Eight remarkable rescue dogs from Dogs Trust (formerly the NCDL) showed off their amazing agility skills at Crufts this weekend when they took part in the Rescue Dog Agility event.

Running on Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 March, the dogs revelled at jumping over fences and finding their way through the weave to a rapturous reception from the audience of around 3000 people in the Special Events Ring, Hall 3.

The rescue dogs were run around the ring by their owners. Running for Dogs Trust were:

- Dudley and Kathryn Moulding – Dudley was one of an unwanted litter handed into Dogs Trust Shoreham.
- Bridget and Sue Stonebridge – Bridget is a happy go lucky Lancashire Heeler who loves agility and lives with an Akita!
- Petzi and Simone Gillespie – Lurcher Petzi came into Dogs Trust as a stray.
- Womble and Elaine Potter – Womble was an abandoned puppy who was also deaf. Elaine rehomed him and taught him sign language.
- Storm and Lynn Pottage – Working sheepdog Storm is cuddly and loves agility. His favourite trick is ‘singing’ along to the news.
- Todd and Liz Dowker – Todd was found dumped with his three sisters in a carrier bag in Leeds City Centre. He was just one day old.
- Hector and Alex Johnson – Beagle Hector originally came from the breeding kennels destined for laboratory research.
- Geordie and Lynne Barber – Geordie arrived at Dogs Trust as a stray aged six months old with a terrible wound on his side.

The Rescue Dog Agility event at Crufts is now in its fifth year and features rescue dogs which have been rehomed from five of the UK’s largest animal welfare charities – Battersea Dogs’ Home, The Blue Cross, Dogs Trust, RSPCA and Wood Green Animal Shelters.

Team Co-ordinator Jack Johnstone comments:

"Rescue dogs often use agility as part of their therapeutic process of something to focus on and they have a real passion for it, although of course you do get some rescue dogs who’d prefer to curl up in front of the fire! I would urge anyone thinking of getting a dog to consider rehoming a rescue dog and giving them a second chance in life."

The rescue dog competition is not competitive and aims to promote rescue dogs and show that they can rival any pedigree pet when it comes to enthusiasm and personality in the ring.