Soaring Fred, a two year-old crossbreed terrier from Northamptonshire has triumphed at Crufts by winning the Good Citizen Dog Scheme (GCDS) Pre-Beginner Obedience Stakes Competition.
Fred and his owner Paul Watts beat 19 other talented dogs to be crowned the winner of the 2017 GCDS Pre-Beginner Obedience Stakes competition at the world’s greatest dog show.
Speaking after his win Paul said: “I am over the moon to win this class, Fred is my first dog so I wanted to take him to obedience classes. I am delighted to have qualified him for Crufts and then to win this today was amazing. I am so pleased with him. The day finished on a high with Fred and I being presented with our award in the Arena with the winner of the Obedience Championships – wow.”
The GCDS Pre-Beginner Obedience Stakes competition was first held in 2005 to encourage owners of dogs who have passed their GCDS bronze award to take part in obedience competitions. The exercises included in the test are a combination of current GCDS exercises and the Pre-Beginner Obedience test. Building on the basic training skills learnt through the GCDS, this competition helps to bridge the gap between basic training and entering a competition. Dogs must have obtained their GCDS bronze award prior to the closing date of the show.
Dogs competing in the final had to qualify at one of the 32 heats held across the country last year with each heat qualifying the top two dogs: one Border Collie/Working Sheepdog and one ABC (Anything But a Collie). The grand final at Crufts was judged by highly experienced judge, Ms Pat Wilson.
Maurice Cooke, Good Citizen Dog Scheme Working Party Chairman, added: “Fred and Paul performed a great round today – they really were soaring. The standard of competitors was very high and the pair should be proud of their achievement. The Pre-Beginner Obedience Stakes are a great way for dogs and owners to enter the obedience world and I wish them luck in the future.”