Household names Ashleigh Butler and Pudsey have helped to launch a new
Kennel Club competition, which will find Britain’s most talented dog by
asking people to LIKE top dog talent on Facebook.Hoping to SHARE their own success after wowing the UK on last year’s Britain’s Got Talent with their inventive tricks and routines, the members of the Young Kennel Club are now appealing to all dog owners to give their talented pets a chance to shine in the Kennel Club’s Crufts Factor competition.
The competition is searching for dogs with a wide range of talents, whether it’s dancing Dalmatians, singing Shih Tzus, sporting Samoyeds or artistic Akitas.
There will be a one-off heat at London’s biggest dog event, Discover Dogs at Earls Court on 10th November. All finalists will perform on the world’s most famous dog stage, at Crufts in March 2013.
Ashleigh said: “Dogs have an amazing ability to learn all sorts of skills, so it is really exciting to see the launch of a competition that is solely dedicated to celebrating dogs and their talents.
“Pudsey has always adored performing and working with me as a team and it was great to give him the chance to show his skills to the nation. Crufts Factor gives all dogs the same opportunity.”
The Facebook competition has been launched to find four finalists to perform in a Crufts Factor heat at London’s leading dog event, Discover Dogs 2012 taking place at London’s Earls Court on 10-11th November.
To take part people are being asked to upload a video of their dog’s special talent via the Discover Dogs Facebook page (www.facebook.com/DiscoverDogs).
Three finalists will be chosen from the videos with the most Facebook votes, while a fourth wildcard finalist will be picked from all entries.
Finalists will perform in front of a panel of judges at London’s Earls Court and the winner will be guaranteed a place in the Crufts final.
A further three Crufts finalists will then be selected, based on a YouTube competition which will be launched in the run up to the world’s greatest dog show in March 2013.
Caroline Kisko, Kennel Club Communications Director said: “We are looking for dogs that have what it takes to become stars. Last year Simon Cowell talent scouted our Young Kennel Club member Ashleigh Butler and her dog Pudsey and we want to find another star to follow in their footsteps.
“We will find our first finalist at Discover Dogs in November, and encourage all dog owners who know their dog is special, and want the world to know it too, to get involved.”
The talent demonstrated should be both safe and enjoyable for the dogs. For further information, please visit www.discoverdogs.org.uk.
ENDS
23rd October 2012
[392.12]
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NOTES TO EDITORS
Discover Dogs is held in association with Eukanuba and Metro Bank.
Discover Dogs was established in 1996 and aims to educate and inform visitors about the benefits of dog ownership.
Discover Dogs showcases the many different breeds of pedigree dogs that are registered with the Kennel Club and displays the many different activities with which dogs are involved.
Discover Dogs hosts the Scruffts Family Crossbreed of the Year competition sponsored by James Wellbeloved
Please note that Discover Dogs is a busy, stimulating environment that might prove stressful to pet dogs not accustomed to such events. If your dog is not competing in an event then please leave your dog at home as there are no crèche facilities.
Advance Ticket Prices:
One Day Ticket (Saturday or Sunday)
Adult £11.00, Concession £8.00
Children under 12 go free.
On Day Prices:
One Day Ticket (Saturday or Sunday)
Adult £15.00, Concession £12.00
Children under 12 go free.
* Concession (Child 13-15yrs, Student, Senior)
The Kennel Club is the largest organisation in the UK devoted to dog health, welfare and training. Its objective is to ensure that dogs live healthy, happy lives with responsible owners.
It runs the country’s largest registration database for both pedigree and crossbreed dogs and the Petlog database, which is the UK’s largest reunification service for microchipped animals. The Kennel Club Assured Breeder Scheme is the only scheme in the UK that monitors and sets standards for breeders, in order to protect the welfare of puppies and breeding bitches. It also runs the UK’s largest dog training programme, the Good Citizen Dog Training Scheme and licenses shows and clubs across a wide range of activities, which help dog owners to bond and enjoy life with their dogs. The Kennel Club runs the world’s greatest dog show, Crufts, and the Discover Dogs event at Earls Court, London, which is a fun family day out that educates people about how to buy responsibly and care for their dog.
The Kennel Club invests in welfare campaigns, dog training and education programmes and the Kennel Club Charitable Trust, which supports research into dog diseases and dog welfare charities, including Kennel Club Breed Rescue organisations that re-home dogs throughout the UK. The Kennel Club jointly runs health screening schemes with the British Veterinary Association and through the Charitable Trust, funds the Kennel Club Genetics Centre at the Animal Health Trust, which is at the forefront of pioneering research into dog health.
