The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Perthshire flyball team ready to spring into action at Crufts
Streamlinerz to take to ring at prestigious show less than year after forming
A Tayside dog squad is heading to Crufts to take part in one of the show’s most popular events.
Perthshire Streamlinerz will head into the flyball ring at the prestigious event, less than a year after the team was formed.
The canine sport sees teams of dogs race in relay form, hurdling four jumps before retrieving a ball from a spring-loaded box.
The Streamlinerz face tough competition from around the country, with their first race against tournament stalwarts Warrington Wizards.
However, team captain Anna Hardie says the team is hopeful of doing well.
The 32-year-old said: “We are really looking forward to it. Because the team has not been together that long – maybe seven or eight months – it was such a surprise to get through.
“We qualified in our first competition after we formed. It was the first time the dogs had run together in a competition.”
Anna, who works as a dog walker, added: “I’ve been down to Crufts a few times with other teams but for some of our members this will be the first time they have gone, so they are more nervous than I am.
“It is exciting in the ring, but it’s loud. There’s always good support from the Scottish crowds there, which makes us feel a bit better.
“Our first race is against Warrington, which is going to be a challenge. The dogs in both teams are evenly matched but they have been doing Crufts longer than we have.
“It’s always hard competing against English teams because they tend to have more fast lurchers, whereas we have the collies.”
Collies Prada, Shep, Swift and Orion, along with cockapoo Rollo and husky Nero will take to the flyball ring on March 8 at 3.15pm.
The team is holding an open day at which members of the public can have a go at flyball, between 10am and 4pm on April 14 at Old Gallows Road, Perth.
It is exciting in the ring, but it’s loud. There’s always good support from the Scottish crowds there, which makes us feel a bit better. ANNA HARDIE