Shetland Sheepdog Stars Win at Agility Team Event at Crufts

The English Shetland Sheepdog Club (ESSC) from Warwickshire, took a top prize at Crufts yesterday (Friday March 11th), winning the medium dog Kennel Club Team Agility final.

The team of four dogs and handlers beat off competition from top agility teams around the UK in the hotly contested final at the world's greatest dog show, Crufts. Finalists in the Kennel Club Team Agility competition consisted of large, medium and small dog teams from Kennel Club agility clubs which had previously qualified at heats throughout 2015.  

The winning team consisted of Sonic and owner Lian Knight; Rommy and owner Jenni Hillard, Spice and owner Chantal Karya and Penny and her owner Sam Towe.

Team leader, Chantal said: "This is my first time here with my dog and they all did really well and coped brilliantly out on the carpet. It feels so different competing here than it does anywhere else - Crufts is so special, it's the biggest competition in the world. To even qualify to come here was a dream come true, let alone actually winning. Our win is topped off with it being the 125th anniversary of the show this year. It's a remarkable achievement for Crufts to continue for this long. It's been such a brilliant day and we're very happy."

Caroline Kisko, Kennel Club Secretary, said: "We would like to congratulate the Sheltie team on their achievements as the standards this year were very high. The dogs and handlers performed exceptionally during the competition. They have all demonstrated what can be achieved with training and good team work."

Crufts takes place from 10th - 13th March 2016 at the NEC, Birmingham. For more information, please visit www.crufts.org.uk.

The results for Crufts 2016 can be found online at www.press.fossedata.co.uk. For free downloadable images from Crufts 2016, please go to www.w-w-i.com/crufts_2016/.