Falkirk woman to compete in Crufts 2020 with Labrador Gus

Sharon Deans and dog Gus will contest the world famous training show, which starts on Thursday, as part of a Scottish rally team.

Rally is the latest sport to be recognised by the Kennel Club and sees teams of six navigate a course comprised of ten to 15 exercises.

Each course is different and there are more than 100 exercises in rally, including stationary tasks, recalls, jumps, retrieves and cone weaves.

The Inter-regional Rally Competition takes place at Crufts each year between seven teams – Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and four English regions.

This year’s competition is being held at the NEC in Birmingham.

Sharon, who will take part in the Level One event, said: “Gus is a young Labrador and boy does he like to work!

“He really enjoys rally and has done well in his first few competitions.

“Gus also trains in agility and has fun taking part in scent work and man trailing.

“He’s very loving and his favourite toy is a stuffed lion which he will very gently retrieve from the arms of anyone who has the audacity to cuddle it.

“We are delighted to have been picked for the Scottish team and hope that nerves on the day don’t get the better of us!”