A prize-winning boy and dog partnership have triumphed at this year’s Crufts.
Nine-year-old Jamie Hewitson and his border collie Kaos have returned home to Shefford from the show with the prestigious Starters’ Obedience Award.
The pair, who live in Elm Road impressed judges and a crowd of more than 100 spectators at the show on Thursday, March 7.
Jamie’s mum Nicky Harradine and Kaos’s trainer Kim Watson brought the 11-year-old dog out of retirement for Crufts – with spectacular results.
Kaos had previously won some 507 rosettes with Kim at shows up and down the country.
Nicky said: “Jamie’s grandmother Linda and Kim have been friends for many years, and have also trained dogs together.
“Jamie has always had a good relationship with Kaos and he has admired what his grandmother has done so he wanted to have a go himself.”
To qualify for a Crufts Young Kennel Club junior competition owners and their dogs must have enjoyed success at a previous major show in the UK.
Jamie, who attends Shefford Lower School achieved this with ease, picking up awards at events in Essex and Sheffield in September and October last year.
Kim said: “Kaos is 11-and-a-half now but you wouldn’t believe it to watch him in action. He and Jamie have a great relationship and they are very comfortable with each other – and that shined through on the day.” At nine Jamie was the youngest of the 15 competitors who had travelled from all over the UK to the show at the Birmingham NEC.
Kim added: “They were aged up to 15 so the competition was strong.
“They took it in turns to perform, and they would be doing everything from heelwork to sit and stay, obedience and command exercises.”
There was quite a lot of pressure but Jamie and Kaos both stayed calm throughout.
Kim said: “It’s important to be confident and in control as if you are very nervous or unsure of yourself then the dog will pick up on this very quickly.
“Jamie and Kaos were great to watch as they were completely in harmony with each other at all times.
“Some of the others just didn’t click in the same way.”