A West Highland Terrier has claimed the top prize at Crufts for the first time in 26 years at the annual dog show.
Devon was named Best In Show at the competition, an achievement described as “absolutely amazing” by her owner.
More than 22,000 dogs took part in the four-day event at the NEC in Birmingham as the competition celebrated its 125th year.
White Westie Devon beat off stiff competition from six other dogs in the final, screened live on Channel Four, to be crowned the overall winner on Sunday evening.
Devon the West Highland Terrier with handler Marie Burns who has been named Best in Show at Crufts 2016 at the NEC, Birmingham (PA)
The champion dog’s owner Marie Burns said she knew Devon was special from an early age as she told presenter Clare Balding she had said to a friend when the puppy was just eight or nine weeks old: “I think I’ve got the nicest Westie I’ve ever bred here.”
On the victory itself, Ms Burns, from County Durham, added: “To win Best In Show at Crufts is absolutely amazing.”
Ant and Dec tweeted their congratulations to the winner, who is also known as Geordie Girl and is almost two years old.
The presenting duo from Newcastle wrote: “Told you!!! Yess, Geordie Girl wins Best in Show! Yay GeordieGirl! What a belter!”
Hazel the Whippet was the runner-up, alongside her owner Charlie Donaldson from Middlebie, Dumfriesshire.
The 19-year-old, the youngest handler in Best In Show, said: “Words can’t describe how much this means. I’m so proud.”
Kennel Club secretary Caroline Kisko said: “This has been a fantastic year and a wonderful final, and it’s clear to see why, for 125 years, Crufts has been one of the major British events.”
Margaret Green Animal Rescue. Studland Stomp (Dorset). Sorry for the short notice!
Come along with your dogs, or with friends and family, or even just come on your own. Our Studland Stomp provides a fantastic opportunity to meet new people (and new dogs) and it’s also a great chance to meet some of our lovely rescue dogs who’ll be joining the walk.
The stroll is approximately 5 miles along the beautiful Studland Beach. We will meet at the National Trust Knoll Beach car park at 12.45pm ready to leave at 1pm. We will then walk alongside the sea and back through the heathlands and dunes.
On our return to the car park, we will descend upon the café and treat ourselves to some well-deserved afternoon tea!
This is our fourth Studland Stomp and after the success of previous events, we are keen to continue these walks and get even more people involved. Walking is a great way to keep yourself and your pet happy and healthy.
Sponsorship forms are available to download or alternatively, please feel free to turn up and donate on the day.
If you suspect that your dog has been poisoned or consumed toxin, never watch and wait or try to treat yourself.
Get your dog seen by the Vet as soon as possible and take a sample of the suspected poison with you.
Helping with the care of this Cat …
Take part in an RSPCA Corporate Volunteering Day. A great team away day for yourself and colleagues, with a behind the scenes tour of your local Animal Centre and the chance to make a real difference to some of the animals in our care.
For more information and to get involved: http://bit.ly/1LQQxpT. Go via link on Link Page.
Corporate volunteering days at our animal centres enable your staff to see and contribute to our work first-hand. Your employees can develop their team building and communication skills, whilst having fun and making a real difference to the animals in our care.
Corporate volunteering could benefit your business by:
Boosting employee morale and motivation
Promoting employee retention
Offering an opportunity for team building
Contributing to professional and personal development.
Interested in corporate volunteering at work?
For more information download our corporate volunteering information sheet (PDF 640KB) , then fill in the corporate volunteering inquiry form.
Alternatively you can email our corporate team at corporate@rspca.org.uk to find out mor
The Trailway is named after Charles Castleman, a Wimborne Solicitor, who was responsible for building the original railway line and the first to connect Dorset to the wider rail network. The Southampton to Dorchester to railway line was nicknamed the Castleman Corkscrew, after its founder and the meandering route it took. It was closed by Dr. Beeching in 1964. However it had been a secondary route once a coastal main line had been established between Christchurch, Bournemouth and Poole.
The Trailway is managed in partnership by Dorset County Council, Borough of Poole and Hampshire County Council with support from other organisations.
Castleman Trailway, West Moors to Avon Valley section
Dogs welcome off lead dog bin car park public transport
West Moors, St Leonards & St.Ives, East Dorset.
Grid refs: Avon Valley Car Park SU 139 049,
Horton Rd SU 132 050; Arnold Close SU 081 031.
A 6km section of old railway line, owned by Dorset County Council and managed by Dorset Countryside Ranger Service. It is a permissive path, not a dedicated public right of way. Essentially it is a woodland corridor which passes over the King Stream and West Moors River. There are views onto Lions Hill SSSI Heathland and into Westmoors SSSI. It passes by West Moors Plantation and Ringwood Forest with dedicated links to both Moors Valley and Avon Heath Country Parks.
As this part of the Castleman Trailway is open to walkers, cyclists and equestrians the Rangers who look after the Trailway ask that dog walkers: Please keep dog under close control; Please clean up after your dog; Never cycle with your dog on the lead.
You will find dog bins at:
Arnold Close – Westmoors entrance
Grosvenor Close entrance – Ashley Heath
close to Horton Rd (Western side), Ashley Heath
Avon Valley car park off Hurn Lane
History of Crufts
Crufts arena
Crufts today
Crufts is one of the largest dog events in the world. No longer purely a dog show, Crufts celebrates every aspect of the role that dogs play in our lives.
It has changed in ways that couldn’t possibly have been imagined when the show was set up in Victorian times by the late Charles Cruft. Although it was a very different event in 1891 Charles Cruft was a great showman and would surely have enjoyed the size and scope of the event today, which is an essential date in any dog lover’s calendar.
The dog show is still an important part of the event, celebrating the unique relationship that dogs share with their owners. Judges are trained to ensure that only healthy dogs win prizes, which in turn encourages the breeding of healthy dogs. But the event is now about so much more besides.
A celebration of dogs
Crufts is ultimately a celebration of all dogs. It celebrates working dogs, which are fit and healthy enough to perform the jobs for which they were originally bred, such as those in the Gamekeeper classes or which line up for the Police Dog Team Operational and Humanitarian Action of the Year award, and it hails hero dogs through the Friends for Life competition. Rescue dogs are celebrated in the rescue dog agility competition and the speed and agility of dogs is celebrated in the ever popular competitions of Flyball and Heelwork to Music.
For prospective dog owners and dog lovers, Crufts is a prime opportunity to talk to Kennel Club Assured Breeders, rescue charities and breed experts about how to responsibly buy, train and enjoy life with your dog. And of course, with hundreds of trade stands selling anything and everything for dogs and dog lovers, it is a shopping extravaganza!
The show is held at the NEC in Halls 1, 2, 3, 3A, 4, 5 and the Arena.
Please note that advance sales for Crufts have now ceased. Tickets will be available on the door at the “door rates” quoted below.
Best in Show advance tickets are still available.
Click here to buy now.
Show opening times each day: 8:15 – 18:30.
Door ticket prices:
Thursday and Friday – Adults £18/Concession* £14
Saturday and Sunday – Adults £20/Concession* £16
Under 12s go FREE
(*Concession: Child 12-15, Senior Citizen over 60, Student, Disabled)
Join us for a show stopping, fantastic family day out:
Shopping Heaven – over 400 stands with special treats and offers for you and your dog.
Fantastic Family Fun in the Arena – jam packed with agility, flyball, displays and competitions including the Scruffts final!
Eukanuba Discover Dogs – come meet, greet and discover over 200 breeds.
Best in Show – over 22,000 dogs striving for the title of Crufts Best in Show 2016.
What’s on at Crufts 2016
Day 3 – Saturday 12 March
Programmes subject to alteration.
Please note breed judging starts from 9am. Times for each breed’s judging are subject to change.
Jump to:
Arena Programme
Obedience Programme
Good Citizen Dog Scheme Ring Programme
Young Kennel Club Programme
Go to: Day 1 – Day 2 – Day 4
Arena Programme
0830
International Junior Handling Competition
1030
Crufts – International Invitation – Large – Jumping
1110
Agility – Crufts Team – Small Final
1210
Dog Activities Display
1230
BREAK
1300
Heelwork to Music – Freestyle International Competition
1425
Agility – International Invitation – Large (Agility)
1510
RAF Display
1530
Flyball – Team – Semi Finals
1620
West Midlands Police Display
1640
Southern Golden Retriever Display Team
1655
BREAK
1720
Agility – International Invitation – Large – Agility Finals
1750
Heelwork to Music – Freestyle International Winner
1755
International Junior Handling Competition – Final Judging
1815
Scruffts Final
1835
Obedience Winners 2016
1855
Group Judging (Working) and Presentation
1945
Group Judging (Pastoral) and Presentation
2035
Programme Ends
Obedience General Schedule Day 3:
Obedience Championship (Bitches)
The Obedience Championships are the highlight of the obedience year when the best of UK obedience dogs and their handlers compete for the title of Crufts Obedience Champion.
One day is for bitches the other for dogs. Throughout the year there are 46 Championship shows around the UK that host qualifying classes for the Crufts Obedience Championships.
All dogs will have successfully competed to win their way through the class levels to qualify to compete in the Championship Class C. All those who win this class will qualify to compete in the Obedience Championships the following March.
Obedience (Starts at 4pm)
Each team will comprise four handlers and four dogs of the same breed who will take part in two rounds of competition. The first section will see all four dogs complete a round of heelwork together as a group, with the dogs being assessed on their ability to complete different moves whilst remaining synchronised with their team mates.
The second section will feature four different Obedience style exercises, each of which will be completed by a different team member. The test consists of a Retrieve (handler’s own article), Send to Bed, Stop the Dog and Scent over articles.
Good Citizen Dog Scheme Ring Programme
0900
Pre-Beginner Stakes Parade
0915
Stakes Final – 20 competitors
1200
Star Citizens Heelwork to Music
1230
KCAI Presentation
1245
Southern Golden Retriever DT
1305
Puppy Foundation Display
1320
Bronze Factor Challenge warm up
1330
Safe And Sound
1345
Silver Award Display
1405
Manchester Dogs Home
1415
Gold Award Display
1435
Dogs for the Disabled
1500
Bronze Factor Challenge Test
1530
Temptation Alley
1545
Puppy Foundation Display
1600
Safe And Sound
1615
Silver Award Display
1635
Gold Award Display
1655
Star Citizens- Heelwork to Music
1710
All Teams Down Stay
1715
Finish Star Citizens
Young Kennel Club Programme
0830
Flyball
1030
Handling 17-24 years
1130
Handling 12-16 years
1200
Cinnamon Trust Volunteer Award
1215
Jumping Under 18 Years
1400
Small ABC Agility
1430
Handling 6-11 years
1500
Heelwork To Music (Heelwork)
1545
Agility Presentations
1600
Stakes Semi Final
Day 4 – Sunday 13 March
Programmes subject to alteration.
Click to view Terrier breeds and Hound breeds.
Please note breed judging starts from 9am. Times for each breed’s judging are subject to change.
Jump to:
Arena Programme
Obedience Programme
Good Citizen Dog Scheme Ring Programme
Young Kennel Club Programme
Go to: Day 1 – Day 2 – Day 3
Arena Programme
0900
Agility – Championship – Round 1 – Jumping
1010
Good Citizen Dog Scheme Display
1030
Southern Golden Retriever Display Team
1045
Safe and Sound
1105
Agility – Championship – Round 2 – Agility
1220
Flyball – Team Final
1240
West Midlands Police Dog Display
1300
Gundog Display (Adrian and Caroline Slater)
1320
RAF Display
1345
Heelwork to Music Display
1400
Programme ends and Arena to be cleared
1530
Doors open to ticket holders
1655
Agility – Championship Final
1730
Presentation to Agility World Cup Winning Team
1735
Eukanuba Friends for Life
1755
YKC Stakes Final and Presentation
1805
Group Judging (Terrier) and Presentation
1850
Presentation of Painting to 2015 Best in Show Winner
1855
Group Judging (Hound) and Presentation
1945
Heelwork to Music (Mary Ray)
1950
Interval
2000
West Midlands Police
2020
2025
Presentation of the Police Dog Team Operational and Humanitarian Action of the Year Award
Stage Set for Best in Show
2030
Best in Show and Presentation
Obedience Day 4 General Schedule:
Obedience World Cup
This is an international team event that was first staged in 2004. This year will see 6 teams competing representing England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Netherlands, Germany. This event is a combination of exercises from UK, USA and European (FCI) obedience.
WHEN I AM OLD AND GREY my steps may be slower.
I may not hear as well.
I may not see as well.
I may not feel as well.
BUT ….
My love will be the same.
My devotion will be the same.
My appreciation will be the same.
My hear and soul are grateful for all that you have done and do ….
WHEN I AM OLD AND GREY.
by Bridget of Linked Souls
Worm Control
This information is for owners of pet dogs. For information on worming farm dogs, please click on the next tab “Advice for Farmers”.
Dog faeces can cause serious diseases in sheep through the contamination of grass (the main food source for sheep) and water. Dog waste on grazing land can pass worms and parasites to other dogs, sheep and wildlife, so it is just as vital to clear up after you dog in the countryside as it is in the town. The eggs of worms and parasites can survive on the ground for a long time (some up to three years!) so dog mess must even be cleared from fields that do not currently have livestock grazing in them. It is also important to keep your dog thoroughly wormed all year round.
Diseases transmitted to sheep through dog faeces can be fatal, and can cause unpleasant effects such as impaired vision and neurological symptoms. Some can cause a sheep’s meat to be condemned, making the animal worthless. Sheep are valuable assets and the loss of a sheep or of the value of a sheep’s meat is a significant financial blow to a farmer.
Tips for worming your dog.
Worming your dog at least every three months not only benefits your pet, but also other dogs, people (particularly children), wildlife and livestock.
You dog may be carrying intestinal worms without showing any symptoms, so don’t assume he or she does not need worming. If left untreated you may notice vomiting, lethargy, a dull coat, a pot-bellied appearance, lack of appetite, or your dog may ‘scoot’ its bottom along the ground.
Drontal is one wormer product that dog owners can select, which kills every type of intestinal worm commonly found in UK dogs and cats with a single dose, so speak to your vet about the different products available and which worms they kill.
Once you have selected a wormer product to use, make sure you provide the right dose for the size of dog.
Other ways to reduce worm infections in dogs include rigorous kennel hygiene, avoiding feeding unsterilised pet food and discouraging your dog from scavenging on carcases. Routinely treating for fleas can also help, as fleas can carry tapeworm larvae.
National Sheep Association Striving for a sustainable and prosperous sheep industry.
NSA and all its farmer-members want everyone to enjoy the beautiful UK countryside, but as much of our rural landscapes are maintained by grazing sheep there is always a strong chance you will encounter some while out with your dog.
Destroying dogs that attack.
NSA recommends that farmers only shoot dogs as a last resort, as the legality of a shooting depends on whether a farmer had a lawful excuse for shooting the dog in that individual circumstance. If it is necessary to shoot an attacking dog, please bear in mind the following points:-
Dogs are counted as property so shooting a dog could trigger a criminal damage charge.
In order for a shooting to be legal, you would have to show that you acted in the belief that your property (i.e. the sheep) was in immediate danger and that your actions were reasonable under the circumstances. What counts as ‘reasonable’ can differ in individual cases, depending on the situation. If, for example, you have had problems with a particular dog before and the owner has ignored requests to keep it under control, this would be a relevant factor. It is important to remember that you are not entitled to shoot the dog if it has already left the vicinity and is no longer a direct danger to your sheep, even if you fear it might come back and pose a threat in the future.
There is also the possibility of the dog’s owner suing you for trespass to goods. The Animals Act 1971 offers you the defence that you were protecting livestock if you can show that you reasonably believed that either: the dog was worrying or about to worry the livestock and there were no other reasonable means of ending or preventing worrying; or the dog had been worrying livestock, had not left the vicinity and was not under the control of any person, and there were no practical means of finding out who owned it
You must report the shooting to the police within 48 hours. If you do not, none of these defences will be valid in civil proceedings.
Under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, it is an offence to cause unnecessary suffering to dogs (or other protected animals). The factors used to decide whether the suffering caused by shooting a dog is unnecessary include: whether the suffering could reasonably have been avoided or reduced; whether the act which caused the suffering was for a legitimate purpose, in this case protecting property or another animal; whether the suffering was proportionate the intention of the action; and whether the conduct was wholly that of a reasonably competent and humane person.
Although the Act makes allowance for what it calls ‘the destruction of an animal in an appropriate and humane manner’, the law is based so heavily on circumstance that it is very difficult to know if your actions will count as this. You are at particular risk of falling foul of this Act if you fail to kill the dog cleanly with one shot. Offences can be punished with up to six months’ imprisonment and/or fines of up to £20,000. You could also be disqualified from keeping animals.
Shooting a dog also puts you at risk of committing a firearms offence. You could be prosecuted for breaking certificate conditions if you use a rifle or other section 1 fire arm to shoot a dog, unless the certificate conditions allow such use. Chasing a dog in order to shoot it has been known to lead to prosecution for trespassing with a firearm. Firearms offences are usually punished with imprisonment unless they are minor technicalities. A police review of your right to possess firearms will almost certainly result from shooting a dog. Your certificates may be taken away with no guarantee of them being returned.
The information here is correct to the best of NSA’s ability and cannot be used to defend action taken by individuals when a case of sheep worrying by dogs occurs.
However well you think your dog is trained especially regarding his or her recall their natural instinct will still be in them.
Keeping a your dog on the lead anywhere there may be live stock grazing is the only safe way of guaranteeing your dog’s safety (possibly being shot by a farmer) and the safety of any grazing animals.
Please don’t take the risk!
