March 6-9th!ÌýBut we all know it's going to be as manic as ever - dogs are just so popular!"

Have you got a question about dogs you'd like answered on the new Crufts programme (5pm on Â鶹ԼÅÄ2, Sunday 9th March 2008)?

Email: crufts@bbc.co.uk

1st of February 2008

Well it's that time again - where have the last 12 months gone?ÌýCrufts is well and truly gearing up, and here at the Â鶹ԼÅÄ we are working up to a canine frenzy.ÌýWe have filming ideas in the pipeline, and our research teams have been busy since the beginning of the year digging around the canine world for the best stories out there.

I'm producing a new programme for the Â鶹ԼÅÄ - it's a programme that goes out at 5pm on Â鶹ԼÅÄ2, shortly before the grand final on Sunday 9th March.ÌýThis will come directly from the main floor of the NEC - in amongst the massed crowds of Crufts - quite an operation!ÌýAmong other things, I'm working on setting Ben Fogle and Matt Baker a serious dog related challenge - one that will test them to the limit... but more of that later.

I'm also going to be showing the very best of Agility, Flyball, Heelwork to Music, and Obedience.Ìý There will also be an invited audience who can ask questions of our experts - but I've yet to pin down the experts that I want... so again more news on that later.ÌýBut if you have any questions - anything to do with dog health, behaviour, exercise, or even advice on choosing the right dog for you - just email us and we'll do our best to get them answered.

So for now, I've got a good idea of what I want the 5 o'clock programme to contain - energetic action from all over the Show, presenters competing against each other, lots of dogs and canine advice, and above all, loads of fun.ÌýThe challenge will be to organise all of this, and then squeeze it into an hour long show. I'll keep you posted on how it all goes, as will the rest of the Crufts team on all our other activities.Ìý But right now, I'm off to learn the finer points of Flyball - there must be more to it than just barking!

Have you got a question about dogs you'd like answered on the new Crufts programme (5pm on Â鶹ԼÅÄ2, Sunday 9th March 2008)?

Email: crufts@bbc.co.uk