The Shaun McAlpine Award is the highest award for members of the Young Kennel Club, encouraging young people to embark on exciting, challenging and most of all fun activities in the canine world

Ed and Cindy McAlpine presented the Shaun McAlpine Trophy to the Kennel Club at Crufts in February 1986 in memory of their son Shaun, tragically killed in a road accident two weeks after his 22^nd birthday.  The trophy will be awarded annually for the encouragement of juniors in the dog world; a world in which Shaun himself had considerable success with his Great Dane Ch. Dical Tendelli and also acquired a reputation as a handler.

The award is open to all YKC members aged 6-24 years, and comprises of three categories:

• Under 12 years
• 12-18 years
• Over 18 years

Members are encouraged to search and engage in new initiatives, or to extend active interests and skills.  There are no restrictions on the area of the canine world that you may like to centre your activity upon, all we ask is that it is canine related.

You could…

• Be a reporter for a canine publication
• Train with a professional dog expert.
• Work with rescue dogs.
• Teach young handlers to train their dogs.
• Learn the art of grooming from a professional.
• Train with veterinary experts.

Prizes

The finalist from each category will be invited to a presentation at Crufts the following year after the closing date of 1^st December.  At Crufts medals will also be awarded in each age group and each winner walks away with the prize of assistance with achieving their chosen wish.  The overall winner's name will be engraved on the Shaun McAlpine Trophy.

How do you apply?

Download an application form below.  Please send in your application form by 1^st December to: Shaun McAlpine Award, YKC Office, 1-5 Clarges Street, Piccadilly, London W1J 8AB.

Under 12 years application form

12-18 years application form

Over 18 years application form

2007 Shaun McAlpine Award winners:

Shira Lumb

12-18 years age group - Highly Commended Award
Age: 16 years old

Wish: “I would like to assist at a Dogs Trust Centre to assess whether I am able to complete tasks set to me, as I am a wheelchair user with profound disabilities.  I would like to take part in this activity to be given the chance to prove myself and deal with dogs in a helpful capacity.”

The Dogs Trust are delighted to offer Shira a day at their Merseyside Re homing Centre where she can spend time with both the staff and the dogs and learn about the day-to-day work that takes place in the Centre. She will be able to see what happens when a dog arrives at Dogs Trust and also when a dog is re homed from the charity. There will be opportunities to learn about activities such as kennel cleaning, dog walking and socialisation; and she will have the opportunity to spend time with many of the Centre’s 90 canine residents.
Click here for Shira's Report

Stephanie Jeffries

Under 12 years age group winner
Age: 10 years old

Wish: “I would love for the YKC to help me in meeting Mary Ray.  Mary is an expert in the art of Heelwork to Music and I admire her so much.  It would be a great honour for me and my dog Kimmy to have a Heelwork to Music session.

In April, Stephanie and Kimmy will be spending a day with Mary Ray and her dogs. This is a great opportunity for Stephanie to have a day training one on one with Mary.

Joanna Skidmore

Over 18 years age group winner
Age: 24 years old

Wish “I would appreciate assistance in spending time shadowing a dog trainer teaching puppy classes, general obedience.  I would like to use the experience to discuss and gather ideas as I hope to teach my own dog training classes in the New Year.”

Renowned dog training expert Annette Conn has offered Joanna a great opportunity to watch and track the progress the of a dog-training course at Barnet and District Dog Training Club. The six-week course covers elementary training and behaviour, problem solving, therapeutic and fun exercise.

Georgina Ferguson

12 years and over age group winner and OVERALL WINNER
Age: 14 years old

Wish “I would like the YKC to put me in contact with people who could publish a dog themed book I have written and would like approval of the book from the Young Kennel Club and help in getting it published. I feel that new people to the dog world are unsure of what the YKC does so I have written a book that explains everything in an easy way and yet includes humour to be an entertaining novel.”

The Young Kennel Club was extremely impressed with Georgina’s book and feel that the concept is a fun and interesting way to introduce children into the world of dog showing. The draft copy of the book is currently being proof read by the Kennel Club after which the Young Kennel Club will then print the text.

The Kennel Club has many links within the canine world and would like to assist YKC members in achieving their canine ambitions.  The Award is based upon personal and social development and is not a competition against others.  Members should find participation enjoyable and satisfying.