A PAIR of goldendoodles from Neston entertained crowds at this year’s prestigious Crufts competition.
Ozzie, four, and Phoenix, two, took part in the annual dog show on March 7, 8 and 10.
The pair are golden retriever/poodle cross-breeds and their owners Georgette Kluiters, who works at Liverpool University’s Leahurst Vet School, and Gareth Bayliss, a microbiologist from Thor Specialities, applied for the chance to take part in the display teams via the Kennel Club Good Citizen Dog Scheme.
Ozzie and Georgette, who train at Sutton Weavers Agility Club near Runcorn, beat competition from 56 dogs to be selected as one of 11 who performed in the silver display team at the NEC in Birmingham.
Phoenix and Gareth were selected to perform as just one of three dogs demonstrating the bronze award to handlers who would be taking the test with their own dog at Crufts.
Both dogs are from rescue centres, with Ozzie coming from Rochdale Dog Rescue and Phoenix from Many Tears in South Wales.
Ozzie has now beaten competition for a place in the silver team for two years in a row, but this year was extra special as both dogs were selected to attend the show together.
Georgette said: “We’re really proud of what both dogs have achieved. They have come so far from when we first got them and it’s just great to be able to represent not only our training club at Crufts, but also the rescue organisations these dogs came from.”
Ozzie and Phoenix are members of Sutton Weavers Dog Display Team who perform at country shows during the summer, doing a mixture of obedience to music, heel work and agility.
Gareth said: “They take it all in their stride and enjoy the interaction with members of the public.”
Both dogs have also been regular visitors to Highfield Residential Home in Halesworth, Suffolk, during holiday periods, where they have met and interacted with the residents.
