Category: General

GOLDEN RETRIEVER FROM NOTTINGHAM CROWNED WINNER AT CRUFTS

Bramble, a three-year-old Golden Retriever, and his owner Briar Dunn, from Nottingham, has triumphed at Crufts by winning the Good Citizen Dog Training scheme Special Pre-Beginner Obedience Stakes competition, held on Saturday 12 March.

Bramble (Rubus Parvifolius) beat 28 other talented dogs to be crowned the 2022 winner of the competition at the world’s greatest dog show.

The Good Citizen Dog Training scheme competition was first held in 2005 to encourage owners of dogs who have passed their Good Citizen Bronze Award to take part in obedience competitions as a potential gateway into dog exhibition. The exercises included in the test are a combination of those used as part of the scheme as well as the Pre-Beginner Obedience test. Building on the basic training skills learnt through the Good Citizen Dog Training scheme, the stakes competition helps to bridge the gap between basic training and entering a competition. Dogs must have obtained their Bronze Award prior to the closing date for entries to the show.

Dogs competing in the final had to qualify at one of the 14 heats held across the country last year with each heat qualifying the top two dogs. The final at Crufts was judged by highly experienced judge Mrs Kit Clow.         

Speaking after his win Briar said: “I was so pleased to be able to bring Bramble to Crufts as I know he loves to work and always tries his best, but to then win this was amazing. I am so proud of Bramble. The day finished on a high with Bramble and I being presented with our award in the main arena with the winners of the Obedience Championships.”

Sue Garner, Good Citizen Dog Training scheme Working Party Chairman, added: “Briar and Bramble performed a super round today. The standard of competitors was very high, and the pair should be proud of their achievement. The Pre-Beginner Stakes are a great way for dogs and owners to enter the obedience world and I wish them luck in the future.”

Crufts also hosted the Good Citizen Pre-Beginner Final competition for Young Kennel Club members on Sunday 13 March, which was won by Pepper (Jeplong Fire Cracker), a two-year-old Border Collie from Staffordshire and her owner, 24-year-old Paige Jepson.

To find out more about the Good Citizen Dog Training scheme visit the website gcds.org.uk.

WELSH OWNER AND DOG BECOME CRUFTS OBEDIENCE CHAMPIONS

Luca, a working sheepdog, and his owner Carolyn Heath from Wenvoe, Wales, took home one of the top obedience prizes at Crufts on Saturday 12 March after winning the Obedience Championship (dog) final. The judge was Mrs Pat Watson.

Eight-year-old Luca (Jezzady It’s Time To Play), 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.

All competitors at the championships had made it through to the final after qualifying at one of the championship shows that were held last year.

Continue reading WELSH OWNER AND DOG BECOME CRUFTS OBEDIENCE CHAMPIONS

NEXT OBEDIENCE LIAISON COUNCIL MEETING 23 JUNE 2022

The next meeting of The Kennel Club Obedience Liaison Council will be held on Thursday 23 June 2022. Proposals for inclusion on the agenda should reach the Obedience Liaison Council Secretary by 25 March 2022.

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.

As a reminder, all items for inclusion on the agenda should be sent by email to obedience@thekennelclub.org.uk.

A full list of Obedience Liaison Council representatives can be found at thekennelclub.org.uk/obedienceliaisoncouncil

MORE CRUFTS ON TV THAN EVER BEFORE

A record-breaking 16 hours of coverage this year

More than nine hours at the weekend on Channel 4 alone!

Dog lovers can look forward to a record-breaking 16 hours and 15 minutes of television coverage when Crufts returns to Channel 4 and More4 this March to celebrate the world’s largest dog show. This is 75 minutes more than the 2020 show which was then a record in itself and means that, at the weekend, viewers will be treated 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.

Continue reading MORE CRUFTS ON TV THAN EVER BEFORE

ADDITIONAL ACCREDITED TRAINERS FOR OBEDIENCE NEEDED FOR JUDGES’ TRAINING PROGRAMME

The Kennel Club is calling for anyone interested in becoming an Obedience Accredited Trainer for the judges’ training programme to get in touch.

This judges’ training programme has been developed over a period of time and follows the requirements already in place for those involved in judging other canine activities. It underlines the Kennel Club’s commitment to maintaining and improving the standard of judges and judging at official Kennel Club licensed events and, in so doing, ensures the quality of dogs and the value of awards they receive at these events.

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KENNEL CLUB SPECIMEN SCHEDULES REVISED FOR 2022

Although events continue to be subject to change due to the ongoing Covid-19 situation, updated versions of the specimen schedules for breed shows, agility, obedience, working trials, Bloodhound trials, heelwork to music and rally can now be downloaded from the Kennel Club website, in order to assist societies with planning.

Organisers of Kennel Club licensed events are reminded that all competition schedules must conform to the current specimen schedules, and that no changes may be made to a show/trial schedule once issued, except with the permission of the Kennel Club.

Continue reading KENNEL CLUB SPECIMEN SCHEDULES REVISED FOR 2022

CRUFTS 2022 – ENTRIES CLOSING SOON

Exhibitors are reminded that online entries for Crufts 2022 close on Monday 24 January, for dogs which have qualified for the show. Those exhibitors who prefer to send their entry by post must have done so by Monday 10 January (postmark).

The Working and Pastoral groups will be shown on Thursday 10 March; Terriers and Hounds on Friday 11; Utility and Toys on Saturday 12; and Gundogs on Sunday 13.

Best in Show will be judged on Sunday evening by Stuart Plane, breeder of the well-known Stuane Scottish Terriers.

Three breeds will be creating history at the 2022 show. Hungarian Pumis will have their own classes for the first time, Smooth Faced Pyrenean Sheepdogs will make their debut in the Imported Breed Register classes, and Harriers will be making their first appearance in the Crufts breed ring since 1898.

The Obedience Championships for dogs are on Saturday, with bitches on Sunday. In Agility, the Small and Medium Championships are on the Thursday, with the Intermediate and Large Championships on the Sunday.

Continue reading CRUFTS 2022 – ENTRIES CLOSING SOON

KENNEL CLUB INVITES APPLICATIONS FOR CHAMPIONSHIP OBEDIENCE STATUS

The Kennel Club wishes to advise obedience competitors that Waldridge Fell Dog Training Society has relinquished their championship obedience status with immediate effect.

Any society which would be interested in applying for future championship obedience status should submit a presentation for consideration. Please note that it will be necessary to select a date that does not coincide with another championship obedience show. An application from a club which already holds a championship obedience show will also be considered.

Applications should include details of the society’s committee structure and show management team, as well as information on the proposed show venue and its facilities available for judges, competitors, dogs and spectators.

Presentations should be submitted to the Working Dog Activities team at the Kennel Club via email obedience@thekennelclub.org.uk by 31 January 2022.