World's largest dog agility competition begins at Rutland Showground
Thousands of dogs will compete over the next few days to win most agile.
The International Agility Festival, the world's largest dog agility competition, has begun at the Rutland Showground.
The event, hosted by dog training organisation the Kennel Club, will run till Sunday the 13th of August.
Over 3000 dogs and their owners from 12 different countries- such as Austria and the US- are taking part in the hope their dog will win 'most agile'.
The winner will be award qualification to Crufts- the largest dog show in the world- in Solihull, West Midlands next year. They will also qualify for the next London international horse show which hosts it's own dog agility competition.
Mark Beazley, the Chief Executive of organisers The Kennel Club told us, "Even though the event here is great fun, it gives the handlers an opportunity to compete in front of a world wide audience. It's a brilliant event for novices and professionals."
It is their third year at the Rutland Showground and Mark says, "it's a great day out, but especially with fantastic weather like this. The Showground is a beautiful venue for four days of wagging tails and smiling faces."
He added, "We have 18 rings and 200 classes of competition across novice and professional agility runs, so it's a great spectacle for all the family to come and see."
The festival will also include food tents, refreshments, pet item stalls, and a range of experts that can provide advice on how to get into the world of dog agility competitions.
"If people are interested in getting involved, there's plenty of trainers here that would like to have a talk with you, explain what it's all about, and maybe get you and your dog participating as well."