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.

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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.

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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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Additional accredited trainers for rally needed for judges’ training programme

The Kennel Club is calling for anyone interested in becoming a rally 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.

Continue reading Additional accredited trainers for rally needed for judges’ training programme

ADDITIONAL ACCREDITED TRAINERS FOR RALLY NEEDED FOR JUDGES’ TRAINING PROGRAMME

The Kennel Club is calling for anyone interested in becoming a Rally 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.

As part of the training programme, the Kennel Club has a number of Accredited Trainers for each discipline, who are responsible for delivering each seminar and conducting the examination. All of the Accredited Trainers are established judges of long standing and have attended training and assessment sessions prior to their appointment in order to prove their own knowledge and competence in delivering the seminar syllabus. There is a good geographical spread of trainers to ensure that each area of the country is covered to minimise distances for those attending seminars.

The Kennel Club is now inviting applications from interested parties who would like to be considered for the position of Rally Accredited Trainer. Any candidates interested in applying need to meet the following criteria:

  • Three or more years of regular judging experience
  • Be eligible to judge Level 6
  • Good presentation and teaching skills are essential
  • Have attended and passed the exam for the Rally Regulations and Judging Procedure seminar and attended the Practical Seminar
  • A willingness to travel to deliver seminars

Those interested should send their applications to the Working Dog Activities team via email to rally@thekennelclub.org.uk by Friday 18 February.

Assessments for all applicants will take place once applications have been reviewed. More information will be sent to those who apply.

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.

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