The Kennel Club is preparing to welcome over 300 dogs from all over the world to Warwickshire next month, ahead of the Junior Open Agility World Championship.
The Championship, which is sponsored by Agria Pet Insurance, Galican, and South West Agility Goods, is one of the world’s most prestigious international dog agility competitions, and will take place between 14-16 July at Dallas Burston Polo Club in Southam. The event will see an action-packed three days of dogs and their handlers, aged 18 and under, competing in agility with the UK represented by the Young Kennel Club (YKC) Agility Team GB.
This is the first time the UK has held the competition and heralds the first of two events to be hosted by The Kennel Club, with the European Open Championships due to be held at the same venue in 2024.
The Championships will host a total of 363 dogs competing, from the following 18 countries:
- Austria
- Belgium
- Czech Republic
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Hungary
- Italy
- The Netherlands
- Norway
- Poland
- Slovakia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- United Kingdom
- United States
Helen Kerfoot, Chief Operations Officer at The Kennel Club said: “We're honoured to be hosting such a renowned competition and to have the privilege of welcoming so many skilled young agility stars who are already competing at such a high standard.
“Agility is a fantastic activity to take part in with your dog, which helps to keep both dog and handler active as well as strengthening the bond between the pair and, as these youngsters demonstrate, it’s never too early to get started.”
Janet Hughes, Commercial Director and Head of Sustainability at Agria Pet Insurance added: “We are proud to be sponsoring the Junior Open Agility World Championships, as it is hosted in the UK for the first time.
“The competition will showcase some of the very highest level in agility, and with so many talented young handlers and their dogs from all over the world taking part, we are in for a very exciting few days. We would like to wish all those competing the very best of luck.”
More information on the Junior Open Agility World Championship can be found by visiting our website.
Further details on the Young Kennel Club Agility Team GB, can be found on our agility Team GB page.