General

BORDER COLLIE FROM WIRRAL CROWNED CRUFTS OBEDIENCE CHAMPION

Kervi, a six-year-old Border Collie, and her owner, Kathy Russell from Bromborough, Wirral, took home one of the top obedience prizes at Crufts on Saturday 11 March after winning the Obedience Championship (Bitches) final. The judge was Lou Jackson.

Kervi (Ob Ch Ruskath Klassified Image) came first in the final held at the world’s greatest dog show, Crufts, after competing against some of Britain’s best dogs for the coveted title. Kathy also secured second place with her ten-year-old Border Collie, Kafna (Ob Ch Sarkam Explicit Image for Ruskath), who is the mother of Kervi.

BORDER COLLIE FROM DERBYSHIRE CROWNED GOOD CITIZEN PRE-BEGINNER OBEDIENCE STAKES WINNER AT CRUFTS 2023

Pepper, a three-year-old Border Collie from Derbyshire, and her owner Paige Jepson, has triumphed at Crufts by winning the Good Citizen Pre-Beginner Obedience Stakes Competition on Sunday 12 March.

Pepper (Jeplong Fire Cracker) beat 30 other talented dogs to be crowned the winner of the 2023 Good Citizen Pre-Beginner Stakes competition at the world’s greatest dog show, with the final overseen by highly experienced judge, Mr Steve Frazer.

WIRRAL DOG AND OWNER BECOME CRUFTS OBEDIENCE CHAMPIONS

Yoshi, a seven-year-old Border Collie, and his owner Julie Rowlands from Moreton, Wirral, took home one of the top obedience prizes at Crufts on Sunday 12 March after winning the Obedience Championship (dog) final. The judge was Lou Jackson.

Yoshi (Ob Ch Sarkam Douthinkhe Saurus), came first in the final held at the world’s greatest dog show, Crufts, after competing against some of Britain’s best dogs for the coveted title.

THE KC WELCOMES REMOVAL OF PET TRAVEL BARRIERS BETWEEN GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND

The UK’s largest organisation dedicated to dog health and welfare, The Kennel Club, has today (27 February 2023) welcomed the announcement of the Windsor Framework, which formally removes the pet travel border between Great Britain and Northern Ireland that was erected upon the implementation of the Northern Ireland Protocol.

Crufts 2023 set to welcome 3000 more dogs than last year

Crufts will welcome well over 24,000 dogs this year, taking part in a wide variety of competitions and displays over the four days of the world’s most famous dog show, which takes place at the NEC Birmingham on 9 – 12 March, celebrating man’s best friend. The overall entry is almost 3,000 dogs more than at last year’s show.

Crufts is set to be another exciting event, with over 200 pedigree dog breeds in contention for the famous Best in Show trophy, which will be awarded live on Channel 4 on the evening of Sunday 12 March.

The number of breeds competing continues to grow, adding to the diversity of the event. This year, Bavarian Mountain Hounds will be shown in their own classes for the first time, where six dogs are entered.

Crufts on TV

Dog lovers will be treated to a record-breaking 16 hours and 30 minutes of Crufts coverage as the world’s greatest dog show returns to Channel 4 and More4 this March. With an additional 15 minutes more coverage than last year and over 100 minutes more than the 2020 show, viewers can look forward to a total of nine and a half hours of Crufts on Channel 4 alone!

With Clare Balding at the helm once again, Channel 4 and More4 will broadcast all the action from the show, leading up to the grand finale on Sunday when Best in Show will be crowned.

CHANGES TO RALLY REGULATIONS

The Kennel Club has approved the following changes to the regulations for rally.

The following regulation has been added to provide clarity for event organisers around the permission needed to hold special events.

CHANGES TO OBEDIENCE REGULATIONS

The Kennel Club has approved the following changes to the regulations for obedience.

The following regulation has been added to provide clarity for event organisers around the permission needed to hold special events.

APPOINTMENT OF INTERIM CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER (CANINE ACTIVITIES)

The Kennel Club is excited to announce that Helen Kerfoot has accepted the new position of Interim Chief Operations Officer (Canine Activities) and will join us in April 2023.

This new position at The Kennel Club will oversee canine activities, part of the role being left by Kathryn Mansfield on her retirement at the end of year. The role will also incorporate other canine events such as Crufts, the International Agility Festival and Field Trials following Events and Education Executive, Vanessa McAlpine’s retirement in June.

Leading dog welfare and veterinary charities call for an end to cruel Electric Shock Collars in England

Today (Monday 28 November), representatives from The Kennel Club, Dogs Trust, RSPCA, Battersea Dogs & Cats Home, the British Veterinary Association and Blue Cross will join MPs at an event in Westminster to call on the Government to ban the use of Electric Shock Collars (ESC) in England as has been promised since 2018.

Evidence presented to governments across the UK has led to collars administering electric shocks being banned in Wales and condemned in Scottish guidance. In 2018, the Westminster Government committed to introducing a ban when parliamentary time allowed, but despite this, it is still legal to use them in England.

ESCs are used to train dogs by punishing unwanted behaviours through the application of a shock to the dog’s neck. However, studies have shown that these devices have a serious impact on the welfare of dogs, including behavioural and physiological signs of distress. Robust research evidence shows that such techniques are not needed, with positive reinforcement being more effective at changing behaviour.