About The Team
The Whitchurch Dog Display Team is based in Whitchurch, Shropshire and has been running for many years. The team travels round Shropshire and Cheshire performing their routine to crowds large and small. From shows such as the Shrewsbury Flower Show to village shows. The team consists of over 30 handlers & dogs. All the dogs are family pets and most only do it for the fun. The dogs are all shapes, sizes and breeds and come from all backgrounds from rescued to pedigree, large to small. The dogs and handlers train together on a weekly basis and the individual owners and dogs practice at home.
Carole Hill
Some members of the team also go the Walford & North Shropshire College once a week to practice the obedience side, which is very important part of the training. Carole Hill is a trained instructor with the British Institute of Professional Dog Trainers. The dogs are put through a course recognised by the Kennel Club which is the good citizen award, with Bronze, Silver & Gold awards given. There is also a course for the puppies at the college which is recognised by the Kennel Club which is called the Puppy Foundation Award. All dogs on the course and in the team are required to have a current vaccine certificate.
Practice Time!
The routine at the shows consists of formation obedience work then the team perform the agility display using the equipment, this consists of many of the items they use in competition agility but on a smaller scale. The equipment is able to be used by both the largest and smallest dogs in the team. Also some of the dogs go through a set of fire jumps, the dogs find this fun and get very excited when they know it time to do the fire jumps!
The fire jumps are set up.
Sophie is seen here jumping through fire.
As well as the shows the team also does other activities, recently the team went bowling and then out for a meal, they also had Christmas meal. All these events are well attended and are great fun.
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This is Keith Clorley is the North Shropshire Dog Warden. He assess dogs and their handlers for kennel club 'Good Citizen' dogs tests, Bronze, Silver & Gold awards. Of which we are registered to do through our dog training classes.
He is pictured with Carole Hill our instructor and her dog Sophie. During the North Shropshire Schools safety scheme awareness week. Sophie loves doing this every year, as she gets to meet and greet the children. Sophie & Caroles' role is to heighten children's awareness of dogs and their behaviours
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At the Christmas meal we award a 'Dog of the Year' trophy which is voted for by the members.
Dog of the Year 2007 - 'MEG'
Well done to Carolyn and Meg who were voted Dog of the Year for 2007. Carolyn has not been in the team long with Meg and has done really well since joining. On behalf of the team I would like to congratulate Carolyn and her achievement and doing so well in the shows. A worthy winner.
Dog of the Year 2006 - 'BLUE'
For 2006 the award was presented to Liz & Stuart Featherstone - on behalf of Blue, who could not be there on the night! Congratulations to them both & Blue, for the hard work they have done with him throughout the year. When he first arrived at Liz & Stuarts, Blue was, well lets just say he had not had much training. He is now a credit to them both & achieved his Gold award in December 2006 - which seemed a long way off the December before! Well done Blue.
Dog of the Year 2005 - 'HODGE'
In 2005 Hodge, owned by Donald was awarded the trophy. Congratulations to Donald and Hodge for their continued improvement & dedication to the team. Shown below is Hodge proudly sitting with his award.
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At the end of each year the money in the kitty (or should that be doggy!) from shows done throughout the year is presented to a local Charity. The chosen charity for the 2007 season was Grinshill Animal Rescue Centre.
Below is a picture of Alan Shaw handing over the cheque to Jenny from Grinshall. Also in the picture are Rob & Carole Hill.
If you wish to make a donation or contact Grinshill Animal Rescue Centre then please visit their website.