A DOG training school has qualified for Crufts.
The team at Cheshire K9 Training are celebrating after making it to the prestigious show.
Based at Chelford Village Hall, the club will compete in the ‘obreedience’ category, which sees teams of four handlers and four dogs of the same breed complete various tasks.
Despite finishing second in qualifying, they are not letting themselves get carried away.
Founder of the club Heather Gibbs said: “We don’t go with any expectations, we go to have fun as a team, enjoy the day and just make the most of the experience.
“That said, we’ve already packed a bottle of champers, just in case!
“We would love to be in the top three but we wouldn’t be that bothered if not because we’ve already made the final and that is our big win.”
Heather founded the club eight years ago, having been a volunteer trainer at various clubs around Cheshire for a decade prior.
Starting with just one class, Heather and her colleagues now run 22 every week.
Entering Crufts had never been an ambition for Heather, she admits.
However, two years ago she competed for the first time, finishing second with a different team.
“It was very exciting but very nerve wracking,” she said.
“It is much bigger when you get there and much more daunting than you ever thought it would be.
“At the time I thought it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity but now I get to do it again!”
This time round Heather, a Kennel Club accredited instructor and registered agility judge, will be competing for The Woodcockers, representing Cheshire K9 Training.
She will be joined by fellow trainer Jodie Coutts, Jo Hibbert and Lewis Evans, who is just 17 and a member of the club.
Perhaps the most important team members however are the dogs – Amber, Tain, Alfie and Isla – all cocker spaniels.
“It’s the first time at Crufts for Jodie and Lewis so they’re very excited," Heather said.
“Lewis is still a teenager, he’s only been training about 12 months and he’s already qualified for Crufts!”
Jodie added: “We are so thrilled, after all the hard work and countless hours of training we have put in, to get to the most prestigious dog show in the country.”
The obreedience competition takes place on Thursday, March 7, at 11.45am.
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