Page 164 - K9 News - Issue 15 - March2021
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station. The entire class have the opportunity to different KC activities. Sadly, Lucy passed away
walk the course (without dogs) for a 30-minute before she could add to her RL1 title, but she
period before the judging commences, so we too had some nice results, the highlight being a
know what to expect when it’s our turn. Lucy Second place in the Pre-Beginner class.
was a lovely dog to work, she was very eager
to please and I was especially proud of our re- I have never seen another Weimaraner
homed girl. competing at any of the Rally or Obedience
shows I have entered; however, I do know
Rally is fun for both handler and dog and it’s a couple of other owners who have taken
easy to train and start competing. You need part. Nina Fotara owns, trains and handles
minimal equipment and you can start in your Astraios Earth Angel - the first of the breed
back garden, or out on a walk. to gain the Intro-Ex title. This is achieved by
earning points winning or being placed in the
For more information, go to Introductory class, and an equivalent title can
www.thekennelclub.org.uk/events-and- be aspired to in each class. The Introductory
activities/rally class isn’t scheduled at all shows, but it is
hugely appealing to absolute beginners. You
Obedience can learn a lot in a low-pressure environment
among others who are in the same situation
Competitive Obedience is exactly what you and maybe pick up a few nice awards along
would imagine – testing the abilities of well- the way. The next classes are Pre-Beginner,
trained dogs. Lucy was the first Weimaraner I Beginner, Novice, Class A, Class B, Class C
ventured into this sport with, after she enjoyed and Championship Class C. As well as wins/
Rally and the KC Good Citizen Dog Scheme so placings, there are Award of Merit certificates
much, which is non-competitive. She passed on offer in the Intro, Pre-Beg, and Beginner
the Bronze, Silver and Gold tests, so I thought classes, which were introduced to encourage
we must both be in a good shape to give this new handlers to give Obedience a try. As the
sport a go too. I did find the idea a little daunting name suggests, Championship Class C is where
though. The large numbers of other breeds Obedience Champions are made up. Like breed
taking part, especially Collies and GSDs, are so showing, Obedience also has tickets on offer
well-accomplished. I’d watch them and feel very (Obedience Certificates) and three are required
impressed by the dedication and commitment from three different judges to earn the title of Ob.
these handlers and dogs clearly had. People Ch. It’s very tough – the standard is incredible
are very friendly and approachable though; and there has never been an Obedience
we were never made to feel unwelcome with Champion in Weimaraners. I’d say this is largely
our breed even though they are rarely seen at due to small numbers of the breed competing
these events. Lucy and Bentley both did me and not necessarily because of a lack of merit.
proud. Lucy didn’t get to many competitions as Some General Championship shows hold an
she didn’t get started until later in her life and Obedience show in conjunction, Welsh Kennel
we spent a lot of time at breed shows. There Club is one (they hold Championship Class C
are simply not enough weekends in a year! At only, no other classes), so if you fancy having
all but one of the Obedience shows I had both a look at what it’s all about you may be able
Lucy and Bentley entered, she did slightly better to observe some obedience champion dog in
than him, however on the day Bentley decided action the next time WKC is held.
he was upping in his game, he did it in style
and won the Pre-Beginner Class at Carmarthen You can read about how to get started in
Canine Club. He’d earned enough points to Obedience at
claim his P-Beg.Ex and I was over the moon www.thekennelclub.org.uk/events-and-
as this means he has notable awards in three activities/obedience/new-to-obedience/
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K9 NEWS DIGITAL / MARCH 2021
