A DOG lover from Renfrew will be competing at Crufts with her pooch as part of the Scottish Rally Team for the second year running.

Karyn Thomson and her crossbreed dog Bailey will be one of six pairs competing for Scotland when the much-loved event begins on Thursday, March 7.

Rally is the latest sport to be recognised by the Kennel Club, which organises Crufts, and involves each dog and handler working together as a team, navigating a course of 10 to 15 exercises.

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Each course is different and there are more than 100 exercises that can be involved, including stationary tasks, recalls, jumps, retrieves and cone weaves.

Bailey is a rescue dog who found a loving home after being given up by his previous owner.

Karyn said the nine-year-old canine is raring to go for his second shot at Crufts.

She told The Gazette: “Bailey is a nine-year-old rescue crossbreed and is my first dog.

“He had a difficult start in life and our journey together didn’t start off brilliantly but he has always been eager to learn and happy to work.

“This will be his second time at Crufts and I’m so proud to be asked to be in the Scottish team again.

“Bailey is an easy-going dog who gets on with everyone and his fantastic personality has been integral in helping his new rescue collie sister settle with us.

“Thankfully, he has been teaching her all of his good habits and none of his old naughty ones.

“We also compete in Heelwork to Music but have put more of a focus on rally this past year. Bailey’s consistent record in rally earned him his Level 4 excellent title at the end of 2018.

“We’re looking forward to another wonderful time at Crufts.”

The pair started training and competing in Heelwork to Music a few years ago, before starting to attend rally obedience classes in 2017.

There are five levels in the Crufts contest, with Karyn and Bailey competing in Level 4.

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

Last year, the Scottish team gained third place in the event and will be aiming for top spot this year.

Crufts, which will welcome tens of thousands of dogs from across the globe, is being held at the NEC, in Birmingham, over four days.

To find out more about the upcoming competition, visit www.crufts.org.uk.

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