Gamekeepers, beaters and pickers-up from across the UK are getting ready for one of the main events of the gundog calendar – Crufts 2015.
The UK’s largest shooting organisation, the British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC), will host the gamekeepers’ classes at Crufts. Gamekeepers, owners of working gundogs, gundog teams and young handlers will compete in 21 classes. They will be held on Gundog Day, Thursday 5th March 2015, in Hall 5 at the NEC in Birmingham.
Each dog in the gamekeepers’ classes is a genuine working dog and Crufts gives handlers an opportunity to show their gundogs in their prime.
The top individual gundogs owned by gamekeepers will go head-to-head in the main arena for the Best in Gamekeeping class title, competing for the Northesk Memorial Trophy.
This year in a change to the previous format the lunchtime demonstration scurry will be pairs of dogs running as teams against the clock. The demonstration scurry will start at 12:30pm.
Glynn Evans, BASC’s head of game and deer management, said: “BASC’s gamekeepers’ rings provide valuable opportunities for gamekeepers, pickers-up and gundog handlers to network and compete. It promises to be a packed day and visitors are welcome to come along and find out more about working gundogs.”
Ian Grindy, the chairman of BASC’s game and gameshooting committee, said: “All of the dogs who are getting ready to take part have just finished a busy shooting season. BASC’s rings at Crufts provide a showcase of working gundogs to a global audience and give their handlers an opportunity to show these animals in their prime.”
The BASC gundog programme is sponsored by Chudleys.
ENDS