Young Kennel Club Groomer of the Year at Crufts is Lad from Strathpeffer

Hunter Macdonald, aged fifteen, and his eleven-year-old Border Terrier Jock from Strathpeffer, Scotland, have won the Young Kennel Club (YKC) Groomer of the Year, at Crufts on Friday 10th March.

Hunter and Jock, who is owned by Hunter’s uncle, took first place in the YKC ring at Crufts for the coveted title of YKC Groomer of the Year, which is sponsored by Wahl, after taking part in qualifiers at Eukanuba Discover Dogs, Dogs for Good day, YKC training weekend in Newark and Scottish Kennel Club show last year.

To reach the Crufts final, YKC members had to compete in their categories for under and over 12s, and over 18s for Groom Through and Clip/Trim & Strip classes.

Hunter commented: “I just can’t believe it - when I went up to my mum afterwards all I could say to her was just that it was unbelievable. It’s fantastic and a dream. I didn’t even think I would win my category so to be the overall winner is just amazing.

“I knew that I just had to forget about the crowd around me and get my head down and get stripping. I didn’t even think about who was next to me, I just had to focus on what I was doing and what was going on in front of me.

“Jock is a mischievous little character. We started training together when he was five and we haven’t really looked back then. We do all the strip classes together but he’s owned by my uncle so I would just like to say a big thanks to him.”

Caroline Kisko, Kennel Club Secretary said: “Many congratulations to Hunter for winning YKC Groomer of the Year – he showed outstanding talent and we wish him the best of luck for the future.”

If you would like to find out more about the Young Kennel Club and how to join please contact the Young Kennel Club team by email or by visiting the YKC website.

Crufts took place from 9th-12th March 2017 at the NEC, Birmingham. For more information, visit the Crufts website. The results for Crufts 2017 can be found online at www.press.fossedata.co.uk. View free downloadable images from Crufts 2017.