The first performance of the day in the World Cup Obedience came early in the morning for Dave Gannon and Skater, his Golden Retriever. The USA draw for running order was 8th country. Dave and Skater are competing for individual winner only for the AKC/USA. The other teams from Scotland, England, Wales, Isle Channel, Ireland, Holland, Belgium and Northern Ireland all have entered the team competition for their country as well as individual competition.

The first round of exercises was heelwork, a long, complicated pattern performed beautifully by Skater and Dave. The next exercise was the directed retrieve, with three dumbbells placed at the end of the ring. The handler is not allowed to give a signal to the dog but must send from an upright position. Unfortunately Skater was supposed to retrieve the number 2 dumbbell but retrieved the number one dumbbell instead. The next exercise was the directed go out, which is a long 60-foot straight out, and the dog must go through six sets of boxes. Skater was slightly to the right of the boxes but performed all parts of the exercise, which includes a call to heel from a minimum of 30 feet across the arena. The retrieve over the high jump proved Skater's undoing as he went around the jump. The recall with control was the last exercise. This most difficult exercise was made harder by the change of position from the usual drop on recall to the stand on recall within a designated circle. From standing in the circle, they then had to sit and down and stand on command. The handler then returned to heel position. Skater did this well, but he was slightly past the circle.

The English and Dutch teams are very close in score after the first round of competition.

The next exercise to perform is the sit stay with all dogs in the ring followed by the directed retrieve. Watch for updates of Dave and Skater as they perform the next set of exercises.

Team Manager Sharon Anderson attended a noon luncheon briefing on the World Cup Obedience competition representing AKC/USA. Dave Gannon and Skater, a Golden Retriever, had their first opportunity to practice on Saturday afternoon.

Dave and Skater practiced the unique and demanding heel pattern as well as the 50-yard directed go-outs. Dave and Skater will perform throughout the day on Sunday. Watch for updates.

Crufts, the three-day, largest dog show in the world, has begun in Birmingham, England. More than 25,000 dogs will participate in conformation, Agility, Obedience and demonstrations. 

The AKC/USA is well represented in Obedience by Dave Gannon and his Golden Retriever, Skater. Carrie Jones and her Border Collie, Jive, represent AKC/USA in Agility. Skater is one of the top five OTCH dogs of 2007. Jive placed sixth in the world in Norway as a member of the 2007 AKC/USA World Agility Championship team.

The trip to England was the easiest to date for AKC/USA.  Fly time was only 7 hours and 5 minutes, and both dogs bounced out of their huge crates ready to perform.

Friday, March 7, is practice day for both Obedience and Agility. (The five acres of shopping will surely be part of the day's activity as well.)

With so many rings to watch, Crufts is like no other dog show.  It offers one ring of competition by the Youth Kennel Club, which features a full range of competition by junior handlers; five halls of vendors; rings; and demonstrations. Each hall has a huge overhead screen that features the main arena activity, which includes the Agility competitions. 

Watch for daily updates.