Inter-Regional Obedience Team Competition
To be held on Friday 6th March 2020
“Under Kennel Club ‘G’ Regulations”
If you would like to be considered for SCOTTISH TEAM
Please complete an application form and either …
If you live in any of the following areas:
Derbyshire, Leicestershire, West Midlands, Northamptonshire, Notts., Rutland, Oxfordshire, Shropshire, Staffs, Worcs
and would like to be considered for a place in the team then please send application form (downloadable below or from our Facebook page) to:
Lou Jackson, Team Manager, Comox, Harrisons Lane, Gailey, Staffs. ST19 5PS
Selection day to be held on Sunday 24th November at Tomlinsons Canine Center, Markfield, Leicestershire. LE67 9RJ.
If you are selected the team will be required to attend four training sessions before the event.
If you would like any more info please contact me on 07831397080 or I ‘ll be at Lichfield Show and all the Sandwell shows.Assistant team managers: Lyn Tozer and Steve Fraser, will also be at these shows and may help you with any enquiries.
I have been invited by Michael McCartney (with the approval of the Crufts Dog Show Committee) to manage the Northern Ireland Inter Regional Obedience Team for Crufts 2020.
As you are probably aware Michael McCartney who has been appointed as NI Obedience Inter Regional Manager is in fact judging the event in 2020, therefore he is unable to fulfil his role for that year.
I have accepted the invitation and will be responsible for managing the NI Inter Regional Obedience Team along with two very able assistants in Anne Hamill & Mandy Jennings.
The 2020 Inter Regional team will consist of:
1 Beginner Dog
2 Novice Dogs
2 Class A Dogs
1 Class B Dog
1 Class C Dog
1 Beginner Reserve Dog
The following breed restrictions apply to the Inter Regional Team. The team may consist of:-
The tests for this event will be as per G regs for each class.
ELIGIBILITY DATE: 31st OCTOBER 2019
If you would like to be considered for this event, please complete this form and return it to me either by: Email: smealeoldchapel@manx.net
or post to my home address:
Mrs. Tracy McKinlay
Smeale Old Chapel
Kirk Andreas
Isle of Man. IM7 3EB
Forms should be received by: Saturday 16th November, 2019
NB No telephone applications will be accepted.
Team selection days will take place on:
NORTHERN IRELAND: Saturday, 30th November at K9 Academy, 10 Moneybroom Road, Lisburn, BT28 2QP
ISLE OF MAN: Saturday, 7th December starting at 10 am at the Glebe, St. Marks.
I hope that everyone will be notified of our decision one way or the other by mid-December.
If you would like to apply but cannot make the above date in your area, please do not be put off applying, but contact me so we can try to arrange something.
Two Team Training Sessions will be arranged in each “country” and ask that you attend at least one of these sessions, again dates to be confirmed.
Kind Regards
Tracy McKinlay
Do live in any of the areas list below? Would you like to in the Midlands Rally Team competing at Crufts 2020?
DO YOU LIVE IN ONE OF THESE COUNTIES?
If the answer is YES, here is an opportunity for you to compete at Crufts.
We are looking for handlers and dogs of all breeds to come along to the try-outs in: Beginners, Novice, Test A, B & C.
There will be 2 try-out venues in our area.
The Inter Regional’s reverted to the standard G Regs for all tests from 2017.
For more info or to log your interest contact:
(Go to our dedicated FB page for all documents)
South East & East Anglia Inter Regional Supporters Group
– Wendy Birch – Team Manager Tel: 01442 396498 Mobile:
07811911741 Email: wendyanddella@gmail.com
– Sarah Delany – Asst. Team Manager Tel: 07919174766
Email: sarahrosedelany@virginmedia.com
– Enid Diplock – Asst. Team Manager Tel: 07789097134
Email: ediplock@yahoo.co.uk
The Kennel Club and Weatherbys are pleased to announce they have partnered to provide a simplified process for canine genetic heath testing which will benefit both dog breeders and owners, helping to eradicate some of the most concerning genetic disorders facing certain breeds.
CombiBreed™ health test packages simplify the process of genetic testing by using a single cheek swab to check a dog’s DNA for markers associated with a number of different inherited disorders. By making genetic testing more accessible it will help responsible breeders work towards eradicating these conditions and will encourage first time breeders to make the health of the puppies they breed a priority. Results from these tests will automatically be registered on the dog’s record, and will be freely available on the Kennel Club website, allowing puppy buyers to check if the dog they are thinking of buying has come from health tested parents.
Currently available for 13 pedigree breeds, breeders will be able to order breed specific CombiBreed™ health test packages directly from The Kennel Club Shop, from the 26th July, as well as at Kennel Club shows and events, with the product officially launching at the Game Fair today. CombiBreed™ health test packages for each breed can be ordered by visiting the Kennel Club Shop via https://www.thekennelclubshop.org.uk/products/combibreed-health-test-packages
Priced at £135 (with a 10% discount for Kennel Club Assured Breeders at £121.50), CombiBreed™ allows breeders cost-effective access to the most impactful genetic health tests without the need to carry out each one individually, with results that are easy to interpret. At present, the packages are available for the Labrador Retriever, French Bulldog, Cocker Spaniel, English Springer Spaniel, Golden Retriever, German Shepherd, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Beagle, Border Collie, Rough Collie, Chinese Crested and the Australian Shepherd.
The introduction of these new packages follows research, carried out earlier this year, which revealed that the number of pedigree dogs at risk of often painful and debilitating inherited diseases is being dramatically reduced by responsible breeders, thanks to the use of DNA tests. Researchers from the Kennel Club and the Animal Health Trust found that approximately ten years after each DNA test became available, the gene mutations that caused the diseases had decreased in each breed by a staggering 90 per cent or more.
Dr Tom Lewis, Kennel Club Genetics Research Manager said: “Our partnership with Weatherbys is a crucial step in improving dog health and will allow breeders to help positively impact future generations by ensuring dogs are health tested before breeding.
“The genetic tests that we have included in the Weatherbys CombiBreed™ packages are the result of work by the Kennel Club and Weatherbys to identify the most significant genetic diseases in individual breeds.
“The benefits of providing all relevant tests for each breed mean that puppy buyers can also feel assured that their puppy has been bred by a responsible breeder, whilst simplifying the process for breeders themselves.”
Nick Craven, Communications Director for Weatherbys, said: “We are delighted to strengthen our relationship with the Kennel Club through the development of genetic testing packages to the most popular dog breeds in the UK.
“Before, breeders had to navigate numerous laboratories to get results and interpret them to make informed breeding decisions.
“Our CombiBreed™ packages simplify this process. They are easy to purchase from the Kennel Club, the results are straightforward to understand, and they cost less than working with multiple labs.”
The partnership between the Kennel Club and Weatherbys brings together a combined heritage of nearly 400 years dedicated to animal registration and animal welfare, and through the provision of CombiBreed™ the two organisations are strengthening their legacy by continuing to improve the health and welfare of animals.
For more information on CombiBreed™ health tests packages visit the Kennel Club website: www.thekennelclub.org.uk/combibreed.
Following the committee review of the Control of Dogs (Scotland) Act 2010 (released Thursday 18th July 2019), the Kennel Club and Scottish Kennel Club have issued the following statement:
Caroline Kisko, Kennel Club Secretary, said: “We have long been calling for more effective implementation of the 2010 Act and welcome the review’s acknowledgment of the lack of available and consistent data, and the necessity of a central database. Enforcing the collection and sharing of data would enable us to better understand the problem and therefore inform preventative strategies which are actually effective.
“While we are pleased the review recommends that the Government undertakes a comprehensive review of all dog control legislation, in order for this to be effective it is essential that any new legislation is properly considered with views represented from across the wider dog welfare sector.
“For example, we would question the recommendation from the committee that local authorities should be given the power to create bylaws which ban dogs off the lead. Dogs require off-lead exercise and dog owners are legally required to provide a duty of care to their pet. Insufficient exercise can not only cause obesity and other types of illness, but also frustration which can lead to aggression, so this could be counterproductive.
“We are also concerned that reintroducing dog licences would be ineffective; potentially wasting time, money and resource. Our view is that irresponsible dog owners are unlikely to apply for a licence, this can be evidenced by looking at Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland where compliance rates are less than 50 per cent. We don’t believe that reintroducing dog licences would have any effect on responsible dog ownership, instead we would point to the committee’s recommendation of educational and awareness-raising resources.
“Overall, it’s essential that any new legislation is properly and broadly considered across the board, consulting all stakeholders, to better protect the public against dogs dangerously out of control, without compromising any individual dog’s welfare. We welcome further discussion with stakeholders, government and local authorities.”
Kennel Club Press Release:
The Kennel Club wishes to announce that the regulations regarding event licences across all disciplines are to be changed.
With immediate effect from 1 July 2019, event licence applications, whether for a show, trial or other competition, will cease to refer to ‘guarantors’. Instead, whenever a licence fee is paid for an event, the individual making the application on behalf of the club or society will agree that the officers and committee in place at the time of the event will assume full responsibility for ensuring that it will be conducted safely and in accordance with Kennel Club regulations.
Caroline Kisko, Kennel Club Secretary, said: “This change in regulations has come about due to the Kennel Club’s implementation of the Customer Relationship Management (CRM) database which will provide facilities for licence applications to be made online and which will remove any necessity for signatures to be provided. The principle of the licensing process will remain unchanged, but the term ‘guarantor’ will no longer be used.”
The relevant regulation changes across all disciplines will be published in due course.
Any enquiries regarding this matter can be directed to email wda@thekennelclub.org.uk.
The team managers for both Obedience and Rally Inter-Regional Teams have been appointed for the coming three-year period for Crufts 2020 to 2022. Their names are listed below.
Over the summer each will be advertising for applications from interested competitors for their respective teams, so please look out for adverts and flyers around the shoes in your area and on social media.
Obedience
| Scotland | Carole Patrick |
| Northern Ireland | Michael McCartney |
| North | Emma Lavender |
| Midlands | Lou Jackson |
| Wales | Jen Jessop |
| South East & East Anglia | Wendy Birch |
| South & South West | Emma Galbraith |
Rally
| Scotland | Elaine Miller |
| Northern Ireland | Rachel Cooper |
| North | Gail Holl |
| Midlands | Julia Bodsworth |
| Wales | Tracey McGuirk |
| South East & East Anglia | Jenny Stewart |
| South & South West | Jenny Butters |
The next meeting of the Kennel Club Obedience Liaison Council will be held at the Kennel Club in London on Thursday 18 July 2019. Proposals for inclusion on the agenda should reach the Obedience Liaison Council Secretary by 19 April.
Each eligible society or an individual may submit items for the agenda, through a council representative. Proposals must be concise and, if an amendment or an additional regulation is proposed, the regulation number must be given. All submissions must be signed by the society/individual and the representative.
All items for inclusion on the agenda should be sent to Working Dog Activities Team, The Kennel Club, Clarges Street, London W1J 8AB or by email to obedience@thekennelclub.
A full list of Obedience Liaison Council representatives can be found at https://bit.ly/2Tx8YVk.
