The UK’s largest dog training programme, the Kennel Club Good Citizen Dog Training Scheme (GCDS), held its second annual Supermatch competition at the Kennel Club Building in Stoneleigh, Warwickshire on Sunday 4th December.
Best in Match was won by Bryn, a two year-old Welsh Springer Spaniel dog from Pontyclun, Mid Glamorgan, owned by Simon and Deborah Jenkins and handled by Bekki Williams on the day. Bryn, whose Kennel Club name is Brynseiri Afan, has previously passed the GCDS gold award, the highest level of achievement in the scheme.
After the win, Deborah Jackson said: “It was a fantastic feeling to see Bryn do so well and for everyone’s hard work to pay off. He’s a really lovely pet and we’re very proud of him. It’s good to see the lovely bond that Bryn and Bekki have developed, which makes him so happy in the show ring.”
Reserve Best in Match went to Arkama Harmony Miss D’Arcy, a three year-old Kerry Blue Terrier owned by Joanna Jones from Poole, Dorset.
This year there were 74 entries, comprising 43 dogs and 31 bitches. The judges, who were announced on the day, were Ronnie Irving (dogs), Sue Bird (bitches) and the referee was Babs Harding. Competitors were entered into a random draw and were judged over a series of knockout rounds until a Best of Match was declared.
The GCDS Supermatch was created to recognise and reward exhibitors who support the GCDS through breed classes and Any Variety GCDS stakes classes at championship shows.
The competition aims to highlight the role of the Good Citizen Dog Training Scheme and how it provides training and welfare education to owners across the whole spectrum of dog activities.
The GCDS Supermatch was open to dogs in the GCDS breed classes at general, group or single breed championship shows. To be eligible, dogs must have been:
- Winner of a GCDS breed specific class (single or mixed sex) at a general or group championship show, or
- Winner of a GCDS class (single or mixed sex) at a breed specific championship show, or
- Placed 1st – 5th on each day in the AV GCDS stakes classes held at general or group championship shows
The GCDS will be 25 years old in 2017 and has awarded certificates to over 660,000 dogs since its inception.
To enter GCDS classes at championship shows, all dogs must have achieved at least the Good Citizen Dog Training Scheme bronze award.